Simultaneous equations

When a point belongs to more than one line, the coordinates of that point satisfy both equations.
The equations of the lines are called simultaneous equations.
Simultaneous equations can be solved using a number of different methods:
• Graphically — by drawing a graph
• Algebraically — by substitution
• Algebraically — by elimination

Solving simultaneous equations algebraically

by elimination
This method involves adding two equations to create a third in which one of the original variables has been
eliminated, thus allowing substitution to take place in order to find the value of the remaining variable.

Solve the following pair of simultaneous equations.

x − 5y = −17 2x + 3y = 5

thINK WrIte

1 Write the equations, one under the other and x − 5y = −17 [1]
number them. 2x + 3y = 5 [2]
2 Look for a single multiplication that will [1] × −2: −2x + 10y = 34 [3]
create the same coefficient and opposite sign
of either x or y. Multiply equation [1] by −2
and call the new equation [3].
3 Add equations [2] and [3] in order to [2] + [3]: 13y = 39
eliminate x.
4 Solve for y by dividing both sides of the y=3
equation by 13.
5 Substitute the value of y into equation [2]. Substituting y = 3 into [2]:
2x + 3(3) = 5
2x + 9 = 5
6 Solve for x. 2x = −4
(a) Subtract 9 from both sides of the equation. x = −2
(b) Divide both sides of the equation by 2.
7 Answer the question. Solution: x = −2, y = 3 or (−2, 3)
8 Check the answer by substituting into Check: Substitute into x − 5y = −17.
equation [1]. LHS = (−2) − 5(3)
= −2 − 15
= −17
LHS = RHS and therefore the solution is correct.
3 We11 Use the elimination method to solve the following simultaneous equations.
a 3x + 2y = 13 b 4x − 2y = 7
−x + 3y = −8 3x + 2y = 14

3x + 2y = 13 (1) 4x – 2y = 7 (1)
–x + 3y = –8 (2) 3x + 2y = 14 (2)
Multiply equation (2) by 3 Add equation (1) and equation (2) in order to eliminate y
–3x + 9y = –24 (3) 7x = 21
Add equation (1) and equation (2) in order to eliminate x x=3
11y = –11 Substitute x = 3 into equation (2) in order to find the
y = –1 value of y
Substitute y = –1 into equation (2) in order to find x 3 x + 2 y = 14
− x + 3 y = −8 (3 × 3) + 2 y = 14
− x + 3(−1) = −8 9 + 2 y = 14
− x − 3 = −8 2 y = 14 − 9
− x = −8 + 3 2y = 5
− x = −5 5
y=
x=5 2
The point of intersection is (5, –1) ⎛ 5⎞
Check your answer by substituting the point of intersection The point of intersection is ⎜ 3, ⎟
into equation (1) ⎝ 2⎠
Check your answer by substituting the point of intersection
into equation (1)

c y−x=5 d x + y = 20
3x − 5y = −21 3x + 11y = 100

y–x=5 (1)
x + y = 20 (1)
3x – 5y = –21 (2)
3x + 11y = 100 (2)
Multiply equation (1) by 3
Multiply equation (1) by 3
3y – 3x = 15 (3)
3x + 3y = 60 (3)
Add equation (2) and equation (3) in order to eliminate x
Subtract equation (3) from equation (2) in order to
3 x − 5 y = −21
eliminate x
−3 x + 3 y = 15 8y = 40
−2 y = −6 y=5
y =3 Substitute y = 5 into equation (1) in order to find x
x + y = 20
Substitute y = 3 into equation (1) in order to find x
y−x=5 x + 5 = 20
3− x = 5 x = 20 − 5
−x = 5 − 3 x = 15
The point of intersection is (15, 5)
−x = 2
x = −2
The point of intersection is (–2, 3)

e 3x + 2y = 10 f 2x + 5y = 4
12x − 5y = 14 7x + 15y = 9

3x + 2y = 10 (1) 2x + 5y = 4 (1)
12x – 5y = 14 (2) 7x + 15y = 9 (2)
Multiply equation (1) by 4 Multiply equation (1) by 3
12x + 8y = 40 (3) 6x + 15y = 12 (3)
Subtract equation (3) from equation (2) in order to eliminate x Subtract equation (3) from equation (2) in order to eliminate y
–13y = –26 x = –3
y=2 Substitute x = –3 into equation (1) in order to find y
Substitute y = 2 into equation (1) in order to find x 2x + 5 y = 4
3 x + 2 y = 10 2(−3) + 5 y = 4
3x + 2(2) = 10 −6 + 5 y = 4
3 x + 4 = 10 5y = 4 + 6
3x = 10 − 4 5 y = 10
3x = 6 y=2
x=2 The point of intersection is (–3, 2)
The point of intersection is (2, 2)
 Solving simultaneous equations by elimination

Solve the pair of simultaneous equations y = 2x + 3 and y = -x.

Solution
1 Number the two equations as (1) and (2). y = 2x + 3 (1)
2 Subtract equation (2) from equation (1). y = -x (2)
3 Solve the equation for x. Subtract eqn (2) from eqn (1):
4 Add the like terms. 0 = 2x + 3 - (-x)
5 Subtract -3x from both sides of the 0 = 3x + 3
equation. -3x = 3
6 Divide both sides of the equation by -3. x = -1
7 To find y, substitute x = -1 into Substitute x = -1 into eqn (2):
equation (2). y = -(-1) = 1

8 Check the solution by substituting x = -1 Check: y = 2x + 3

and y = 1 into equation (1). 1 = 2 × (-1) + 3 True
9 Write the answer in words. Solution is x = -1 and y = 1,
(-1, 1).

The elimination method and the substitution method will result in the same solution. This is
shown by examples 18 and 19. If the simultaneous equations have either x or y as the subject it
is often easier to use the substitution method.
 Solving simultaneous equations by elimination

Solve the pair of simultaneous equations 4x + y = 17 and x + 2y = 13.

Solution
1 Number the two equations as (1) and (2). 4x + y = 17 (1)
2 Multiply equation (1) by 2 to make the x + 2y = 13 (2)
coefficient of y have a value of 2. Label Multiply eqn (1) by 2:
this equation as (3). Now equations (2) 8x + 2y = 34 (3)
and (3) have the same coefficient for y. Subtract eqn (2) from eqn (3):
3 Subtract equation (2) from equation (3). 7x = 21
4 Solve the equation for x. x=3
5 Divide both sides of the equation by 7.
6 To find y, substitute x = 3 into Substitute x = 3 into eqn (1):
equation (1). 4 × 3 + y = 17
7 Solve the equation for y. 12 + y = 17
8 Subtract 12 from both sides of the y=5
equation.
9 Check the solution by substituting x = 3 Check using eqn (2):
and y = 5 into equation (2). x + 2y = 13
3 + 2 × 5 = 13 True
10 Write the answer in words. Solution is x = 3 and y = 5, (3, 5).

The solution of a pair of simultaneous equations is the point of intersection of the two
equations. The solution of 4x + y = 17 and x + 2y = 13 is the point (3, 5).
y
8 4x + y = 17
7
6
(3, 5)
5
4
3
2
x + 2y = 13
1

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 x
–1
 The elimination method
Sometimes y (or x) cannot easily be expressed as the subject of one of a pair of equations to be solved
simultaneously, or the resulting equation, after substitution, is complicated to solve (such as question 5 part e in
Exercise 3I). In such cases it is more appropriate to use the elimination method.

WORKED EXAMPLE 1
2x + 3y = 5 1
x − 2y = 7 2
For the equations 1 and 2 above, find:
a 2× 1 b 3× 2 c 1 + 2
d 1 − 2 e 4× 1 −2× 2 f 2× 1 +3× 2

Solve Think Apply

a 4x + 6y = 10 Multiply both sides of equation 1 by 2. Multiply both sides of

b 3x − 6y = 21
c 3x + y = 12
d x + 5y = −2
e 6x + 16y = 6
2 × (2x + 3y) = 2 × 5 the equation by the stated
number and add or subtract
Multiply both sides of equation 2 by 3.
like terms as appropriate.
3 × (x − 2y) = 3 × 7
Note that if we multiply
2x + 3y = 5 1 both sides of an equation
x − 2y = 7 2 by the same number, the
1 + 2 3x + y = 12 new equation formed has
the same solutions as the
2x + 3y = 5 1 original. For example
x − 2y = 7 2 2x + 3y = 5 and
1 − 2 x + 5y = −2 4x + 6y = 10
have the same solutions.
4× 1 8x + 12y = 20 (Check that x = 4 and
2× 2 2x − 4y = 14 y = −1, x = −2 and y = 3
4× 1 −2× 2 6x + 16y = 6 are solutions of both.)

f 7x = 31 2× 1 4x + 6y = 10
3× 2 3x − 6y = 21
2× 1 +3× 2 7x = 31
WORKED EXAMPLE 2
Solve these simultaneous equations using the elimination method.
x + 2y = 1
3x − 2y = 5

Solve Think Apply

1 x + 2y = 1 Label the equations 1 and 2 . If the coefficients of y (or x)
2 3x − 2y = 5 As the coefficients of y are opposites, are opposites, add the
equations to eliminate y (or x).
1 + 2 4x = 6 add the equations. This eliminates y.
x = 1_2
1 Solve the resulting equation in x.
1 Substitute this value of x into
If x = 1_2 , substitute x into 1 .
1 equation 1 (or 2 ) to find y.
1_2 + 2y = 1
2y = −_12
y = −_14
1
Solution is x = 1_2 and y = −_14 .

WORKED EXAMPLE 3
Solve the following equations simultaneously.
3x − 2y = 5
x − 2y = 7

Solve Think Apply

1 3x − 2y = 5 The coefficients of y are the same, so If the coefficients of y (or x)
2 x − 2y = 7 subtract the equations to eliminate y. are the same, subtract the
Solve the resulting equation to find x. equations to eliminate y
1 − 2 2x = −2
Substitute this value of x into 1 (or x).
x = −1
(or 2 ) to find y.
If x = −1, −3 − 2y = 5
−2y = 8
y = −4
Solution is x = −1 and y = −4.

WORKED EXAMPLE 4
Solve these equations simultaneously.
2x + y = 6 1
3x − 2y = −5 2

Solve Think Apply

2× 1 4x + 2y = 12 Multiply equation 1 by 2 to make the Make the coefficients of y
2 3x − 2y = −5 coefficients of y opposites. (or x) opposites by
Find 2 × 1 + 2 (this eliminates y). multiplying both sides of
2× 1 + 2 7x = 7
one of the equations by the
x=1 Solve for x.
appropriate number. Adding
If x = 1, 2+y=6 Substitute this value of x into 1
then eliminates y (or x).
y=4 (or 2 ) to find y.
Solution is x = 1 and y = 4.
WORKED EXAMPLE 5
Solve the following equations simultaneously.
2x + 3y = 7 1
5x + y = −2 2

Solve Think Apply

3× 2 15x + 3y = −6 Multiply equation 2 by 3 to make the Make the coefficients
1 2x + 3y = 7 coefficients of y the same. of y (or x) the same by
Find 3 × 2 − 1 (this eliminates y). multiplying both sides
3× 2 − 1 13x = −13
of one of the equations
x = −1 Solve for x.
by the appropriate
If x = −1, −2 + 3y = 7 Substitute this value of x into 1 (or 2 to
number. Subtracting
3y = 9 find y.
y=3 then eliminates y (or x).
Solution is x = −1 and y = 3.

WORKED EXAMPLE 6
Solve the following equations simultaneously.
5x − 3y = 14 1
4x + 2y = −2 2

Solve Think Apply

2× 1 10x − 6y = 28 Multiply equation 1 by 2 and multiply Make the coefficients

3× 2 12x + 6y = −6 equation 2 by 3. This makes the of y (or x) opposites
coefficients of y opposites. by multiplying the
2× 1 +3× 2 22x = 22
equations by the
x=1 Find 2 × 1 + 3 × 2 (this eliminates y).
appropriate numbers.
If x = 1, 4 + 2y = −2 Solve for x. Substitute this value of x into
Adding then eliminates
2y = −6 equation 1 (or 2 ) to find y.
y (or x).
y = −3 Note: To make the coefficients of x
Solution is x = 1 and y = −3. opposites we could multiply equation 1
by 4 and equation 2 by −5 (or multiply
equation 1 by −4 and equation 2 by 5).
Adding then eliminates x.

WORKED EXAMPLE 7
Solve the following equations simultaneously.
4x + 5y = 17 1
5x + 3y = 5 2

Solve Think Apply

3× 1 12x + 15y = 51 Multiply equation 1 by 3 and Make the coefficients

equation 2 by 5. of y (or x) the same by
5× 2 25x + 15y = 25
multiplying the equations
3 × 1 − 5 × 2 −13x = 26 Find 3 × 1 − 5 × 2 .
by the appropriate numbers.
x = −2 This eliminates y.
Subtracting then eliminates
If x = −2, −8 + 5y = 17 Note: To make the coefficients of x the
y (or x).
5y = 25 same we could multiply equation 1
y=5 by 5 and equation 2 by 4.
Solution is x = −2 and y = 5. Subtracting then eliminates x.