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Solving Simultaneous Equations Methods

This document provides information about solving simultaneous linear equations in two or more variables. It describes two main methods: the substitution method and the elimination method. For the substitution method, one equation is solved for one variable in terms of the other and then substituted into the other equation. For the elimination method, the equations are combined by multiplication or addition to eliminate one variable. Examples of applying both methods to systems with two and three variables are shown. Practice exercises with solutions are provided.

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Trinity Wilson
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87 views6 pages

Solving Simultaneous Equations Methods

This document provides information about solving simultaneous linear equations in two or more variables. It describes two main methods: the substitution method and the elimination method. For the substitution method, one equation is solved for one variable in terms of the other and then substituted into the other equation. For the elimination method, the equations are combined by multiplication or addition to eliminate one variable. Examples of applying both methods to systems with two and three variables are shown. Practice exercises with solutions are provided.

Uploaded by

Trinity Wilson
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Mathematics Learning Centre

Solving simultaneous equations

Jackie Nicholas

2005
c University of Sydney
Mathematics Learning Centre, University of Sydney 1

1 Simultaneous linear equations


We will introduce two methods for solving simultaneous linear equation with two variables.
It is worth understanding and practising both methods so that you can select the method
that is easier in any given situation.

1.1 The substitution method

Let’s suppose we have a pair of linear equations y = 2x + 2 and y = −x + 5. Their graphs


are illustrated in Figure 1.

y
5.00

4.00

3.00

2.00

1.00

x
-1.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00

Figure 1: Straight line graphs of y = 2x + 2 and y = −x + 5.

Figure 1 shows a point of intersection. We want to be able to solve the equations alge-
braically to find this point of intersection, which looks to be at (1,4).
Since both equations are in the form y = f (x) we can equate the right hand sides of the
equations and solve for x.

2x + 2 = −x + 5
3x = 3
x = 1.

We can now substitute x = 1 into either equation to find y: y = 2(1) + 2 = 4.


Mathematics Learning Centre, University of Sydney 2

So, we confirm that the point of intersection is (1,4).


This is the principle of solving simultaneous linear equations using the substitution
method. In this case it helped that both equations were in the form y = . . . as this
allowed us to equate and solve for x straight away.
However our equations could be in the form 2x − y + 2 = 0 and x + y − 5 = 0. If this is
the case we need to write one of them in the form y = . . . or x = . . . and then substitute
the result in the other equation. These steps are carried out below.

2x − y + 2 = 0 (1)

x+y−5=0 (2)
Rewrite (1) as follows:
y = 2x + 2. (3)
Substitute (3) in equation (2):

x + (2x + 2) − 5 = 3x − 3 = 0.

So, x = 1 as before.
We can now substitute x = 1 into either equation (1) or equation (2) and solve for y.

2(1) − y + 2 = 4 − y = 0.
So y = 4.
We could check our answer by substituting these values into equation (2): x + y − 5 =
1 + 4 − 5 = 0 as required.
Example
Solve the pair of simultaneous equations: 3x + y = 13 and x + 2y = 1.
Solution
3x + y = 13 (4)

and
x + 2y = 1. (5)

Rewrite equation (4) as:


y = 13 − 3x. (6)

Substitute (6) in (5):


x + 2(13 − 3x) = −5x + 26 = 1.
So, −5x = −25, ie x = 5.
Now substitute x = 5 in equation (4):

3(5) + y = 15 + y = 13.

So, y = −2.
Check by substituting x = 5 and y = −2 into (5): 5 + 2(−2) = 1 as required.
Mathematics Learning Centre, University of Sydney 3

1.2 Solving simultaneous equations by the elimination method

Suppose we have a pair of simultaneous equations, 2x − y = −2 and x + y = 5. We can


solve these equations by taking the sum of the left hand sides and equating it to the sum
of the right hand sides as follows:

2x − y + (x + y) = 3x = 3.

So, x = 1.
We were able to eliminate y by doing this as y in both equations had coefficient 1, and
y − y = 0.
We can modify this method to work for all pairs of equations:

• select which variable to eliminate

• multiply one or both equations by a constant so that the coefficient of the ‘elimination
variable’ in each equation is the same

• add or subtract to eliminate the chosen variable.

Let’s illustrate this method with an example.


Example Solve the pair of equations 5x + 2y = 10 and 4x + 3y = 15.
Solution

5x + 2y = 10 (7)
and
4x + 3y = 15. (8)

Choosing to eliminate y, multiply equation (7) by 3 and equation (8) by 2 to get:

15x + 6y = 30 (9)

and
8x + 6y = 30. (10)

As the coefficients and the sign of y in each equation are the same, we subtract (10) from
(9) to get:
15x − 8x = 7x = 30 − 30 = 0.
So, x = 0.
Substituting x = 0 into equation (8) we get 4(0) + 3y = 15 ie y = 5.
Check by substituting into equation (7): 5(0) + 2(5) = 10 as required.

Frequently the elimination method for solving pairs of simultaneous linear equations is
slightly easier than the substitution method but you should know both methods.
Mathematics Learning Centre, University of Sydney 4

1.3 Systems of equations with more than two variables


There may be situations where we have more than two equations and two variables. There
are sophisticated methods to solve these systems, eg matrix algebra.
However, if we have three equations and three variables, we can adapt the methods we
have here.
For example, suppose we have the following equations:

2x + y + λ = 0 (11)

x + 4y − 3λ = 0 (12)

and

x − 3y − 16 = 0 (13)

Here, we can eliminate λ from equations (11) and (12) as follows:


Multiply (11) by 3
6x + 3y + 3λ = 0 (14)

and add (14) and (12) to get


7x + 7y = 0. (15)

This gives us y = −x which we can substitute in (13):

x − 3(−x) − 16 = 4x − 16 = 0.

So that x = 4, y = −4 and 2(4) + (−4) + λ = 0 ie λ = −4.


Note that we used both the substitution and elimination method here.

1.4 Exercises
Solve the following pairs of simultaneous equations using either the substitution method
or the elimination method (but practice both).
1. y = −3x + 2 and y = 2x − 8

2. 2y − x = 4 and 2x − 3y = 2

3. x + y = 7 and 2x − y = 5

4. a + b − 12 = 0 and 2a + b − 6 = 0

5. 5x + 3y = −6 and 6x − 2y = 32

6. 9m − 7n = 3 and 3m − 2n = −1

7. 2x − 2λ = 0, 2y − 3λ = 0 and 2x − 3y − 5 = 0
Mathematics Learning Centre, University of Sydney 5

8. 8q + p + λ = 0, q + 2p + λ = 0 and q + p − 1600 = 0
Answers to exercises
1. x = 2 and y = −4

2. x = 16 and y = 10

3. x = 4 and y = 3

4. a = −6 and b = 18

5. x = 3 and y = −7

6. m = − 13
3
and n = −6

7. x = −2, y = −3 and λ = −2

8. q = 200, p = 1400 and λ = −3000

Common questions

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When solving simultaneous equations with more than two variables, such as 2x + y + λ = 0, x + 4y - 3λ = 0, and x - 3y - 16 = 0, both substitution and elimination methods can be effective. First, eliminate λ by modifying and adding equations: multiply the first equation by 3 and add it to the second. This yields a new equation 7x + 7y = 0, simplifying to y = -x, which can be substituted into the third equation: x - 3(-x) - 16 = 4x - 16 = 0, giving x = 4 and y = -4. Finally, substitute these values back to find λ = -4. This process shows how combining both methods simplifies complex systems .

When using the substitution method on complex equations not in the form y=f(x), a primary issue is the necessity to rearrange equations, which can be algebraically intensive and error-prone, especially if it involves fractions or multifaceted coefficients. This can be effectively addressed by correctly isolating one variable to express it in terms of the others, ensuring algebraic manipulation is accurate. Additionally, keeping track of steps and rechecking transformations can help reduce errors. If complexity increases, shifting temporarily to elimination or using software tools might save time and increase accuracy .

Practicing both substitution and elimination methods enhances flexibility in solving simultaneous equations by equipping individuals with multiple strategies to tackle different types of equations. Some equations are more naturally suited to substitution, especially when one variable is easily isolated, while others benefit from elimination, particularly when coefficients allow for straightforward cancellation. By mastering both, one can choose the most efficient technique for a given problem, reducing solution complexity and increasing overall problem-solving efficiency .

Multiplying one or both equations by a constant in the elimination method serves to make the coefficients of one of the variables equal, thus enabling their elimination when the equations are added or subtracted. This step is crucial because it simplifies the system of equations to a single-variable equation, facilitating straightforward solving for that variable. Once one variable is found, it can be substituted back into one of the original equations to determine the other variable, efficiently solving the system .

The elimination method for the system 5x+2y=10 and 4x+3y=15 involves multiplying each equation by a constant to make the coefficients of one variable the same, and then adding or subtracting the equations to eliminate that variable. Here, multiply the first equation by 3 and the second by 2 to obtain 15x+6y=30 and 8x+6y=30, respectively. Subtract the second equation from the first to eliminate y, yielding 7x = 0, so x = 0. Substitute x=0 into one of the original equations, for instance, 5x+2y=10, to find y=5. The elimination method is sometimes easier because it avoids dealing with fractions that can result from solving for a variable in one equation as happens with substitution .

To check the correctness of the solution for 3x + y = 13 and x + 2y = 1 using substitution, after finding x=5 and y=-2, substitute these values back into the original equations. For 3x + y = 13, substitute x=5 and y=-2 to check if 15 - 2 = 13 holds true. For x + 2y = 1, substitute to verify if 5 + 2(-2) = 1. Both checks confirm that the solution is correct, confirming the accuracy of the initial solution process .

Having both equations in the form y=f(x) when using the substitution method allows for immediate equating of the right-hand sides of the equations, simplifying the process of finding the variable x. This step avoids transforming the equations into solvable forms, which can add complexity if the equations are not already suited for substitution. This straightforward comparison directly gives the x-coordinate of the intersection point .

The elimination method might be preferred over substitution for systems with uneven coefficients because it allows for direct manipulation of the equations to eliminate variables, sidestepping the step of isolating a variable, which can introduce complex fractions when coefficients are unequally distributed. This method simplifies calculations by using multiplication to create equivalent coefficients, making it easier to add or subtract equations. The elimination technique can often lead to fewer arithmetic errors and less algebraic complexity in solving larger systems of linear equations .

The substitution method involves several key steps. First, express one variable in terms of the other based on one of the equations, such as y = 2x + 2. Then substitute this expression into the second equation, resulting in -x + 5 = 2x + 2. Solve this equation for x to find x = 1. Substitute x = 1 back into one of the original equations to find y = 4. Thus, the point of intersection for the equations y=2x+2 and y=-x+5 is (1, 4).

Matrix algebra is used to solve systems of simultaneous equations by representing them as a matrix equation AX = B, where A is the matrix of coefficients, X is the column matrix of variables, and B is the constants' column matrix. Solving involves finding the inverse of A, provided it exists, and calculating X = A^-1B. This method is advantageous for larger systems with numerous equations and variables, where substitution or elimination would be cumbersome due to the amount of algebraic manipulation required. It allows systematic computation using linear transformations and is particularly useful in computational programming .

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