Linear

Equations in
Two Variables
Grade 8 - Mathematics
Objectives:
• illustrate linear equations in two variables;
• determine if an ordered pair is a solution of
the given linear equation;
• graph linear equations in two variables.
 Linear Equations in Two Variables
An equation that can be written in standard form
ax + by = c
where a, b, and c are real numbers but a and b
are both NOT equal to 0.
Determine whether or not each equation is a linear
equation in two variables. If yes, write it in standard
form.

5x + 3y = 6 Yes
Already in standard
form
Determine whether or not each equation is a linear
equation in two variables. If yes, write it in standard
form.

x = 7y + 3 Yes
x – 7y = 7y – 7y + 3
x – 7y = 3 Standard form
Determine whether or not each equation is a linear
equation in two variables. If yes, write it in standard
form.

3x2 – y = 9 No
Determine whether or not each equation is a linear
equation in two variables. If yes, write it in standard
form.

 
No
Determine whether or not each equation is a linear
equation in two variables. If yes, write it in standard
form.

xy = -5 No
Determine whether or not each equation is a linear
equation in two variables. If yes, write it in standard
form.

 
Yes
 Solutions of a Linear Equations in
Two Variables

These are ordered pairs (x, y) that make the

equation true.
Determine whether (3, -2) is a solution of the
equation 5y = -2x – 4.

5y = -2x – 4
5(-2) = -2(3) – 4
-10 = -6 – 4
-10 = -10 YES
Determine whether (-1, 4) is a solution of the
equation 6x + 2y = 3

6x + 2y = 3
6(-1) + 2(4) = 3
-6 + 8 = 3
2≠3 NO
Answer Skill Builder on page 76.
Skill Builder on p. 76
-y = 4x + 7; (-1, -3)

-(-3) = 4(-1) + 7
3 = -4 + 7
3=3

YES
Skill Builder on p. 76
-y = 4x + 7; (2, 15)

-(15) = 4(2) + 7
-15 = 8 + 7
-15 ≠ 15

NO
Skill Builder on p. 76
-y = 4x + 7; (0, 7)

-(7) = 4(0) + 7
-7 = 0 + 7
-7 ≠ 7

NO
 In reality, why do you think checking
whether a solution to a problem is correct
is essential? Expound.
Graphing Linear Equations in Two Variables

Three Ways:

1. Table of Values
2. x – and y – intercepts
3. Slope and one point
 Graph y = 4x – 2 using table of values.

x y = 4x – 2 y (x, y)

-1 y = 4(-1) – 2 -6 (-1, -6)

0 y = 4(0) – 2 -2 (0, -2)

1 y = 4(1) – 2 2 (1, 2)
 Graph
y = 4x – 2
y = 4x –
2
(-1, -6) (1, 2)

(0, -2)
(1, 2) (0, -2)

(-1, -6)
 Graph x – y = 3 using table of values.

x x–y=3 y (x, y)

-2 -2 – y = 3 -5 (-2, -5)
1 1–y=3 -2 (1, -2)

3 3–y=3 0 (3, 0)
 Graph
x–y=3 x–y=3

(-2, -5)
(3, 0)
(1, -2)
(1, -2)
(3, 0)
(-2, -5)
Graphing Linear Equations in Two Variables
in Two Variables using x – and y - intercepts
x – intercept is the point where a line
crosses the x - axis
To solve for the x – intercept, let y = 0 and solve for x.

Example: Find the x – intercept of x - 2y = 4

y=0
x – 2(0) = 4
x=4
The graph of x – 2y = 4 will cross the x – axis at (4, 0)
y – intercept is the point where a line
crosses the y - axis
 
To solve for the y – intercept, let x = 0 and solve for y.
Example: Find the y – intercept of x - 2y = 4
x=0

y=-2
The graph of x – 2y = 4 will cross the y – axis at (0, -2)
 Graph
x – 2y = 4
x – 2y =
(4, 0) 4

(0, -2) (4, 0)

(0, -2)
Graph x – y = 3 using x – and y - intercept.

x x–y=3 y (x, y)

0 0–y=3 -3 (0, -3)

3 x–0=3 0 (3, 0)
 Graph
x–y=3 x–y=3

(0, -3)
(3, 0)
(3, 0)
(0, -3)
Answer Skill Builder on page 81.
Graph the two equations on one
Cartesian plane. You may use any
methods on graphing.