Chapter 3: Simultaneous Equations

Worked Example 3.1. Figure 3.1

Solve 2 equations in two unknowns algebraically

Slides 2, 3, 4

Solve 2 equations in two unknowns graphically

Slides 5 - 14

Copyright2001 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd 1

 Solve Two Equations, Two Unknowns
Worked Example 3.1
Given the simultaneous equations,
x 3y 4 ... (1)

x 2y 6 ... (2)

(a) Solve for x and y algebraically.

(b) Solve for x and y graphically.

Copyright2001 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd 2

 Solve Algebraically

Add equations (1) and (2) to eliminate x, hence solve for y

x 3y 4 ... (1)
x 2y 6 ... (2)
0 5 y 10 ... adding
10
y 2 ... solving for y
5

Copyright2001 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd 3

 Now that y is known, solve for x
Substitute y = 2 into either equation (1) or equation (2),
then solve for x

x 2(2) 6 ... substituting y 2 into (2)

x 64
x 2

Solution x = -2, y = 2

Copyright2001 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd 4

 Solve simultaneous equations graphically
Method:
Step 1
Scale both axes so that the graph (-2, 2)
will show the point of
intersection of the two lines
Step 2 3

2
Plot both lines.
Step 3 1

0
Read the coordinates of the point -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5

of intersection of the two lines. -1

This is the solution -2

Figure 3.1

Copyright2001 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd 5

 Step 1:Scale and label axis
The solution of the simultaneous equations has been found algebraically
solution at x = - 2, y = 2. Therefore
choose an interval along the x-axis which includes the point x = -2
choose an interval along the y-axis which includes the point y = 2
In this example the intervals selected were:
x = - 7 to 4 on the x-axis and y = -2 to 6 on the y-axis
y
4
3

1
x
-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4
-1

-2

Copyright2001 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd 6

 Step 2:Plot line (1): x + 3y = 4
To draw the line, calculate and join, any two points.
In this example, the points of intersection with the axes are
at
(x = 4, y = 0) on the x-axis
(x = 0, y = 4/3) on the y-axis
y

4
3 y = 4/3
2
x=4
1

x
-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
-1

-2

Copyright2001 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd 7

 Label line (1): x + 3y = 4

2
x + 3y = 4
1
0 x
-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
-1

-2

Copyright2001 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd 8

 Step 2: Plot line (2): -x + 2y = 6
(on same graph as line (1))

To draw line (2), calculate and join, any two points.

horizontal intercept (x = - 6, y = 0) and
vertical intercept (x = 0, y = 3)

y
x = 0, y = 3
3

x = - 6, y = 0 2

1 x + 3y = 4
-6 -4 -2 0 2 4 x
-1

Copyright2001 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd 9

 Label line (2): -x + 2y = 6

y
-x + 2y = 6

1
x+3y = 4
0
-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x
-1

-2

Copyright2001 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd 10

 Step 3:
State the point of intersection of the two lines

y -x + 2y = 6

1
x+3y = 4
0
-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x
-1

-2

Copyright2001 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd 11

 Step 3:
State the point of intersection of the two lines

y -x + 2y = 6

1
x+3y = 4
0
-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x
-1

-2

Copyright2001 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd 12

 The solution is the coordinates of the point of
intersection: x = -2, y = 2

y -x + 2y = 6

1
x+3y = 4
0
-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x
-1

-2

Copyright2001 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd 13

 Solution
Algebraically, solution is Graphically, solution is at
at x = -2, y = 2 x = -2, y = 2

Copyright2001 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd 14