ARMY PUBLIC SCHOOL, NOIDA
PAIR OF LINEAR EQAUTIONS 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.
❖ Any pair of values of x and y which satisfies the equation ax + by + c = 0, where a, b, c are non-zero
real numbers, is called a solution of the equation
❖ A linear equation in two variables has infinitely many solutions.
❖ Every point on the graph of a linear equation in two variables is a solution of the equation.
❖ x = 0. The graph is y-axis itself
❖ y = 0. The graph is x-axis itself
❖ ax + by = 0. Its graph is a line passing through origin.
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
Solution of a Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables
The solution of a linear equation in two variables ‘x’ and ‘y’ is a pair of values (one for ‘x’ and other
for ‘y’) which makes the two sides of the equation equal.
There are two methods to solve a pair of linear equations:
(i) algebraic method
(ii) graphical method.
Graphical method of solution of a pair of Linear Equations:
As there are two equations, there will be two lines on the graph.
(i) If the graphs of two equations of a system intersect at a point, the system
is said to have a unique solution, i.e., the system is consistent.
(ii) If the graphs of two equations of a system are two parallel lines, the
system is said to have no solution, i.e., the system is inconsistent.
(iii) When the graphs of two equations of a system are two coincident lines,
the system is said to have infinitely many solutions, i.e., the system
is consistent and dependent.
Algebraic Methods of Solving a Pair of Linear Equations
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.
Elimination method
In this method, we solve the equations by eliminating any one of the variables.
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.
Cross multiplication method
Given two equations in the form of
a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and a2x + b2y + c2 = 0,
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.
CONDITION FOR CONSISTENCY AND INCONSISTENCY OF PAIR OF LINEAR
EQUATIONS
If a1 x + b1 y + c1 = 0 ; a2 x + b2 y + c2 = 0 form a pair of linear equations, then the following three
situations can arise:
Equations Reducible to a Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables
There are some pair of equations which are not linear but can be reduced to the linear form by substitutions.
Given equations
We can convert these type of equations in the form of ax + by + c = 0 we will assume
Now after substitution the equation will be am + bn = c
It can be easily solved by any of the method of solving Linear Equations.
❖ Steps involved in solving a linear equation word problem
1. Read the problem carefully and note what is given and what is required and what is given. If it
is not clear in first time, read it again.
2. Denote the unknown by the variables as x, y, …….
3. Translate the problem to the language of mathematics or mathematical statements.
4. Form the linear equation in two variable using the conditions given in the problems.
5. Solve the equation for the unknown either by substitution, elimination or cross multiplication
methods
6. Verify to be sure whether the answer satisfies the conditions of the problem.
❖ Here are some of the Tips for specific word problems type
Problem type Steps to be followed
We need to remember the Speed
formula in these problem to derive
Problem based on Distance,
the correct mathematical statement
speed and time.
We need to generally calculate the speed of Boat in still water and
Problem Based on moving
Speed of the stream. Let’s us assume them as x and y, then
upstream and downstream in
For downstream movement, speed of the boat would be = x + y
the river
For upstream movement, speed of the boat would be = x − y
We need to remember the Angle sum property for Triangle,
quadrilaterals, cyclic quadrilateral, parallelogram
For Triangle, Sum of angles =1800
Problem based on Geometry For quadrilateral, Sum of angles=3600
and Mensuration Similarly;
In case of parallelogram which is a special case of quadrilateral, the
opposite angles are equal.
In case of cyclic quadrilaterals, the opposite angles are supplementary
A two-digit number (y in unit place and x in tenth place) can be
Problem based on Numbers expressed as 10x+y
and digits. For eg: If the number are interchanged, it will be expressed as 10y+x =
10y+x
The standard equation that will be needed for these problems is
Problem based on Work Rate Portion of Job done in given time = (Work rate of the person) X (Time
taken working)
It is good to take present age of the person as x and y.
Age Problems Then k year ago, there age would be (x-k) and (y-k) respectively
Similarly, k year after, their age would be (x+k) and (y+k) respectively
For Fraction problem, if the numerator is x and denominator is y, then
Fractions problem
the fraction is x/y.
In this problem type, we will be looking at mixing solutions of different
percentages to get a new percentage. The solution will consist of a
secondary liquid (acid or alcohol) mixed in with water. Amount of
Mixing solution problems
secondary liquid will be given by
Amount of secondary liquid = (percentage of secondary liquid) X
(Volume of the solution)
Commercial mathematics problems include interest rate, cost price,
selling price problem.
Selling price or Marked price = Cost price + Profit
So x be the selling price and y be the cost price
Commercial mathematics
Profit = y - x
problems
In case selling at loss, loss would be =x - y
Similarly, simple interest problem could be formulated
Simple interest = (% Rate of interest) X (number of year) X (Principle
amount)
