Solving Word Problems with Systems of Equations Set Up pt 1

This lesson teaches how to use systems of equations to solve word problems that require finding two unknowns. By defining two variables and writing two equations to comprise a system of equations, one can solve for the values of the variables using either the substitution or addition method. The focus of this lesson is on how to set up a system of equations and how to check the answer, with the goal of finding the cost of each item or the values of two unknown numbers.

Setting up systems of equations to solve word problems.

• How do you solve a word problem using systems of equations?
• How do you set up a system of equations from a word problem?
• How do you check your answer to a system of equations word problem?
• If 2 CDs and 4 DVDs cost $40, and 3 CDs and 5 DVDs cost $55, how much does a CD cost and how much does a DVD cost?
• How do you solve the system of equations 2C + 4D = 40 and 3C + 5D = 55?
• If the sum of two numbers if 76 and their difference is 52, what are the two numbers?
• If you know the sum and the difference of two numbers, how can you find the two numbers?
• If x + y = 76 and x - y = 52, what do x and y equal?