Pair Linear Equations in Two Variable

Equation which can be put in form ax + by + c = 0, where a, b and c are

real numbers, and a and b are not both zero, is called a linear equation in
two variables x and y. E.g. 3x + 10y =8
If it is given that sum of age of Students Ram & Sita is 9 & the difference
in their age is 1, how can we find their age?

Here we can assume age of Ram to be x & that of Sita to be y & then
create linear equations in 2 variable.  
Sum of their age is 9, implies                                       x+y=9
Difference of their age is 1, implies                         x-y=1
Now we can solve this pair of equation to find value of x & y, that is age
of Ram & Sita.
These two linear equations are in the same two variables x and y.
Equations like these are called a pair of linear equations in two variables.
The general form for a pair of linear equations in two variables x and y is
a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and a2x + b2 y + c2 = 0,
Where a1, b1, c1, a2, b2, c2 are all real numbers and a12 + b12 ≠ 0, a22 + b22 ≠ 0.
Geometrical Representation of Linear equation
Geometrically, each solution (x, y) of a linear equation in two variables, ax + by + c = 0,
corresponds to a point on the line representing the equation, and vice versa. E.g. Linear
equation in two variable: x + y=3 is plotted in graph below. It has many solutions (3,0), (2,1),
(1,2), (0,3), (-1,4) etc. If you join these points you will get a green line as shown in graph.
 Solution of Linear equation in 2 variables
There are two approaches for solve linear equation in 2 variables

1. Graphical Approach
2. Algebraic Approach
Graphical Approach: Draw the graph of both equations
1. If lines intersect at a single point, the it has a unique solution
2. If lines are parallel, then equations have no solution
3. If lines are coincident, then equations have infinitely many solutions.

Case 1 Example: (Unique Solution) Sum of boys & girls in a class is 3. Boys are more than
girls by 1. Find number of boys & girls.
Let number of Boys be x, & number of girls be y. then as per questions, we can form a pair of
liner equation in two variables:  x+y =3  & x-y =1.

Any two Solution for x+y=3 are (3,0) & (0,3). Plot these points & join them to form Green
line.

Any two Solution for x-y=1 are (1,0) & (2,1). Plot these points & join them to form Blue line

These 2 lines intersect at (2,1), thus x=2 & y=1 is unique solution for this case.
Case 2 Example: (No Solution):Let’s find solution for x + 2y – 4 = 0 & 2x + 4y – 12 = 0

Any two Solution for x+2y-4=0 are (0,2) & (4,2). Plot these points & join them to form
Green line.

Any two Solution for 2x+4y=12 are (0,3) & (6,0). Plot these points & join them to form Blue
line.

Notice that these lines are parallel & thus there is no solution for this pair of linear equation.

Case 3 Example: (Infinite Solution): x+y=3 & 2x+ 2y =6.

Let’s plot these equations on the graph.
Any two Solution for x +y =3 are (3,0) & (0,3). Plot these points & join them to form Green
line.

Any two Solution for 2x +2y = 6 are (3,0) & (0,3). Plot these points & join them to form Blue
line.

Notice that these tow lines Coincide & thus have many solutions.

A pair of linear equations which has no solution, is called an inconsistent pair of linear
equations.

A pair of linear equations in two variables, which has a solution, is called a consistent pair of
linear equations.

A pair of linear equations which are equivalent has infinitely many distinct common
solutions. Such a pair is called a dependent pair of linear equations in two variables. Note that
a dependent pair of linear equations is always consistent

Relationship between co-efficient of the linear equations

The general form for a pair of linear equations in two variables x and y is a1x + b1y + c1 = 0
and a2x + b2 y + c2 = 0.
Let’s find relationship between them by taking 3 different scenarios (No solution, unique
Solution & infinite solution).
Conclusion:

Algebraic Method to find solution for a pair of linear Equation in two variables
There are 3 Algebraic methods

o Substitution Method
o Elimination Method
o Cross - Multiplication Method
o Substitution Method
o Step 1: Find the value of one variable, say y in terms of the other variable, i.e., x .
o Step 2: Substitute this value of y in the other equation, and reduce it to an equation in
one variable, i.e., in terms of x, which can be solved
o Step 3: If in Step 2, we obtain a true statement involving no variable, then the original
pair of equations has infinitely many solutions.
o Step 4: If in Step 2, we obtain a false statement involving no variable, then the
original pair of equations has no solution, i.e., it is inconsistent
o Step 5: Substitute the value of x (or y) obtained in Step 2 in the equation used in Step
1 to obtain the value of the other variable.
o  
o Numerical 1: solve x + y = 14   -- (i)   ; x – y = 4 --(ii)   using substitution  method.
o Solution:
o x = 4+y    using equation (ii) the value of one variable, say x in terms of the other
variable, i.e., y .
o  (4 +y) + y = 14    Substituting value of y in equation (i) to reduce it to equation in one
variable
o 2y = 14-4  or 2y = 10   or  y= 5  (Obtain the solution for y)
o X = 4 + y = 4 + 5 =9  (Substitute the value of  y obtained in Step 2 to get value of x)
o Thus solution is x,y = 9,5
o  
o Numerical 2: Solve x + y = 3   -- (i)   ; 2x + 2y = 6 -- (ii)   using substitution method.
o Solution:
o x = 3-y    using equation (i) the value of one variable, say x in terms of the other
variable, i.e., y.
o 2(3-y) + 2y = 6    Substituting value of y in equation (i) to reduce it to equation in one
variable
o 6 – 2y + 2y = 6 or 6 =6   (Try to Obtain the solution for y)
o Since we obtain a true statement involving no variable, then the original pair of
equations has infinitely many solutions.
o Numerical 3: Solve x + y = 3   -- (i)   ; 2x + 2y = 8 -- (ii)   using substitution method.
o Solution:
o x = 3-y    using equation (i) the value of one variable, say x in terms of the other
variable, i.e., y.
o 2(3-y) + 2y = 8    Substituting value of y in equation (i) to reduce it to equation in one
variable
o 6 – 2y + 2y =8 or 6 =8   (Try to Obtain the solution for y)
o Since we obtain a false statement involving no variable, then the original pair of
equations has no solution, i.e., it is inconsistent.
o  
o Elimination Method
o Step 1 : First multiply both the equations by some suitable non-zero constants to make
the coefficients of one variable (either x or y) numerically equal.
o Step 2 : Then add or subtract one equation from the other so that one variable gets 
eliminated. If you get an equation in one variable, go to Step 3.
o If in Step 2, we obtain a true statement involving no variable, then the original pair of
equations has infinitely many solutions.
o If in Step 2, we obtain a false statement involving no variable, then the original pair of
equations has no solution, i.e., it is inconsistent.
o Step 3 : Solve the equation in one variable (x or y) so obtained to get its value.
o Step 4 : Substitute this value of x (or y) in either of the original equations to get the
value of the other variable.
o  
o Numerical 4: solve x +3y = 8   -- (i)   ; 2x – 2y = 8 --(ii)   using elimination  method.
o Solution:
o Multiple equation (i) by 2 to match coefficients of x in both the equation
o 2x + 6y =16   --(i)
o 2x – 2y = 8     --(ii)                             Subtracting (ii) from (i) we get
o ----------------------
o       8y = 8   or y =1
o Putting the value of y in equation 1, we get x =5
o                                                      
o  
o Numerical 5: solve x +y =4   -- (i)   ; 2x + 2y = 16 --(ii)   using elimination  method.
o Solution:
o Multiple equation (i) by 2 to match coefficients of x in both the equation
o 2x + 2y =16   --(i)
o 2x – 2y = 16     --(ii)                           Subtracting (ii) from (i) we get
o ----------------------
o       0 = 0
o Since, we obtain a true statement involving no variable, original pair of equations has
infinitely many solutions
 o  
o Numerical 6: solve x +y =4   -- (i)   ; 2x + 2y = 14 --(ii)   using elimination  method.
o Solution:
o Multiple equation (i) by 2 to match coefficients of x in both the equation
o 2x + 2y =16   --(i)
o 2x – 2y = 14     --(ii)                           Subtracting (ii) from (i) we get
o ----------------------
o       0 = -2
o Since, we obtain a false statement involving no variable, the original pair of equations
has no solution, i.e., it is inconsistent.

Cross Multiplication Method

Let’s assume that we have to find solution for  a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 (i)   and              a2x + b2y +
c2 = 0 (ii)
Step 1: Multiply Equation (i) by b2 and Equation (ii) by b1, to get
b2a1x + b2b1y + b2c1 = 0    ---(iii)
b1a2x + b1b2 y + b1c2 = 0  ----(iv)
 

Step 2: Subtracting Equation (4) from (3), we get:

(b2a1 – b1a2) x + (b2b1 – b1b2) y + (b2c1– b1c2) = 0

Or (b2a1 – b1a2) x + (b2c1– b1c2) = 0
Or x  = (b1c2– b2c1)/ (a1b2 – a2b1)
Step 3: Substituting this value of x in (i) or (ii), we get

y = (c1a2 – c2a1)/ (a1b2 – a2b1)

 

Step 4: Calculate value of a1b2 – a2b1

Step 5: if a1b2 – a2b1 ≠ 0  or a1/a2 ≠ b1/b2, then equation has definite solution.

Step 6: if a1b2 –a2b1 =0 or a1/a2 = b1/b2, then there are two possibilities

o When a1/a2 = b1/b2 = c1/c2 , then there are infinitely many solutions.
o When a1/a2 = b1/b2 ≠ c1/c2, then there is no solution.
 

Memory tip:
 

Numerical 7:  Solve using x – 3y – 3 = 0 ; 3x – 6y –12 =0; cross multiplication  method

Thus x= 18/3 =6 & y = 3/3 = 1

 
Numerical 8:  Solve x – 3y – 3 = 0 ; 3x – 6y –12 = 0 using cross multiplication  method
 
 

Since a1/a2 = b1/b2 ≠ c1/c2, so there is no solution.

Numerical 9:  Solve x – 3y – 3 = 0 ; 3x – 9y –9 = 0  using cross multiplication  method

Since a1/a2 = b1/b2 = c1/c2 , there are infinitely many solutions.

Equations reducible to pair of linear equations in 2 variables

Sometimes we come across pair of equation which are not linear but can be reduced to linear
form by making some suitable substitutions.

E.g.  2/x + 3/y = 13     & 5/x + 4/y = 2

This equation is not a linear equation, but if we substitute 1/x with a & 1/y with b, then the
equation becomes

2a+ 3b =13   & 5a + 4b = 2. This is now a pair of linear equation in 2 variables.

After finding the values of variables a & b, we can easily find x as 1/a & y as 1/b.