Michigan Algebra I Sept. 2012

A system of equations is two or more linear equations that model the same situation. The solution to a linear system of equations is the point which lies on both lines. In other words, the solution is the point where the two lines intersect.

One way to solve a system of equations is by graphing the lines on the same coordinate plane and reading the intersection point from the graph. This method most often offers approximate solutions. Exact answers are found in the rare case when the x and yvalues of the solution are integers. However, this method is great at offering a visual representation of the system of equations and demonstrates that the solution to a system of equations is the intersection of the two lines.