Linear Equation

By Muralee.V.

Linear Equations in Two Variables

Linear equations Not a linear equations in two variables

in two variables
3a + 4b = 5 3a + 4b = 5c (three variables a, b, and c)
5x – 7y = 43 5x 2 - 7y = 43 (5x 2 = non linear term)

To determine the value of a variable

Example 1
Given 6x + 4y = 8, find
a) the value of y when x = 12
b) the value of x when y = -10

Solution
a) substitute x = 12 into the equation
6(12) + 4y = 8
72 + 4y = 8
4y = 8 – 72
4y = -64
y = -16
b) substitute y = -10 into the equation
6x + 4(-10) = 8
6x – 40 = 8
6x = 8 + 40
6x = 48
x=8

To determine possible solutions for a linear equation in two variables

- more than one solution
Example 2
Give three possible solutions for x and y in the equation -3x + 5y = 9.

Solution
Step 1: Express y in the term of x :
-3x + 5y = 9
5y = 9 + 3x
9  3x
y=
5
Step 2: Substitute any value of x and find the corresponding value of y
When x = 0
9  3(O )
y=
5
 9
=
5
4
=1
5
When x = 1
9  3(1)
y=
5
12
=
5
2
=2
5
When x = -1
9  3( 1)
y=
5
6
=
5
1
=1
5
4 2
Therefore, three possible solutions for -3x + 5y = 9 are x = 0, y = 1 ; x = 1, y = 2 ;
5 5
1
and x = -1, y = 1
5

To determine simultaneous linear equations in two variables

- are two linear equations in two variables that have a common solution
- Two linear equations have the same variables = simultaneous linear equations
Example
Pair of simultaneous linear Not pair of simultaneous
equations linear equations
a – b = 4; 2a + b = 5 4s + t = 1 ; -s + 6v = 2
2x – 4x = 8 ; x – y = 7 ef + f = 6; e + 3f = 2
2 5 x2 +y2 =x+y
x+ y = 45; x + 2y =
3 7
35

To solve simultaneous linear equations in two variables

- There are two methods
1. elimination method
2. substitution method

1. Elimination Method
- the variable eliminated by addition or subtraction of the equations

Example 3
Solve the following pair of simultaneous linear equations by using the method of
elimination.
2x – 6y = 32
-2x – 2y = 8

Solution
2x – 6y = 32 1

-2x – 2y = 8 2

By adding 1 and 2 , the x variable can be eliminated.

1 + 2 , - 8y = 40
8y = -40
y = -5
Substitute y = -10 into equation 1
2x – 6(-5) = 32
2x + 30 = 32
2x = 2
x =1

Check:
= 2(1) – 6(-5)
= 2 + 30
= 32

= -2(1) – 2(-5)
= - 2 + 10
=8
Therefore, the solution is x = 1 and y = -5

Example 3
Solve the following pair of simultaneous linear equations by using the method of
elimination.
5x – 4y = 8
2x + y = 11

Solution
5x – 4y = 8 1

2x + y = 11 2

Multiply 2 by 4 to make the variable y has the same coefficient.

2 x 4 , 8x + 4y = 44 3

1 + 3 ,
13x = 52
x=4
Substitute x = 4 into equation 1
5(4) – 4y = 8
 20 – 4y = 8
-4y = -12
y=3

Check:
= 5(4) – 4(3)
= 20 – 12
=8

= 2(4) + 3
=8+3
= 11
Therefore, the solution is x = 4 and y = 3

2. Substitution Method
- transform one of the equations, so that one of the variables can becomes the
subject of the equation.

Example 4
Solve the following pair of simultaneous linear equations by using the method of
substitution.
x+y=1
3x - 2y = 8

Solution
x+y=1 1

3x - 2y = 8 2

Rearrange the equation 1 , to make x as the subject of the equation.

x=1-y 3

Substitute equation 3 into equation 2

3(1 – y) – 2y = 8
3 – 3y – 2y = 8
3 – 5y = 8
-5y = 5
y = -1

Substitute y = -1 into equation 3

x = 1 – (-1)
=1+1
=2

Check:
= 2 + (-1)
=2–1
=1

= 3(2) – 2(-1)
=6+2
=8
Therefore, the solution is x = 2 and y = -1.

Example 5
3
Nurma is 5 years older than Afiqa. Four years later, Afiqa’s age will be of Nurma’s.
4
How old are they now?

Solution
Nurma’s age = x years
Afiqa’s age = y years
The different between Nurma and Afiqa = 5 years
x- y=5 1

After 4 years
3
y+4= (x + 4)
4
4y + 16 = 3x + 12
3x – 4y = 4 2

Rearrange the equation 1 , to make x as the subject of the equation.

x=5+y 3

Substitute equation 3 into equation 2

3(5 + y) – 4y = 4
15 + 3y – 4y = 4
15 – y = 4
- y = - 11
y = 11

Substitute y = 11 into equation 3

x = 5 + 11
= 16

Check:
= 16 - 11
=5

= 3(16) – 4(11)
= 48 – 44
=4
Therefore, Nurma is 16 years old and Afiqa is 11 years old, now.

Test yourself
1. Given 3x – 5y = 15. If 2x = -10, find the value of y.
2. Solve the following pair of simultaneous linear equations by using the method of
elimination.
7x + 4y = -34
4x + 3y = -23
3. Solve the following pair of simultaneous linear equations by using the method of
substitution.
x – 2y = -6
4x + y = 21