Ch.

15 – Simultaneous Equations
Contents:
A. Trial and error solution
B. Graphical solution
C. Solution by equating values of 𝑦
D. Solution by substitution
E. Solution by elimination
F. Problem solving with simultaneous equations
Resources: Mathematics 8 – MYP 3, various book and websites

Opening
At the summer sales, Cassandra buys a dress and a skirt. Together they cost $30. The dress $8 more than the
skirt. Suppose the dress cost $𝑥, and the skirt cost $𝑦.
a) Can you explain why:
i. 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 30
ii. 𝑥 − 𝑦 = 8

b) How many solutions are there to the equation:

i. 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 30
ii. 𝑥 − 𝑦 = 8

c) Which solution satisfies both equations at the same time?

To find a solution which satisfies both equations at the same time, we need to solve the equations
simultaneously. We say they are simultaneous equations.

There is in fact only one solution to the simultaneous equations

𝑥 + 𝑦 = 30
𝑥−𝑦 =8
The solution occurs at the point where the two lines intersect.

(desmos.com)

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A. Trial and error solution
Example 1
Solve
𝑥+𝑦 =5
3𝑥 − 𝑦 = 7, simultaneously by trial and error.

Exercise 15A

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B. Graphical solution
If we graph two equations on the same set of axes, any point of intersection corresponds to a
simultaneous solution of the equations.

Example 2
Solve the simultaneous equations graphically:
𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 5
𝑦 = −𝑥 − 1

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Exercise 15B

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C. Solution by equating values of 𝒚
We will now consider some algebraic methods for solving linear simultaneous equations.

If 𝑦 is the subject of both equations, we equate the 𝑦 values and solve for 𝑥.

Example 3.
Solve the simultaneous equations:
1) 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 1
𝑦 = 4𝑥 + 7

!
2) 𝑦 = " 𝑥 − 3
𝑦 = 2(𝑥 + 1)

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Exercise 15C

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D. Solution by substitution
The method of substitution is used when a variable is given as the subject of one of the equations.

𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3
For example, in the equation 2 we see that 𝑦 is the subject of the first equation. We
3𝑥 − 4𝑦 = 8
substitute the expression for 𝑦 on the RHS into the second equation.

Example 4.
Solve simultaneously by substitution:
𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3
1) 2
3𝑥 − 4𝑦 = 8

𝑥 = 3𝑦 + 5
2) 2
2𝑥 − 4𝑦 = 7

Exercise 15D

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E. Solution by elimination

3𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 10
Solution by elimination is used to solve simultaneous equations such as 2
5𝑥 − 4𝑦 = 6

Example5
Solve simultaneously, by elimination:
3𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 10 3𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 14 2𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 18
1. 2 2. 2 3. 2
5𝑥 − 4𝑦 = 6 3𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 7 5𝑥 − 6𝑦 = 13

Exercise 15E

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F. Problem solving with simultaneous equations
Example
1. Two pens and one eraser cost $35 and 3 pencil and four erasers cost $65. Find the cost of pencil
and eraser separately.

2. If twice the age of son is added to age of father, the sum is 56. But if twice the age of the father
is added to the age of son, the sum is 82. Find the ages of father and son.

3. If 2 is added to the numerator and denominator it becomes 9/10 and if 3 is subtracted from the
numerator and denominator it become 4/5. Find the fractions.

4. In a two-digit number. The units digit is thrice the tens digit. If 36 is added to the number, the
digits interchange their place. Find the number.

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Exercise 15F

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