How do you solve a simultaneous equation such as x+2y=10 and 3x+2y=18?

To solve simulatenous equations there are two main methods, substitution and elimintion. The first method requires the principle where if x is equal to a number, say x=2 then we can substitute this in, for example 2x would equal 2 x 2 or 4. In this example we can rearrange the first example to state x = 10-2y. You can then substitute into the second equations using brackets to give 3(10-2y) + 2y=18. You can then solve the equation for a numerical value of y. Alternatively, elimination requires taking the equations away from each other if you have a common term for either x or y. Here you have 2y in both equations, so you can minus one from the other giving 3x-x=18-10. This can then be solved for a numerical value of x. In both examples you will then need to substitute the number back into the equation to find the other term.

KR

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

A 20-foot ladder is leaning against a vertical wall. The bottom of the ladder is pulled away horizontally from the wall at 3 feet per second. How fast is the top of the ladder sliding down the wall when the bottom of the ladder is 10 feet away?


Integrate ∫_(-1)^1 3/√(x+2) dx using the substitution u x+2


Find the equation of the line in the form of y=mx+c given that two points on the line are (3,1) and (6,10)


Solve the simultaneous equations 3x + y = -4 and 3x - 4y = 6