Algebraic skills are required to find the values of letters within two or more equations. If two or more equations have the same variables and solutions, then they are simultaneous equations.
Equations that have more than one unknown can have an infinite number of solutions. For example, \(2x + y = 10\) could be solved by:
\(x = 1\) and \(y = 8\)
\(x = 2\) and \(y = 6\)
\(x = 3\) and \(y = 4\)
To be able to solve an equation like this, another equation needs to be used alongside it. That way it is possible to find the only pair of values that solve both equations. These are known as simultaneous equations.
An example of this is:
\(3x + y = 11\) and \(2x + y = 8\)
The unknowns \(x\) and \(y\) have the same value in both equations. This fact can be used to help solve the two simultaneous equations and find the values of \(x\) and \(y\).
Solving simultaneous equations by elimination
The most common method for solving simultaneous equations is the elimination method which means one of the unknowns will be removed from each equation. The remaining unknown can then be calculated. This can be done if the coefficientThe amount that a letter has been multiplied by. In the example of 3a, the coefficient of a is 3 because 3 x a = 3a. of one of the letters is the same in both equations, regardless of the sign.
Example
Solve the following simultaneous equations:
\(3x + y = 11\)
\(2x + y = 8\)
First, identify which unknown has the same coefficient. In this example this is the letter \(y\), which has a coefficient of 1 in each equation.
Either add or subtract the two equations from each other to eliminate the letter \(y\). In this example the equations will need to be subtracted from each other as \(y - y = 0\).
If the equations were added together, then \(y + y = 2y\), and so the letter \(y\) would not be eliminated.
\(3x + y = 11\)
minus
\(2x + y = 8 \)
so \( x = 3\)
The value of \(x\) can now be substituted into either equation to find the value of \(y\).
Substitute \(x = 3\) into either \(3x + y = 11\) or \(2x + y = 8\).
\(3x + y = 11\) when \(x = 3\)
Substitute: \(x = 3\)
\(3 \times 3 + y = 11\)
\(9 + y = 11\)
Find the value of \(y\) using inverse operationInverse operations are opposite calculations often used in solving equations. To remove +9 from a sum, perform the inverse operation which is -9. to solve equations. The inverse of adding 9 is subtracting 9, so subtract 9 from both sides:
\(9 + y - 9 = 11 - 9\)
\(y = 2\)
Check the answers by substituting both values into the other original equation. If the equation balances, then the answers are correct: