MATHEMATICS REVIEW LESSON

SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS

Two Linear equations in two variables are called simultaneous linear equations in two
variables. We solve a simultaneous equations by looking for the values of two
unknowns. x y constant(doesn’t have x nor y variable)

Examples are: 3x – 2y = 5 (1) (ii) x + y = 9 etc

(Coefficient) 2x + 4y = 6 (2) x–y=7

Method of Solving linear Simultaneous Equations

1. Elimination Method:

Examples: solve the equations LHS RHS

5x-2y=16, ---- 1

3x+4y+6=0 ---------2

Solution

5x-2y =16 ---------(1) 3* 5X - 3*2Y = 3*16

3x+4y = -6 ------------(2) 5* 3X +5*4Y = 5* -6

We eliminate x as follows

3 x (1) 15x – 6y = 48 (3)

5 x (2) 15x + 20y = -30 (4) SUBTRACT THEM EQU (3) -(4)

(15X-15X) +(– 6y -20Y) = 48- (-30) -*-=+

- 26Y = 78
 −26 y 78
−26 = −26

Y = -3

Sub y = -3 into (1) have 5X- 2Y = 16

5x-2(-3) =16

5x+6 =16

5x = 16 – 6

5x = 10 ; x=2

y = -3 and x = 2

Exercise: Solve x + y = 12 and x – y = 6 (ii) 2x + y = 10 and x – y = 2

(iii) 2x + 3y = 11, 4x + y = 12Using elimination method

Substitution method

Example: 5x-2y=16 (1)

3x+4y= -6 (2)

From (1) 5X - 2Y = 16 5X - 16 = 2Y

2y=5x – 16

5 x −16
Y=
2
(3)

Sub (3) into (2) gives 3x + 4y = -6, multiply by 2

3X +4Y = -6

5 x −16 5 x −16
3x + 4( ) = -6 Multiply everything by 2 2 * 4( ) = 4(5x-
2 2
16)

6x + 20x- 64= -12

26x - 64 = -12 -12 +64 = 52

CLT

26x =52

X=2

5 x −16
From (3) Y=
2

5(2)− 16 10− 16
Y= =
2
= y = -3
2

Therefore x= 2, y = -3

Exercise: Solve the following pairs simultaneous equations by substitution method.

(a) 2x+5y=6

5x-2y=9

(b) y=3x,

4y=5x+14.

Word Problems involving Simultaneous Linear Equations

(1) The perimeter of a rectangle is 102m. The difference between the length of the
rectangle and its breadth is 9m. Find the length and breadth of the rectangle.
Solution

Let length = L, breadth = b

Perimeter = 2(L + b) = 102

2L + 2b = 102 (1)

also L – b = 9 (2)

WE ELIMINATE LENGTH L,

1x 2L + 2b = 102 (3)

2x 2L – 2b = 18 (4)

SUBTRACT THEM EQU 3- 4

(2L - 2L) + (2b- (-2b) ) = 102- 18

4b = 84

b = 21m

Sub b in equation (2) L – b = 9

L – 21 = 9

L = 9 + 21

L = 30m b = 21m , L = 30m

bb