How would I solve a linear simultaneous equation?

When presented with a simultaneous equation, you need to find out the values of the letters (commonly x and y). You might be given two equations such as: a) 2x + 4y = 6, and b) -4x - 3y = 3. The first thing to do is to match up the x values in both equations, for example, you could times equation a) by 2, to get a new equation c) 4x + 8y = 12. Then you would plus or minus one equation from the other until the x value is eliminated, so here, you could add b) and c) to get 0x + 5y = 15. Then solve the remaining equation: 5y=15, so y=3 (dividing both sides by 5). Now that you have a y value, substitute it back into one of the original equations, such as a), to get: 2x + 4(3) = 6, which becomes: 2x + 12 = 6. Then rearrange until you have x on one side, making: 2x = -6. Then divide both sides by 2 to get x = -3. Therefore, the solution to these equations is: x = -3, and y = 3.

Answered by Ryan O. Maths tutor

2651 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Expand and simplify the following: (2x+3)(2x+5)


2x+y=18, x-y=6; Solve the simultaneous equations


Given the points (6,6) and (10,8) calculate the gradient of the line passing through them and the point at which it intersects the y-axis?


How do you approach a simultaneous equations problem?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences