General form of linear equation in one variable

ax + b = 0
where a0 ; a and b are real numbers
General form of linear equation in one variable

ax + by +c = 0
where a, b0 ; a, b, c are real numbers

 The equations are said to be simultaneous if they have

same variables.
A pair of linear equations in two variables is said to
form a system of simultaneous linear equations.
General form:
a1x + b1y + c1 = 0
a2x + b2y + c2 = 0
where a1, a2, b1, b2, c1, c2 are real numbers, such that a12
+b12 0, a22 +b22 0.

 Two linear equations will have one unique solution

when a1 / a2 b1 /b2 . These equations are said to be

consistent and their graphs intersect each other at a
single point.

 Two linear equations have no common solution when a1

/a2 = b1 /b2 c1 /c2. These equations are said to be

inconsistent. The graphs are parallel to each other.

 Two linear equations will have infinite number of

solutions when a1/a2 = b1/b2 = c1/c2. These equations are

said to dependent. The graphs coincide each other.

A pair of linear equations in two variables can be

represented, and solved, by the:
Graphical method
Algebraic method

The graph of a pair of linear equations in two variables is

represented by two lines.
If the lines intersect at a point, then that point gives the
unique solution of the two equations. In this case, the pair
of equations is consistent.
If the lines coincide, then there are infinitely many
solutions- each point on the line being a solution. In this
case, the pair of equations is dependent( consistent).
If the lines are parallel, then the pair of equations has no
solution. In this case, the pair of equations is inconsistent.

To solve a pair of linear equations in two variables

algebraically, we have following methods:
Method of elimination by substitution
Method of elimination by equating the coefficients
Method of cross-multiplication

 In this method, we eliminate or substitute one of the

variables; the same method we applied in graphical

method. Then the value of y (or x) in terms of x ( or y)
obtained from the 1st equation is put in the 2nd
equation and subsequently solve it.

 Equating the co-efficient In this method, we equate

either of the co-efficient of two variables and by the

subtraction of two equations we cancel the equated
variable. Then we get the solution of the other variable
and thereafter using the obtained solution we achieve
the other variable also.

 In this method we can very easily and directly get the

solution, by the following step:

x
=
-y
= ___1____
b
c
a
c
a
b
b
c
a
c
a
b

There are several situations which can be

mathematically represented by two equations that are

not linear to start with. But we alter them so that they
are reduced to a pair of linear equations.