Questions tagged [systems-of-equations]

This tag indicates that several equations (of some type) must all hold. Do not use alone! Use in conjunction with (linear-algebra), (polynomials), (pde), (differential-equations), (inequalities) or another tag that describes the nature of the equations being considered.

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. Linear equations (ones that graph as straight lines) are simpler than non-linear equations, and the simplest linear system is one with two equations and two variables.

Applications:

In mathematics, the theory of linear systems is the basis and a fundamental part of linear algebra, a subject which is used in most parts of modern mathematics. Computational algorithms for finding the solutions are an important part of numerical linear algebra, and play a prominent role in engineering, physics, chemistry, computer science, and economics.

A system of non-linear equations can often be approximated by a linear system, a helpful technique when making a mathematical model or computer simulation of a relatively complex system.

Other tags in conjunction with this tag should specify, whether the equations of the system are linear, polynomial, ordinary or partial differential equations (or something else). This tag has not fully matured yet. See this meta thread for more opinions and discussion.

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Dealing more efficiently with fractional forms in system of equations

As an example, suppose we have to solve the following system of two equations and two unknowns: $$ \begin{cases} -\frac{10}{x}-\frac{8}{y} &= \frac{8}{3} \\ -\frac{6}{x}+\frac{6}{y} &= -\frac{1}{3} \end{cases} $$ My approach and solution I opted…
user929304
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Solve the system of equations $x + y^2 + z^3 = 3; y + z^2 + x^3 = 3; z + x^2 + y^3 = 3$ (where x,y,z are positive real numbers)

It seems that $x=y=z=1$ is the only solution, but I can't find how to prove it. I've tried defining $a=x-1; b=y-1; c=z-1$, but with no success. Any ideas? Geometrically, each equation defines a 3D surface. All 3 surfaces are identical, except they…
MiniQuark
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Easiest system of equations to solve

Suppose we need to solve the following system of equations: $$ \left\{\begin{align*} &f_1(x_1) + f_1(x_2) + \ldots + f_1(x_k) = a_1,\\ &f_2(x_1) + f_2(x_2) + \ldots + f_2(x_k) = a_2,\\ &\vdots\\ &f_k(x_1) + f_k(x_2) + \ldots + f_k(x_k) = a_k,\\ &1…
Pasha
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China 1997, System of Linear Equations

(source: China 1997) Problem 1. (CHINA 1997) Given that $x=2$ and $y=2$ is the solution of the system $$ ax+by=7\\ bx+cy=5 $$ Then the relation between $a$ and $c$ is a. $4a+c=9$ b. $2a+c=9$ c. $4a-c=9$ d. $2a-c=9$ My attempt: I tried subtracting…
Carolyn
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$4x^2+2xy+y^2+x+y+6\sqrt{xy}=15$ and $x+\frac{6(x^2+y^2)}{x^2+xy+y^2}-\sqrt{2(x^2+y^2)}=3$

Solve the system of equations $$\begin{align} 4x^2+2xy+y^2+x+y+6\sqrt{xy}=15 \\ x+\frac{6(x^2+y^2)}{x^2+xy+y^2}-\sqrt{2(x^2+y^2)}=3 \end{align}$$ The only solution is $x=y=1$. But I can't solve this. We can have this:…
Minh Hien
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Solution of systems of equations with increasing funcitons

For functions $f,g: I \to \mathbb{R}$ increasing on interval $I$, prove that for the solution of the system of equations $$ \begin{cases} \begin{align} f(x_{1}) &= g(x_{2}) \\ f(x_{2}) &= g(x_{3}) \\ &\;\;\vdots \notag \\ f(x_{n}) &=…
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Let $a, b, c, d \in \mathbb R$. Given that $a^2 + c^2 = 1$, $b^2 + d^2 = 1$, and $ab + cd = 0$, show that $|ad - bc| = 1$.

As part of a proof that all 2x2 orthogonal matrices either represent rotations or reflections (Introduction to Applied Linear Algebra, exercise 10.37), I came across the below. Let $a, b, c, d \in \mathbb R$. Given that $a^2 + c^2 = 1$, $b^2 + d^2 =…
jeg
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solve for real x and y: $x(x^2-3y^2)=2, y(3x^2-y^2)=11$

Solve for real x and y: $x(x^2-3y^2)=2$ $y(3x^2-y^2)=11$ My attempt: I got $(x-y)^3=13$ but this doesn't always hold, I got a solution $(2,1)$. How to proceed?
Tapi
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Solve simultaneous problems involving an ellipse

I am trying to follow a derivation in a paper. The reason it is of importance is because I want to make a slight change to one of the equations. But in order to do that, I need to understand how they were able to arrive at the original final…
rdemyan
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very basic system of equations by Cramer's method

Consider the system of linear equations: $$ \begin{align*} 2x + 3y &= 5 \\ 4x - y &= 2 \end{align*} $$ I'm trying to find the solutions for x and y. If anyone could provide insights or a step-by-step solution, I would greatly appreciate it. I need…
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Solve a system of equations $x+y+z=1, x^2+y^2+z^2=3, x^3+y^3+z^3=1$

Does this system have infinitely many solutions. Because evident solution is $1,-1,1$ . And I reached till condition $xyz=-1$ with algebraic transformations. I got that $x^2+y^2+z^2+2(xy+yz+zx)=1$ and from the second equation got $xy+yz+zx=-1$.…
Maca
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solution to equations $x(1-y)=0$ and $y(1-x)=0$

I need to solve two equations: $$ x(1-y)=0 \\ y(1-x)=0 $$ If I had one equation, ex $x(1-y)$, the solution would be $x=0$ or $y = 1$. But how do I go about solving two such equations? Are the solutions as below? $$ x = 0 \lor y=0 \\ x = 0 \lor y=1…
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System of equations using the extreme principle

Find the integers $a,b,c,x,y,z$ that verify the system: $$x^3+2y^3=a^3$$ $$5y^3+3z^3=b^3$$ $$4z^3+6x^3=c^3$$ This is a logical continuation of this another problem: Find the integers $a,b,x,y$ that verify the…
Memat
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Word problem: a system of equations

Can someone please help me. I'm having a hard time answering this question. At a country fair, adults’ tickets sold for £5.50, senior citizens’ tickets sold for £4.00, and children’s tickets sold for £1.50. On the opening night, the number of…
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Solving $x=\frac{\alpha y}{\alpha y+\beta z}$, $y=\frac{\gamma x}{\gamma x+\delta(1-z)}$, $z=\frac{\epsilon(1-x)}{\epsilon(1-x)+\zeta(1-y)}$

Given this set of three rational equations: $$ x = \frac{\alpha\cdot y}{\alpha\cdot y + \beta\cdot z} $$ $$ y = \frac{\gamma\cdot x}{\gamma\cdot x + \delta\cdot (1-z)} $$ $$ z = \frac{\epsilon\cdot (1-x)}{\epsilon\cdot (1-x) + \zeta\cdot (1-y)}…
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