Chapter 9

Simultaneous equations
9.1 Introduction to simultaneous (a) By substitution
From equation (1): x = −1 − 2y
equations Substituting this expression for x into equation (2)
gives:
Only one equation is necessary when finding the value
of a single unknown quantity (as with simple equa- 4(−1 − 2y) − 3y = 18
tions in Chapter 8). However, when an equation contains
two unknown quantities it has an infinite number of This is now a simple equation in y.
solutions. When two equations are available connecting Removing the bracket gives:
the same two unknown values then a unique solution is
possible. Similarly, for three unknown quantities it is −4 − 8y − 3y = 18
necessary to have three equations in order to solve for a
particular value of each of the unknown quantities, and −11y = 18 + 4 = 22
so on. 22
y= = −2
Equations that have to be solved together to find the −11
unique values of the unknown quantities, which are
true for each of the equations, are called simultaneous Substituting y = −2 into equation (1) gives:
equations.
Two methods of solving simultaneous equations x + 2(−2) = −1
analytically are: x − 4 = −1
(a) by substitution, and (b) by elimination. x = −1 + 4 = 3

(A graphical solution of simultaneous equations is Thus x = 3 and y = −2 is the solution to the

shown in Chapter 31 and determinants and matrices are simultaneous equations.
used to solve simultaneous equations in Chapter 62).
(Check: In equation (2), since x = 3 and y = −2,
LHS = 4(3) − 3(−2) = 12 + 6 = 18 = RHS)

9.2 Worked problems on (b) By elimination

simultaneous equations
x + 2y = −1 (1)
in two unknowns
4x − 3y = 18 (2)

Problem 1. Solve the following equations for x If equation (1) is multiplied throughout by 4 the
and y, (a) by substitution, and (b) by elimination: coefficient of x will be the same as in equation (2),
x + 2y = −1 (1) giving:

4x − 3y = 18 (2) 4x + 8y = −4 (3)
 Simultaneous equations 69

Subtracting equation (3) from equation (2) gives: If equation (1) is multiplied throughout by 2 and equa-

Section 1
tion (2) by 3, then the coefficient of x will be the same
4x − 3y = 18 (2) in the newly formed equations. Thus
4x + 8y = −4 (3)
____________
2 × equation (1) gives: 6x + 8y = 10 (3)
0 − 11y = 22
____________ 3 × equation (2) gives: 6x − 15y = −36 (4)
22
Hence y = = −2 Equation (3) − equation (4) gives:
−11
(Note, in the above subtraction, 0 + 23y = 46
18 − (−4) = 18 + 4 = 22). 46
i.e. y= =2
Substituting y = −2 into either equation (1) or equa- 23
tion (2) will give x = 3 as in method (a). The solution
x = 3, y = −2 is the only pair of values that satisfies both (Note +8y − −15y = 8y + 15y = 23y and 10 − (−36) =
of the original equations. 10 + 36 = 46. Alternatively, ‘change the signs of the
bottom line and add’.)
Problem 2. Solve, by a substitution method, the
Substituting y = 2 in equation (1) gives:
simultaneous equations:

3x − 2y = 12 (1) 3x + 4(2) = 5
x + 3y = −7 (2) from which 3x = 5 − 8 = −3
and x = −1
From equation (2), x = −7 − 3y
Checking in equation (2), left-hand side =
Substituting for x in equation (1) gives:
2(−1) − 5(2) = −2 − 10 = −12 = right-hand side.
3(−7 − 3y) − 2y = 12 Hence x = −1 and y = 2 is the solution of the simulta-
i.e. −21 − 9y − 2y = 12 neous equations.
The elimination method is the most common method
−11y = 12 + 21 = 33 of solving simultaneous equations.
33
Hence y= = −3
−11
Substituting y = −3 in equation (2) gives: Problem 4. Solve :

x + 3(−3) = −7 7x − 2y = 26 (1)
i.e. x − 9 = −7 6x + 5y = 29 (2)
Hence x = −7 + 9 = 2

Thus x = 2, y = −3 is the solution of the simultaneous When equation (1) is multiplied by 5 and equation
equations. (2) by 2 the coefficients of y in each equation are
numerically the same, i.e. 10, but are of opposite sign.
(Such solutions should always be checked by substitut-
ing values into each of the original two equations.)
5 × equation (1) gives: 35x − 10y = 130 (3)
2 × equation (2) gives: 12x + 10y = 58 (4)
Problem 3. Use an elimination method to solve _______________
the simultaneous equations: Adding equation (3)
and (4) gives: 47x + 0 = 188 (5)
_______________
3x + 4y = 5 (1)
188
2x − 5y = −12 (2) Hence x = =4
47
 70 Engineering Mathematics

[Note that when the signs of common coefficients are 9.3 Further worked problems on
Section 1

different the two equations are added, and when the

signs of common coefficients are the same the two equa-
simultaneous equations
tions are subtracted (as in Problems 1 and 3).]
Problem 5. Solve
Substituting x = 4 in equation (1) gives:
3p = 2q (1)
7(4) − 2y = 26 4p + q + 11 = 0 (2)

28 − 2y = 26
Rearranging gives:
28 − 26 = 2y
3p − 2q = 0 (3)
2 = 2y
4p + q = −11 (4)
Hence y=1 Multiplying equation (4) by 2 gives:
8p + 2q = −22 (5)
Checking, by substituting x = 4 and y = 1 in equation
(2), gives: Adding equations (3) and (5) gives:
11p + 0 = −22
LHS = 6(4) + 5(1) = 24 + 5 = 29 = RHS −22
p= = −2
11
Thus the solution is x = 4, y = 1, since these val- Substituting p = −2 into equation (1) gives:
ues maintain the equality when substituted in both 3(−2) = 2q
equations.
−6 = 2q
−6
Now try the following exercise q= = −3
2
Checking, by substituting p = −2 and q = −3 into
Exercise 33 Further problems on equation (2) gives:
simultaneous equations
LHS = 4(−2) + (−3) + 11 = −8 − 3 + 11
Solve the following simultaneous equations and
= 0 = RHS
verify the results.
Hence the solution is p = −2, q = −3
1. a + b = 7
a−b=3 [a = 5, b = 2]
Problem 6. Solve
2. 2x + 5y = 7
x 5
x + 3y = 4 [x = 1, y = 1] + =y (1)
8 2
3. 3s + 2t = 12 y
13 − = 3x (2)
4s − t = 5 [s = 2, t = 3] 3
4. 3x − 2y = 13
2x + 5y = −4 [x = 3, y = −2] Whenever fractions are involved in simultaneous equa-
tion it is usual to firstly remove them. Thus, multiplying
5. 5x = 2y equation (1) by 8 gives:
3x + 7y = 41 [x = 2, y = 5]  
x 5
6. 5c = 1 − 3d 8 +8 = 8y
8 2
2d + c + 4 = 0 [c = 2, d = −3]
i.e. x + 20 = 8y (3)
 Simultaneous equations 71

Multiplying equation (2) by 3 gives: Rearranging gives:

Section 1
39 − y = 9x (4) 250x − 300y = −75 (3)
160x + 120y = 108 (4)
Rearranging equation (3) and (4) gives:
Multiplying equation (3) by 2 gives:
x − 8y = −20 (5)
500x − 600y = −150 (5)
9x + y = 39 (6)
Multiplying equation (4) by 5 gives:
Multiplying equation (6) by 8 gives:
800x + 600y = 540 (6)
72x + 8y = 312 (7)
Adding equations (5) and (6) gives:
Adding equations (5) and (7) gives:
1300x + 0 = 390
73x + 0 = 292 390 39 3
292 x= = = = 0.3
x= =4 1300 130 10
73 Substituting x = 0.3 into equation (1) gives:
Substituting x = 4 into equation (5) gives:
250(0.3) + 75 − 300y = 0
4 − 8y = −20 75 + 75 = 300y
4 + 20 = 8y 150 = 300y
24 = 8y 150
y= = 0.5
24 300
y= =3
8 Checking x = 0.3, y = 0.5 in equation (2) gives:
Checking: substituting x = 4, y = 3 in the original LHS = 160(0.3) = 48
equations, gives:
RHS = 108 − 120(0.5)
4 5 1 1
Equation (1): LHS = + = + 2 = 3 = 108 − 60 = 48
8 2 2 2
= y = RHS Hence the solution is x = 0.3, y = 0.5
3
Equation (2): LHS = 13 − = 13 − 1 = 12 Now try the following exercise
3
RHS = 3x = 3(4) = 12

Hence the solution is x = 4, y = 3 Exercise 34 Further problems on

simultanuous equations
Problem 7. Solve Solve the following simultaneous equations and
verify the results.
2.5x + 0.75 − 3y = 0
1. 7p + 11 + 2q = 0
1.6x = 1.08 − 1.2y
−1 = 3q − 5p [p = −1, q = −2]

It is often easier to remove decimal fractions. Thus x y

2. + =4
multiplying equations (1) and (2) by 100 gives: 2 3
x y
250x + 75 − 300y = 0 (1) − =0 [x = 4, y = 6]
6 9
160x = 108 − 120y (2)
 72 Engineering Mathematics

Checking, substituting a = 2 and b = 1 in equation (4)

Section 1

a
3. − 7 = −2b gives:
2
2 LHS = 2 − 4(1) = 2 − 4 = −2 = RHS
12 = 5a + b [a = 2, b = 3]
3 Hence a = 2 and b = 1
x 2y 49
4. + = 1 1 1
5 3 15 However, since =a then x= =
x a 2
3x y 5
− + =0 [x = 3, y = 4] 1 1 1
7 2 7 and since =b then y= = =1
y b 1
5. 1.5x − 2.2y = −18
1
2.4x + 0.6y = 33 [x = 10, y = 15] Hence the solutions is x = , y = 1,
2
6. 3b − 2.5a = 0.45 which may be checked in the original equations.
1.6a + 0.8b = 0.8 [a = 0.30, b = 0.40]
Problem 9. Solve

9.4 More difficult worked problems 1 3

+ =4 (1)
on simultaneous equations 2a 5b
4 1
+ = 10.5 (2)
a 2b
Problem 8. Solve
2 3
+ =7 (1) 1 1
x y Let =x and =y
a b
1 4
− = −2 (2) x 3
x y then + y=4 (3)
2 5
1
4x + y = 10.5 (4)
In this type of equation the solutions is easier if a 2
1 1
substitution is initially made. Let = a and = b To remove fractions, equation (3) is multiplied by 10
x y giving:
Thus equation (1) becomes: 2a + 3b = 7 (3) x  
3
10 + 10 y = 10(4)
and equation (2) becomes: a − 4b = −2 (4) 2 5

Multiplying equation (4) by 2 gives: i.e. 5x + 6y = 40 (5)

2a − 8b = −4 (5) Multiplying equation (4) by 2 gives:

Subtracting equation (5) from equation (3) gives:
8x + y = 21 (6)
0 + 11b = 11
Multiplying equation (6) by 6 gives:
i.e. b=1
48x + 6y = 126 (7)
Substituting b = 1 in equation (3) gives:
Subtracting equation (5) from equation (7) gives:
2a + 3 = 7
43x + 0 = 86
2a = 7 − 3 = 4
86
i.e. a=2 x= =2
43
 Simultaneous equations 73

Substituting x = 2 into equation (3) gives: Now try the following exercise

Section 1
2 3
+ y=4
2 5 Exercise 35 Further more difficult problems
3 on simultaneous equations
y=4−1=3
5 In Problems 1 to 5, solve the simultaneous equa-
5 tions and verify the results
y = (3) = 5
3
3 2
1 1 1 1. + = 14
Since = x then a = = x y
a x 2
 
1 1 1 5 3 1 1
and since = y then b = = − = −2 x= , y=
b y 5 x y 2 4
1 1 4 3
Hence the solutions is a = , b = 2. − = 18
2 5 a b
which may be checked in the original equations.  
2 5 1 1
+ = −4 a= , b=−
a b 3 2
Problem 10. Solve 1 3
3. + =5
1 4 2p 5q
= (1)  
x+y 27 5 1 35 1 1
1 4 − = p= , q=
= (2) p 2q 2 4 5
2x − y 33
c+1 d +2
4 − +1=0
4 3
To eliminate fractions, both sides of equation (1) are 1 − c 3 − d 13
+ + =0 [c = 3, d = 4]
multiplied by 27(x + y) giving: 5 4 20
    3r + 2 2s − 1 11
1 4 5 − =
27(x + y) = 27(x + y) 5 4 5
x+y 27
 
3 + 2r 5 − s 15 1
i.e. 27(1) = 4(x + y) + = r = 3, s=
4 3 4 2
27 = 4x + 4y (3)
3 4 5
6 If 5x − = 1 and x + = find the value of
Similarly, in equation (2): 33 = 4(2x − y) y y 2
xy + 1
i.e. 33 = 8x − 4y (4) [1]
y
Equation (3) + equation (4) gives:
60
60 = 12x, i.e. x = =5
12 9.5 Practical problems involving
Substituting x = 5 in equation (3) gives: simultaneous equations
27 = 4(5) + 4y
from which 4y = 27 − 20 = 7 There are a number of situations in engineering and
science where the solution of simultaneous equations
7 3
and y = =1 is required. Some are demonstrated in the following
4 4 worked problems.
3
Hence x = 5, y = 1 is the required solution, which
4 Problem 11. The law connecting friction F and
may be checked in the original equations. load L for an experiment is of the form F = aL + b,
 74 Engineering Mathematics

Subtracting equation (1) from equation (2) gives:

where a and b are constants. When F = 5.6, L = 8.0
Section 1

and when F = 4.4, L = 2.0. Find the values of a and 1

12
b and the value of F when L = 6.5 1 1 2
12 = 2 m from which, m = = 5
2 2 1
2
Substituting F = 5.6, L = 8.0 into F = aL + b gives: 2
5.6 = 8.0a + b (1) Substituting m = 5 into equation (1) gives:
Substituting F = 4.4, L = 2.0 into F = aL + b gives: −2 = 5 + c
4.4 = 2.0a + b (2) c = −2 − 5 = −7

Subtracting equation (2) from equation (1) gives: Checking, substituting m = 5 and c = −7 in equation
(2), gives:
1.2 = 6.0a  
1 1
1.2 1 RHS = 3 (5) + (−7) = 17 − 7
a= = 2 2
6.0 5
1
1 =10 = LHS
Substituting a = into equation (1) gives: 2
5
  Hence the gradient, m = 5 and the y-axis intercept,
1
5.6 = 8.0 +b c = −7
5
5.6 = 1.6 + b
Problem 13. When Kirchhoff’s laws are applied
5.6 − 1.6 = b to the electrical circuit shown in Fig. 9.1 the
currents I1 and I2 are connected by the equations:
i.e. b=4
1 27 = 1.5I1 + 8(I1 − I2 ) (1)
Checking, substituting a = and b = 4 in equation (2),
5 −26 = 2I2 − 8(I1 − I2 ) (2)
gives:
 
1 l1 l2
RHS = 2.0 + 4 = 0.4 + 4 = 4.4 = LHS
5
(l1l2)
1 27 V 26 V
Hence a= and b=4
5
8Ω
1
When L = 6.5, F = al + b = (6.5) + 4 1.5 Ω 2Ω
5
= 1.3 + 4, i.e. F = 5.3

Problem 12. The equation of a straight line, of Figure 9.1

gradient m and intercept on the y-axis c, is
y = mx + c. If a straight line passes through the Solve the equations to find the values of currents I1
point where x = 1 and y = −2, and also through the and I2
point where x = 3 21 and y = 10 21 , find the values of
the gradient and the y-axis intercept
Removing the brackets from equation (1) gives:

Substituting x = 1 and y = −2 into y = mx + c gives: 27 = 1.5I1 + 8I1 −8I2

−2 = m + c (1) Rearranging gives:
1 1
Substituting x = 3 and y = 10 into y = mx + c gives: 9.5I1 − 8I2 = 27 (3)
2 2
Removing the brackets from equation (2) gives:
1 1
10 = 3 m + c (2)
2 2 −26 = 2I2 − 8I1 + 8I2
 Simultaneous equations 75

Rearranging gives: Multiplying equation (1) by 2 gives:

Section 1
−8I1 + 10I2 = −26 (4) 84 = 4u + 4a (3)

Multiplying equation (3) by 5 gives: Subtracting equation (3) from equation (2) gives:

47.5I1 −40I2 = 135 (5) 60 = 0 + 4a

60
Multiplying equation (4) by 4 gives: a= = 15
15
−32I1 + 40I2 = −104 (6) Substituting a = 15 into equation (1) gives:
Adding equations (5) and (6) gives: 42 = 2u + 2(15)

15.5I1 + 0 = 31 42 −30 = 2u
31 12
I1 = =2 u= =6
15.5 2
Substituting I1 = 2 into equation (3) gives: Substituting a = 15, u = 6 in equation (2) gives:

9.5(2) − 8I2 = 27 RHS = 4(6) + 8(15) = 24 + 120 = 144 = LHS

19 − 8I2 = 27 Hence the initial velocity, u = 6 m/s and the
19 − 27 = 8I2 acceleration, a = 15 m/s2 .

−8 = 8I2 1
Distance travelled after 3 s is given by s = ut + at 2
2
I2 = −1 where t = 3, u = 6 and a = 15
Hence the solution is I1 = 2 and I2 = −1 1
Hence s = (6)(3) + (15)(3)2 = 18 + 67.5
2
(which may be checked in the original equations).
i.e. distance travelled after 3 s = 85.5 m

Problem 14. The distance s metres from a fixed

point of a vehicle travelling in a straight line with Problem 15. The resistance R  of a length of
constant acceleration, a m/s2 , is given by wire at t ◦ C is given by R = R0 (1 + αt), where R0
s = ut + 21 at 2 , where u is the initial velocity in m/s is the resistance at 0◦ C and α is the temperature
and t the time in seconds. Determine the initial coefficient of resistance in /◦ C. Find the values of α
velocity and the acceleration given that s = 42 m and R0 if R = 30  at 50◦ C and R = 35  at 100◦ C
when t = 2 s and s = 144 m when t = 4 s. Find also
the distance travelled after 3 s
Substituting R = 30, t = 50 into R = R0 (1 + αt) gives:
1 30 = R0 (1 + 50α) (1)
Substituting s = 42, t = 2 into s = ut + at 2 gives:
2
1 Substituting R = 35, t = 100 into R = R0 (1 + αt) gives:
42 = 2u + a(2)2
2 35 = R0 (1 + 100 α) (2)
i.e. 42 = 2u + 2a (1)
Although these equations may be solved by the conven-
1
Substituting s = 144, t = 4 into s = ut + at 2 gives: tional substitution method, an easier way is to eliminate
2 R0 by division. Thus, dividing equation (1) by equation
1 (2) gives:
144 = 4u + a(4)2
2 30 R0 (1 + 50α) 1 + 50α
i.e. 144 = 4u + 8a (2) = =
35 R0 (1 + 100α) 1 + 100α
 76 Engineering Mathematics

‘Cross-multiplying’ gives: a = 52 − 40 = 12
Section 1

30(1 + 100α) = 35(1 + 50α) Hence a = 12 and b = 0.4

30 + 3000α = 35 + 1750α
Now try the following exercise
3000α − 1750α = 35 − 30
1250α = 5
Exercise 36 Further practical problems
5 1 involving simultaneous
i.e. α= = or 0.004 equations
1250 250
1
Substituting α = into equation (1) gives: 1. In a system of pulleys, the effort P required to
250 raise a load W is given by P = aW + b, where
   a and b are constants.
1
30 = R0 1 + (50)
250 If W = 40 when P = 12 and W = 90 when
30 = R0 (1.2) P = 22, find the values of a and b. 
1
30 a= , b=4
R0 = = 25 5
1.2
2. Applying Kirchhoff’s laws to an electrical
1 circuit produces the following equations:
Checking, substituting α = and R0 = 25 in equation
250 5 = 0.2I1 + 2(I1 − I2 )
(2) gives:
   12 = 3I2 + 0.4I2 − 2(I1 − I2 )
1
RHS = 25 1 + (100) Determine the values of currents I1 and I2
250 [I1 = 6.47, I2 = 4.62]
= 25(1.4) = 35 = LHS
3. Velocity v is given by the formula v = u + at.
If v = 20 when t = 2 and v = 40 when t = 7,
Thus the solution is α = 0.004/◦ C and R0 = 25 . find the values of u and a. Hence find the
velocity when t = 3.5.
Problem 16. The molar heat capacity of a solid [u = 12, a = 4, v = 26]
compound is given by the equation c = a + bT, 4. y = mx + c is the equation of a straight line
where a and b are constants. When c = 52, T = 100 of slope m and y-axis intercept c. If the line
and when c = 172, T = 400. Determine the values passes through the point where x = 2 and
of a and b y = 2, and also through the point where x = 5
and y = 21 , find the slope and y-axis intercept
 
1
When c = 52, T = 100, hence of the straight line. m=− , c=3
2
52 = a + 100b (1) 5. The resistance R ohms of copper wire at
When c = 172, T = 400, hence t ◦ C is given by R = R0 (1 + αt), where R0 is
the resistance at 0◦ C and α is the tempera-
172 = a + 400b (2) ture coefficient of resistance. If R = 25.44 
at 30◦ C and R = 32.17  at 100◦ C, find α
Equation (2) – equation (1) gives: and R0 . [α = 0.00426, R0 = 22.56 ]
120 = 300b 6. The molar heat capacity of a solid compound
120 is given by the equation c = a + bT . When
from which, b = = 0.4
300 c = 52, T = 100 and when c = 172, T = 400.
Substituting b = 0.4 in equation (1) gives: Find the values of a and b.
[a = 12, b = 0.40]
52 = a + 100(0.4)