LESSON
NAME _________________________________________________________ DATE ____________
7.3 Reteaching with Practice
For use with pages 411–417
GOAL Use linear combinations to solve a system of linear equations and model
a real-life problem using a system of linear equations
VOCABULARY
A linear combination of two equations is an equation obtained by
adding one of the equations (or a multiple of one of the equations) to the
other equation.
EXAMPLE 1 Using Multiplication First
Solve the linear system. 4x 3y 11 Equation 1
3x 2y 13 Equation 2
SOLUTION
The equations are arranged with like terms in columns. You can get the
coefficients of y to be opposites by multiplying the first equation by 2
and the second equation by 3.
4x 3y 11 Multiply by 2. 8x 6y 22
3x 2y 13 Multiply by 3. 9x 6y 39
17x 17 Add the equations.
x 1 Solve for x.
Substitute 1 for x in the second equation and solve for y.
3x 2y 13 Write Equation 2.
31 2y 13 Substitute 1 for x.
3 2y 13 Simplify.
Lesson 7.3
y 5 Solve for y.
The solution is 1, 5.
Exercises for Example 1
Use linear combinations to solve the system of linear
equations.
1. x 2y 5 2. xy1 3. x y 4
3x 2y 7 2x 3y 12 x 2y 5
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc. Algebra 1 43
All rights reserved. Chapter 7 Resource Book
LESSON
NAME _________________________________________________________ DATE ____________
7.3
CONTINUED
Reteaching with Practice
For use with pages 411–417
EXAMPLE 2 Writing and Using a Linear System
A pharmacy mailed 300 advertisements, smaller ads requiring $.33
postage and larger ads requiring $.55 postage. If the total cost of postage
was $121, find the number of advertisements mailed at each rate.
SOLUTION
Verbal Number of Number of Total number
Model smaller ads larger ads of ads
Postage for Number of Postage for Number of
smaller ads smaller ads larger ads larger ads
Total cost
of postage
Labels Number of smaller ads x (ads)
Number of larger ads y (ads)
Total number of ads 300 (ads)
Postage for smaller ads 0.33 (dollars per ad)
Postage for larger ads 0.55 (dollars per ad)
Total cost of postage 121 (dollars)
Algebraic x y 300 Equation 1 (ads)
Model 0.33x 0.55y 121 Equation 2 (dollars)
Use linear combinations to solve for y.
0.33x 0.33y 99 Multiply Equation 1 by 0.33.
0.33x 0.55y 121 Write Equation 2.
Lesson 7.3
0.22y 22 Add the equations.
y 100 Solve for y.
Substitute 100 for y in Equation 1 and solve for x.
x y 300 Write Equation 1.
x 100 300 Substitute 100 for y.
x 200 Solve for x.
The solution is 200, 100. The pharmacy mailed 200 smaller ads and
100 larger ads.
Exercises for Example 2
4. Rework Example 2 if the total cost of postage was $154.
5. Rework Example 2 if the pharmacy mailed 320 advertisements.
44 Algebra 1 Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
Chapter 7 Resource Book All rights reserved.
