Lesson 2- Methods of Solving of Linear Equation

After identifying that the system of linear equation is consistent, we can compute
for the solution of the two intersecting lines. There are different methods of solving the
solution of a linear equation involving two unknown variables. The solution in the
example below will be determined using five methods namely: elimination, substitution,
equivalent equation, Cramer’s rule, and graphical.

Example: Solve the system of linear equation of 2x + y = 16 and x + 2y = 11

using the five methods.

Solution:

A. Elimination Method by Addition or Subtraction

It is of high importance to consider the following steps in performing the
elimination method in determining the solution set of a simultaneous solution of a
linear equation.
Using the equations in the problem, we have
2x + y = 16 --- first equation
x + 2y = 11 -- second equation
Step 1. See if the coefficients of the variables have the same coefficient. If so,
then that variable may be eliminated. Otherwise multiply each equation that will
result to their least common multiple (LCM) or multiply one equation or both by a
number, which will make the coefficient of one variable equal.
In our example we choose to eliminate x. To eliminate x variable by
subtraction in the given system of linear equations, we have to multiply the first
equation by 1 and the second equation by 2. Thus
1 (2x + y = 16) ------ first equation
2 (x + 2y = 11) ------ second equation
Step 2. Subtract the second equation in the first equation and solve for the value
of the remaining variable y.
2x + y = 16
2x + 4y = 22
-3y = -6 ---- y = 2
Step 3. Substitute the value of y in the first equation or in the second equation. In
this example we will make use of the first equation.
2x + y = 16 ------ first equation
2x + 2 = 16 ------ represent y as 2
2x = 16 -2 ------ collect like terms
2x = 14 ------ combined like terms
x=7 ------ divide both sides by 2
 Step 4. Check the result if the solution satisfies the two given equations.
First equation: 2x + y = 16 second equation: x +2y = 11
2(7) + 2 = 16 (7) + 2 (2) = 11
14 + 2 = 16 7 + 4 = 11
16 = 16 11 = 11
Thus, the solution set is (7, 2).

Enrichment Exercise:
Solve the system of linear equations by elimination method.
1. 2x – y = 4 and x – 3y = 7
2. 4x + y = -2 and 2x + y = 0

B. Substitution Method
Another method of solving system of linear equations is by substitution.
The example below illustrates this method.

Steps in Solving of Linear Equations by Substitution Method

1. Choose the simpler equation and solve for one variable in terms of the other.
2. Using the other equation, substitute the expression obtained in step 1 to find
the value of the other variable.
3. Substitute the value obtained in step 2 to get the value of the second variable
to any original equations.
4. Check by substituting the values of both variables in the original equations.

2x + y = 16 ----- first equation

x + 2y = 11 ----- second equation

2x + y = 16 ---- first equation

y = 16 – 2x ----- represent y in terms of x

x + 2y = 11 --- second equation

x + 2(16 – 2x) = 11 ----- replace y by 16 – 2x

x + 32 – 4x = 11 --- distribute 2

x – 4x = 11 – 32 ---- collect like terms

-3x = -21 --- combine like terms

X = 7 --- divide both sides by -3

 Substitute the value of x in the first equation to obtain the value of y.

y = 16 – 2x

= 16 – 2(7)

= 16 – 14

= 2 Thus, the solution set is (7, 2)

Enrichment Exercise:

Solve the system of linear equations by substitution method.

1. 2x – 3y = 14 and 2x + 4y = 21
2. 2x + y = 11 and 8x – y = 29

C. Equivalent Equations
The third method of solving system of linear equations is by equivalent
equation. The example below illustrates this method.
2x + y = 16 -- first equation
X + 2y = 11 -- second equation
Step 1: Choose a simpler equation and solve for one variable in terms of the
other variable in both equations. In this example, we will solve for the value of y
in terms of x.
2x + y = 16
y = 16 – 2x --- first equation

x + 2y = 11
2y = 11 – x
11−x
y= --- second equation
2
Step 2: Equate the given equations and solve for the unknown. Since y = y it
follows that
11−x
16 – 2x =
2

11−x
2[ 16 – 2x = ]2 ----- multiply both sides by 2
2
2( 16 – 2x) = 11 – x ----- simplify
32 – 4x = 11 – x ------- distribute 2
-4x + x = 11 – 32 ------ collect like terms
 -3x = -21 ------- combine like terms
x = 7 ---- divide both sides by -3
Step 3: Substitute the value of x to obtain the value of y in the first equation.
y = 16 – 2x
= 16 – 2(7)
= 16 – 14
= 2 Thus, the solution set is (7, 2)
Enrichment Exercise: Solve the system of linear equations by equivalent
equations.
1. x + y = 0 and 3x + 2y = 1
2. 2x – 7y = 7 and 5x + 3y = -3

D. Cramer’s Rule
The fourth method of solving system of linear equations is by Cramer’s
Rule. It is named after a Swiss mathematician Gabriel Cramer (1704 – 1752).
Cramer’s Rule is a theorem, which gives an expression for the solution of a
system of linear equations with as many equations as unknowns, valid in those
cases where there is a unique solution. The solution is expressed in terms of the
determinants of the (square) coefficient matrix and of matrices obtained from it by
replacing one column by the vector of right hand sides of the equations. The next
example illustrates this method.

Steps in Solving system of Linear Equations by Cramer’s Rule

1. Determine the first and second equation.
2. Collect the values of a, b, and c of the two equations.
3. Substitute the values obtained in the formula.
4. Check by substituting the values of the variables in the original equations.

The determinants of the matrix A is det(A): |a1a2 bb 12| = a b – a b

1 2 2 1

The system of linear equations in two variables should be written in the standard form.

a1X + b1Y = c1 and a2X + b2Y = c2

The solution for X and Y are as follows:

c 1b 2−c 2 b 1
X= |cc 12 bb 12| =
a 1b 2−a 2 b 1
and Y= |a1a2 cc 12| = aa 11bc 2−a 2c1
2−a 2 b 1

|a1a2 bb 12| |a1a2 bb 12|

 Provided that a1b2 – a2b1 ≠ 0

Step 1: Assign the sequence of equations.

2x + y = 16 ------ first equation x + 2y = 11 --- second equation

Step 2: Identify the values of a, b, and c.

a1 = 2 b1 = 1 c1 = 16

a2 = 1 b2 = 2 c2 = 11

Step 3: Substitute the values of a, b, and c in the general formula.

X= |cc 12 bb 12| = ca 1b1b 2−c 2b1

2−a 2 b 1
and Y= |a1a2 cc 12| = aa 11bc 2−a 2c1
2−a 2 b 1

|a1a2 bb 12| |a1a2 bb 12|

16 1 16 ( 2 )−11(1) 2 16 2 ( 11 )−1(16)
X= | | = =7 and Y=| | = =2
11 2 2 ( 2 )−1(1) 1 11 2 ( 2 )−1(1)

|21 12| |21 12|

Thus, the solution set (7, 2)

Enrichment Exercise: Solve the system of linear equations by Cramer’s Rule.

1. x + 3y = 7 and x – 5y = -1
2. x + y = 5 and 3x – y = 7

E. Graphical Method
The fifth method of solving system of linear equations is by graphical. This
method is illustrated using the same example.

2x + y = 16 ------ first equation x + 2y = 11 --- second equation

Step 1: Solve the intercepts of both equations.

2x + y = 16 2x + y = 16

Let x = 0 let y = 0
 2(0) + y = 16 2x + 0 = 16

y = 16 (0, 16) 2x = 16

x = 8 (8, 0)

x + 2y =11 x + 2y =11

let x = 0 let y = 0

(0) + 2y =11 x + 2(0) =11

y = 11/2 (0, 11/2) x = 11 (11, 0)

Step 2: Plot the coordinates of the given equations and sketch the graph as shown in
figure below. Trace the point of intersection of the two lines.

Notice that the two lines intersect on point (7, 2) which serves as its
pollution.

Step 3: Thus, the solution set is (7, 2).

Enrichment Exercise: Solve the system of linear equations by graphical method.

1. -3x + 2y = 12 and 3x – y = -9
2. 2x + 3y = 6 and 2x – 2y = 1