Secondary 2 Mathematics | Lesson 1

Linear Graphs and Simultaneous Linear Equations (I)

Learning objectives:
- State the equation of a horizontal line and of a vertical line
- Draw graphs of linear equations in the form 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑘
Prerequisites:
- Express the equation of a straight line in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 (S1)
- Understand that the gradient of a horizontal line is 0 and the gradient of a vertical line is
undefined (S1)
- Draw graphs of linear equations in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 (S1)

Equations of straight lines

Recall that equations of a straight line is of the form, 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐
where 𝑚 is the gradient of the line and 𝑐 is the 𝑦-intercept.

Equation of horizontal lines

vertical change
Since gradient = horizontal change , and there is no vertical change, the gradient of horizontal lines are 0.

The equation of horizontal lines are 𝑦 = 𝑐.

Equation of vertical lines

vertical change
Gradient = horizontal change , and there is no horizontal change, the denominator is 0 and hence the

gradient of vertical lines are undefined. The equation of vertical lines are 𝑥 = 𝑎, where 𝑎 is a constant.

1.2 Graphs of linear equations in the form 𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃𝒚 = 𝒌

Lines of this nature can always be algebraically manipulated into the standard form, 𝑦 = 𝑀𝑋 + 𝐶.
Since 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑘

It can be seen that the gradient is ______________________________ and 𝑦-intercept is _________________________.

1 of 13 Secondary 2 Math
Lesson 1 - Linear Graphs and Simultaneous Linear Equations (I)
Guided Example & Exercise 1
On a sheet of graph paper, draw each of the lines with the following equations.
a) 1 b) 𝑦 = −4 c) 1 d) 𝑦=0
𝑦= 𝑦 = −1
2 2

Guided Example & Exercise 2

On a sheet of graph paper, draw each of the lines with the following equations.
a) 𝑥=2 b) 𝑥 = −3 c) 1 d) 𝑥=0
𝑥=−
2

2 of 13 Secondary 2 Math
Lesson 1 - Linear Graphs and Simultaneous Linear Equations (I)
Guided Example 3
The variables 𝑥 and y are connected by the equation 𝑦 − 2𝑥 − 5 = 0.
a) Complete the table.
𝑥 −2 0 2
𝑦
b) On a sheet of graph paper, using a scale of 2 cm to represent 1 unit on the 𝑥-axis and 1 cm to represent
1 unit on the 𝑦-axis, draw the graph of 𝑦 − 2𝑥 − 5 = 0 for −2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2.
c) The point (1.5, 𝑘) lies on the graph in (b). Find the value of 𝑘.
d) i) On the same axes in (b), draw the graph of 𝑦 = 3.
ii) State the 𝑥-coordinate of the point on the graph of 𝑦 − 2𝑥 − 5 = 0 that has a 𝑦-coordinate of 3.

3 of 13 Secondary 2 Math
Lesson 1 - Linear Graphs and Simultaneous Linear Equations (I)
Exercise 3
The variables 𝑥 and y are connected by the equation 𝑦 − 2𝑥 = 4.
a) Find the values of 𝑎 and 𝑏. 𝑥 −6 0 4

b) On a sheet of graph paper, using a 𝑦 𝑎 4 𝑏

scale of 1 cm to represent 1 unit on both axes, draw the graph of 𝑦 − 2𝑥 = 4 for −6 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4.
c) i) On the same axes in (b), draw the graph of 𝑥 = 3.
ii) Find the area of the triangle bounded by the lines 𝑦 − 2𝑥 = 4, 𝑥 = 3 and the 𝑥-axis.

4 of 13 Secondary 2 Math
Lesson 1 - Linear Graphs and Simultaneous Linear Equations (I)
1.3 – Solving simultaneous linear equations using graphical method
What are simultanenous linear equations?
Two or more algebraic equations that share variables and the equations are solved simultaneously.

Example: The cost of 2 apples and 3 oranges is $5.

Let the cost of one apple and one orange be $𝑥 and $𝑦 respectively.
With only this piece of information, is it possible to find the cost of 1 apple or 1 orange seperately?

Now we can model this with the equation of the line, 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 5.

However, there are several points on this line that satisfy the equation, and here are a few:
𝑥 𝑦
0.10 1.60
0.40 1.40
0.70 1.70

It is not possible to determine the cost of 1 apple or 1 orange at this stage. We need more information.
Now, I reveal that 3 apples cost $2 more than 1 orange.
We can model this with the equation of the line, 3𝑥 − 𝑦 = 2.

When both of these pieces of information are combined, the solution can be obtained graphically:

It can be observed that the two graphs intersect each other at (1,1). The set of values, 𝑥 = 1 and 𝑦 = 1
satisfies the two linear equations simultaneously. We say that 𝑥 = 1 and 𝑦 = 1 is the solution of the
simultaneous equations 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 5 and 3𝑥 − 𝑦 = 2.
The 𝒙 and 𝒚 values at the point of intersection represent the solution to the SLE.
In this context, the cost of 1 apple is $1 and the cost of 1 orange is $1.

5 of 13 Secondary 2 Math
Lesson 1 - Linear Graphs and Simultaneous Linear Equations (I)
1.3A – Choice of appropriate scales for graphs
i) Use a convenient scale for both the 𝑥-axis and 𝑦-axis.
Examples: 1 cm to represent 1 unit, 2 units, 4 units, 5 units, 10 units, 20 units, etc.
ii) The scales for the 𝑥-axis and 𝑦-axis need not be the same.
iii) Choose a suitable scale so that the graph will occupy more than half the size of the graph paper.
iv) Look at the largest and smallest value of 𝑥 and 𝑦 amd estimate the scale to be used.

Guided Example 4
Using the graphical method, solve the simultaneous equations
𝑥+𝑦 =3 𝑥+𝑦 =3 3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 5

3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 5 𝑥 −2 0 2 𝑥 −2 0 2
𝑦 𝑦

6 of 13 Secondary 2 Math
Lesson 1 - Linear Graphs and Simultaneous Linear Equations (I)
Exercise 4
Using the graphical method, solve the simultaneous equations
7𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 11 = 0 7𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 11 = 0 6𝑥 + 𝑦 + 4 = 0

6𝑥 + 𝑦 + 4 = 0 𝑥 0 2 4 𝑥 0 2 4
𝑦 𝑦

7 of 13 Secondary 2 Math
Lesson 1 - Linear Graphs and Simultaneous Linear Equations (I)
Additional Practice for Self-Revision
Additional Practice 1
1
The following table of values of 𝑥 and 𝑦 is for the equation 𝑦 = 3 𝑥 − 1.
1
𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 1 2𝑦 = 𝑥

𝑥 −6 0 6 𝑥 −6 0 6
𝑦 𝑦

ai) Complete the table.

1
aii) On the graph paper provided, draw the graph of 𝑦 = 3 𝑥 − 1 for values of 𝑥 from −6 to 6.

b) On the same axes in (a)(ii), draw the graph of 2𝑦 = 𝑥 for values of 𝑥 from −6 to 6.
c) Hence, find the coordinates of the point where the two graphs meet and explain the significance of
this point.

8 of 13 Secondary 2 Math
Lesson 1 - Linear Graphs and Simultaneous Linear Equations (I)
Additional Practice 2
The following table of values of 𝑥 and 𝑦 is for the equation 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 5.
𝑥 −2 1 4
𝑦 3 𝑎 −1

a) Find the value of 𝑎.

b) On the grid provided, draw the graph of 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 5
c) Using your graph in (b), write down the coordinates of the point where the graph of 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 5
intersects the line 𝑦 = 1.

9 of 13 Secondary 2 Math
Lesson 1 - Linear Graphs and Simultaneous Linear Equations (I)
Additional Practice 3
Using the graphical method, solve the following pairs of simultaneous equations.
3𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 8
4𝑥 − 7 = 7

𝑥 𝑥
𝑦 𝑦

10 of 13 Secondary 2 Math
Lesson 1 - Linear Graphs and Simultaneous Linear Equations (I)
Additional Practice 4
On a sheet of graph paper, using a scale of 1 cm to represent 1 unit on both axes, draw the graphs of
2𝑦 + 𝑥 = 8 and 𝑦 + 1 = 2𝑥 for −3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 6. (Draw the tables on your own to practice)
Hence, solve the simultaneous equations 2𝑦 + 𝑥 = 8 and 𝑦 + 1 = 2𝑥.

11 of 13 Secondary 2 Math
Lesson 1 - Linear Graphs and Simultaneous Linear Equations (I)
Answers to Additional Practice

Qn Answer Answer for graphs

1 1
ai) For 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 1,
3

c) Coordinates of the point of

intersection are (−6, −3).

It represents the unique

solution of 𝑥 and 𝑦 take on
that satisfies both equations.

2 a) 𝑎 = 1

c) (1,1)

3 The graphs intersect at (2, 1).

∴ solution is 𝑥 = 2, 𝑦 = 1.

12 of 13 Secondary 2 Math
Lesson 1 - Linear Graphs and Simultaneous Linear Equations (I)
4 The graphs intersect at (2, 3).

∴ solution is 𝑥 = 2, 𝑦 = 3.

13 of 13 Secondary 2 Math
Lesson 1 - Linear Graphs and Simultaneous Linear Equations (I)