2.

3 SIMULTANEOUS
EQUATIONS
Equation of Lines
2.0 ALGEBRA Graph of Linear Equation
Solving Systems of Two Linear Equations
2.3 SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS GRAPHICALLY
Solving Systems of Two Linear Equations in
Two Unknowns by SUBSTITUTION (Algebraic
Method)
Solving Systems of Two Linear Equations in
Two Unknowns by ELIMINATION (Algebraic
Method)

Equation of Lines Equation of Lines

The equation of a graph of the form y = mx + c, where m
and c are constants, the graph will always be a
straight line, m representing the gradient and c the y-axis
intercept. Thus,
y = 5x + 2
The gradient or slope of a straight line is the ratio of the
change in the value of y to the change in the value of x
between any two points of the line.
gradient = change in y / change in x

representing a straight line of gradient 5 and y-axis y2 y1

intercept 2.
gradient =
x2 x1

1
Graph of Linear Equation Graph of Linear Equation
General rules when drawing graphs:
y 10
8
i. Give the graph a title clearly explaining what is being
6
illustrated
4
ii. Choose appropriate scales to occupy the graph space
2 y = 3x + 2 iii. Choose as easy scale as possible
0 x
-3 -2 -1 -2 0 1 2 3 iv. Scales need to start at zero
-4
v. The coordinate should be clearly marked (a cross, dot
-6 or circle)
vi. Statement should be made next to each axis
vii. Sufficient numbers without cramping

Graph of Linear Equation Graph of Linear Equation

Example: 1: Draw the corresponding table for y = 4x + 3

Plot the graph y = 4x + 3 in the range x = -3 to x = +4. x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

From the graph, find (a) the gradient (b) the value of y
y = 4x + 3 -9 -5 -1 3 7 11 15 19
when x = 2.2, and (c) The value of x when y = -3.

2
Graph of Linear Equation Graph of Linear Equation
2: Plot the graph and joined the coordinate to produce 3: Solve for (a) find the gradient using any pair of the
the straight line shown in figure below coordinates. Let the coordinates are (1 , 7) and (2 , 11)

25
y
y2 y1
20
y = 4x +3 gradient , m =
15
x2 x1
10 11 7
5 =
0 x
2 1
-3 -2 -1 -5 0 1 2 3 4
4
-10 =
-15
1
=4

Graph of Linear Equation Graph of Linear Equation

4: Solve for (b) find y when x = 2.2 and (c) find x when y Further Problems
= -3
y 1. Plot the following graphs on the same axes between
25
y = 4x +3 the range x = -4 to x = +4, and determine the
20
15
gradient of each.
11.8
10
5
(a) y=x (b) y = x+2
-1.5
0 x
-3 -2 -1 -5 0 -3 1 2 3 4 (c) y = x+5 (d) y = x3
-10 2.2

-15

3
Graph of Linear Equation Graph of Linear Equation
Practical Problems Involving Straight Line Graphs Practical Problems Involving Straight Line Graphs

The temperature in degrees Celsius and the From the graph find (a) the temperature in degrees
corresponding values in degrees Fahrenheit are shown in Fahrenheit at 55C, (b) the temperature in degrees
the table below. Construct a rectangular axes, choose a Celsius at 167F, (c) the Fahrenheit temperature at 0C,
suitable scale and plot a graph of degrees Celsius (on the and (d) the Celsius temperature at 230F.
horizontal axis) against degrees Fahrenheit (on the
vertical scale)
Degrees Celsius 10 20 40 60 80 100
Degrees Fahrenheit 33 68 104 140 176 212

Graph of Linear Equation Graph of Linear Equation

Practical Problems Involving Straight Line Graphs Further Practical Problem

250
230
In an experiment on Charless law, the value of the
200 volume of gas, V m, was measured for various
Degrees F ah ren heit

167 temperatures T C. Results are shown below.

150
131
100
V 25.0 25.8 26.6 27.4 28.2 29.0
(d)
T 60 65 70 75 80 85
50 (a) (b)
(c)
10 Plot a graph of volume (vertical) against temperature
0
10 20 40
55
60
75
80 100
110 (horizontal) and from it find (a) the temperature when
Degrees Celcius the volume is 28.6 m, and (b) the volume when the
temperature is 67 C.

4
Solving Systems of Two Linear Solving Systems of Two Linear
Equations GRAPHICALLY Equations GRAPHICALLY
Linear simultaneous equations in two unknowns may be Example 1
solved graphically by:
Solve graphically the simultaneous equations
(i) Plotting the two straight lines on the same axes, and 2x y = 4
(ii) Noting their point of intersection x+ y =5
Rearranging each equation into y = mx + c form gives:

y = 2x 4 (1)

y = x + 5 (2)

Solving Systems of Two Linear Solving Systems of Two Linear

Equations GRAPHICALLY Equations GRAPHICALLY
Draw the corresponding table for each equation. Each of the graphs is plotted as shown in figure below.
y
6
x 0 1 2 3 4 5 Y = -x + 5
y = 2x - 4 -4 -2 0 2 4 4
3 (3,2)
2
x 0 1 2 3 4 1

y = -x + 5 5 4 3 2 1 0 x
-1 0 1 2 3 4

-2
-3
Y = 2x - 4
-4
-5

5
Solving Systems of Two Linear Solving Systems of Two Linear
Equations GRAPHICALLY Equations GRAPHICALLY
The point of intersection is at (3, 2) and since this is the Example 2
only point which lies simultaneously on both lines then x
= 3, y = 2 is the solution of the simultaneous equations. Solve graphically the equations
1.20 x + y = 1.80
x 5.0 y = 8.50

Rearranging each equation into y = mx + c form gives:

y = 1.20 x + 1.80
y = 0.20 x 1.70

Solving Systems of Two Linear Solving Systems of Two Linear

Equations GRAPHICALLY Equations GRAPHICALLY
Draw the corresponding table for each equation. Each of the graphs is plotted as shown in figure below.
y
4
x -1 0 1 2 3
y = -1.20x + 1.80 3.00 1.80 0.60 -0.60 -1.80 3

2
Y = 0.20x 1.70
1
x -1 0 1 2 3 0
2.50
x
y = 0.20x - 1.70 -1.90 -1.70 -1.50 -1.30 -1.10 -1
-1
0 1 2 3

-1.20
-2
(2.50 , -1.20)
Y = -1.20x + 1.80
-3

6
Solving Systems of Two Linear Solving Systems of Two Linear
Equations GRAPHICALLY Equations GRAPHICALLY
The point of intersection is at (2.50, -1.20). Hence the Further Problems
solution of the simultaneous equation is x = 2.50, y =
1.20 Solve the following simultaneous equations graphically

1. x + y = 2 2. y = 5 x
3 y 2x = 1 x y =2

3. 3 x + 4 y = 5 4. 1.4 x 7.06 = 3.2 y

2 x 5 y + 12 = 0 2.1x 6.7 y = 12.87

Simultaneous Equations in Simultaneous Equations in

Two Unknowns Algebraically Two Unknowns Algebraically
Two methods: Problem 1

(a) By substitution Solve the following equation for x and y, (a) by

substitution, and (b) by elimination:
(b) By elimination x + 2 y = 1 (1)
4 x 3 y = 18 (2)

(a) By substitution

7
Simultaneous Equations in Simultaneous Equations in
Two Unknowns Algebraically Two Unknowns Algebraically
(a) By substitution Removing the bracket gives:

From equation (1): x = 1 2 y

4 8 y 3 y = 18
11 y = 18 + 4
Substituting this expression for x into equation (2) gives:
22
y=
4( 1 2 y ) 3 y = 18 11
y = 2

Simultaneous Equations in Simultaneous Equations in

Two Unknowns Algebraically Two Unknowns Algebraically
Substituting y = 2 into equation (1) gives: Thus x = 3 and y = -2 is the solution to the
Simultaneous equations.

x + 2( 2 ) = 1
(Check: in equation (2), since x = 3 and y = -2,
x 4 = 1
x = 1 + 4 LHS = 4(3) 3(2) = 12 + 6 = 18 = RHS )
x=3

8
Simultaneous Equations in Simultaneous Equations in
Two Unknowns Algebraically Two Unknowns Algebraically
(a) By Elimination Subtracting equation (3) from equation (2) gives:

x + 2 y = 1 (1) 4 x 3 y = 18
4 x 3 y = 18 (2)
4 x + 8 y = 4
If equation (1) is multiplied throughout by 4 the 0 11 y = 22
coefficient of x will be the same as in equation (2),
giving:
Hence 22
4 x + 8 y = 4 (3) y=
11
y = 2

Simultaneous Equations in Simultaneous Equations in

Two Unknowns Algebraically Two Unknowns Algebraically
Substituting y = -2 into either equation (1) or equation Problem 2
(2) Will give x = 3 as in method (a).
Solve, by a substitution method, the simultaneous
The solution x = 3, y = -2 is the only pair of values that Equations
satisfies both of the original equations. 3 x 2 y = 12 (1)
x + 3 y = 7 (2)

From equation (2), x = 7 3 y

9
Simultaneous Equations in Simultaneous Equations in
Two Unknowns Algebraically Two Unknowns Algebraically
From equation (2), x = 7 3 y Substituting for y = -3 in equation (2) gives:

x + 3(3) = 7
Substituting for x in equation (1) gives: x 9 = 7
3(7 3 y ) 2 y = 12 x = 7 + 9
21 9 y 2 y = 12 x=2
11 y = 12 + 21 Thus x = 2, y = -3 is the solution of the simultaneous
33 Equations.
y=
11
(Such solutions should always be checked by substituting
y = 3 values into each of the original two equations)

Simultaneous Equations in Simultaneous Equations in

Two Unknowns Algebraically Two Unknowns Algebraically
Problem 3 Thus

Use an elimination method to solve the simultaneous 2 x equation (1) gives: 6 x + 8 y = 10 (3)
Equations
3x + 4 y = 5 (1) 3 x equation (2) gives: 6 x 15 y = 36 (4)

2 x 5 y = 12 (2)
If equation (1) is multiplied throughout by 2 and equation Equation (3) equation (4) gives: 0 + 23 y = 46
(2) By 3, then the coefficient of x will be the same in the
newly formed equations. Thus
46
y=
23
y=2

10
Simultaneous Equations in Simultaneous Equations in
Two Unknowns Algebraically Two Unknowns Algebraically
Substituting y = 2 in equation (1) gives: Further Problems
3 x + 4( 2) = 5
(1) 3 x 2 y = 13 (2) 5m 3n = 11
3x = 5 8 2 x + 5 y = 4 3m + n = 8
3
x=
3
x = 1 (3) 3 p = 2q (4) x y
+ =4
4 p + q + 11 = 0 2 3
Hence x = -1 and y = 2 is the solution of the x y
simultaneous equations. =0
6 9

11