ALGEBRA

2.5 Solving Equations & Inequalities (Simultaneous, Quadratic)

SIMULTANEOUS EQUATION

Sometimes you need to solve a pair of equations such as:

5x + 2y = 19
5x + 3y = 21
These are called simultaneous equations.
The idea is to find a value for x and a matching value for y so that both equations
are true together.
There are 4 ways to solve a simultaneous equation
a) Inspection (Trial and error)
b) Substituition
c) Elimination
d) Graphical Method

Inspection (Trial & Error)

The method of inspection requires you to look at the two equations and spot any obvious
slight differences between them. It should be used only for simple problems.
Example 1
Solve the simultaneous equations:
5x + 2y = 19
5x + 3y = 21

Solution

The solutions to linear simultaneous equations can be found by trial and error as in the
Example 1, but this can be quite tedious. Normally, we will not using this method to
solve a pair of simultaneous equation.
Substitution Method
The method of solution by substitution is used when at least one equation is given with
either x or y as the subject of the formula, or if it is easy to make x or y the subject.

Example 2
Solve simultaneously, by substitution:
y=9-x
2x + 3y = 21
Solution

Example 3

Solve simultaneously, by substitution:

2y - x = 2
x = 1 + 8y
Solution

EXERCISE A

Elimination Method
In many problems which require the simultaneous solution of linear equations, each equation
will be of the form ax + by = c. Solution by substitution is often tedious in such situations and
the method of elimination of one of the variables is preferred.
One method is to make the coefficients of x (or y) the same size but opposite in sign and then
add the equations(Example 4). This has the effect of eliminating one of the variables.
Example 4
Solve simultaneously, by elimination:

4x + 3y = 2 . (1)
x - 3y = 8 .(2)
Solution

In problems where the coefficients of x (or y) are not the same size or opposite in
sign, we may first have to multiply each equation by a number. (Example 5)
Example 5
Solve simultaneously, by elimination:
3x + 2y = 7
2x - 5y = 11
Solution

Example 6
Solve simultaneously, by elimination:
3x + 4y = 14
4x + 5y = 17

Solution

EXERCISE B

Graphical Method
This method is quick and simple it is particularly effective if the answers are whole
numbers. When they are decimals, however, it becomes less accurate than the algebraic
method.

Example 7
Solve, graphically, the simultaneous equations:
4x + y = 6
5x - 4y = 18

Solution

EXERCISE C
For each of these questions draw a set of coordinate axes on squared paper (or graph
paper). Draw the lines corresponding to each equation, and hence solve the simultaneous
equations graphically.

Setting up and Solving Problems using Simultaneous Equations

Although many exam questions on simultaneous equations will already be set up for you,
it is important that you learn how to set them up when needed. This section shows you
how to formulate such problems, which can then be solved by the algebraic method.

Example 8
Two numbers have a sum of 45 and a difference of 13. Find the numbers.

Solution

Example 9
A theatre has two different ticket prices, one for adults and another for children. A party of 6
adults and 10 children costs 38, while for 5 adults and 12 children the cost is 39.
a)
b)

Write this information as two simultaneous equations.

Solve your equations to find the cost of an adult ticket and the cost of a child ticket.

Solution

Example 10
In my pocket I have only 5-cent and 10-cent coins. How many of each type of coin do I
have if I have 24 coins altogether and their total value is $1.55?

Solution

EXERCISE D
Use simultaneous equations to help you solve the following problems. Remember to
show all your working carefully.

REVISION EXERCISE SIMULTANEOUS EQUATION

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

QUADRATIC EQUATION

Equations of the form x2 = k

Example 11
Solve for x :
a) 2x2 + 1 = 15
Solution

Example 12
Solve for x :
a) (x 3)2 = 16
b) (x +2)2 = 11
Solution

EXERCISE E

b) 2 3x2 = 8

Solving Quadratic Equation By Factorisation

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3

: Arrange the quadratic equation in the form ax2 + bx + c = 0

: Factorise using factorization knowledge that you have learnt
previously.
: Set the pair of bracket you get from step 2 = 0, hence solve it.

Example 13
Solve the equation x2 + 3 = - 4x

Solution

Factorisation can be more difficult, especially if the coefficient of x2 is greater than 1.

Example 14
Solve the equation 2x2 - 9x = 5

Solution

Some quadratics contain only two terms, not three. If the constant term at the end
is missing, then all you need to do is take out a common factor of x.
Example 15
Solve the equation - 4x = - 10x2
Solution

Example 16
Solve for x, given
Solution

EXERCISE F

x5 9 x

4
x

Question 41

Solving Quadratic Equation By Quadratic Formula

There is a formula that can be used to find solutions to a quadratic equation.

If ax2 + bx + c = 0 is a quadratic equation, then the solutions are given by the
formula:

b b 2 4ac
x
2a
You will have two answers, normally when using quadratic formula.
You obtain one of the solutions of the quadratic by using x

b b 2 4ac
and the other
2a

b b 2 4ac
one x
2a

When to use quadratic formula ?

The formula method can be applied to a much wider range of quadratic equations than
the factorising method. You would normally use the formula if the equation cannot be
factorised in an obvious way. The quadratic formula will be given to you in an IGCSE
exam, on the formula sheet.

Example 17
Solve the equation 2x2 - 4x 1 = 0. Give your answers to 3 decimal places.
Solution
There is no obvious factorisation, so use the formula. Inspecting the equation, a = 2, b = - 4 and
c = -1.Then substituting these values into the formula:

How to quick check how many solutions does a quadratic equation has ?
As we know previously, a quadratic equation can have three type of solutions :
2 different solution
b2 4ac > 0
Eg : x2 + 4x 3 =0

(4)2 4(1)(-3) = 16 +12 = 18(which is >0)

1 solution only (2 same roots)

b2 4ac = 0

Eg : x2 + 4x + 4 =0

(4)2 4(1)(4) = 16 -16 = 18(which is =0)

0 solution

b2 4ac < 0

Eg : -4x2 + 4x 3 =0

(4)2 4(- 4)(-3) = 16 - 48 = -32(which is <0)

EXERCISE G

Solving Quadratic Equation By Completing Square

1.
2.

To solve quadratic equation, we make the left hand side of the equation a perfect
square.
To make any quadratic expression x2 + bx into a perfect square, we add the
2

b
term to the expression and this will make .
2
2

b
b
x bx x bx x
2
2
2

3.

The following shows the steps to solve the equation by using completing the
square method for quadratic equation ax2 + bx = c.
(a) Rewrite the equation in the form ax2 + bx = c.
(b) If the coefficient a 1, reduce it to 1 (by dividing).
2

b
(c) Add to both sides of the equation.
2

(d) Write the expression on the left hand side as a perfect square.
(e) Solve the equation.

Example 18
Solve the following equation by using completing the square method.
a) x2 + 6x + 5 = 0
b) 3y2 5y + 2 = 0
Solution

EXERCISE H
Solve the following quadratic equations by completing the square.
(a) x2 x 3 = 0
(c) x2 8x + 24 = 0

(b) 2x2 + 6x + 3 = 0
(d) 5x2 - 6x = 8

Problems leading to quadratic equations

At IGCSE you may be expected to set up a problem that leads to a solution involving a
quadratic equation. You will then need to solve the quadratic equation to complete the
problem.

Example 19
A rectangular flower bed measures 2x+5 metres by x+3 metres.
It has an area of 45 square metres.
a) Draw a sketch to show this information.
b) Show that x must satisfy the equation 2x2+11x 30 = 0.
c) Solve this equation, to find the value of x. Hence find the dimensions of the
flower bed.
Solution

EXERCISE I

7.

A stone was thrown from the top of a cliff 60 metres above sea level. The height of the
2
stone above sea level t seconds after it was released is given by H(t) = - 5t + 20t+ 60
metres.
a ) Find the time taken for the stone to reach its maximum height.
b) What was the maximum height above sea level reached by the stone?
c) How long did it take before the stone struck the water?

Prepared by : Mr Sathya Seelan