Revision Notes on Pair of Linear
Equations in two variables
Linear Equations
A Linear Equation is an equation of straight line. It is in the form of
ax + by + c = 0
where a, b and c are the real numbers (a≠0 and b≠0) and x and y are
the two variables,
Here a and b are the coefficients and c is the constant of the
equation.
Pair of Linear Equations
Two Linear Equations having two same variables are known as the
pair of Linear Equations in two variables.
a1x + b1y + c1 = 0
a2x + b2y + c2 = 0
Graphical method of solution of a pair of
Linear Equations
As we are showing two equations, there will be two lines on the
graph.
1. If the two lines intersect each other at one particular point then
that point will be the only solution of that pair of Linear Equations. It
is said to be a consistent pair of equations.
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2. If the two lines coincide with each other, then there will be infinite
solutions as all the points on the line will be the solution for the pair
of Linear Equations. It is said to be dependent or consistent pair of
equations.
3. If the two lines are parallel then there will be no solution as the
lines are not intersecting at any point. It is said to be an inconsistent
pair of equations.
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Algebraic Methods of Solving a Pair of Linear
Equations
1. Substitution method
If we have a pair of Linear Equations with two variables x and y, then
we have to follow these steps to solve them with the substitution
method-
Step 1: We have to choose any one equation and find the value of
one variable in terms of other variable i.e. y in terms of x.
Step 2: Then substitute the calculated value of y in terms of x in the
other equation.
Step 3: Now solve this Linear Equation in terms of x as it is in one
variable only i.e. x.
Step 4: Substitute the calculate value of x in the given equations and
find the value of y.
2. Elimination method
In this method, we solve the equations by eliminating any one of the
variables.
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Step 1: Multiply both the equations by such a number so that the
coefficient of any one variable becomes equal.
Step 2: Now add or subtract the equations so that the one variable
will get eliminated as the coefficients of one variable are same.
Step 3: Solve the equation in that leftover variable to find its value.
Step 4: Substitute the calculated value of variable in the given
equations to find the value of the other variable.
3. Cross multiplication method
Given two equations in the form of
a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and a2x + b2y + c2 = 0, where
We write it in general form as
To apply cross multiplication we use this diagram
:
The arrows indicate the pairs to be multiplied. The product of the
upward arrow pairs is to be subtracted from the product of the
downward arrow pairs.
By using this diagram we have to write the equations as given in
general form then find the value of x and y by putting the values in
the above notations.
y Interpretation of the pair of equations
Equations Reducible to a Pair of Linear Equations in Two
Variables
There are some pair of equations which are not linear but can be
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reduced to the linear form by substitutions.
Given equations
We can convert these type of equations in the form of ax + by + c = 0
Let
and
Now after substitution the equation will be
am + bn = c
It can be easily solved by any of the method of solving Linear
Equations.
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