Essential Mathematics for Economics and Business, 4 th Edition 1

CHAPTER 3: SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS

Worked Example 3.1

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John Wiley
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and Sons
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Worked Example 3.1

The equations are

x + 3y = 4 (1) Each equation states

Left Hand Side = Right Hand Side
-x + 2y = 6 (2) Sosum of LHSs = sum of RHSs

0 +5y = 10 Add equations (1) and (2) to eliminate x.

y = 10/5 = 2 Solving for y.

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Worked Example 3.1

Now we know the value of y
y=2

Substitute y = 2 into either (1) or (2) and solve for x. Solution

x = -2
x + 3y =4 (1) y=2
x + 3(2) = 4

x+ 6 =4 x = -2
x =46=-2

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To show the solution graphically

Plot the two graphs on the same diagram.

x + 3y = 4 (1) Each equation

represents a straight line
-x + 2y = 6 (2)

Rearrange: y = mx + c
Line (1)
cuts the y-axis at y = 4/3.
y = -1/3 x + 4/3 (1) cuts the x-axis at x = 4.

Line (2) y = 1/2 x + 3

y = 1/2 x + 3 (2) cuts the y-axis at y = 3.
cuts the x-axis at x = -6.
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Plot the lines (1) and (2)

y
Line (1) y = -1/3 x + 4/3 Line (2)
cuts the y-axis at y = 4/3. cuts the y-axis at y = 3.
cuts the x-axis at x = 4. cuts the x-axis at x = -6.
4

3
y=3

y = 4/3
1

x = -6 x=4
x
-6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

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Alternatively, calculate a table of points for

lines (1) and (2)
y
Line (1) y = -1/3 x + 4/3
x = -6 0 4
x = 4, y = 5
y = 10/3 4/3 0
4
x = -6, y = 10/3

3
x = 0, y = 3
Line (2) y = 1/2 x + 3
x = -6 0 4
2
y = 0 3 5
x = 0, y = 4/3

1
x = -6, y = 0
x = 4, y = 0
x
-6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

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(x = -2, y = 2) is on both lines

y

Lines meet
4
at
x = -2: y = 2
3
y=3
Solution
2 x = -2: y = 2

y = 4/3
1

x = -6 x=4
x
-6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

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Check the solution (x = -2, y = 2)

Substitute x = -2, y = 2 into each equation

x + 3y = 4 (1)
(-2) + 3(2) = 4
In each case the
-2 + 6 = 4 LSH = RHS
4 = 4

We say
-x + 2y = 6 (2) x = -2, y = 2 satisfies
- (-2) + 2(2) = 6 both equations

2 +4 =6
6=6
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