Final answer:
The system of linear equations that models the electoral votes in the 1976 presidential election is x + y + z = 538, x = y + 57, and y = z + 239. These equations represent the total electoral votes, the excess of votes Jimmy Carter had over Gerald Ford, and the excess of votes Gerald Ford had over Ronald Reagan, respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
To model the electoral votes cast in the 1976 presidential election using a system of linear equations, we can use the information provided to set up three equations. Since there are 538 electoral votes total, and x, y, and z are the number of votes for Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan respectively, our first equation is:
x + y + z = 538
The second piece of information tells us that Jimmy Carter received 57 more votes than Gerald Ford, which gives us the second equation:
x = y + 57
The third piece of information states that Gerald Ford received 239 more votes than Ronald Reagan, yielding the third equation:
y = z + 239
Combining these equations, we have a system of linear equations:
- x + y + z = 538
- x = y + 57
- y = z + 239