What is the easiest way to solve a simultaneous equation?

While the elimination method can be extremely easy for certain questions, it cannot be applied to all. Therefore, the substitution method is recommended because it can be applied to most cases of simultaneous equations. Take, for example: xy=2 and y=x+1. Here elimination does not work but with substitution one can solve easily for x and y as shown below:
if y=x+1 then x(x+1)=2 x^2+x=2This can be manipulated into a quadratic equation: x^2+x-2=0(x+2)(x-1)=0Therefore x=-2 or x=1Simply reinsert these x-values back into one of the original equations (both if you want to be certain)when x=-2 y=-2+1Therefore (-2,-1)Or, when x=1 y=1+1Therefore (1,2)

Answered by William A. Maths tutor

2523 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

a) You area told that y is proportional to x2 and that when y = 75, x = 5. Find a formula for y in terms of x. y = x b) Find the value of y when x = 3. c) Find the value of x when y = 1200.


How do you add and multiply surds?


What is "Standard Form"?


John and Tom take a test. John scores p marks. Tom scores three times what John scored. Their total score is 188. What was Tom's score?


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