How to solve the simultaneous equations of 3x + 2y = 9 and x-y = 3

First off we can refer to the equations as equation 1 and equation 2. In order to solve the equations we must find a way to combine them that elimates one of the variables ( X or y) so that the other can be found. This value will then be substituted back into either of the original equations so that the second value can be found. In this particular example it is easiest to multiply equation 2 by 2 so that we get an equation of 2x - 2y = 6. In this new version of equation 2 you can see that there is a value of 2y which matches the y value (2y) in equation 1. We will use the new equation to eliminate the y value from equation 1 by adding it to equation 1. 3x + 2y + (2x - 2y) = 9 + 6. This may be simplified to 3x + 2x = 15 so that 5x = 15 and x = 3. We now substitute this x value into one of the original equations to find the y value. 3(3) + 2y = 9, 9 + 2y = 9, 2y = 0 so y = 0. x = 3 and y = 0 is the solution to these simultaneous equations.

AR
Answered by Alice R. Maths tutor

12300 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

solve for x by completing the square x^2 + 4x - 12


A box contains 7 caramel doughnuts. They have masses of 56 g, 67 g, 45 g, 56 g, 58 g, 49 g and 50 g. Find the median, mean and mode values of these masses. Bonus: What mass of doughnut could be added to the box to make the mean mass = 61 g.


Expand (x+4)(x+3).


If f(x)=(x-2)^2, determine the gradient of the tangent to the curve f(x) at x=-2.


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