Systems of Equations

Question

One year there was a total of 47 commercial and noncommercial orbital launches worldwide. In​ addition, the number of noncommercial orbital launches was three more than three times the number of commercial orbital launches. Determine the number of commercial and noncommercial orbital launches.

Answer 1

The number of noncommercial orbital launches was three more than three times the number of commercial orbital launches. This means

N = 3C + 3 (where N = noncommercial launches and C = commercial launches)

N + C = 47 is the total number of commercial and noncommercial launches

Solving for C (number of commercial launches)

Replace N with 3C + 3 in the second equation and solve for C

3C + 3 + C = 47 which means that

4C + 3 = 47

Subtract 3 from both sides to get

4C = 44

Divide both sides by 4 to get

C = 44/4 =

Solving for N (number of noncommercial launches)

N + C = 47 means that

N = 47 – C =

Plug in the value of C you solved for above and you have your value for N