4.3: Solve Applications with Systems of Equations
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
- Solve direct translation applications
- Solve geometry applications
- Solve uniform motion applications
Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.
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The sum of twice a number and nine is 31. Find the number.
If you missed this problem, review [link] . -
Twins Jon and Ron together earned $96,000 last year. Ron earned $8000 more than three times what Jon earned. How much did each of the twins earn?
If you missed this problem, review [link] . -
An express train and a local train leave Pittsburgh to travel to Washington, D.C. The express train can make the trip in four hours and the local train takes five hours for the trip. The speed of the express train is 12 miles per hour faster than the speed of the local train. Find the speed of both trains.
If you missed this problem, review [link] .
Solve Direct Translation Applications
Systems of linear equations are very useful for solving applications. Some people find setting up word problems with two variables easier than setting them up with just one variable. To solve an application, we’ll first translate the words into a system of linear equations. Then we will decide the most convenient method to use, and then solve the system.
- Read the problem. Make sure all the words and ideas are understood.
- Identify what we are looking for.
- Name what we are looking for. Choose variables to represent those quantities.
- Translate into a system of equations.
- Solve the system of equations using good algebra techniques.
- Check the answer in the problem and make sure it makes sense.
- Answer the question with a complete sentence.
We solved number problems with one variable earlier. Let’s see how differently it works using two variables.
The sum of two numbers is zero. One number is nine less than the other. Find the numbers.
- Answer
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Step 1. Read the problem. Step 2. Identify what we are looking for. We are looking for two numbers. Step 3. Name what we are looking for. Let \(n= \text{the first number} \).
\(m= \text{the second number} \)Step 4. Translate into a system of equations. The sum of two numbers is zero. One number is nine less than the other. The system is: Step 5. Solve the system of
equations. We will use substitution
since the second equation is solved
for n .Substitute m − 9 for n in the first equation. Solve for m . Substitute \(m=\frac{9}{2}\) into the second equation
and then solve for n .Step 6. Check the answer in the problem. Do these numbers make sense in
the problem? We will leave this to
you!Step 7. Answer the question. The numbers are \(\frac{9}{2}\) and \(−\frac{9}{2}\).
The sum of two numbers is 10. One number is 4 less than the other. Find the numbers.
- Answer
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\(3, 7\)
The sum of two numbers is \(−6\). One number is 10 less than the other. Find the numbers.
- Answer
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\(2, −8\)
Heather has been offered two options for her salary as a trainer at the gym. Option A would pay her $25,000 plus $15 for each training session. Option B would pay her \($10,000+$40\) for each training session. How many training sessions would make the salary options equal?
- Answer
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Step 1. Read the problem. Step 2. Identify what we are looking for. We are looking for the number of
training sessions that would make
the pay equal.Step 3. Name what we are looking for. Let s=s= Heather’s salary.
n=n= the number of training sessionsStep 4. Translate into a system of equations. Option A would pay her $25,000
plus $15 for each training
session.Option B would pay her $10,000
+ $40 for each training session.The system is shown. Step 5. Solve the system of equations.
We will use substitution.Substitute 25,000 +15 n for s in the second
equation.Solve for n . Step 6. Check the answer. Are 600 training sessions a year reasonable?
Are the two options equal when n = 600?Step 7. Answer the question. The salary options would be equal for 600 training
sessions.
Geraldine has been offered positions by two insurance companies. The first company pays a salary of $12,000 plus a commission of $100 for each policy sold. The second pays a salary of $20,000 plus a commission of $50 for each policy sold. How many policies would need to be sold to make the total pay the same?
- Answer
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160 policies
Kenneth currently sells suits for company A at a salary of $22,000 plus a $10 commission for each suit sold. Company B offers him a position with a salary of $28,000 plus a $4 commission for each suit sold. How many suits would Kenneth need to sell for the options to be equal?
- Answer
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1000 suits
As you solve each application, remember to analyze which method of solving the system of equations would be most convenient.
Translate to a system of equations and then solve:
When Jenna spent 10 minutes on the elliptical trainer and then did circuit training for 20 minutes, her fitness app says she burned 278 calories. When she spent 20 minutes on the elliptical trainer and 30 minutes circuit training she burned 473 calories. How many calories does she burn for each minute on the elliptical trainer? How many calories for each minute of circuit training?
- Answer
-
Step 1. Read the problem. Step 2. Identify what we are looking for. We are looking for the number of
calories burned each minute on the
elliptical trainer and each minute of
circuit training.Step 3. Name what we are looking for. Let e=e= number of calories burned per
minute on the elliptical trainer.
c=c= number of calories burned per
minute while circuit trainingStep 4. Translate into a system of equations. 10 minutes on the elliptical and circuit
training for 20 minutes, burned
278 calories20 minutes on the elliptical and
30 minutes of circuit training burned
473 caloriesThe system is: Step 5. Solve the system of equations. Multiply the first equation by −2 to get
opposite coefficients of e .Simplify and add the equations.
Solve for c .Substitute c = 8.3 into one of the
original equations to solve for e .Step 6. Check the answer in the problem. Check the math on your own. Step 7. Answer the question. Jenna burns 8.3 calories per minute
circuit training and 11.2 calories per
minute while on the elliptical trainer.
Translate to a system of equations and then solve:
Mark went to the gym and did 40 minutes of Bikram hot yoga and 10 minutes of jumping jacks. He burned 510 calories. The next time he went to the gym, he did 30 minutes of Bikram hot yoga and 20 minutes of jumping jacks burning 470 calories. How many calories were burned for each minute of yoga? How many calories were burned for each minute of jumping jacks?
- Answer
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Mark burned 11 calories for each minute of yoga and 7 calories for each minute of jumping jacks.
Translate to a system of equations and then solve:
Erin spent 30 minutes on the rowing machine and 20 minutes lifting weights at the gym and burned 430 calories. During her next visit to the gym she spent 50 minutes on the rowing machine and 10 minutes lifting weights and burned 600 calories. How many calories did she burn for each minutes on the rowing machine? How many calories did she burn for each minute of weight lifting?
- Answer
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Erin burned 11 calories for each minute on the rowing machine and 5 calories for each minute of weight lifting.
Solve Geometry Applications
We will now solve geometry applications using systems of linear equations. We will need to add complementary angles and supplementary angles to our list some properties of angles.
The measures of two complementary angles add to 90 degrees. The measures of two supplementary angles add to 180 degrees.
Two angles are complementary if the sum of the measures of their angles is 90 degrees.
Two angles are supplementary if the sum of the measures of their angles is 180 degrees
If two angles are complementary, we say that one angle is the complement of the other.
If two angles are supplementary, we say that one angle is the supplement of the other.
Translate to a system of equations and then solve.
The difference of two complementary angles is 26 degrees. Find the measures of the angles.
- Answer
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\(\begin{array} {ll} {\textbf{Step 1. Read }\text{the problem.}} &{} \\ {\textbf{Step 2. Identify }\text{what we are looking for.}} &{\text{We are looking for the measure of each}} \\ {} &{\text{angle.}} \\ {\textbf{Step 3. Name }\text{what we are looking for.}} &{\text{Let} x=\text{ the measure of the first angle.}} \\ {} &{\hspace{3mm} y= \text{ the measure of the second angle}} \\ {\textbf{Step 4. Translate }\text{into a system of}} &{\text{The angles are complementary.}} \\ {\text{equations.}} &{\hspace{15mm} x+y=90} \\ {} &{\text{The difference of the two angles is 26}} \\ {} &{\text{degrees.}} \\ {} &{\hspace{15mm} x−y=26} \\ {} &{} \\ {} &{} \\ {\text{The system is shown.}} &{\hspace{15mm} \left\{ \begin{array} {l} x+y=90 \\ x−y=26 \end{array} \right. } \\ {} &{} \\ {} &{} \\ {\textbf{Step 5. Solve }\text{the system of equations} } &{\hspace{15mm} \left\{ \begin{array} {l} x+y=90 \\ \underline{x−y=26} \end{array} \right. } \\ {\text{by elimination.}} &{\hspace{21mm} 2x\hspace{4mm}=116} \\ {} &{\hspace{28mm} x=58} \\ {} &{} \\ {} &{} \\ {\text{Substitute }x=58\text{ into the first equation.}} &{\hspace{15mm} x+y=90} \\ {} &{\hspace{14mm} 58+y=90} \\ {} &{\hspace{22mm} y=32} \\ {\textbf{Step 6. Check }\text{the answer in the problem.}} &{} \\ {} &{} \\ {} &{} \\ {} &{} \\ {\hspace{15mm} 58+32=90\checkmark} &{} \\ {\hspace{15mm} 58−32=26\checkmark} &{} \\ {\textbf{Step 7. Answer }\text{the question.}} &{\text{The angle measures are 58 and 32 degrees.}} \end{array} \)
Translate to a system of equations and then solve:
The difference of two complementary angles is 20 degrees. Find the measures of the angles.
- Answer
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The angle measures are 55 and 35.
Translate to a system of equations and then solve:
The difference of two complementary angles is 80 degrees. Find the measures of the angles.
- Answer
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The angle measures are 5 and 85.
In the next example, we remember that the measures of supplementary angles add to 180.
Translate to a system of equations and then solve:
Two angles are supplementary. The measure of the larger angle is twelve degrees less than five times the measure of the smaller angle. Find the measures of both angles.
- Answer
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Step 1. Read the problem. Step 2. Identify what we are looking for. We are looking for measure of each
angle.Step 3. Name what we are looking for. Let x=x= the measure of the first angle.
y=y= the measure of the second angleStep 4. Translate into a system of equations. The angles are supplementary. The larger angle is twelve less than five
times the smaller angle.The system is shown:
Step 5. Solve the system of equations substitution.Substitute 5 x − 12 for y in the first equation.
Solve for x .
Substitute 32 for x in the second
equation, then solve for y .
Step 6. Check the answer in the problem. Step 7. Answer the question. The angle measures are 148 and 32 degrees.
Translate to a system of equations and then solve:
Two angles are supplementary. The measure of the larger angle is 12 degrees more than three times the smaller angle. Find the measures of the angles.
- Answer
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The angle measures are 42 and 138.
Translate to a system of equations and then solve:
Two angles are supplementary. The measure of the larger angle is 18 less than twice the measure of the smaller angle. Find the measures of the angles.
- Answer
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The angle measures are 66 and 114.
Recall that the angles of a triangle add up to 180 degrees. A right triangle has one angle that is 90 degrees. What does that tell us about the other two angles? In the next example we will be finding the measures of the other two angles.
The measure of one of the small angles of a right triangle is ten more than three times the measure of the other small angle. Find the measures of both angles.
- Answer
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We will draw and label a figure.
Step 1. Read the problem. Step 2. Identify what you are looking for. We are looking for the measures of the angles. Step 3. Name what we are looking for. Let a=a= the measure of the first angle.
b=b= the measure of the second angleStep 4. Translate into a system of equations. The measure of one of the small angles of a right triangle is ten more than three times the measure of the other small angle. The sum of the measures of the angles of a triangle is 180. The system is shown. Step 5. Solve the system of equations. We will use substitution since the first equation is solved for a . Substitute 3b+103b+10 for a in the second equation. Solve for b . Substitute b=20b=20 into the first equation and then solve for a. Step 6. Check the answer in the problem. We will leave this to you! Step 7. Answer the question. The measures of the small angles are 20 and 70 degrees.
The measure of one of the small angles of a right triangle is 2 more than 3 times the measure of the other small angle. Find the measure of both angles.
- Answer
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\(22, 68\)
The measure of one of the small angles of a right triangle is 18 less than twice the measure of the other small angle. Find the measure of both angles.
- Answer
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\(36, 54\)
Often it is helpful when solving geometry applications to draw a picture to visualize the situation.
Translate to a system of equations and then solve:
Randall has 125 feet of fencing to enclose the part of his backyard adjacent to his house. He will only need to fence around three sides, because the fourth side will be the wall of the house. He wants the length of the fenced yard (parallel to the house wall) to be 5 feet more than four times as long as the width. Find the length and the width.
- Answer
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Step 1. Read the problem. Step 2. Identify what you are looking for. We are looking for the length and width. Step 3. Name what we are looking for. Let L=L= the length of the fenced yard.
W=W= the width of the fenced yardStep 4. Translate into a system of equations. One lenth and two widths equal 125. The length will be 5 feet more than
four times the width.The system is shown.
Step 5. Solve The system of equations
by substitution.Substitute L = 4 W + 5 into the first
equation, then solve for W .Substitute 20 for W in the second
equation, then solve for L .Step 6. Check the answer in the
problem.Step 7. Answer the equation. The length is 85 feet and the width is 20 feet.
Translate to a system of equations and then solve:
Mario wants to put a fence around the pool in his backyard. Since one side is adjacent to the house, he will only need to fence three sides. There are two long sides and the one shorter side is parallel to the house. He needs 155 feet of fencing to enclose the pool. The length of the long side is 10 feet less than twice the width. Find the length and width of the pool area to be enclosed.
- Answer
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The length is 60 feet and the width is 35 feet.
Translate to a system of equations and then solve:
Alexis wants to build a rectangular dog run in her yard adjacent to her neighbor’s fence. She will use 136 feet of fencing to completely enclose the rectangular dog run. The length of the dog run along the neighbor’s fence will be 16 feet less than twice the width. Find the length and width of the dog run.
- Answer
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The length is 60 feet and the width is 38 feet.
Solve uniform motion applications
We used a table to organize the information in uniform motion problems when we introduced them earlier. We’ll continue using the table here. The basic equation was \(D=rt\) where D is the distance traveled, r is the rate, and t is the time.
Our first example of a uniform motion application will be for a situation similar to some we have already seen, but now we can use two variables and two equations.
Translate to a system of equations and then solve:
Joni left St. Louis on the interstate, driving west towards Denver at a speed of 65 miles per hour. Half an hour later, Kelly left St. Louis on the same route as Joni, driving 78 miles per hour. How long will it take Kelly to catch up to Joni?
- Answer
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A diagram is useful in helping us visualize the situation.
Identify and name what we are looking for. A chart will help us organize the data. We know the rates of both Joni and Kelly, and so we enter them in the chart. We are looking for the length of time Kelly, k , and Joni, j , will each drive.
Since \(D=r·t\) we can fill in the Distance column.
Translate into a system of equations.
To make the system of equations, we must recognize that Kelly and Joni will drive the same distance. So,
\(\hspace{85mm} 65j=78k \nonumber \)
Also, since Kelly left later, her time will be \(\frac{1}{2}\) hour less than Joni’s time. So,
\( \hspace{105mm} k=j-\frac{1}{2} \nonumber \)
\(\begin{array} {ll} {\text{Now we have the system.}} &{\left\{ \begin{array} {l} k=j−\frac{1}{2} \\ 65j=78k \end{array} \right.} \\ {\textbf{Solve }\text{the system of equations by substitution.}} &{} \\ {} &{} \\ {\text{Substitute }k=j−12\text{ into the second equation,}} &{} \\ {\text{then solve for }j.} &{} \\ {} &{65j=78k} \\ {} &{65j=78(j−\frac{1}{2})} \\ {} &{65j=78j−39} \\ {} &{−13j=−39} \\ {} &{j=3} \\{\begin{array} {l} {\text{To find Kelly’s time, substitute }j=3 \text{ into the first}} \\ {\text{equation, then solve for }k.} \end{array} } &{k=j−\frac{1}{2}} \\ {} &{k=3−\frac{1}{2} } \\ {} &{k=\frac{5}{2} \text{ or } k=2\frac{1}{2}} \\ {\textbf{Check }\text{the answer in the problem.}} &{} \\ {\begin{array} {lllll} {\text{Joni}} &{3 \text{ hours}} &{(65\text{ mph})} &= &{195\text{ miles}} \\ {\text{Kelly}} &{2\frac{1}{2} \text{ hours}} &{(78\text{ mph})} &= &{195\text{ miles}} \end{array}} &{} \\ {\text{Yes, they will have traveled the same distance}} &{} \\{\text{when they meet.}} &{} \\ {\textbf{Answer }\text{the question.}} &{} \\ {} &{\text{Kelly will catch up to Joni in}} \\ {} &{2\frac{1}{2}\text{ hours. By then, Joni will}} \\ {} &{\text{have traveled }3 \text{ hours.}} \\ \end{array}\)
Translate to a system of equations and then solve:
Mitchell left Detroit on the interstate driving south towards Orlando at a speed of 60 miles per hour. Clark left Detroit 1 hour later traveling at a speed of 75 miles per hour, following the same route as Mitchell. How long will it take Clark to catch Mitchell?
- Answer
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It will take Clark 4 hours to catch Mitchell.
Translate to a system of equations and then solve:
Charlie left his mother’s house traveling at an average speed of 36 miles per hour. His sister Sally left 15 minutes \((\frac{1}{4} \text{ hour})\) later traveling the same route at an average speed of 42 miles per hour. How long before Sally catches up to Charlie?
- Answer
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It will take Sally \(112\) hours to catch up to Charlie.
Many real-world applications of uniform motion arise because of the effects of currents—of water or air—on the actual speed of a vehicle. Cross-country airplane flights in the United States generally take longer going west than going east because of the prevailing wind currents.
Let’s take a look at a boat travelling on a river. Depending on which way the boat is going, the current of the water is either slowing it down or speeding it up.
The images below show how a river current affects the speed at which a boat is actually travelling. We’ll call the speed of the boat in still water b and the speed of the river current c .
The boat is going downstream, in the same direction as the river current. The current helps push the boat, so the boat’s actual speed is faster than its speed in still water. The actual speed at which the boat is moving is \(b+c\).
Now, the boat is going upstream, opposite to the river current. The current is going against the boat, so the boat’s actual speed is slower than its speed in still water. The actual speed of the boat is \(b−c\).
We’ll put some numbers to this situation in the next example.
Translate to a system of equations and then solve.
A river cruise ship sailed 60 miles downstream for 4 hours and then took 5 hours sailing upstream to return to the dock. Find the speed of the ship in still water and the speed of the river current.
- Answer
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Read the problem. This is a uniform motion problem and a
picture will help us visualize the situation.Identify what we are looking for. We are looking for the speed of the ship
in still water and the speed of the current.Name what we are looking for. Let \(s= \text{the rate of the ship in still water.}\)
\(c= \text{the rate of the current}\)A chart will help us organize the information.
The ship goes downstream and then upstream.
Going downstream, the current helps the
ship and so the ship's actual rate is s + c .
Going upstream, the current slows the ship
and so the actual rate is s − c .Downstream it takes 4 hours.
Upstream it takes 5 hours.
Each way the distance is 60 miles.Translate into a system of equations.
Since rate times time is distance, we can
write the system of equations.Solve the system of equations.
Distribute to put both equations in standard
form, then solve by elimination.Multiply the top equation by 5 and the
bottom equation by 4.
Add the equations, then solve for s .Substitute s = 13.5 into of the original
equations.Check the answer in the problem.
The downstream rate would be
\(13.5+1.5=15\) mph.
In 4 hours the ship would travel
\(15·4=60\) miles.
The upstream rate would be
\(13.5−1.5=12\) mph.
In 5 hours the ship would travel
\(12·5=60\) miles.Answer the question. The rate of the ship is 13.5 mph and
the rate of the current is 1.5 mph.
Translate to a system of equations and then solve:
A Mississippi river boat cruise sailed 120 miles upstream for 12 hours and then took 10 hours to return to the dock. Find the speed of the river boat in still water and the speed of the river current.
- Answer
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The rate of the boat is 11 mph and the rate of the current is 1 mph.
Translate to a system of equations and then solve:
Jason paddled his canoe 24 miles upstream for 4 hours. It took him 3 hours to paddle back. Find the speed of the canoe in still water and the speed of the river current.
- Answer
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The speed of the canoe is 7 mph and the speed of the current is 1 mph.
Wind currents affect airplane speeds in the same way as water currents affect boat speeds. We’ll see this in the next example. A wind current in the same direction as the plane is flying is called a tailwind . A wind current blowing against the direction of the plane is called a headwind .
Translate to a system of equations and then solve:
A private jet can fly 1,095 miles in three hours with a tailwind but only 987 miles in three hours into a headwind. Find the speed of the jet in still air and the speed of the wind.
- Answer
-
Read the problem. This is a uniform motion problem and a
picture will help us visualize.Identify what we are looking for. We are looking for the speed of the jet
in still air and the speed of the wind.Name what we are looking for. Let j=j= the speed of the jet in still air.
w=w= the speed of the wind.A chart will help us organize the information.
The jet makes two trips—one in a tailwind
and one in a headwind.
In a tailwind, the wind helps the jet and so
the rate is j + w .
In a headwind, the wind slows the jet and
so the rate is j ‒ w .Each trip takes 3 hours.
In a tailwind the jet flies 1,095 miles.
In a headwind the jet flies 987 miles.Translate into a system of equations.
Since rate times time is distance, we get the
system of equations.Solve the system of equations.
Distribute, then solve by elimination.
Add, and solve for j .Substitute j = 347 into one of the original
equations, then solve for w .Check the answer in the problem.
With the tailwind, the actual rate of the
jet would be
\(347+18=365\) mph.
In 3 hours the jet would travel
\(365·3=1,095\) miles
Going into the headwind, the jet’s actual
rate would be
\(347−18=329\) mph.
In 3 hours the jet would travel
\(329·3=987\) miles.Answer the question. The rate of the jet is 347 mph and the
rate of the wind is 18 mph.
Translate to a system of equations and then solve:
A small jet can fly 1,325 miles in 5 hours with a tailwind but only 1,035 miles in 5 hours into a headwind. Find the speed of the jet in still air and the speed of the wind.
- Answer
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The speed of the jet is 235 mph and the speed of the wind is 30 mph.
Translate to a system of equations and then solve:
A commercial jet can fly 1,728 miles in 4 hours with a tailwind but only 1,536 miles in 4 hours into a headwind. Find the speed of the jet in still air and the speed of the wind.
- Answer
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The speed of the jet is 408 mph and the speed of the wind is 24 mph.
Access this online resource for additional instruction and practice with systems of equations.
- Systems of Equations
Key Concepts
-
How To Solve Applications with Systems of Equations
- Read the problem. Make sure all the words and ideas are understood.
- Identify what we are looking for.
- Name what we are looking for. Choose variables to represent those quantities.
- Translate into a system of equations.
- Solve the system of equations using good algebra techniques.
- Check the answer in the problem and make sure it makes sense.
- Answer the question with a complete sentence.
Glossary
- complementary angles
- Two angles are complementary if the sum of the measures of their angles is 90 degrees.
- supplementary angles
- Two angles are supplementary if the sum of the measures of their angles is 180 degrees.