Simultaneous equations

 In simultaneous equations, we will find solutions to multiple variables in multiple

equations at the same time.

Basics
 Before diving into solving simultaneous equations, we will revisit some basics
first.
Linear equations
 A linear equation is an equation of the first degree.
 This simply means that the highest exponent in any variable is 1.
 For example, 2 x+ y=4 is a linear equation.
Non-linear equations
 An equation in which the highest exponent in any variable is greater than 1.
 For example, x 2−2 x−3=0 is a non-linear equation.
 Another example of a non-linear equation is y=x 3 + 4 x 2−2 x +7 .

Simultaneous equations
 In this level or grade, simultaneous equations problems will have two equations
with two variables.
 In most cases, one equation will be linear in nature and another will be non-
linear in nature ¿usually a quadratic equation¿.
 For example, a problem may have the equations x + y=4 ¿which is linear¿ and
2 2
x + y =7 ¿which is quadratic¿.
 We will then have to find solutions for the variables x and y simultaneously.
Solving simultaneous equations
 To find solutions for simultaneous equations, follow the guidelines below:
 Identify which equation is linear and which equation is non-linear.
 Make one of the variables in the linear equation the subject of the formula.
If available, use the variable with a coefficient of 1.
 Substitute the resulting equation from step 2 into the non-linear equation.
 Simplify and solve the resulting non-linear equation to find values for the
second variable.
 Use the resulting equation from step 2 and solutions from the non-linear
equation to find values for the first variable.
 Substitute the values of any solution set into any of the original equations to
verify correctness. This is an optional step.
Example
Solve for x and y in the following equations:
x + y=2
2 2
x + y =52
Solution
 Identify which equation is linear and which is non-linear.
 The linear equation is x + y=2 and the non-linear one is x 2+ y 2=52.
 We will call x + y=2 equation (i) and x 2+ y 2=52 equation (ii).
x + y=2 …(i)
2 2
x + y =52 …(ii)
 Make one variable in the linear equation the subject of the formula.
 In this case, we will make x the subject of the formula:
From (i), x=2− y …(iii)
 Substitute the resulting equation into the non-linear equation.
 In other words, replace wherever there is variable x by the expression 2− y :
2 2
x + y =52
2 2
(2− y) + y =52
 Simplify and solve the non-linear equation:
2 2 2
(2− y) + y =52 2 y 4 y 48 0
2 − − =
(2− y)(2− y)+ y =52 2 2 2 2
2 2 2
4−2 y−2 y + y + y =52 y −2 y−24=0
2
4−4 y +2 y =52 ( y−6)( y +4)=0
2
4−4 y +2 y −52=0 y−6=0 or y + 4=0
2
2 y −4 y+ 4−52=0 y=6 or y=−4
2
2 y −4 y−48=0
 Use the resulting equation from the second step and solutions from the non-
linear equation to determine values for the first variable:
When y=6: When y=−4
x=2− y :
x=2−6 x=2− y
x=−4 x=2−(−4)
x=6
 The solutions are: (x=−4 , y=6) and (x=6 , y −4) .
 Substitute values of any solution set into the original equations to verify
correctness.
 For instance, let us replace the solution set (x=−4 , y=6) into the equations:
 The given linear equation is x + y=2 :
 x + y=2
−4+6=2
2=2
 The given non-linear equation is x 2+ y 2=52:
2 2
x + y =52 16+36=52
(−4) +(6) =52 52=52
2 2

 In all our substitutions, the left-hand side and right-hand side are equal.
 Therefore, we have verified or confirmed that the first solution set is correct.
 You can substitute the second solution set into the equations if you so wish.

Example
Solve the following simultaneous equations:
2 x+ y=3
2 2
x + xy+ y =9
Solution
 In this case, we have been given a linear equation and a non-linear equation.
 The linear equation is 2 x+ y=3 and the non-linear equation is x 2+ xy+ y 2=9
:
2 x+ y=3 …(i)
2 2
x + xy+ y =9 …(ii)
 From equation (i), it will be easier to make y the subject of the formula:
From (i), y=3−2 x … (iii)
 Then we substitute the derived equation (iii) into the non-linear equation:
2 2
x + xy+ y =9
2 2
x + x(3−2 x)+(3−2 x) =9
 Then we can simplify and solve the non-linear equation:
2 2 2 2
x + 3 x −2 x +9−12 x +4 x =9 3 x −9 x=0
x −2 x + 4 x + 3 x−12 x +9=9 3 x (x−3)=0
2 2 2

2
3 x −9 x+ 9=9 3 x=0 or
2
3 x −9 x+ 9−9=0 x−3=0
x=0 or x=3
 Now we can substitute the solutions into equation (iii) :
When x=0 : When x=3 :
y=3−2 x y=3−2 x
y=3−2(0) y=3−2(3)
 y=3 y=−3
 The solutions are: (x=0 , y=3) and (x=3 , y=−3).
Example
Calculate the coordinates of the points of intersection of the graphs of:
y=x −2 x−3 and y=−4 x +5
2

Analysis
 In this case, we have been given the equations of two functions:
2
y=x −2 x−3
y=−4 x +5
 At the point of intersection, the values of x and y of both graphs are equal.
 Therefore, we can equate the two equations as the values of y at the point are
equal:
2
x −2 x−3=−4 x +5
 We can then simplify the equation and determine the values of x :
2
x −2 x−3=−4 x +5 (x +4 )(x−2)=0
x −2 x−3+ 4 x−5=0 x +4=0 or
2

x −2 x+ 4 x−3−5=0 x−2=0
2

2
x + 2 x−8=0 x=−4 or x=2
 We can use the values of x and one equation to determine the values of y .
 In this case, it seems easier to use the second equation:
When x=−4 : When x=2 :
y=−4 x +5 y=−4 x +5
y=−4 (−4 )+5 y=−4 (2)+5
y=21 y=−3
 Therefore, the points of intersection for the graphs are as follows:
(−4 ; 21) and (2 ;−3)
Example
Solve for x and y simultaneously: y +2 x−3=0 and y=x 2 +2 x+ 3
Solution
 We have been given a linear equation and a non-linear equation.
 We will take the linear equation as equation (i) and the non-linear equation as
equation (ii):
y +2 x−3=0 …(i)
2
y=x +2 x+ 3 …(ii)
 From equation (i), it will be easier to make y the subject of the formula:
From (i), y=−2 x +3 …(iii )
 We can then substitute equation (iii) into equation (ii):
2
y=x +2 x+ 3
2
−2 x+ 3=x +2 x +3
 We can then simplify and solve the resulting equation for the values of x :
2
x + 2 x +3=−2 x +3 x (x +4)=0
2
x + 2 x +3+2 x−3=0 x=0 or x +4=0
2
x + 2 x +2 x+ 3−3=0 x=0 or x=−4
2
x + 4 x=0
 We can substitute the values of x into equation (iii) to determine the values of
y:
When x=0 : When x=−4 :
y=−2 x +3 y=−2 x +3
y=−2(0)+ 3 y=−2(−4 )+3
y=0+3 y=8+3
y=3 y=11
 Therefore, the solutions to our equations are as follows:
(x=0 , y=3) and (x=−4 , y=11)
Example
Solve the following simultaneous equations:
2 x−4 y=−9
2 2
2 x −xy− y =9
Solution
 The linear equation is 2 x−4 y=−9 and the non-linear one is
2 2
2 x −xy− y =9.
 From (i), any variable is equally difficult to make the subject of the formula
because of the respective coefficient behind the variables.
 However, there is no negative sign on the term 2 x and so we will try to make x
the subject of the formula:
From equation (i):
2 x=4 y−9
4 y−9
x= … (iii)
2
 Then we substitute the derived equation (iii) into the non-linear equation:
 2 2
2 x −xy− y =9
2
4 y−9 4 y−9 2
2( ) −( ) y− y =9
2 2
 Then we can simplify and solve the non-linear equation:
2 2
16 y −72 y +81 4 y −9 y 2
2( )−( )− y =9
4 2
2 2
16 y −72 y+ 81 4 y −9 y 2
( )−( )− y =9
2 2
 We can multiply the whole equation by the LCD which is 2:
2 2 2
(16 y −72 y +81)−( 4 y −9 y)−2 y =18
2 2 2
16 y −72 y +81−4 y +9 y−2 y =18
2 2 2
16 y −4 y −2 y −72 y +9 y +81−18=0
2
10 y −63 y +63=0
 The simplified equation looks difficult to factorise, so we will use the quadratic
formula:
a=10 b=−63 c=63
−b ± √ b2−4 ac
y=
2a
−(−63 ) ± √ (−63 ) −4(10)(63)
2
y=
2(10)
63 ± √ 1449
y=
20
63+ √1449 63−√1449
y= or y=
20 20
y=5.05 or y=1.25
 Now, we can substitute the solutions into equation (iii) :
When When y=1.25
y=5.05 : :
4 y−9 4 y−9
x= x=
2 2
4 (5.05)−9 x= 4 (1.25)−9
x= 2
2
x=5.6 x=−2
 Therefore, the solutions for the equations are as follows:
(x=5.6 , y=5.05) and (x=−2 , y=1.25).
Example
Solve for x and y simultaneously:
x−2 y=−3 and xy=20
Solution
 We have been given the following two equations:
x−2 y=−3 … (i)
xy=20 …(ii)
 From equation (i), we can make the variable x the subject of the formula:
x−2 y=−3
x=−3+ 2 y
x=2 y−3 … (iii)
 We can substitute equation (iii) into equation (ii):
xy=20
(2 y−3) y=20
 We can then simplify the equation further and solve for y :
2
2 y −3 y=20 y−4=0 or
2
2 y −3 y−20=0 2 y +5=0
2 y −8 y +5 y−20=0 y=4 or 2 y=−5
2

2 y ( y−4)+5( y −4)=0 y=4 or 2 y = −5

( y−4)(2 y +5)=0 2 2
−5
y=4 or y=
2
 We can then use the y values and equation (iii) to determine the x values:
When y=4 : When
x=2 y−3 −5
y= :
x=2(4)−3 2
x=5 x=2 y−3
−5
x=2( )−3
2
x=−8
 Therefore, the solutions for the two equations are as follows:
5
(5 ; 4 ) and (−8 ;− )
2
Example
Solve for x and y in the given equations:
y x 2
2 =32 and y=x −2 x−18
Solution
 We have been given an exponential equation and a quadratic equation.
 We can start by simplifying the exponential equation first and derive a linear
equation from it:
y x y 5x
2 =32 2 =2
y 5 x
2 =(2 ) ∴ y=5 x
 We can solve the linear equation and quadratic equation simultaneously:
y=5 x …(i)
2
y=x −2 x−18 … (ii)
 In this case, both equations are equal to y , so we can simply equation them:
2
5 x=x −2 x−18
 We can then re-arrange the equation for the sake of familiarity:
2
x −2 x−18=5 x
 We can take 5 x to the other side, simplify the equation and then solve for x :
2
x −2 x−18−5 x=0 (x−9)(x−2)=0
2
x −2 x−5 x−18=0 x−9=0 or x−2=0
2
x −7 x−18=0 x=9 or x=2
 We can then use any of the equation to solve for the values of y :
When x=9 : When
y=5 x x=2 :
y=5 (9) y=5 x
y=45 y=5 (2)
y=10
 Therefore, the solutions of the simultaneous equations are as follows:
(9 ; 45) and (2 ; 10)
Example
Given: ( x−5)2 +(3 x− y )2=0 . Solve for x and y .

Solution
 The square of any number or any expression evaluates to either 0 or a positive
number.
2 2
 Therefore, for the given equation to be 0 , both (x−5) and (3 x− y ) must be
0.
 We will therefore equate all terms to 0 and then solve for the relevant variables.
 It seems easier to start with the (x−5)2 term as it has one variable:

(x−5) =0
2
x−5=0
x=5
√(x−5)2= √0
 We can then equate the (3 x− y )2 term to 0 as well and solve for y :
2
(3 x− y ) =0 3 x− y=0
√(3 x− y ) =√ 0 3 x= y
2

 We calculated the value of x above, so we can simply substitute it:

3 x= y 15= y
3(5)= y
 Therefore, the values that will satisfy the equation are as follows:
(x=5 ; y=15)
Example
Solve for x and y if (2 x−1)2+(2 y+ 3 x )2=0 .

Solution
 The square of any number or any expression evaluates to either 0 or a positive
number.
 Therefore, for the given equation to be 0 , both (2 x−1)2 and (2 y +3 x) must
be 0 .
 We will therefore equate all terms to 0 and then solve for the relevant variables.
 It seems easier to start with the (2 x−1)2 term as it has only one variable:
2
(2 x−1) =0 2x 1
=
√(2 x−1) =√ 0 2 2
2

2 x−1=0 1
x=
2 x=1 2
 We can then equate the (2 y +3 x)2 term to 0 and then solve for y :
2
(2 y +3 x) =0 2 y −3 x
=
√(2 y +3 x) = √0 2 2
2

2 y +3 x=0 −3
y= x
2 y=−3 x 2
 We calculate the value of x above, so we can simply substitute it:
 −3 −3
y= x y=
2 4
−3 1
y= ( )
2 2
 Therefore, the values that will satisfy the equation are as follows:
1 −3
(x= ; y= )
2 4
Example
Solve the following equations simultaneously:
−4 y 3
x=2 y and + =
x 2 2
Solution
 We have been given two equations, a linear equation and one equation with
fractions.
 It sounds reasonable to simplify the equation with fractions first:
−4 y 3
+ =
x 2 2
 The first step can be to determine the LCD of all terms in the equation:
LCD :2 x
 We can then multiply all terms of the equation by the LCD :
−4 y 3
(2 x)( )+(2 x )( )=(2 x )( )
x 2 2
 We can then simplify the equation further:
(2)(−4 )+( x )( y)=(x )(3)
−8+ xy =3 x
 Therefore, we can now solve the following two equations simultaneously:
x=2 y …(i)
−8+ xy =3 x … (ii)
 In equation (i), the variable x is already the subject of the formula.
 Therefore, we can simply substitute equation (i) into equation (ii):
−8+ xy =3 x
−8+(2 y) y=3 (2 y)
 We can simplify the equation further and then solve for y :

2 2
−8+2 y =6 y y −3 y−4=0
−8+2 y −6 y=0 ( y−4)( y +1)=0
2

y−4=0 or y +1=0
 2
2 y −6 y−8=0 y=4 or y=−1
2
2y 6 y 8 0
− − =
2 2 2 2
 We can then use the values of y to calculate the values of x :
When y=4 : When y=−1
x=2 y :
x=2(4) x=2 y
x=8 x=2(−1)
x=−2
 Therefore, the values of x and y that will satisfy the equations are as follows:
(8 ; 4) and (−2 ;−1)
Example
Determine the points of intersection of the graphs x 2+ y 2−25=0 and x−2 y=5 .
Analysis
 In this case, we are given the equations of the two graphs:
2 2
x + y −25=0 …(i )
x−2 y=5 … (ii)
 We can make x in equation (ii) the subject of the formula:
From (ii), x=5+2 y …(ii i)
 At the point of intersection, the values of x and y for both graphs are equal.
 We can therefore substitute equation (iii) into equation (i):
2 2
x + y −25=0
2 2
(5+2 y ) + y −25=0
 We can then simplify the equation and determine the values of x :
(5+2 y )(5+2 y)+ y −25=0
2
5 y=0 or
25+10 y +10 y +4 y + y −25=0 y + 4=0
2 2

2 2 5y 0
4 y + y +10 y +10 y +25−25=0 = or y=−4
2 5 5
5 y +20 y=0
y=0 or y=−4
5 y ( y + 4)=0
 We can then use the values of y and equation (iii) to determine the values of x :
When y=0: When y=−4 :
x=5+2 y x=5+2 y
x=5+2(0) x=5+2(−4)
x=5 x=−3
 Therefore, the points of intersection of the graphs are as follows:
(5 ; 0) and (−3 ;−4)
Example
The sum and product of two numbers are equal to −10 and −600 respectively.
Determine the two numbers.
Solution
 We will let one number be x and another number by y .
 We can then formulate the equation for the sum as follows:
x + y=−10
 We can then formulate the equation for the product as follows:
xy=−600
 We then have the following two equations that we can solve simultaneously:
x + y=−10 … (i)
xy=−600 …(ii)
 From equation (i), we can make x the subject of the formula:
x=−10− y …(iii)
 We can then substitute equation (iii) into equation (ii):
xy=−100
(−10− y)( y)=−600
 We can then simplify the equation further and determine the values of y :
2 2
−10 y− y =−600 y +10 y−600=0
−10 y− y +600=0 ( y +30)( y−20)=0
2

− y −10 y +600=0 y +30=0 or

2

− y 10 y 600 0y−20=0
2
− + = y=−30 or y=20
−1 −1 −1 −1
 We can use the values of y to determine the values of x :
When y=−30: When y=20:
x=−10− y x=−10− y
x=−10−(−30) x=−10−20
x=20 x=−30
 Therefore, the two numbers are 20and −30 .
Example
A rectangle has a length of (2 x+ y) metres and a width of y metres as shown in the
diagram. The perimeter of the rectangle is 24 metres and the area is 32 m 2.
1. Show that the expression for the perimeter is: 24=4 x+ 4 y .
2. Show that the expression for the area is: 32= y2 +2 xy .
3. Determine the dimensions of the rectangle if x >0.
Solutions
1. Analysis:
 The perimeter of the rectangle is calculate by adding the length of the sides
of the rectangle:
P=l+b +l+ b P=2 x +2 x+ y + y+ y+ y
P=(2 x+ y)+( y)+(2 x + y )+( y) P=4 x +4 y
 The perimeter of the rectangle is given as 24 metres.
 We can then substitute the variable P in the equation with 24 :
24=4 x+ 4 y
2. Analysis:
 The area of the rectangle is calculated by the following formula:
A=(l)(b)
 The length of the rectangle is 2 x+ y metres and the width is y metres:
A=(2 x+ y)( y)
2
A=2 xy + y
 The area of the rectangle is given as 32 square metres.
 We can then substitute the variable A in the equation with 32:
2
32=2 xy + y
 We can then re-arrange the right-hand side of the equation:
2
32= y +2 xy
3. Analysis:
 The dimensions of the rectangle are the length and the breadth.
 The length of the rectangle is 2 x+ y metres and the width is given as y
metres.
 Therefore, to determine the length and the breadth, we have to determine
the values of x and y .
 We have derived two equations from the two questions above:
4 x+ 4 y=24 …(i)
2
y +2 xy=32 …(ii)
  The other equation is a linear in nature while the other equation is
quadratic.
 Therefore, we can solve the two equations simultaneous.
 We can simplify the linear equation as follows:
4 x 4 y 24
+ =
4 4 4
x + y=6
 Our two equations that we will solve simultaneously will then be as follows:
x + y=6 …(i)
2
y +2 xy=32 …(ii)
 From the linear equation, we can make y the subject of the formula:
y=6−x …(iii )
 We can then substitute equation (iii) into equation (ii):
2
y +2 xy=32
2
(6−x) +2 x (6−x )=32
 We can then simplify the equation and solve for x :
(6−x)(6−x )+ 2 x (6−x)=32 −x 2 4 0
2 2 + =
36−6 x−6 x + x +12 x−2 x =32 −1 −1 −1
2 2
x −2 x −6 x−6 x +12 x +36=32x 2−4=0
2
−x + 36=32 (x−2)(x +2)=0
2
−x + 36−32=0 x−2=0 or x +2=0
2
−x + 4=0 x=2 or x=−2
 The required value of x must be greater than 0 , which means we will take
the positive solution:
x=2
 We can then use equation (iii) to determine the corresponding value of y :
y=6−2
y=4
 The dimensions of the rectangle are therefore as follows:
l=2 x + y b= y
l=2(2)+ 4 b=4 m
l=8 m
Example
A closed box has the shape of a rectangular prism with a square base. The sides of
the base are x cm long. The height is y cm. The total surface area of the box is 288
2
cm . The length of the edges are such that 2 x+ y=21.
1. Show that x 2+ 2 xy −144=0.
2. Hence, calculate the values of x and y .
Solutions
1. Analysis
 We have been given the value of the total surface area of the box.
 The closed box has six sides: front, back, west, east, bottom and top.
 We can then derive the formula to determine the total surface area.
 The front and back sides are equal; therefore, we calculate the area of one
side and then multiply it by 2.
 The left and right sides are equal; therefore, we calculate the area of one
side and then multiply it by 2.
 The top and bottom sides are equal; therefore, we calculate the area of one
side and then multiply it by 2.
 Therefore, the total surface area of the box can be calculated as follows:
TSA=2 A FB +2 A LR +2 A BT
TSA=2(l)(b)+2(l)(b)+2(s)(s )
TSA=2( y )(x)+2( y)(x )+ 2(x)(x )
2
TSA=2 yx+ 2 yx +2 x
2
TSA=4 yx+ 2 x
 We can then substitute TSA with the value 288 :
2
288=4 yx +2 x
 We can then re-arrange the equation to what we are familiar with:
2
4 yx +2 x =288
 We can then take 288 to the other side and simplify the equation:
2 2
4 yx +2 x =288 2 x 4 yx 288 0
2 + − =
4 yx +2 x −288=0 2 2 2 2
2
2 x + 4 yx−288=0 2
x + 2 yx −144=0
 We can simply re-arrange the second term from 2 yx to 2 xy :
2
x + 2 xy −144=0
2. Analysis
 We now have two equations: 2 x+ y=21 and x 2+ 2 xy −144=0.
 We can then solve the equations simultaneously.
 The linear equation is 2 x+ y=21 and the non-linear is x 2+ 2 xy +144=0
.
2 x+ y=21 …(i)
2
x + 2 xy −144=0 …(ii)
 From equation (i), we can make y the subject of the formula.
From (i), y=21−2 x …( iii)
 Then we substitute the derived equation (iii) into the non-linear equation:
2
x + 2 xy −144=0
2
x + 2 x (21−2 x )−144=0
 Then we can simplify and solve the non-linear equation:
2 2 2
x + 42 x−4 x −144=0 x −14 x +48=0
x −4 x + 42 x−144=0 (x−6)(x −8)=0
2 2

2
−3 x + 42 x−144=0 x=6 or x=8
2
−3 x 42 x 144 0
+ − =
−3 −3 −3 −3
 Then we can substitute the solutions into equation (iii) :
When x=6 : When x=8 :
y=21−2 x y=21−2 x
y=21−2(6) y=21−2(8)
y=9 y=5
 The solutions are: (x=6 , y =9) and (x=8 , y=5).
Example*
Given: log 2 x= y and 2 y +1+ x =12. Solve for x and y simultaneously.
Solution
 In this case, we have been given a logarithmic equation and an exponential
equation.
 We can convert the logarithmic equation to an exponential equation first:
log 2 x= y
y
2 =x
 Therefore, we have the following equations that we can solve
simultaneously:
y
x=2 …(i )
y +1
2 + x =12=0 …(ii)
 Then we can substitute equation (i) into equation (ii):
y +1
2 + x =12
y +1 y
2 +2 =12
 We can then solve for y in the resulting equation:
y 1 y y
2 . 2 +2 =12 2 =4
y 1 2 2
2 (2 +1)=12 2 =2
y
2 (3)=12 ∴ y=2
y
2 (3) 12
=
3 3
 We can then use equation (i) to determine the value of x :
y
x=2
2
x=2
x=4
 Therefore, the solutions are as follows: (x=4 , y=2).
Example*
Solve for a and b simultaneously:
log 2(a+4 )=3 and ab−b 2=−12
Solution
 In this case, we have been given a logarithmic equation and a quadratic
equation.
 We can convert the logarithmic equation into an exponential equation first:
log 2( a+4 )=3
3
a+ 4=2
a+ 4=8
 On simplification, the resulting equation turned to be linear equation that
we can solve simply:
a=8−4
a=4
 We can then substitute the value of a into the quadratic equation:
2
ab−b =−12
2
( 4)b−b =−12
 We can then simplify the quadratic equation and solve it to determine the
values of b :
2 2
4 b−b =−12 b −4 b−12=0
2
4 b−b +12=0 (b−6)(b+ 2)=0
 2
−b + 4 b+ 12=0 b−6=0 or b+ 2=0
0 b=6 or b=−2
2
−b 4 b 12
+ + =
−1 −1 −1 −1
 Therefore, the solutions to our equations are as follows:
(a=4 , b=6) and (a=4 ; b=−2)
Example
Solve for x and y simultaneously:
2x
=1, y ≠1 and (3 x− y )(x+ y)=0
y+ 1
Solution
 We have been given the following equations:
2x
=1… (i)
y+ 1
(3 x− y )(x+ y)=0 …(ii)
 We can start by simplifying equation (i) so that it is no longer has fractions:
2x (2 x)(1)=( y +1)(1)
=1
y+ 1 2 x= y +1
2x 1
=
y+ 1 1
 Subsequently, we can make y the subject of the formula:
2 x= y +1
y +1=2 x
y=2 x−1 …(iii )
 We can substitute equation (iii) into equation (ii):
(3 x− y )(x+ y)=0
(3 x−(2 x−1))(x+ 2 x−1)=0
 We can then simplify the equation further and solve for x :
(3 x−2 x+ 1)(3 x−1)=0
(x +1)(3 x−1)=0
 The left-hand side of the equation above is factorised and there is zero on the
other side.
 Therefore, we can apply the zero product rule:
x +1=0 or 3 x−1=0 3x 1
x=−1 or =
x=−1 or 3 x=1 3 3
 1
x=−1 or x=
3
 We can then use the x values and equation (iii) to determine the y values:
When x=−1: 1
When x= :
y=2 x−1 3
y=2(−1)−1 y=2 x−1
y=−3 1
y=2( )−1
3
−1
y=
3
 Therefore, the solutions for the equations are as follows:
1 −1
(x=−1 ; y=−3) and (x= ; y = )
3 3