Simultaneous equation

Simultaneous equation
Examples
• ax + by = c …… eq (1)
• mx + ny = d ……eq (2)

• Simultaneous means that both statements (equations) are true at the

same time and one equation is not a multiple of the other.

• 2x + 2y = 6 …… eq (1)
• 4x + 4y = 12 ……eq (2)
A quick one
• If the sum of two numbers is 40 and their difference is 10 what are
the two numbers.
• Let one number be called (x)
• Let the other number be called (y)
• Then x + y = 40 ----- eqn (1)
• And x – y = 10 ……. eqn (2)

• Notice there is a common term above and below with a different

sign
Now let’s solve
• Then x + y = 40 ----- eqn (1)
• And x – y = 10 ……. eqn (2)
• Lets add them
• x + y = 40 ----- eqn (1)
• x – y = 10 …… eqn (2)
• 2x + 0 = 50 => x = 25
• Substitute x = 25 in equation 1
• x + y = 40 => 25 + y = 40 => y = 40 – 25
• y = 15
• Solution (x,y) = (25, 15)
Consider this pair of equation
• 2x – y = -1 …… eq (1)
• 3x – y = 2 ……eq (2)
• We don’t have a term above and below with a different sign

• So create it => multiply one equation by -1

• 2x – y = -1 …… eq (1) ….. x -1 => - 2x + y = 1 ……. eqn. (3)
• 3x – y = 2 ……eq (2) 3x – y = 2
x + 0 = 3 => x = 3
Substitute x = 3 in eqn. 1 2(3) – y = -1 => y = 7
Solution (3, 7)
Consider this pair of equation
• x + y = 7 ….. eqn. (1)
• 2x + y = 10 ……. eqn. (2)
• There is nothing above and below which a different sign
• Create it => multiply one equation by -1
• x + y = 7 ….. eqn. (1) x+ y=7
• 2x + y = 10 ……. eqn. (2) x -1 -2x - y = - 10 …. eqn. 3
• -x = -3 => x = 3
• Substitute x = 3 in equation 1
• x + y = 7 => 3 + y = 7 => y = 4
• Solution (3,4)
Catch your practice nuh !!
• Find two numbers with a sum of 141 and a difference of 49

• Find two numbers with a mean of 10 and a difference of 4

• Find two numbers with a product of 36 and a sum of 13

• Find two positive numbers with a product of 21 and a difference of 4

• Find both possible pairs of numbers if two numbers have a product of

33 and a difference of 8
Catch your practice nuh !!
• Find two numbers with a sum of 141 and a difference of 49.

• Find two numbers with a mean of 13 and a difference of 6.

• Find two numbers with a product of 110 and a sum of 21

• Find two positive numbers with a product of 21 and a difference of 4

• Find both possible pairs of numbers if two numbers have a product of

33 and a difference of 8
Answers

(1) 95 and 46

(2) 16 and 10

(3) 10 and 11

(4) 7 and 3

(4) 11 and 3 or -3 and -11

More to try
1. Find two numbers with a sum of 129 Solutions
and a difference of 35. • (1) 82 and 47
2. Find two numbers with a mean of 10 • (2) 12 and 8
and a difference of 4.
• (3) 4 and 9
3. Find two numbers with a product of
36 and a sum of 13 • (4) 9 and 2
4. Find two positive numbers with a • (5) 9 and 5
product of 18 and a difference of 7 or -5 and -9
5. Find both possible pairs of numbers if
two numbers have a product of 45 and
a difference of 4
Solve simultaneously
• 3x – 4y = 1 ……(1)
• 2x + 3y = 12 ….(2)
• To make the y's cancel:
• 3x -4y = 1 => x 3 => 9x – 12y = 3
• 2x + 3y = 12 => x 4 => 8x + 12y = 48
• 17 x = 51
• x = 51 = 3
• 17
• Find y now y = 2 solution (3,2)
Solve this system of simultaneous equations:

• 3x + 4y = 19 …. (1)
• 2x - y = 9 …..(2)

• Solution.   If we add the equations as they are, neither one of the unknowns
will cancel.  Now, if the coefficient of y in equation 2) were −4, then the y's
would cancel.  Therefore we will expand our strategy as follows:

• Make one pair of coefficients negatives of one another -- by multiplying

both sides of an equation by the same number.  Upon adding the equations,
that unknown will be eliminated.
•To make the coefficients of the y's 4 and −4, we will multiply both sides of
equation 2) by 4 :
Above and below with different signs
Substitute
•The 4 over the arrow in equation 2) signifies that both sides of that
equation have been multiplied by 4.  Equation 1) has not been changed.
•To solve for y, substitute  x = 5  in either one of the original
equations.  In equation 1): 3x +4y = 19

•3(5) + 4y = 19
•4y = 19 – 15
•4y = 4
•y = 1
• Solution x =5 and y = 1 (5,1)
Solve simultaneously:
• 3x + 2y = - 2 ….(1)
• 2x + 5y = - 5 …..(2)
•Solution.   We must make one pair of coefficients negatives of one
another.  In this example, we must decide which of the unknowns to
eliminate, x or y.  In either case, we will make the new coefficients the 
Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) of the original coefficients -- but with
opposite signs.  
•Thus, if we eliminate x, then we will make the new coeffients 6 and
−6.  (The LCM of 3 and 2 is 6.)  While if we eliminate y, we will make
their new coefficients 10 and −10.  (The LCM of 2 and 5 is 10.)
•Let us choose to eliminate x:
Let us choose to eliminate x:
Substitute
• Use equation 1 (3x -2y = -2)

• 3x + 2 (-1) = - 2
• 2x -2 = -2
• 3x = 0
• x=0

• Solution (0, -1)

Solve simultaneously.
• 2x + 3y = 13 ….. (1)
• 5x – y = 7 ….(2)
• To make the y's cancel
• 2x + 3y = 13 ….. (1) x1 = 2x + 3y = 13
• 5x – y = 7 ….(2) x 3 = 15x -3y = 21
• 17x = 34
• x=2
• You find y
Solve simultaneously.
• x + 2y = -1 ….. (1)
• 2x - 3y = 5 …….(2)
• To make the x's cancel, 

• x + 2y = - 1 ….. (1) x - 2 => - 2x – 4y = 2

• 2x - 3y = 5 …….(2) x 1 => 2x - 3y = 5

• -7x = 7
• y =1

• Show that x = 1 and solution (1, -1)

Solve simultaneously:
• 3x +2y = -4 ….. (1)
• 2x + 5y = 1 ……(2)
• To make the x’s cancel:
• 3x +2y + -4 => x 2 = 6x +4y = - 8
• 2x - 5y = 1 => x -3 = - 6x – 15y = - 3
• - 11 y = -11
• y=1
• Subst. 3x + 2(1) = -4
• 3x + 2 = -4 => 3x = -6 => x = - 2
• Solution (-2, 1)
• We could have eliminated y  by multiplying equation 1) by 5  and equation 2) by
−2.
Solve simultaneously
• 5x + 3y = -11 (1)
• 2x + 4y = -10 (2)
• To make the x's cancel:

5x + 3y = -11 => x2 => 10x + 6y = - 22

2x + 4y = -10 => x -5 => -10x – 20y = 50
-14 y = 28
y = -2
5x + 3(20 = -11 => x = - 1
Solution (-1, -2)
Check these out

a. 7x + y = 25 • Answers
5x − y = 11 , a) x = 3, y = 4.
b. 8x + 9y = 3 b) x = −3, y = 3.
x + y = 0, c) x = 5, y = 2.
c. 2x + 13y = 36 d) x = 1, y = −8.
13x + 2y = 69
d. 7x − y = 15
3x − 2y = 19
Worded applications Example 1.  
•  Andre has more money than Bob.  If Andre gave Bob $20, they would
have the same amount.  While if Bob gave Andre $22, Andre would then
have twice as much as Bob.  How much does each one actually have?
• Solution.   Let x be the amount of money that Andre has.  Let y be
the amount that Bob has.
• Always let x and y answer the question -- and be perfectly clear about
what they represent!
• Since there are two unknowns, there must be two equations.  (In general,
to have a unique solution, the number of equations must equal the
number of unknowns.)  How can we get two equations out of the given
information?  We must translate each verbal sentence into the language
of algebra.
Breaking it down
"If Andre gave Bob $20, they would have the same amount."
• Algebraically:
• 1)   x − 20 = y + 20.
• (Andre -- x -- has the same amount as Bob, after he gives him $20.)
• Here is the second sentence:
• "While if Bob gave Andre $22, Andre would then have twice as much
as Bob.“
• Algebraically:
• 2)   x + 22 = 2(y − 22).
• (Andre has twice as much as Bob -- after Bob gives him $22.)
To solve any system of two equations

• To solve any system of two equations, we may reduce it to one

equation in one of the unknowns.  In this example, we can solve by

changing the subject of equation 1 to x and substitute the value for x in

equation 2
Substitution approach .
• -y = -106
• y = $106

• Bob has 106

• x = y + 40

• x = 106 + 40

• x = $146 = Andre
Example 2. 
•  1000 tickets were sold.  Adult tickets cost $8.50, children's cost $4.50,
and a total of $7300 was collected.  How many tickets of each kind
were sold?
• Solution.   Let x be the number of adult tickets.  Let y be
the number of children's tickets.
• Again, we have let x and y answer the question.  And again we must
get two equations out of the given information.  Here they are:
• 1)  Total number of tickets: x+y=1000
• 2)  Total money collected: 8.5x+4.5y=7300
• In equation 2), we will make the coefficients into whole numbers by
multiplying both sides of the equation by 10:
Solve these two equation
• 1)  x + y = 1000
• 2)  85x + 45y = 73,000

• I get the solutions as:   x = 700,  y = 300.

Problems are no problem!!!!  
Problem 1
•In a school, there are 880 students in total. If there is 20% more boys than girls,
find the number of boys and girls in the school.
•Solution :Let "x" and "y" be the no. of boys and girls respectively.
•Then, we have: x + y  =  880 ------(1)
•Given : There is 20% more boys than girls.
•So, we have  =  120% of y: x  =  1.2y  ------(2)
•Substitute x  =  1.2y  in (1)1.2y  +  y  =  880 Simplify.2.2y  =  880
•Divide by 2.2y  =  400
•Substitute y  =  400  in (2).x  =  1.2 ⋅ 400x  =  480
•So, the number of boys in the school is 480 and girls is 400. 
Problem 2 :
Mr. Lenin invests some amount in deposit A and some amount in
deposit B. The total money invested is $2500. He gets 10% income on
deposit A and 20% income on deposit B. If the total income earned be
$380, find the amount invested in A and B separately    
•Solution :Let "x" and "y" be the amounts invested in A and B
respectively. 
•Then, we have: x + y  =  2500
•Subtract y from both sides. x  =  2500 - y ------(1)
•Given : Mr. Lenin gets 10% income on deposit A, 20% income on
deposit B and the total income earned be $380.
Solving
•So, we have 10% of x  +  20% of y  =  3800.1x + 0.2y  =  380
•Multiply both sides by 10.x + 2y  =  3800 -------(2)
•From (1), we can plug x  =  2500 - y in (2).(2)------> 2500 - y + 2y  =
 3800
•Simplify.2500 + y  =  3800Subtract 2500 from both sides. y  =  1300
•Substitute y  =  1300 in (1).(1)------> x  =  2500 - 1300x  =  1200
•So, the amount invested in the deposit A is $1200 and B is $1300.
Problem 3 :
•The sum of two numbers is 209. If one number is 7 less than two times of the other, then find
the two numbers.   
•Solution :Let "x" and "y" be the two numbers. 
•Given : The sum of two numbers is 209.x + y  =  209 ------(1)
•Given : One number is 7 less than two times of the other.
•So, we have: x  =  2y - 7 -------(2)
•From (2), we can plug x  =  2y - 7 in (1). 
•(1)------> 2y - 7 + y  =  209
•Simplify. 3y - 7  =  209: Add 7 to both sides.
•3y  =  216 => Divide both sides by 3. y  =  72
•Substitute y  =  72 in (2).  = > x  =  2 ⋅ 72 - 7x  =  144 - 7x  =  137
•So, the two numbers are 137 and 72.  
Problem 4 :
•The perimeter of the rectangle is 158 cm. If the length is 7 more
than 3 times the width, find the area of the rectangle. 
•Solution :Let "x" and "y" be the length and width of the rectangle
respectively.  
•Given : Perimeter of the rectangle is 158 cm.
•So, we have 2x + 2y  =  158 :
•Divide both sides by 2. x + y  =  79 ------(1) 
•Given : The length is 7 more than 3 times the width.
Working on it !
•So, we have x  =  3y + 7 --------(2)
•From (2), we can plug x  =  3y + 7 in (1).
•(1)------> 3y + 7 + y  =  79:
•Simplify.4y + 7  =  79. Subtract 7 from both sides.4y  =  72:
•Divide both sides by 4.y  =  18:
•Substitute y  =  18  in (2).x  =  3 ⋅ 18 + 7x  =  61
•Therefore, the length of the rectangle is 61 cm and width is 18 cm.
•Then, area of the rectangle is=  length ⋅ width =  61 ⋅ 18 =  1098  So, the
area of the rectangle is  1098 sq.cm. 
Problem 5
•A trader gains one third of the cost price as profit on a product and one
fourth of the cost price as profit on other product. Total profit earned on
these two products is $43.  The sum of the cost prices of two products is
$150.

•Find the cost price of each product. 

•Solution :Let "x" and "y" be the cost prices of the two products.

•Then, we have  x + y  =  150

•Subtract y from both sides. x  =  150 - y -------(1)

Keep going!
• Let the trader gain one third of the cost price as profit on the
product whose cost price is x.

• Then, profit on the product whose cost price is

• x :  =  1/3 ⋅ x  =  x / 3

• Let the trader gain one fourth of the cost price as profit on
the product whose cost price is y.
•Then, profit on the product whose cost price is

•y :  =  1/4 ⋅ y  =  y / 4
Lets keep going
•Given : Total profit earned on these two products is $43.

•So, we have: x/3  +  y/4  =  43 (L.C.M of (3, 4) is 12.)

•Then, we have (4x / 12)  +  (3y / 12)  =  43

•Simplify.(4x + 3y) / 12  =  516

•Multiply both sides by 12. => 4x + 3y  =  516 ------(2)

•From (1), we can plug x  =  150 - y in (2). 

•4(150 - y) + 3y  =  516 

•Simplify.600 - y  =  516

• Subtract 600 from both sides.- y  =  - 84y  =  84

• Substitute y  =  84 in (1).(1)------> x  =  150 - 84x  =  66

•So, the cost prices of two products are $66 and $84. 
Example 3.  
•  Mrs. B. invested $30,000; part at 5%, and part at 8%.  The total
interest on the investment was $2,100.  How much did she invest at
each rate?
• 1)  Total investment: x + y = 30,000
2)Total interest 0.05x + 0.08y = 2,100
• Again, in equation 2) make the coefficients whole numbers by
multiplying both sides of the equation by 100:
• 1)  x + y = 30,000 
• 2)  5x + 8y = 210,000
These are the simultaneous equations to solve.
• The solutions are:   x = $10,000,  y = $20,000.
Simultaneous equations – word problems

•Set up simultaneous equations for each of the problems, then solve.

•1. The length of a rectangle is twice its width. The perimeter is 30.
•Find its dimensions
•2. The difference of two numbers is 3, and the sum of three times
•the larger one and twice the smaller one is 19. Find the two
•numbers.
•3. The sum of four times the first number and three times the
•second number is 15. The difference of three times the first
•number and twice the second number is 7. Find the numbers.
•4. 9 pens and five pencils cost $3.2, and 7pens and 8 pencils cost
•$2.9. Find the unit price for each pen and pencil.
Try a thing

•5. Two runners start from the same point at the same time. They
will be 4 miles apart at the end of two hours if running in the same
direction, and they will be 16 miles apart at the end of one hour if
running in opposite directions. Find their speeds.

•6. A solution containing 12% alcohol is to be mixed with a solution

containing 4% alcohol to make 20 gallons of solution containing
9% alcohol. How much of each solution should be used?
More thing
•7. If sum of two numbers be 45 and their difference being 15, find
the numbers.

8. If twice the son’s age in years is added to the father’s age, the sum is
70. But if the father’s age is added to the son’s age, the sum is 95. Find
the ages of father and son.

•9. 2 tables and 3 chairs together cost 2000 dollars whereas 3 tables
and 2 chairs together cost 2500 dollars. Find the cost of a table
and a chair
Simultaneous equations – word problems
•5. Two runners start from the same
point at the same time. They will be 4
miles apart at the end of two hours if
running in the same direction, and they
will be 16 miles apart at the end of one
hour if running in opposite directions.
Find their speeds.
•6. A solution containing 12% alcohol
is to be mixed with a solution
containing 4% alcohol to make 20
gallons of solution containing
9% alcohol. How much of each
solution should be used?
•7. If sum of two numbers be 45 and
their difference being 15, find
the numbers.
8. If twice the son’s age in years is
added to the father’s age, the sum is
70. But if the father’s age is added to
the son’s age, the sum is 95. Find the
ages of father and son.
•9. 2 tables and 3 chairs together cost
2000 dollars whereas 3 tables
and 2 chairs together cost 2500
dollars. Find the cost of a table
and a chair
More experiences created
• 10. 3 bags and 4 pens together cost 257 dollars whereas 4
bags and 3 pens together cost 324 dollars. Find the cost of a
bag and 10 pens

• 11. The sum of the numerator and denominator of a fractions is

12. if the denominator is increased by 3, the fraction
becomes 0.5. Find the fraction
Worded problems
• 1. A large pizza at Palanzio’s Pizzeria costs $6.80 plus $0.90 for
each topping. The cost of a large cheese pizza at Guido’s Pizza is
$7.30 plus $0.65 for each topping. How many toppings need to be
added to a large cheese pizza from Palanzio’s Pizzeria and Guido’s
Pizza in order for the pizzas to cost the same, not including tax?

• 2. Ms. Kitts works at a music store. Last week she sold 6 more
than 3 times the number of CDs that she sold this week. Ms. Kitts
sold a total of 110 CDs over the 2 weeks. Which system of
equations can be used to find l, the number of CDs she sold last
week, and t, the number of CDs she sold this week?
Worded problems
• 3. The length of a rectangle is equal to triple the width. Which system of
equations can be used to find the dimensions of the rectangle if the
perimeter is 86 centimeters?

• 4. At a restaurant the cost for a breakfast taco and a small glass of milk is
$2.10. The cost for 2 tacos and 3 small glasses of milk is $5.15. Which pair
of equations can be used to determine t, the cost of a taco, and m, the cost
of a small glass of milk?

• 5. The Frosty Ice-Cream Shop sells sundaes for $2 and banana splits for
$3. On a hot summer day, the shop sold 8 more sundaes than banana splits
and made $156
Worded problems
• 6. Chase and Sara went to the candy store. Chase bought 5
pieces of fudge and 3 pieces of bubble gum for a total of $5.70.
Sara bought 2 pieces of fudge and 10 pieces of bubble gum for
a total of $3.60. Which system of equations could be used to
determine the cost of 1 piece of fudge, f, and 1 piece of bubble
gum, g?

• 7. At a college bookstore, Carla purchased a math textbook and

a novel that cost a total of $54, not including tax. If the price of
the math textbook, m, is $8 more than 3 times the price of the
novel, n, which system of linear equations could be used to
determine the price of each book?
Worded problems
• 8. The price, e, of an entertainment system at Extreme
Electronics is $220 less than twice the price, u, of the same
system at Ultra Electronics. The difference in price between the
system at Extreme Electronics and Ultra Electronics is $175.
Which system of linear equations can be used to determine the
price of the system at each store?

• 9. The perimeter of a rectangular wooden deck is 90 feet. The

deck's length, l, is 5 feet less than 4 times its width, w. Which
system of linear equations can be used to determine the
dimensions, in feet, of the wooden deck?
Keep solving
• 10. Some students want to order shirts with their school logo.
One company charges $9.65 per shirt plus a setup fee of $43.
Another company charges $8.40 per shirt plus a $58 fee. For
what number of shirts would the cost be the same?

• 11. Mrs. Travis wants to have a clown deliver balloons to her

secretary’s office. Clowns R Fun charges $1.25 per balloon and
$6 delivery. Singing Balloons charges $1.95 per balloon and $2
for delivery. What is the minimum number of balloons Mrs.
Travis needs to purchase in order for Clowns R Fun to have a
lower price than Singing Balloons?
There is more
• 12 Mariden has a bag containing 1$ and $5 coins. The total
value of these coins is $250. What is the maximum number of
$5 coins that meets these conditions?

• 13. Two complementary angles have measures of s and t. If t is

less than twice s, which system of linear equations can be used
to determine the measure of each angle?
ANSWERS:
•1. ANS: 2
•7. ANS: m + n = 54
m = 3n + 8
•2. ANS l + t = 108
l = 3t + 6 •8. ANS: e - 2u = -220
e - u = 175
•3. ANS: l = 3w
2(l + w) = 85 •9. ANS: 2l + 2w = 90
l = 4w - 5
• 
•4. ANS: t + m = 2.10 •10. ANS: 6
2t + 3m = 5.15
•11. ANS: 6
•5. ANS: 2s + 3b = 156
s=b+8 •12 ANS: ?

•6. ANS: 5f + 3g = 5.70 •13. ANS: t + s = 90

t = 2s - 90
2f + 10g = 3.60