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Linear Simultaneous Equations - Elimination Simplified Revision Notes

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2.3.1 Linear Simultaneous Equations - Elimination

Simultaneous Equations

Simultaneous equations are a system of two or more sets of equations which have a fixed set of solutions or are unsolvable.

infoNote

Example: Solve the system

2x+3y=10(Equation A)2x + 3y = 10 \quad \text{(Equation A)} 5x4y=7(Equation B)5x - 4y = 7 \quad \text{(Equation B)}

Solving by Elimination

  1. Eliminate one variable:
  • Multiply Equation AA by 55: 10x+15y=5010x + 15y = 50
  • Multiply Equation BB by 22: 10x8y=1410x - 8y = 14
  • Subtract the new equations: (10x+15y)(10x8y)=5014(10x + 15y) - (10x - 8y) = 50 - 14

23y=3623y = 36

y=3623\therefore \boxed {y = \frac{36}{23}}

  1. Substitute y back into one of the original equations to find xx:
  • Substitute into Equation AA: 2x+3(3623)=102x + 3\left(\frac{36}{23}\right) = 10 2x+10823=102x + \frac{108}{23} = 10 2x=10108232x = 10 - \frac{108}{23} 2x=230108232x = \frac{230 - 108}{23} 2x=122232x = \frac{122}{23} x=6123x = \frac{61}{23}

Using a Calculator

These equations can also be easily solved using a calculator if in the form:

ax+by=kax + by = k

cx+dy=mcx + dy = m

where a,b,c,d,k,mRa, b, c, d, k, m \in \mathbb{R}.

  1. Select the "Simultaneous Equation" mode.
  2. Input the coefficients for the equations.
  3. The calculator will display the solutions for xx and yy:
  • x=6123x = \frac{61}{23}
  • y=3623y = \frac{36}{23}

Example Problem:

Solve the following simultaneous equations:

2x+y=7(1)2x + y = 7 \tag{1} 3x2y=4(2)3x - 2y = 4 \tag{2}

Step-by-Step Solution:

infoNote

Step 1: Make one variable's coefficients equal

We want to eliminate one variable. To do that, we can make the coefficients of one variable the same in both equations.

Let's eliminate yy. In equation (1), the coefficient of yy is 1, and in equation (2), it's 2-2. To match these, we can multiply equation (1) by 2, so that both equations have a coefficient of yy involving 2.

Multiply equation (1) by 2:

2(2x+y)=2(7)2(2x + y) = 2(7)

This gives:

4x+2y=14(3)4x + 2y = 14 \tag{3}

Step 2: Add or subtract the equations

Now, we will add equations (3) and (2) to eliminate yy.

(4x+2y)+(3x2y)=14+4(4x + 2y) + (3x - 2y) = 14 + 4

Simplifying this:

4x+3x+2y2y=184x + 3x + 2y - 2y = 187x=187x = 18

Step 3: Solve for xx

Now, solve for xx by dividing both sides by 7:

x=187x = \frac{18}{7}

So:

x=1872.57x = \frac{18}{7} \approx 2.57

Step 4: Substitute xx back into one of the original equations

Now, substitute x=187x = \frac{18}{7} into one of the original equations to solve for yy. Let's use equation (1):

2x+y=72x + y = 7

Substitute x=187x = \frac{18}{7}:

2(187)+y=72\left(\frac{18}{7}\right) + y = 7

This simplifies to:

367+y=7\frac{36}{7} + y = 7

Now, subtract 367\frac{36}{7} from both sides:

y=7367y = 7 - \frac{36}{7}

Convert 7 into a fraction:

y=497367y = \frac{49}{7} - \frac{36}{7}

Now simplify:

y=137y = \frac{13}{7}

So:

y=1371.86y = \frac{13}{7} \approx 1.86

Final Answer:

The solution to the system of equations is:

:success[x=187,y=137]:success[x = \frac{18}{7}, \quad y = \frac{13}{7}]

Or approximately:

:success[x2.57,y1.86]:success[x \approx 2.57, \quad y \approx 1.86]
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