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SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS IN TWO VARIABLES

INTRODUCTION
In our previous classes, we have been taught about linear equations in single variable and their applications in solving
simple real life based word problems. In class IX, we learnt about linear equations in two variables of the form
0 + + = ax by c where 0, 0 = = a b ; a, b and c are real constants. We were made familiar with the graphs of these linear
equations in two variables as well. Remember chapter 3 on Coordinate Geometry?
In our current study, we shall learn about systems of linear equations in two variables, their solution by graphical and
various algebraic methods namely Substitution Method, Elimination Method and Cross- Multiplication Method. We
shall also study about consistency and inconsistency of the system of linear equations. At last, we shall discuss some
applications of linear equations in solving real life based problems from different areas.
And wow, we shall have interesting moments as well! I suspect this topic being the simplest one, will please you the
most in fetching the marks in your assessment tests! And even if it were not so then too you know, we would have made
it simpler and enjoyable. I am right naa?
I think I talk too much, isnt it? Lets get back to the point now!
01. Linear equation in two variables: It is an equation of the form 0 + + = ax by c ; 0, 0 = = a b where a, b, c are
constants corresponding to real numbers.
02. System of linear equations: It is a pair of linear equations in two variables of the form 0 + + = ax by c ,
0 + + = lx my n where a, b, c; l, m, n are constants corresponding to real numbers.
03. Graphical Method of Solving System of Linear Equations:
STEP1- Obtain the system of linear equations in x and y in the following form:
0 ...( ) + + = ax by c i
0 ...( ) + + = lx my n ii
STEP2- Draw the graphs of equations (i) and (ii) in STEP1. Say
1
L and
2
L represent the lines of equations (i)
and (ii) respectively.
STEP3- The point of intersection say ( , ) o | of lines
1
L and
2
L corresponds to the solution of the given
system of equations. That is the solution of these equation is given as say o = x and | = y .
This is case of consistent system having the unique solution.
STEP4- If the lines
1
L and
2
L are coincident, then the given system of equations has infinitely many
solutions. This is case of consistent system having infinitely many solutions.
STEP5- If the lines
1
L and
2
L are parallel, then the given system of equations has no solution. This is
the case of inconsistent system having no solution.
04. Consistent and inconsistent systems: A system of simultaneous linear equations having at least one solution is said
to be consistent system. Whereas if a system of simultaneous linear equations has no solution then, it is said to be an
inconsistent system.
05. Table depicting conditions of Consistency and inconsistency of the pair of lines:

Sl.
No.
Pair of Equations Comparing the Ratio Graphical Meaning Algebraic Interpretations



1.






1 1 1
0 + + = a x b y c


1 1
2 2
=
a b
a b



Intersecting Lines


Unique Solution
(Consistent system)


2.





and

1 1 1
2 2 2
= =
a b c
a b c



Coincident Lines


Infinitely Many
Solutions
(Consistent System)



3.


2 2 2
0 + + = a x b y c

1 1 1
2 2 2
= =
a b c
a b c



Parallel Lines


No Solution
(Inconsistent System)


(By OP Gupta)


MATHEMATICIA OP GUPTA CLASS X 2
06. Algebraic Methods of Solving System of Linear Equations:
a) Substitution Method
b) Elimination Method
c) Cross- Multiplication Method
Here we shall discuss these methods one by one with the help of examples!
Substitution Method:
Consider system of equations 3 5 1 = x y (i)
and 1 = x y (ii)
From equation (ii), we get
1 = x y (iii)
Substituting 1 = x y in equation (i), we get
( ) 3 1 5 1 = y y
3 3 5 1 = y y
2 1 3 = + y
2 2 = y
1 = y .
Putting 1 = y in (iii), we get
1 1 = x
2 = x .
Hence the solution of the given system of equations
is 2, 1 = = x y .

Isnt it interesting? We shall now proceed to the
next method i.e., elimination method of solving the
pair of linear equations.

Elimination Method:
Consider system of equations 8 5 9 + = x y (i)
and 3 2 4 + = x y (ii)
Let us eliminate y. To do so multiply both the sides
of equation (i) and (ii) by 2 and 5 respectively i.e.,
i.e. | 8 5 9 2 + = x y
and | 3 2 4 5 + = x y
So, 16 10 18 + = x y (iii)
and 15 10 20 + = x y (iv)
Subtracting (iv) from (iii), we get
( ) ( ) 16 10 15 10 18 20 + + = x y x y
2 = x .
Putting 2 = x in (i), we get
( ) 8 2 5 9 + = y
16 5 9 + = y
5 9 16 = + y
5 25 = y
5 = y .
Hence the solution of the given system of equations
is 2, 5 = = x y .
Now the last one i.e., cross- multiplication method which is a bit tricky! So you are supposed to give it more attention
than you can offer. (How do we do so, well, even I am not aware of this!) Note that for your benefit I have provided
here the discussion in two forms firstly the variable format and then, secondly I have added an example too!
Cross- Multiplication Method:
Consider system of equations of the form
1 1 1
0 + + = a x b y c and
2 2 2
0 + + = a x b y c .
Then, their solution can be obtained by the following expression,

1 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 1
1
= =

x y
b c b c c a c a a b a b

Also, you can memorize the above with the help of following diagram,
1 1
2 2

x
b c
b c
1 1
2 2

y
a c
a c

1 1
2 2
1

a b
a b

Let us take an example now!
Consider system of equations 2 3 0 = x y
and 4 3 0 + = x y .
By cross-multiplication, we have

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
1
1 3 1 3 4 3 2 3 2 1 4 1
= =

x y


1
3 3 12 6 2 4
= =
+ + +
x y



MATHEMATICIA OP GUPTA CLASS X 3

1
6 6 6
= =

x y


1
6 6
=
x
and
1
6 6
=

y


6
1
6
= = x and
6
1
6
= = y .
Hence the solution of the given system of equations is 1, 1 = = x y .
In any case, if you are not able to make head-tail of anything in this cross-multiplication method, just wait till we do it
in our class. I shall make it stick to your brain-chips (I mean the brain cells)!
07. A Special Case when Coefficient of x and y are interchanged in the two equations:
Consider the two equations as + = ax by m and + = bx ay n .
STEP1- Add the two equations to obtain ( ) ( ) + + + = + a b x b a y m n
i.e. ( ) ( ) + + = + a b x y m n ( ) ...
+
+ =
+
m n
x y i
a b

STEP2- Subtract the second equation from the first equation to obtain ( ) ( ) + = a b x b a y m n

i.e. ( ) ( ) = a b x y m n ( ) ...

m n
x y ii
a b

STEP3- Add (i) and (ii) to obtain the value of x and then subtract (ii) from (i) to obtain the value of y.
Following example will illustrate the above discussion:
Consider the system of equations 37 41 70 + = x y (i)
and 41 37 86 + = x y (ii)
Adding the equations (i) and (ii), we get
78 78 156 2 + = + = x y x y (iii)
Subtracting equation (ii) from (i), we get
4 4 16 4 + = = x y x y (iv)
Now on adding equations (iii) and (iv), we obtain
2 6 3 = = x x .
Also on subtracting equation (iv) from (iii), we obtain
2 2 1 = = y y .
Hence the solution of the given system of equations is 3, 1 = = x y .

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