Systems of Equations (Substitution)

Learn to solve systems of two equations using the substitution method.

Advanced25 minLesson
Printable worksheet

Definition

A system of equations is a set of two or more equations with the same variables. The substitution method solves the system by:
  1. 1.Isolating one variable in one equation
  2. 2.Substituting that expression into the other equation
  3. 3.Solving for the remaining variable
  4. 4.Back-substituting to find the other variable
For example, to solve:
{y=2x+13x+y=11\begin{cases} y = 2x + 1 \\ 3x + y = 11 \end{cases}
Substitute y=2x+1y = 2x + 1 into the second equation:
3x+(2x+1)=113x + (2x + 1) = 11
5x+1=115x + 1 = 11
x=2x = 2
Then find yy: y=2(2)+1=5y = 2(2) + 1 = 5
Solution: (2,5)(2, 5)

Try it now

In the system {y=x+32x+y=9\begin{cases} y = x + 3 \\ 2x + y = 9 \end{cases}, which equation should you substitute INTO?

Worked Examples

Solve the system:
{y=3x−42x+y=6\begin{cases} y = 3x - 4 \\ 2x + y = 6 \end{cases}
1

Identify the isolated variable

The first equation already has yy isolated: y=3x−4y = 3x - 4 → Ready to substitute
2

Substitute into the second equation

Replace yy with (3x−4)(3x - 4) in 2x+y=62x + y = 6: 2x+(3x−4)=62x + (3x - 4) = 6 → 2x+3x−4=62x + 3x - 4 = 6
3

Solve for xx

5x−4=65x - 4 = 6 5x=105x = 10 x=2x = 2
4

Back-substitute to find yy

y=3(2)−4=6−4=2y = 3(2) - 4 = 6 - 4 = 2 → y=2y = 2
5

Verify the solution

Check in both equations: y=3(2)−4=2y = 3(2) - 4 = 2 ✓ 2(2)+2=62(2) + 2 = 6 ✓ → Solution verified

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to distribute when substituting

Why it's wrong: When substituting an expression like (3x−4)(3x - 4), the parentheses indicate the entire expression replaces the variable.

Correct: Always use parentheses and distribute: 2(3x−4)=6x−82(3x - 4) = 6x - 8, not 2⋅3x−4=6x−42 \cdot 3x - 4 = 6x - 4

Substituting back into the wrong equation

Why it's wrong: If you substitute back into the equation you used for substitution, you might get a trivial identity instead of a value.

Correct: After finding one variable, substitute into the OTHER original equation or the isolation equation.

Sign errors when isolating variables

Why it's wrong: Moving terms across the equals sign requires changing signs.

Correct: From x+2y=8x + 2y = 8, we get x=8−2yx = 8 - 2y (not x=8+2yx = 8 + 2y)

Not verifying the solution in both equations

Why it's wrong: The solution must satisfy both equations simultaneously. Checking only one equation may miss errors.

Correct: Always substitute (x,y)(x, y) into BOTH original equations to verify.

Interactive Visual

Function graph

-2-10123456-4-202468xy(2, 2)

Tap or hover over the graph to read off values.

y = 3x - 42x + y = 6
  • Intersection point: (2, 2)

Equation Solver

Solve for x,yx, y:

(1)y=3x−4(2)2x+y=6\begin{aligned} (1)\quad y &= 3x - 4 \\ (2)\quad 2x + y &= 6 \end{aligned}
1
(1)y=3x−4(2)2x+y=6\begin{aligned} (1)\quad y &= 3x - 4 \\ (2)\quad 2x + y &= 6 \end{aligned}
Equation (1) already tells you what yy isPick the variable that is easiest to get alone

Tips:

  • • Whatever you do to one side, do to the other
  • • Undo operations in reverse order (PEMDAS backwards)
  • • Check your answer by substituting back

Follow along as we solve the equation step by step.

Interactive Sandbox

Interactive Grapher

-10-50510-10-50510xy

Tap or hover over the graph to read off values.

Try these examples:

y = 3x - 4

m=3, b=-4

y = 6 - 2x

m=-2, b=6

Expression Calculator

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Practice Problems

15 problems
Problem 1 of 15
Easy
In the system {y=x+32x+y=9\begin{cases} y = x + 3 \\ 2x + y = 9 \end{cases}, which equation should you substitute INTO?

Why It Matters

Systems of equations model real situations where multiple constraints exist simultaneously:
  • Business: Finding break-even points where cost equals revenue
  • Chemistry: Balancing mixtures with different concentrations
  • Physics: Determining where two objects meet
  • Economics: Finding market equilibrium between supply and demand
The substitution method is especially efficient when one equation already has a variable isolated, making it the fastest approach in many practical problems.

Real World Applications

Business Break-Even Analysis

Companies use systems of equations to find where revenue equals costs.

Example:

If cost C=500+10xC = 500 + 10x (500 dollars fixed plus 10 dollars per item) and revenue R=25xR = 25x (25 dollars per item), break-even is when C=RC = R: 500+10x=25x500 + 10x = 25x, so x=33.3x = 33.3 items.

1Try It Yourself

A bakery has fixed costs of 200 dollars per day. Each cake costs 8 dollars to make and sells for 20 dollars.

How many cakes must be sold to break even?

Step 1: Write the mathematical expression

Set cost equal to revenue: 200+8x=20x200 + 8x = 20x

Mixture Problems

Scientists and pharmacists use systems to create solutions with specific concentrations.

Example:

To make 100 mL of 30% acid solution from 20% and 50% solutions: Let xx = mL of 20%, yy = mL of 50%. Then x+y=100x + y = 100 and 0.20x+0.50y=300.20x + 0.50y = 30.

2Try It Yourself

A chemist needs 200 mL of 40% alcohol solution. She has 30% and 60% solutions available.

How much of each solution should she mix?

Step 1: Write the mathematical expression

Write the system: x+y=200x + y = 200 and 0.30x+0.60y=800.30x + 0.60y = 80

Key Takeaways

  • 1The substitution method solves systems by replacing one variable with an equivalent expression
  • 2Choose to isolate the variable with the simplest coefficient (ideally 1 or -1)
  • 3Use parentheses when substituting expressions and distribute carefully
  • 4Back-substitute to find the second variable after solving for the first
  • 5Always verify your solution in BOTH original equations

Frequently Asked Questions

Use substitution when one equation already has a variable isolated (like y=2x+3y = 2x + 3) or when a variable has coefficient 1 or -1. Use elimination when variables have coefficients that are easy to match or cancel.
Use substitution when one equation already has a variable isolated (like y=2x+3y = 2x + 3) or when a variable has coefficient 1 or -1. Use elimination when variables have coefficients that are easy to match or cancel.
If you get a false statement like 0=50 = 5, the system has no solution. The lines are parallel and never intersect.
If you get a true statement like 0=00 = 0 with no variables, the system has infinitely many solutions. The equations represent the same line.

Glossary

System of equations
Two or more equations with the same variables that must be solved simultaneously
Substitution
Replacing a variable with an equivalent expression from another equation
Solution to a system
The ordered pair (x,y)(x, y) that satisfies all equations in the system
Isolate
Rewrite an equation to get one variable alone on one side
Back-substitute
Substitute a found value back into an equation to find the other variable

Formula Card

Step 1: Isolate

y=mx+by = mx + b (or solve for xx)

Solve one equation for one variable

Step 2: Substitute

Replace that variable in the other equation

Use parentheses around the expression

Step 3: Solve

Solve the resulting equation

Now there's only one variable

Step 4: Back-substitute

Plug value into isolation equation

Find the other variable

Step 5: Verify

Check (x,y)(x, y) in both equations

Both equations must be true

Today's challengeOne problem, three tries

More in This Topic

Introduction to Systems of Equations

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Solving Systems by Graphing

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Substitution Method

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Elimination Method

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