Solving simultaneous questions, e.g. 3x + y = 11 and 2x + y = 8

The unknowns in a simultaneous equation need to be solved, which in this case are x and y.The method I will be using is by elimination:First, find which unknown has the same coefficient. In this example this is the letter y that has a coefficient of 1 in both equations.Then, subtract the two equations from each other to eliminate y so you get:3x + y = 11-2x + y = 8-------------x = 3Now, you know what x is so you can substitute x back into any of the equations to rearrange and find yIn this case subbing into 3x + y = 113x + y = 113(3) + y = 119 + y = 11y = 2We have now found x = 3 and y = 2To check the answers are right, substitute this back into the second equation just for confirmation and this should work!

SS
Answered by Simran S. Maths tutor

2901 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Prove that 0.5757... (recurring) = 19/33. Hence, write 0.3575757... (recurring) as a fraction in its lowest terms.


The straight line joining the points (1, -2a),(a, 1) has a gradient of 5, find the value of a


Rob has a bag with white, black and blue counters. There are twice as many blue counters than there are white. A qaurter of all the counters are black. If there are 5 white counters, how many counters are in the bag.


The diagram shows a prism. The cross-section of the prism is an isosceles triangle. The lengths of the sides of the triangle are 13 cm, 13 cm and 10 cm. The perpendicular height of the triangle is 12 cm. The length of the prism is 8 cm. Work out the total


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning