System Of Equations

A system of equations is a collection of two or more equations with a same set of unknowns. In solving a system of equations, we try to find values for each of the unknowns that will satisfy every equation in the system.

The equations in the system can be linear or non-linear. This tutorial reviews systems of linear equations.

The problem can be expressed in narrative form or the problem can be expressed in algebraic form.

Example of a narrative statement of a system of the equations:

The air-mail rate for letters to Europe is 45 cents per half-ounce and to Africa as 65 cents per half-ounce. If Shirley paid $18.55 to send 35 half-ounce letters abroad, how many did she send to Africa?

Example of an algebraic statement of the same system of the equations: 

A system of linear equations can be solved four different ways: