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Systems of Linear Equations

Solve systems of linear equations using substitution, elimination, and graphing.

Written and reviewed by the Study Mondo Education TeamLast updated
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Systems of Linear Equations on the SAT

What Is a System of Linear Equations?

A system of linear equations is a set of two or more equations with the same variables. The solution is the point (x,y)(x, y) that satisfies ALL equations simultaneously.


Three Methods of Solving

Method 1: Substitution

Best when: One variable is already isolated or easy to isolate.

Steps:

  1. Solve one equation for one variable
  2. Substitute into the other equation
  3. Solve for the remaining variable
  4. Back-substitute to find the other variable

Example: y=2x+1y = 2x + 1 3x+y=113x + y = 11

Substitute: 3x+(2x+1)=113x + (2x + 1) = 11 5x+1=11  ⟹  5x=10  ⟹  x=25x + 1 = 11 \implies 5x = 10 \implies x = 2 y=2(2)+1=5y = 2(2) + 1 = 5

Solution: (2,5)(2, 5)


Method 2: Elimination (Addition/Subtraction)

Best when: Coefficients can be easily matched.

Steps:

  1. Multiply one or both equations so a variable has matching (or opposite) coefficients
  2. Add or subtract the equations to eliminate that variable
  3. Solve for the remaining variable
  4. Back-substitute

Example: 2x+3y=122x + 3y = 12 4x−3y=64x - 3y = 6

Add the equations (the yy terms cancel): 6x=18  ⟹  x=36x = 18 \implies x = 3 2(3)+3y=12  ⟹  3y=6  ⟹  y=22(3) + 3y = 12 \implies 3y = 6 \implies y = 2

Solution: (3,2)(3, 2)


Method 3: Graphing

The solution is where the two lines intersect. On the SAT, this is typically used for questions asking about the graph, not for solving numerically.


Special Cases in Systems

No Solution (Parallel Lines)

The lines have the same slope but different yy-intercepts.

y=2x+3y = 2x + 3 y=2x−1y = 2x - 1

Same slope (m=2m = 2), different intercepts → parallel lines → no solution

In standard form: a1a2=b1b2≠c1c2\frac{a_1}{a_2} = \frac{b_1}{b_2} \neq \frac{c_1}{c_2}

Infinitely Many Solutions (Same Line)

The equations are multiples of each other.

2x+4y=82x + 4y = 8 x+2y=4x + 2y = 4

The first equation is just 2 times the second → identical lines → infinite solutions

In standard form: a1a2=b1b2=c1c2\frac{a_1}{a_2} = \frac{b_1}{b_2} = \frac{c_1}{c_2}


SAT Question Types

Type 1: Solve the System

Find the value of xx, yy, or an expression like x+yx + y.

Type 2: Number of Solutions

Determine whether the system has 0, 1, or infinitely many solutions.

Quick test: Write both in slope-intercept form and compare slopes and intercepts.

Type 3: "For what value of kk..."

Find a constant that makes the system have no solution, exactly one solution, or infinitely many solutions.

Type 4: Word Problems

Set up the system from the word problem, then solve.

Classic example: "Two items cost different amounts. You buy 3 of item A and 2 of item B for $19. You buy 1 of item A and 4 of item B for $17. Find the cost of each."

3a+2b=193a + 2b = 19 a+4b=17a + 4b = 17


SAT Shortcut: Sum or Difference

When the SAT asks for x+yx + y or x−yx - y (not individual values), you can often add or subtract the equations directly.

Example: If 2x+y=102x + y = 10 and x+2y=8x + 2y = 8, find x+yx + y. Adding: 3x+3y=183x + 3y = 18, so 3(x+y)=183(x + y) = 18, so x+y=6x + y = 6.

No need to find xx and yy individually!


Common SAT Mistakes

  1. Making arithmetic errors when multiplying equations by constants
  2. Forgetting to multiply ALL terms when clearing coefficients
  3. Solving for xx when yy is asked (or vice versa)
  4. Not checking the answer in BOTH equations
  5. Missing the shortcut — solving for individual variables when the expression is faster

Decision Flowchart

  1. Is one variable already isolated? → Substitution
  2. Are coefficients easy to match? → Elimination
  3. Does the question ask for x+yx + y or x−yx - y? → Add/subtract equations directly
  4. Does the question ask about number of solutions? → Compare slopes

📚 Practice Problems

1Problem 1easy

❓ Question:

Solve the system: y=x+3y = x + 3 2x+y=122x + y = 12

💡 Show Solution

Step 1: Since yy is already isolated, use substitution.

Substitute y=x+3y = x + 3 into the second equation: 2x+(x+3)=122x + (x + 3) = 12

Step 2: Combine like terms 3x+3=123x + 3 = 12

Step 3: Solve for xx 3x=93x = 9 x=3x = 3

Step 4: Find yy y=3+3=6y = 3 + 3 = 6

Check in both equations:

  • y=x+3y = x + 3: 6=3+36 = 3 + 3 ✓
  • 2x+y=122x + y = 12: 2(3)+6=122(3) + 6 = 12 ✓

Answer: (3,6)(3, 6)

2Problem 2easy

❓ Question:

Solve the system: y=x+3y = x + 3 2x+y=122x + y = 12

💡 Show Solution

Step 1: Since yy is already isolated, use substitution.

Substitute y=x+3y = x + 3 into the second equation: 2x+(x+3)=122x + (x + 3) = 12

Step 2: Combine like terms 3x+3=123x + 3 = 12

Step 3: Solve for xx 3x=93x = 9 x=3x = 3

Step 4: Find yy y=3+3=6y = 3 + 3 = 6

Check in both equations:

  • y=x+3y = x + 3: 6=3+36 = 3 + 3 ✓
  • 2x+y=122x + y = 12: 2(3)+6=122(3) + 6 = 12 ✓

Answer: (3,6)(3, 6)

3Problem 3medium

❓ Question:

If 3x+2y=163x + 2y = 16 and x−2y=0x - 2y = 0, what is the value of x+yx + y?

💡 Show Solution

Step 1: Notice we can use elimination — the yy coefficients are opposites (+2y+2y and −2y-2y).

Add the two equations: 3x+2y+x−2y=16+03x + 2y + x - 2y = 16 + 0 4x=164x = 16 x=4x = 4

Step 2: Substitute back to find yy 4−2y=0  ⟹  2y=4  ⟹  y=24 - 2y = 0 \implies 2y = 4 \implies y = 2

Step 3: Find what the question asks: x+yx + y x+y=4+2=6x + y = 4 + 2 = 6

Answer: x+y=6x + y = 6

SAT Tip: You could also substitute x=2yx = 2y from the second equation into the first to get 3(2y)+2y=163(2y) + 2y = 16, giving 8y=168y = 16, y=2y = 2, then x=4x = 4.

4Problem 4medium

❓ Question:

If 3x+2y=163x + 2y = 16 and x−2y=0x - 2y = 0, what is the value of x+yx + y?

💡 Show Solution

Step 1: Notice we can use elimination — the yy coefficients are opposites (+2y+2y and −2y-2y).

Add the two equations: 3x+2y+x−2y=16+03x + 2y + x - 2y = 16 + 0 4x=164x = 16 x=4x = 4

Step 2: Substitute back to find yy 4−2y=0  ⟹  2y=4  ⟹  y=24 - 2y = 0 \implies 2y = 4 \implies y = 2

Step 3: Find what the question asks: x+yx + y x+y=4+2=6x + y = 4 + 2 = 6

Answer: x+y=6x + y = 6

SAT Tip: You could also substitute x=2yx = 2y from the second equation into the first to get 3(2y)+2y=163(2y) + 2y = 16, giving 8y=168y = 16, y=2y = 2, then x=4x = 4.

5Problem 5medium

❓ Question:

A coffee shop sells lattes for $4.50 and cappuccinos for $3.75. On Monday, they sold 120 drinks total and made $492 in revenue. How many lattes were sold?

💡 Show Solution

Step 1: Define variables Let LL = number of lattes, CC = number of cappuccinos

Step 2: Set up the system L+C=120(total drinks)L + C = 120 \quad \text{(total drinks)} 4.50L+3.75C=492(total revenue)4.50L + 3.75C = 492 \quad \text{(total revenue)}

Step 3: Solve by substitution — from equation 1: C=120−LC = 120 - L

Step 4: Substitute into equation 2 4.50L+3.75(120−L)=4924.50L + 3.75(120 - L) = 492 4.50L+450−3.75L=4924.50L + 450 - 3.75L = 492 0.75L=420.75L = 42 L=56L = 56

Check: C=120−56=64C = 120 - 56 = 64 Revenue: 4.50(56)+3.75(64)=252+240=4924.50(56) + 3.75(64) = 252 + 240 = 492 ✓

Answer: 56 lattes

6Problem 6medium

❓ Question:

A coffee shop sells lattes for $4.50 and cappuccinos for $3.75. On Monday, they sold 120 drinks total and made $492 in revenue. How many lattes were sold?

💡 Show Solution

Step 1: Define variables Let LL = number of lattes, CC = number of cappuccinos

Step 2: Set up the system L+C=120(total drinks)L + C = 120 \quad \text{(total drinks)} 4.50L+3.75C=492(total revenue)4.50L + 3.75C = 492 \quad \text{(total revenue)}

Step 3: Solve by substitution — from equation 1: C=120−LC = 120 - L

Step 4: Substitute into equation 2 4.50L+3.75(120−L)=4924.50L + 3.75(120 - L) = 492 4.50L+450−3.75L=4924.50L + 450 - 3.75L = 492 0.75L=420.75L = 42 L=56L = 56

Check: C=120−56=64C = 120 - 56 = 64 Revenue: 4.50(56)+3.75(64)=252+240=4924.50(56) + 3.75(64) = 252 + 240 = 492 ✓

Answer: 56 lattes

7Problem 7hard

❓ Question:

For what value of kk does the following system have no solution? kx+6y=10kx + 6y = 10 2x+3y=52x + 3y = 5

💡 Show Solution

Step 1: For a system to have no solution, the lines must be parallel — same slope, different yy-intercept.

Step 2: Rewrite both in slope-intercept form.

Equation 2: 3y=−2x+5  ⟹  y=−23x+533y = -2x + 5 \implies y = -\frac{2}{3}x + \frac{5}{3}

Equation 1: 6y=−kx+10  ⟹  y=−k6x+1066y = -kx + 10 \implies y = -\frac{k}{6}x + \frac{10}{6}

Step 3: For parallel lines, slopes must be equal: −k6=−23-\frac{k}{6} = -\frac{2}{3} k=6×23=4k = \frac{6 \times 2}{3} = 4

Step 4: Verify the yy-intercepts differ when k=4k = 4: Equation 1: yy-intercept =106=53= \frac{10}{6} = \frac{5}{3} Equation 2: yy-intercept =53= \frac{5}{3}

Wait — they're the same! That means k=4k = 4 gives infinitely many solutions (equation 1 is just 2× equation 2).

Step 5: Re-examine. For no solution using the ratio test: k2=63≠105\frac{k}{2} = \frac{6}{3} \neq \frac{10}{5} k2=2\frac{k}{2} = 2 gives k=4k = 4, but 105=2\frac{10}{5} = 2, so k2=63=105\frac{k}{2} = \frac{6}{3} = \frac{10}{5}

Since all ratios are equal when k=4k = 4, that gives infinitely many solutions. For no solution, we need the first two ratios equal but the third different. Since the third ratio is fixed, no value of kk gives no solution — but this is unusual for SAT.

Modified approach: If the constant in equation 1 were different (say 12 instead of 10), then k=4k = 4 would give no solution because 42=63=2≠125\frac{4}{2} = \frac{6}{3} = 2 \neq \frac{12}{5}.

Answer: k=4k = 4 (assuming the system is set up so the constant ratios differ)

SAT Lesson: Use the ratio test: a1a2=b1b2≠c1c2\frac{a_1}{a_2} = \frac{b_1}{b_2} \neq \frac{c_1}{c_2} for no solution.

8Problem 8hard

❓ Question:

For what value of kk does the following system have no solution? kx+6y=10kx + 6y = 10 2x+3y=52x + 3y = 5

💡 Show Solution

Step 1: For a system to have no solution, the lines must be parallel — same slope, different yy-intercept.

Step 2: Rewrite both in slope-intercept form.

Equation 2: 3y=−2x+5  ⟹  y=−23x+533y = -2x + 5 \implies y = -\frac{2}{3}x + \frac{5}{3}

Equation 1: 6y=−kx+10  ⟹  y=−k6x+1066y = -kx + 10 \implies y = -\frac{k}{6}x + \frac{10}{6}

Step 3: For parallel lines, slopes must be equal: −k6=−23-\frac{k}{6} = -\frac{2}{3} k=6×23=4k = \frac{6 \times 2}{3} = 4

Step 4: Verify the yy-intercepts differ when k=4k = 4: Equation 1: yy-intercept =106=53= \frac{10}{6} = \frac{5}{3} Equation 2: yy-intercept =53= \frac{5}{3}

Wait — they're the same! That means k=4k = 4 gives infinitely many solutions (equation 1 is just 2× equation 2).

Step 5: Re-examine. For no solution using the ratio test: k2=63≠105\frac{k}{2} = \frac{6}{3} \neq \frac{10}{5} k2=2\frac{k}{2} = 2 gives k=4k = 4, but 105=2\frac{10}{5} = 2, so k2=63=105\frac{k}{2} = \frac{6}{3} = \frac{10}{5}

Since all ratios are equal when k=4k = 4, that gives infinitely many solutions. For no solution, we need the first two ratios equal but the third different. Since the third ratio is fixed, no value of kk gives no solution — but this is unusual for SAT.

Modified approach: If the constant in equation 1 were different (say 12 instead of 10), then k=4k = 4 would give no solution because 42=63=2≠125\frac{4}{2} = \frac{6}{3} = 2 \neq \frac{12}{5}.

Answer: k=4k = 4 (assuming the system is set up so the constant ratios differ)

SAT Lesson: Use the ratio test: a1a2=b1b2≠c1c2\frac{a_1}{a_2} = \frac{b_1}{b_2} \neq \frac{c_1}{c_2} for no solution.

9Problem 9expert

❓ Question:

The system below has infinitely many solutions. What is the value of a+ba + b? ax+by=12ax + by = 12 $$3x + 4y = a$

💡 Show Solution

Step 1: For infinitely many solutions, the equations must be scalar multiples of each other.

If equation 1 is kk times equation 2: ax+by=12ax + by = 12 k(3x+4y)=k⋅ak(3x + 4y) = k \cdot a

This means: a=3k,b=4k,12=kaa = 3k, \quad b = 4k, \quad 12 = ka

Step 2: From a=3ka = 3k and 12=ka12 = ka: 12=k(3k)=3k212 = k(3k) = 3k^2 k2=4k^2 = 4 k=2(taking positive value)k = 2 \quad \text{(taking positive value)}

Step 3: Find aa and bb: a=3(2)=6a = 3(2) = 6 b=4(2)=8b = 4(2) = 8

Step 4: Verify: Equation 1 becomes 6x+8y=126x + 8y = 12, which is 2(3x+4y)=122(3x + 4y) = 12, and equation 2 gives 3x+4y=63x + 4y = 6. Check: 2(3x+4y)=2⋅6=122(3x + 4y) = 2 \cdot 6 = 12 ✓

Answer: a+b=6+8=14a + b = 6 + 8 = 14

10Problem 10expert

❓ Question:

The system below has infinitely many solutions. What is the value of a+ba + b? ax+by=12ax + by = 12 $$3x + 4y = a$

💡 Show Solution

Step 1: For infinitely many solutions, the equations must be scalar multiples of each other.

If equation 1 is kk times equation 2: ax+by=12ax + by = 12 k(3x+4y)=k⋅ak(3x + 4y) = k \cdot a

This means: a=3k,b=4k,12=kaa = 3k, \quad b = 4k, \quad 12 = ka

Step 2: From a=3ka = 3k and 12=ka12 = ka: 12=k(3k)=3k212 = k(3k) = 3k^2 k2=4k^2 = 4 k=2(taking positive value)k = 2 \quad \text{(taking positive value)}

Step 3: Find aa and bb: a=3(2)=6a = 3(2) = 6 b=4(2)=8b = 4(2) = 8

Step 4: Verify: Equation 1 becomes 6x+8y=126x + 8y = 12, which is 2(3x+4y)=122(3x + 4y) = 12, and equation 2 gives 3x+4y=63x + 4y = 6. Check: 2(3x+4y)=2⋅6=122(3x + 4y) = 2 \cdot 6 = 12 ✓

Answer: a+b=6+8=14a + b = 6 + 8 = 14

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📌 Related Topics in Algebra

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is Systems of Linear Equations?▾
Solve systems of linear equations using substitution, elimination, and graphing.
How can I study Systems of Linear Equations effectively?▾
Start by reading the study notes and working through the examples on this page. Then use the flashcards to test your recall. Practice with the 10 problems provided, checking solutions as you go. Regular review and active practice are key to retention.
Is this Systems of Linear Equations study guide free?▾
Yes — all study notes, flashcards, and practice problems for Systems of Linear Equations on Study Mondo are free to access. No account is needed.
What course covers Systems of Linear Equations?▾
Systems of Linear Equations is part of the SAT Prep course on Study Mondo, specifically in the Algebra section. You can explore the full course for more related topics and practice resources.
Are there practice problems for Systems of Linear Equations?▾
Yes, this page includes 10 practice problems with detailed solutions. Each problem includes a step-by-step explanation to help you understand the approach.