CBSE Class 10 Mathematics

Important Questions
Chapter 3
Pair of Linear Equations

1 Marks Questions

1. A pair of linear equation in two variables which has a common point i.e., which has only
one solution is called a

(a) Consistent pair

(b) Inconsistent pair

(c) Dependent pair

(d) None of these

Ans. a) Consistent pair

2. If a pair of linear equation and represents coincident lines,

then

(a)

(b)

(c)
(d) None of these

Ans. (c)

3. The value of ‘k’ for which the system of equation 2x + 3y = 5 and 4x + ky = 10 has
infinite number of solutions is

(a) k = 1

(b) k = 3

(c) k = 6

(d) k = 0

Ans. (c) k = 6
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4. If the system of equation 2x + 3y = 7 and 29x + (a + b) y = 28 has infinitely many
solutions, then

(a) a = 2b

(b) b = 2a

(c) a + 2b = 0

(d) 2a + b = 0

Ans. (b) b = 2a

5. If am bl, then the system of equation ax + by = c and lx + my = n

(a) has a unique solution

(b) has no solution

(c) has infinitely many solution

(d) may or may not have a solution

Ans. (a) has a unique solution

6. The graphical representation of the linear equation y – 5 = 0 is

(a) a line

(b) a point

(c) a curve

(d) None of these

Ans. (a) a line

7. A system of simultaneous linear equations is said to be inconsistent, if it has

(a) One solution

(b) Two solutions

(c) Three solutions

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(d) No solution

Ans. (d) No solution

8. The system of equation 2x + 3y – 7 = 0 and 6x + 5y – 11 = 0 has

(a) unique solution

(b) No solution

(c) Infinitely many solutions

(d) None of these

Ans. (a) unique solution

9. The value of ‘k’ for which the system of equation x + 2y – 3 = 0 and 5x + ky + 7 = 0 has
no solution is

(a) k = 10

(b) k = 6

(c) k = 3

(d) k = 1

Ans. (a) k = 10

10. The equation axn + byn + c = 0 represents a straight line if

(a) n 1

(b) n 1

(c) n=1

(d) None of these

Ans. (c) n=1

11. The value of ‘k’ for which the system of equation kx – y = 2 and 6x – 2y = 3 has a unique
solution is

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(a) k = 3

(b) k

(c) k = 0

(d) k 0

Ans. (b) k 3

12. The value of ‘k’ for which the system of equations x + 2y = 5 and 3x + ky + 15 = 0 has no
solution, if

(a) k = 6

(b) k = –6

(c) –k =

(d) None of these

Ans. (a) k = 6

13. In the equation a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and a2x + b2y + c2 = 0, if then the equation will
represents

(a) coincident lines

(b) parallel lines

(c) intersecting lines

(d) None of these

Ans. (c) intersecting lines

14. Solve graphically 2x – 3y + 13 = 0 and 3x – 2y + 12 = 0

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Ans. 2x - 3y + 13 = 0

x 0 -3
y 6 3

X 13/2 5
y 0 -1

2 Marks Questions

1. Half the perimeter of a rectangle garden, whose length is 4 m more than its width, is 36
m. Find the dimensions of the garden.

Ans. Let length of rectangular garden = x metres

Let width of rectangular garden = y metres

According to given conditions, perimeter = 36 m

x + y = 36 ……(i)

And x = y+4

⇒ x– y=4 ……..(ii)

Adding eq. (i) and (ii),

2x = 40
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 x = 20 m

Subtracting eq. (ii) from eq. (i),

2y = 32

y = 16 m

Hence, length = 20 m and width = 16 m

3. The age of two friends Ani and Biju differ by 3 years. Ani’s father Dharam is twice as old
as Ani and Biju is twice as old as his sister Cathy. The ages of Cathy and Dharam differ by
30 years. Find the ages of Ani and Biju.

Ans. Let the age of Ani and Biju be x years and y years respectively.

Age of Dharam = 2x years and Age of Cathy = years

According to question,

x – y = 3 ... (1)

And

4x – y = 60 ... (2)

Subtracting (1) from (2), we obtain:

3x = 60 – 3 = 57

x = Age of Ani = 19 years

Age of Biju = 19 – 3= 16 years

Again, According to question, y – x= 3 ... (3)

And

4x – y = 60 ... (4)

Adding (3) and (4), we obtain:

3x = 63

x = 21
Age of Ani = 21 years
Age of Biju = 21 + 3 = 24 years

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4. One says, “Give me a hundred, friend! I shall then become twice as rich as you.” The other
replies, “If you give me ten, I shall be six times as rich as you.” Tell me what is the amount
of their (respective) capital? [From the Bijaganita of Bhaskara II]

Ans. Let the money with the first person and second person be Rs x and Rs y respectively.
According to the question,
x + 100 = 2(y – 100)

x + 100 = 2y – 200

x – 2y = 300 ... (1)

Again, 6(x - 10) = (y + 10)

6x - 60 = y + 10

6x - y = 70 ... (2)
Multiplying equation (2) by 2, we obtain:
12x - 2y = 140 ... (3)
Subtracting equation (1) from equation (3), we obtain:
11x = 140 + 300

11x = 440

x = 40
Putting the value of x in equation (1), we obtain:
40 – 2y = –300

40 + 300 = 2y

2y = 340
y = 170
Thus, the two friends had Rs 40 and Rs 170 with them.

5. The students of a class are made to stand in rows. If 3 students are extra in a row, there
would be 1 row less. If 3 students are less in a row, there would be 2 rows more. Find the
number of students in the class.

Ans. Let the number of rows be x and number of students in a row be y.

Total number of students in the class = Number of rows x Number of students in a row = xy

According to the question,

Total number of students = (x – 1) (y + 3)

xy = (x – 1) (y + 3)

xy= xy – y + 3x – 3
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 3x – y – 3 = 0

3x – y = 3 ... (1)

Total number of students = (x + 2) (y – 3)

xy = xy + 2y – 3x – 6

3x – 2y = –6 ... (2)
Subtracting equation (2) from (1), we obtain:

y=9
Substituting the value of y in equation (1), we obtain:
3x – 9 = 3

3x = 9 + 3 = 12

x=4
Number of rows = x = 4
Number of students in a row = y = 9
Hence, Total number of students in a class = xy = 4 x 9 = 36

6. Find the values of and for which the following system of linear equations has
infinite number of solutions, 2x + 3y = 7, 2 x + y = 28.

Ans.

7. Find the condition for which the system of equations and bx + ay = 4ab (a, b 0)
is inconsistent.

Ans.

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8. Find the value of so that the following linear equations have no solution

Ans. No solution

9. Solve for x and y: ax + by = a – b and bx – ay = a + b

Ans.

10. For what value of ‘ ’the system of linear equations .x + 3y = - 3, 12x + y = has
no solution.

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Ans.

12. Find the values of ‘a’ and ‘b’ for which the following system of linear equations has
infinite number of solutions. 2x + 3y = 7, (a + b + 1) x +(a + 2b + 2) y = 4 (a + b) +1

Ans.

13. Solve for ‘x’ and ‘y’ where x + y = a – b, ax – by = a2 + b2

Ans.

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14. The cost of two kg of apples and 1 kg of grapes on a day was found to be Rs. 160.
After a month the cost of 4 kg apples and 2 kg grapes is Rs. 300. Represent the situation
algebraically and graphically.

Ans. Let the cost of one Kg of apple is x and one Kg of grapes is y.

According to question,
2x + y = 160 and 4x + 2y = 300
2x + y = 160

15. Find the value of ‘k’ for which the system of equation kx + 3y = k – 3 and 12x + ky = k
will have no solution.

Ans.

16. ABCD is a rectangle, find the values of x and y.

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Ans.

17. Given the linear equation 2x + 3y – 8 = 0, write another linear equation in two variable
such that the geometrical representation of the pair so formed is

(a) intersecting lines

(b) parallel lines

(c) overlapping

Ans. 2x + 3y – 8 = 0 another linear equation representing.

18. Find the value of ‘k’ for which the system of equation has infinitely many solutions 2x
+ (k – 2) y = k and 6x + (2k – 1) y = 2k + 5

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Ans.

19. Find the relation between a, b, c and d for which the equations ax + by = c and cx + dy
= a have a unique solution.

Ans.

20. Solve for ‘x’ and ‘y’:

(a – b) x + (a + b) y = a2 – b2 – 2ab

(a + b) (x + y) = a2 + b2

Ans.

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 3 Marks Questions

1. Aftab tells his daughter, "Seven years ago, I was seven times as old as you were then.
Also, three years from now, I shall be three times as old as you will be." (Isn't this
interesting?) Represent this situation algebraically and graphically.

Ans. Let the present age of Aftab and his daughter be x and y respectively.
Seven years ago, Age of Aftab = x - 7 and Age of his daughter = y - 7
According to the given condition,

Again, Three years hence, Age of Aftab = x + 3 and Age of his daughter = y + 3
According to the given condition,

Thus, the given conditions can be algebraically represented as:

x - 7y = –42

x = –42 + 7y
6. (i) For which values of a and b does the following pair of linear equations have an
infinite number of solutions?
2x + 3y = 7
(a− b) x + (a + b) y = 3a + b – 2
(ii) For which value of k will the following pair of linear equations have no solution?
3x + y = 1
(2k − 1) x + (k − 1) y = 2k + 1
Ans. (i) Comparing equation 2x + 3y – 7 = 0 with a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and (a − b) x +
(a + b)
y− 3a – b + 2 = 0 with a2x + b2y + c2 = 0
We get a1 = 2, b1=3 and c1 = −7, a2 = (a − b), b2 = (a + b) and c2 = 2 – b − 3a

Linear equations have infinite many solutions if

⇒
⇒ 2a + 2b = 3a − 3b and 6 − 3b − 9a = −7a − 7b
⇒ a = 5b … (1) and −2a = −4b – 6 … (2)
Putting (1) in (2), we get
−2 (5b) = −4b – 6
⇒ −10b + 4b = −6

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⇒ −6b = –6 ⇒ b = 1
Putting value of b in (1), we get
a = 5b = 5 (1) = 5
Therefore, a = 5 and b = 1
(ii) Comparing (3x + y – 1 = 0) with a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and (2k − 1)x+ (k − 1)y −2k – 1 =
0) with a2x + b2y + c2=0,
We get a1 = 3,b1 = 1 and c1 = −1, a2 = (2k − 1), b2 = (k − 1) and c2 = −2k − 1

Linear equations have no solution if

⇒
⇒ 3 (k − 1) = 2k – 1
⇒ 3k – 3 = 2k − 1
⇒k=2

7. A train covered a certain distance at a uniform speed. If the train would have been
10 km/h faster, it would have taken 2 hours less than the scheduled time. And, if the
train were slower by 10 km/h, it would have taken 3 hours more than the scheduled
time. Find the distance covered by the train.
Ans. Let the speed of the train be x km/h and the time taken by train to travel the
given distance be t hours and the distance to travel be d km.

Since Speed =

... (1)
According to the question

……(2) [Using eq. (1)]

Again,

……(3) [Using eq. (1)]

Adding equations (2) and (3), we obtain:
x = 50
Substituting the value of x in equation (2), we obtain:
(–2) x (50) + 10t = 20
–100 + 10t = 20
10t = 120 t = 12
From equation (1), we obtain:
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 d = xt = 50 x 12 = 600
Thus, the distance covered by the train is 600 km.

6. (i) For which values of a and b does the following pair of linear equations have an
infinite number of solutions?

2x + 3y = 7

(a− b) x + (a + b) y = 3a + b – 2

(ii) For which value of k will the following pair of linear equations have no solution?

3x + y = 1

(2k − 1) x + (k − 1) y = 2k + 1

Ans. (i) Comparing equation 2x + 3y – 7 = 0 with a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and (a − b) x + (a + b)

y− 3a – b + 2 = 0 with a2x + b2y + c2 = 0

We get a1 = 2, b1=3 and c1 = −7, a2 = (a − b), b2 = (a + b) and c2 = 2 – b − 3a

Linear equations have infinite many solutions if

⇒ 2a + 2b = 3a − 3b and 6 − 3b − 9a = −7a − 7b

⇒ a = 5b … (1) and −2a = −4b – 6 … (2)

Putting (1) in (2), we get

−2 (5b) = −4b – 6

⇒ −10b + 4b = −6

⇒ −6b = –6 ⇒ b = 1

Putting value of b in (1), we get

a = 5b = 5 (1) = 5

Therefore, a = 5 and b = 1

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(ii) Comparing (3x + y – 1 = 0) with a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and (2k − 1)x+ (k − 1)y −2k – 1 =
0) with a2x + b2y + c2=0,

We get a1 = 3,b1 = 1 and c1 = −1, a2 = (2k − 1), b2 = (k − 1) and c2 = −2k − 1

Linear equations have no solution if

⇒ 3 (k − 1) = 2k – 1

⇒ 3k – 3 = 2k − 1

⇒k=2

7. A train covered a certain distance at a uniform speed. If the train would have been 10
km/h faster, it would have taken 2 hours less than the scheduled time. And, if the train were
slower by 10 km/h, it would have taken 3 hours more than the scheduled time. Find the
distance covered by the train.

Ans. Let the speed of the train be x km/h and the time taken by train to travel the given
distance be t hours and the distance to travel be d km.

Since Speed =

... (1)
According to the question

……(2) [Using eq. (1)]

Again,

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 ……(3) [Using eq. (1)]

Adding equations (2) and (3), we obtain:

x = 50
Substituting the value of x in equation (2), we obtain:
(–2) x (50) + 10t = 20

–100 + 10t = 20

10t = 120 t = 12
From equation (1), we obtain:
d = xt = 50 x 12 = 600
Thus, the distance covered by the train is 600 km.

9. ABCD is a cyclic quadrilateral (see figure). Find the angles of the cyclic quadrilateral.

Ans. We know that the sum of the measures of opposite angles in a cyclic quadrilateral is
180°.

A+ C = 180°

………(1)

Also B+ D = 180°

………(2)

Multiplying equation (1) by 3, we obtain:

……….(3)

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Adding equations (2) and (3), we obtain:

Substituting the value of in equation (1), we obtain:

A=

B=

C=

D=

12. The sum of a two-digit number and the number obtained by reversing the order of
digits is 99. If the digits differ by 3, find the number.

Ans.

13. In a cyclic quadrilateral ABCD, ,

and Find the four angles.

Ans.

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14. A two-digit number is obtained by either multiplying the sum of the digits by 8 and
adding 1 or by multiplying number. How many such numbers are there?

Ans.

15. A leading library has a fixed charge for the first three days and an additional charge
for each day thereafter Sarika paid Rs. 27 for a book kept for seven days, while Sury paid

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Rs. 21 for the book she kept for five days, find the fixed charge and the charge for each
extra day.

Ans.

16. If 2 is added to the numerator of a fraction, it reduces to and if 1 is subtracted from

the denominator, it reduces to . Find the fraction.

Ans.

18. Solve 23x – 29y = 98 and 29x – 23y = 110.

Ans.

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19. A man has only 20 paise coins and 25 paisea coins in his purse. If he has 50 coins in
all totaling Rs 11.25. How many coins of each kind does he have?

Ans.

20. A says to B my present age is five times your that age when I was an old as you are
now. It the sum of their present ages is 48 years, find their present ages.

Ans.

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23. Father’s age is three times the sum of ages of his two children. After 5 years, his age
will be twice the sum of ages of two children. Find the age of father.

Ans.

HOTS

1. At a certain time in a deer park, the number of heads and the number of legs of deer
and human visitors were counted and it was found there were 39 heads & 132 legs.
Find the number of deer and human visitors in the park.
Ans: Let the no. of deers be x
And no. of humans be y
ASQ:
x + y = 39 …….. (1)
4 x + 2 y = 132 ……. (2)
Multiply (1) and (2)
On solving, we get …
x = 27 and y= 12
∴ No. of deers = 27 and No. of humans = 12
2. Students are made to stand in rows. If one student is extra in a row there would be 2
rows less. If one student is less in a row there would be 3 rows more. Find the
number of students in the class.
Ans: No. of rows be y
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 Let the number of students be x
Number of students in the class will be = xy
One student extra, 2 rows less
(x + 1) (y – 2) = xy
xy – 2x + y -2 = xy
-(-2x + y -2) = 0
+2x – y = -2 ……….. (1)
One student less, three more rows
(x - 1) (y + 3) = xy
xy + 3x - y -3 = xy
3x - y = 3 ………(2)
From (1) & (2)
2x – y = -2 × 3
3x - y = 3 × -2
Solve it, to get … y = 12 and x = 5
∴ Number of student = xy
= 12 × 5
= 60 students
3. A train covered a certain distance at a uniform speed. If the train would have been
6km/hr faster, it would have taken 4 hours less than the scheduled time. And if the
train were slower by 6km/hr, it would have taken 6 hours more than the scheduled
time. Find the distance of the journey.
Ans: Let the speed of the train by x km/hr
And the time taken by it by y
Now distance traveled by it is x x y = xy
APQ:
I--- (x + 6) (y - 4) = xy
4x – 6y = -24
=> 2x – 3y = -12 ……….(1)
II--- (x - 6) (y+ 6) = xy
6x – 6y= 36
=> x– y= 6 ………. (2)
Solving for x and y we get y = 24, x = 30
So the distance =30 × 24 = 720 km
4. In an election contested between A and B, A obtained votes equal to twice the no. of
persons on the electoral roll who did not cast their votes & this later number was
equal to twice his majority over B. If there were 18000 persons on the electoral roll.
How many voted for B.
Ans: Let x and y be the no. of votes for A & B respectively.
The no. of persons who did not vote = (18000 – x – y)
APQ:
x = 2(18000 – x – y)
⇒ 3x + 2y = 36000 ………. (1)
&
(18000 – x – y) = (2) (x – y)
⇒ 3x – y = 18000 ………. (2)
On solving we get, y = 6000 and x = 8000
Vote for B = 6000

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5. When the son will be as old as the father today their ages will add up to 126 years.
When the father was old as the son is today, their ages add upto 38 years. Find their
present ages.
Ans: let the son’s present age be x
Father’s age be y
Difference in age (y – x)
Of this difference is added to the present age of son, then son will be as old as the
father now and at that time, the father’s age will be [ y + (y – x)]
APQ:
[x + (y – x)] + [y (y – x)] = 126
[y + (x – y)] + [x + (x – y)] = 38
Solving we get the value of x and y

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