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A-Level Simultaneous Equations Guide

This document provides guidance on solving linear and quadratic simultaneous equations. It explains the key steps: make one variable the subject of the linear equation and substitute it into the quadratic equation, which results in two pairs of solutions. Two examples are provided that walk through solving simultaneous equations step-by-step. Additional practice problems are given with answers.

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riya shukla
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451 views5 pages

A-Level Simultaneous Equations Guide

This document provides guidance on solving linear and quadratic simultaneous equations. It explains the key steps: make one variable the subject of the linear equation and substitute it into the quadratic equation, which results in two pairs of solutions. Two examples are provided that walk through solving simultaneous equations step-by-step. Additional practice problems are given with answers.

Uploaded by

riya shukla
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Solving linear and quadratic simultaneous

equations
A LEVEL LINKS
Scheme of work: 1c. Equations – quadratic/linear simultaneous

Key points
 Make one of the unknowns the subject of the linear equation (rearranging where necessary).
 Use the linear equation to substitute into the quadratic equation.
 There are usually two pairs of solutions.

Examples
Example 1 Solve the simultaneous equations y = x + 1 and x2 + y2 = 13

x2 + (x + 1)2 = 13 1 Substitute x + 1 for y into the second


equation.
x2 + x2 + x + x + 1 = 13 2 Expand the brackets and simplify.
2x2 + 2x + 1 = 13

2x2 + 2x − 12 = 0 3 Factorise the quadratic equation.


(2x − 4)(x + 3) = 0
So x = 2 or x = −3 4 Work out the values of x.

Using y = x + 1 5 To find the value of y, substitute


When x = 2, y = 2 + 1 = 3 both values of x into one of the
When x = −3, y = −3 + 1 = −2 original equations.

So the solutions are


x = 2, y = 3 and x = −3, y = −2

Check: 6 Substitute both pairs of values of x


equation 1: 3 = 2 + 1 YES and y into both equations to check
and −2 = −3 + 1 YES your answers.
equation 2: 22 + 32 = 13 YES
and (−3)2 + (−2)2 = 13 YES
Example 2 Solve 2x + 3y = 5 and 2y2 + xy = 12 simultaneously.

1 Rearrange the first equation.

2 Substitute for x into the


second equation. Notice how it is
easier to substitute for x than for y.
3 Expand the brackets and simplify.

(y + 8)(y − 3) = 0 4 Factorise the quadratic equation.


So y = −8 or y = 3 5 Work out the values of y.

Using 2x + 3y = 5 6 To find the value of x, substitute


When y = −8, 2x + 3 × (−8) = 5, x = 14.5 both values of y into one of the
When y = 3, 2x + 3 × 3 = 5, x = −2 original equations.

So the solutions are


x = 14.5, y = −8 and x = −2, y = 3

Check: 7 Substitute both pairs of values of x


equation 1: 2 × 14.5 + 3 × (−8) = 5 YES and y into both equations to check
and 2 × (−2) + 3 × 3 = 5 YES your answers.
equation 2: 2×(−8)2 + 14.5×(−8) = 12 YES
and 2 × (3)2 + (−2) × 3 = 12 YES

Practice
Solve these simultaneous equations.
1 y = 2x + 1 2 y=6−x
x2 + y2 = 10 x2 + y2 = 20

3 y=x–3 4 y = 9 − 2x
x2 + y2 = 5 x2 + y2 = 17

5 y = 3x – 5 6 y=x−5
y = x2 − 2x + 1 y = x2 − 5x − 12

7 y=x+5 8 y = 2x – 1
x2 + y2 = 25 x2 + xy = 24

9 y = 2x 10 2x + y = 11
y2 – xy = 8 xy = 15

Extend
11 x – y = 1 12 y – x = 2
x2 + y2 = 3 x2 + xy = 3
Answers
1 x = 1, y = 3

2 x = 2, y = 4
x = 4, y = 2

3 x = 1, y = −2
x = 2, y = –1

4 x = 4, y = 1

5 x = 3, y = 4
x = 2, y = 1

6 x = 7, y = 2
x = −1, y = −6

7 x = 0, y = 5
x = –5, y = 0

8 x= ,y=
x = 3, y = 5

9 x = –2, y = –4
x = 2, y = 4

10 x = , y = 6
x = 3, y = 5

11 x = ,y=

x= ,y=

12 x = ,y=
x= ,y=

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