Solving Equations

A. Linear Equations
Solve 4( x 1) + 3 = 2 x 3
[Soln] 4 x 4 + 3 = 2 x 3
1.

4x 1 = 2x 3
4x 2x = 1 3
2 x = 2
x = 1 (Ans)

2.

Solve

[Soln]

x x 1 1
+
=
2
3
6
6: 3 x + 2( x 1) = 1
3x + 2 x 2 = 1
5x 2 = 1
5x = 2 + 1
3
x = (Ans)
5

B. Quadratic Equations
(a) Using factorization:
1. Solve x 2 3x + 2 = 0
[Soln] ( x 1)( x 2) = 0
x = 1, 2 (Ans)
2. Solve
[Soln]

3x 2 x 2 = 0
(3 x + 2)( x 1) = 0
2
x = , 1 (Ans)
3

(b) By completing the square:

1. Solve x 2 2 x 3 = 0
[Soln] ( x 2 2 x + 1) 4 = 0
( x 1) 2 = 4
Taking square roots on both sides:
x 1 = 2
x =1 2
x = 3, 1 (Ans)

2. Solve

2 x 2 5x 3 = 0
5
3
[Soln] 2 : x 2 2 x 2 = 0
5
5
3 5
x 2 2( x)( ) + ( ) 2 = + ( ) 2
4
4
2 4
5 2 49
(x ) =
4
16
5
7
x =
4
4
5 7
x=
4 4
1
x = 3, (Ans)
2

(c) Using formula

x=

1. Solve 3x 2 11x 4 = 0
[Soln] a = 3, b = 11,

b b 2 4ac
2a

c = 4

(11) (11) 2 4(3)(4)

x=
2(3)
11 13
=
6
1
= 4, (Ans)
3

2. Solve 2 x 2 3x 4 = 0 , give your answers correct to 3 significant figures.

[Soln] a = 2, b = 3, c = 4
x=

(3) (3) 2 4(2)(4)

2(2)

3 41
4
2.35, 0.851 (Ans)
=

(D) Simultaneous Equations

(a) Simultaneous Linear Equations
1. Solve x 3 y = 7 (1)
2 x + y = 0 (2)

(i)[By Substitution Method]

(2) y = 2 x (3)
Subs (3) into (1):
x 3(2 x) = 7
7x = 7
x =1
Subs x = 1 into (2):
y = 2(1) = 2
Ans: x = 1, y = 2.

(ii)[By Elimination Method]

(1) 2: 2 x 6 y = 14 ..(4)
(2) (4): 7 y = 14
y=2
Subs y = 2 into (2):
2x + 2 = 0
2 x = 2
x = 1
Ans: x = 1, y = 2.

(iii)[By Using Matrix]

Rewrite the equation as
1
3 x 7

=
2
1

y 0
1 3

Let M =
2
1

det M = 1 1 2(3) = 7

 1 3

M 1 = 17
2 1
1 3 1 3 x
1

=
7
2 1 2 1 y
x 1 7
= 7

y
14
1
=
2
Ans: x = 1, y = 2.

1
7

1 3 7

2 1 0

(b) Simultaneous Equations (one is linear)

1. Solve x = y 1 ...(1)
y 2 x 2 = 3 (2)
[Soln]Subs (1) into (2):
y 2 ( y 1) 2 = 3
[ y + ( y 1)][ y ( y 1)] = 3
2y 1 = 3
2y =1+ 3
2y = 4
y=2
Subs y = 2 into(1):
x = 2 1
=1
Ans: x = 1, y = 2

2.

Solve

y = 3 x + 5 ..(1)
x 2 + y 2 2 x + 4 y 95 = 0 ..(2)

[Soln] Subs (1) into (2):

x 2 + (3x + 5) 2 2 x + 4(3 x + 5) 95 = 0
x 2 + 9 x 2 + 30 x + 25 2 x + 12 x + 20 95 = 0
10 x 2 + 40 x 50 = 0
10: x 2 + 4 x 5 = 0
( x + 5)( x 1) = 0
x = 5 or 1

Subs x = 5 into (1): y = 3(5) + 5 = 10

Subs x = 1 into (1): y = 3(1) + 5 = 8
Ans: x = 5 , y = 10 ;
x =1 , y = 8.