Linear Equation in Two Variables
An equation of the form , where
are real numbers
is called a linear equation in two variables
. Such an equation has degree 1.
Examples:
It is not necessary to represent the variables by only. You could use other notations as well as
or others. In our discussion we will use
as these are the most common way of representing variables.
Simultaneous Linear Equations in Two Variables
Two linear equations in two variables are said to form a system of simultaneous linear equations if each of them is satisfied by the same pair of values of
.
A solution to a linear system is an assignment of numbers to the variables such that all the equations are simultaneously satisfied.
Examples:
or
METHODS OF SOLVING SIMULTANEOUS LINEAR EQUATIONS
Substitution Method
Suppose we are given two linear equations in . Then, we may solve them by Substitution Method as explained below:
- Express
in terms of
from one of the given equations.
- Substitute this value of
in the second equation to obtain an equation in
. Solve it for
.
- Substitute the value of
in the relation obtained in step 1, to get the value of
.
Note: We may interchange the roles of and
in the above method.
Example showing substitution Method:
Let the two equations be:
From i) we get ,
Substitute this in ii)
Now substituting in the expression for
Hence and
is the solution for the two equations.
Solution also means that these lines intersect at that point.
Elimination Method
- Multiply the given equations by suitable constants so as to make the coefficients of one of the variables, numerically equal.
- Add the new equations, if the numerically equal coefficients are opposite in sign; otherwise subtract them.
- Solve the equation so obtained. This gives the value of one of the variables.
- Substitute the value of this unknown in any of the given equations. Solve it to get the value of the other variable.
Example showing substitution Method:
We will solve the same equations
Let the two equations be:
Multiply the second equation by 2. We get
Now subtract iii) from i)
We get
or
Substituting in i), we get
Hence and
is the solution for the two equations.
Solution also means that these lines intersect at that point.
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