Non - Graphical Solution of Simultaneous Equations

Equation: x + 5 = 10
We can solve easily one equation, one variable.
Can we find a single solution to this equation?
y = 3x + 2
No, because with 2 variables it states the equation of a straight line
A linear equation
In order to solve for 2 variables we are finding where two
lines intersect.
Non - Graphical Solution of Simultaneous Equations
Solve this pair of simultaneous equations:
and x = y - 8
First, write one equation directly under the other, keeping the =
Vertically in line and number the equations
x + 2y = 7
x + 2y = 7
1
x = y - 8
2
Rearrange the equations if necessary so that both unknown
variables are on the same side of the equation.
If the equation looks different give it a new number

x + 2y = 7
1
x y =
-
8
3
Non - Graphical Solution of Simultaneous Equations
x + 2y = 7
1
x y =
-
8
3
We can now use the 2 equations together
If we subtract equation 3 from equation 1
3y = 15
y = 5
1 3 -
Now we have found one variable we can use this by
substitution into one of the original equations to find the other variable
Substitute in 1
x + 2 x 5 = 7
x + 10 = 7
x =
-
3
We can check to see whether we have the right answers by
substituting the values in the other original equation.
-
3 = 5 - 8
Non - Graphical Solution of Simultaneous Equations
Practice
3x y = 10
1
x + y =
-
2 2
1 2 + 4x = 8
Substitute in
2
2 + y =
-
2
x = 2
y =
-
4
Check in
1
(3 x 2) (-4) = 10
Non - Graphical Solution of Simultaneous Equations
What happens when there is not a common coefficient of the
a variable between the two equations?
5x + 3y = 27 1
2 2x + y = 10
because there is not a common coefficient we need to make one
by multiplying one of the equations. Always look for the easiest way
Multiplying by 3 would be easiest because then we would have 3y 2
3 6x + 3y = 30
1 3 Now subtract from .
We could subtract from
But that would leave us with
negative numbers. Messy
3 6x + 3y = 30
5x + 3y = 27 1
x = 3 3 1
-
Substitute in
2 2 x 3 + y = 10
y = 4
Check in
1
5 x 3 + 3 x 4 = 27 1
Non - Graphical Solution of Simultaneous Equations
Practice
6x + 2y =
-
10
1
2x + 4y =
-
10 2
1 x 2
10x =
-
10
Substitute in
1
-6 + 2y =
-
10
x =
-
1
2y =
-
4
Check in
2
(6 x
-
1) + 2y =
-
10
12x + 4y =
-
20
3
Subtract -
2 3
12x + 4y =
-
20
3
2x + 4y =
-
10 2
2 3 -
y =
-
2
(2 x
-
1) + (4 x
-
2) =
-
10