Linear
Equations
Exploring linear equations in
two variables
Lesson Outline
Understanding About Linear
Equations in Two Variables
Different Methods of Solving
Linear Equations
Solving Linear Equations In
Two Variables
What is a Linear Equation ?
An equation in which the maximum power of the variable
is one is called a linear equation.
Example: x-2=5, 3x=7x-12 etc.
Linear Equations can be used to solve real life problems.
There are two types of linear equations:
1. Linear Equations in One Variable
2. Linear equations in Two Variables
Linear Equation In One Variable
The equation in the form of ax+b=0, where a
and b are real numbers such that a is not
equal to 0 and x is a variable is called a linear
equation in one variable.
Example: 3x-10=2
t+2t=7-t
Linear Equations in Two Variables
An equation which can be put in the form of ax+by+c=0, where a, b,
and c are real numbers, and a and b are not both zero, is called
linear equations in two variables
Example: 2x + 3y - 7 = 0
3x = 2y -2
Solution Of a
Linear Equation
Solution of a linear Equation is not affected
when:
1. The same number is added to ( or
subtracted from) both the sides of the
equation.
2. You multiply or divide both sides of the
equation by the same non-zero number.
Solving Linear Equations in Solve the following linear equations:
(i) x – 11 =7
(ii) z + 8 = 9
One Variable (iii) 11x = 121
Solution:
(i) x – 11 = 7
x = 7 + 11
x = 18
Remember:
The values of a variable involved in a linear equations which
(ii) z + 8 = 9
satisfy the equation i.e. the LHS is equal to the RHS.
z = 9 -8
Linear equations in one variable has unique solutions
z =1
Example: 2x + 6 = 10
2x = 10 - 6 (iii) 11x = 121
2x = 4 x = 121/11
x=2 x = 11
Solving Linear Equations In Two Variables
Solutions: A solution to a linear equation in two variables is a pair of values (x, y) that satisfies the equation.
Number of Solutions: Linear equations in two variables have infinitely many solutions.
Graph: The graph of a linear equation in two variables is a straight line.
Representing Real-World Scenarios: Linear equations can model real-life situations involving relationships between two
quantities.
Example: x + y = 5 is a linear equation in two variables. If x = 2, then y = 3, and the pair (2, 3) is a solution. If x = 1, then y = 4,
and the pair (1, 4) is a solution.
Solving Linear Equations In Two Variables
1. Substitution Method:
Solve one equation for one variable in terms of the other, and substitute that expression
into the other equation.
2. Elimination Method:
Multiply one or both equations by a constant so that the coefficients of one variable are
opposites, then add the equations to eliminate that variable.
3. Graphical Method:
Graph both equations on the same coordinate plane. The point of intersection of the
two lines represents the solution.
Substitution Method
1. Solve for a variable:
Choose one of the equations and solve it for one variable in terms
of the other. For example, if you have the equations x + y = 5 and
2x - y = 1, you could solve the first equation for x: x = 5 - y.
2. Substitute:
Substitute the expression you found in step 1 into the other
equation. In the example above, you would substitute (5 - y) for x
in the second equation: 2(5 - y) - y = 1.
3. Solve:
Simplify and solve the resulting equation for the remaining
variable. In the example, you would get 10 - 2y - y = 1, which
simplifies to -3y = -9, and then y = 3.
4. Back-substitute:
Substitute the value you found in step 3 back into either of the
original equations (or the equation from step 1) to solve for the
other variable. Using y = 3 in x = 5 - y, you get x = 5 - 3, so x = 2.
5. Solution:
The solution to the system of equations is the pair of values you
found for the variables (x, y). In the example, the solution is (2, 3).
Elimination Method
1. Prepare the Equations:
Rewrite the equations in standard form (Ax + By = C)
if they are not already. If necessary, multiply one or
both equations by a constant to make the
coefficients of one variable opposites (e.g., 2x and
Example: -2x).
Consider the system: 2x + y = 5 and x - 2. Eliminate a Variable:
y = 1. Add the equations together. If the coefficients of one
The equations are already in standard variable are opposites, they will cancel out, leaving
form and the 'y' terms are opposites. an equation with only one variable.
Add the equations: (2x + y) + (x - y) = 5 3. Solve for the Remaining Variable:
+ 1, which simplifies to 3x = 6. Solve the resulting equation for the remaining
Solve for x: x = 6 / 3, so x = 2. variable.
Substitute x = 2 into the second 4. Substitute and Solve:
equation: 2 - y = 1. Solve for y: y = 1. Substitute the value you found in step 3 back into
Check: 2(2) + 1 = 5 (True) and 2 - 1 = 1 either of the original equations. Solve this equation
(True). to find the value of the eliminated variable.
Therefore, the solution to the system is 5. Check the Solution:
x = 2, y = 1. Substitute both found values back into both original
equations to verify that they satisfy both equations.
Graphical Method
1. Rewrite the equations:
Express each equation in the slope-intercept form (y = mx +
Example: Take two equations as 2x + 3y = 9 and x – y = 3. b), where 'm' is the slope and 'b' is the y-intercept.
Now, to plot the graph, consider x = {0. 1, 2, 3, 4} and solve for
y. Once (x, y) is obtained, plot the points on the graph. It should 2. Graph the lines:
be noted that by having more values of x and y will make the Plot the y-intercept on the coordinate plane. Then, use the
graph more accurate. slope to find other points on the line and connect them to
draw the line. Repeat this for all equations in the system.
3. Identify the intersection:
Locate the point where the lines intersect. This point
represents the solution to the system of equations.
4. Verify the solution:
Substitute the x and y coordinates of the intersection point
into the original equations to confirm that it satisfies both
equations.
Key Concepts
Standard Form: ax + by + c = 0.
Coefficients: The numbers multiplying the variables (a and
b).
Constant: The term without a variable (c).
Solution: An ordered pair (x, y) that satisfies both equations
in a system.
System of Linear Equations: Two or more linear equations
considered simultaneously.
Consistent System: A system with at least one solution.
Inconsistent System: A system with no solutions.
Dependent System: A system with infinitely many solutions.
Quiz The solution of (3 - 7x)/(15 + 2x) = 0 is
Options:
A x = 3/7
B x = 7/3
C x = -15/2
D x = 9/4
What is the solution of linear equation 2(x + 3) - 10 =
6(32 - 3x)
Options:
A x = 49/4
B x = 53/5
C x = 39/7
D x = 49/5
Solve for y: 8y - (4y + 32) = 16
Options:
A y = -4
By=8
Cy=6
D y = 12
Find the value of x from -(x + 2) = 2(3x - 6).
Options:
A x = 10/7
B x = 5/7
C x = -12/7
D x = -4
Solve the linear equation: 3(x +
2) – 2(1 – x) = 4x + 5
Options:
A x = -1
Bx=0
Cx=1
Dx=2
