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Additional Maths
Simultaneous Equations
Contents
Quadratic Simultaneous Equations
Linear Simultaneous Equations
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Quadratic Simultaneous Equations
Your notes
Quadratic Simultaneous Equations
What are quadratic simultaneous equations?
When there are two unknowns (say x and y) in a problem, we need two equations to be
able to find them both: these are called simultaneous equations
If there is an x2 or y2 or xy in one of the equations then they are quadratic (or non-linear)
simultaneous equations
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Your notes
Worked Example
Solve the equations
x2 + y2 = 36
x = 2y + 6
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Number the equations.
x 2 + y 2 = 36 ( 1) Your notes
x = 2y + 6 ( 2 )
There is one quadratic equation and one linear equation so this must be done by
substitution.
Equation (2) is equal to x so this can be eliminated by substituting it into the x part for
equation (1).
Substitute x = +
2y 6 into equation (1).
( 2y + 6 2 + y 2 = 36
)
[1]
Expand the brackets, remember that a bracket squared should be treated the same
as double brackets.
(2y + 6 2y ) ( + 6 + y 2 = 36
)
4y 2 + 6 2y( ) + 6 2y + 62 + y 2 = 36
( )
[1]
Simplify.
4y 2 + 12y + 12y + 36 + y 2 = 36
5y 2 + 24y + 36 = 36
[1]
Rearrange to form a quadratic equation that is equal to zero.
5y 2 + 24y + 36 − 36 = 0
5y 2 + 24y = 0
The question does not give a specified degree of accuracy, so this can be factorised.
Take out the common factor of y .
y 5y( + 24 = 0 )
y1 =0
24
5y 2 + 24 = 0 ⇒ y2 = − 5
= − 4.8
[1]
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Substitute the values of y into one of the equations (the linear equation is easier) to
find the values of x .
Your notes
24 ⎞⎟
x1 =20 +6=6
( ) x2 =2− ⎛
⎜
⎜
5 ⎠
⎟ + 6 = − 9.6 + 6
⎝
x1 = 6, y1 = 0
x 2 = − 3 . 6 , y 2 = − 4 . 8 [1]
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Linear Simultaneous Equations
Your notes
Elimination Method
What are simultaneous linear equations?
When there are two unknowns (say x and y) in a problem, we need two equations to be
able to find them both: these are called simultaneous equations
you solve two equations to find two unknowns, x and y
for example, 3x + 2y = 11 and 2x - y = 5
the solutions are x = 3 and y = 1
If they just have x and y in them (no x2 or y2 or xy etc) then they are linear simultaneous
equations
Solving a pair of simultaneous equations means finding pairs of values that make both
equations true at the same time
A linear equation in two unknowns will produce a straight line if you graph it... linear = line
A pair of simultaneous equations will produce lines that will cross each other (if there is a
solution!)
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Substitute the value into one of the original equations and solve to find the value of the
other unknown
Your notes
Substitute y = 1 back into either original equation
3x + 2(1) = 11
x=3
Alternatively, to eliminate the y's from 3x + 2y = 11 and 2x - y = 5
Multiply every term in the second equation by 2
4x - 2y = 10
Add this result to the first equation to eliminate the 2y's (as 2y + (-2y) = 0)
The process then continues as above
Check your final solutions satisfy both equations
3(3) + 2(1) = 11 and 2(3) - (1) = 5
How do I solve linear simultaneous equations from
worded contexts?
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Your notes
Worked Example
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Your notes
Substitution Method
How do I use substitution to solve simultaneous linear
equations?
"Substitution" means substituting one equation into the other
Rearrange one of the equations to make one of the unknowns the subject
To solve 3x + 2y = 11 and 2x - y = 5 by substitution
Rearrange one of the equation into y = ... (or x = ...)
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For example, the second equation becomes y = 2x - 5
Substitute the expression found for x or y into the equation not used to rearrange
Your notes
Replace all y's with 2x - 5 in brackets
3x + 2(2x - 5) = 11
Solve the new equation to find the value of one of the unknowns
Solve this equation to find x
x=3
Substitute the value found for x or y into the rearranged equation from to find the value of
the other unknown
Substitute x = 3 into y = 2x - 5 to find y
y = 2(3) - 5
y=1
Check your final solutions satisfy both equations
3(3) + 2(1) = 11 and 2(3) - (1) = 5
How do you use graphs to solve linear simultaneous
equations?
Plot both equations on the same set of axes
to do this, you can use a table of values or rearrange into y = mx + c if that helps
Find where the lines intersect (cross over)
The x and y solutions to the simultaneous equations are the x and y coordinates of
the point of intersection
e.g. to solve 2x - y = 3 and 3x + y = 4 simultaneously, first plot them both (see graph)
find the point of intersection, (2, 1)
the solution is x = 2 and y = 1
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Your notes
Worked Example
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Your notes
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