MYTUTOR SUBJECT ANSWERS

Answers / Maths / GCSE / How to solve a simple simultaneous equation

618 views

How to solve a simple simultaneous equation

Solving simultaneous equations:

Example Question:

Equation 1 ---> 2y – 4x = 2

Equation 2 ---> 4y – 6x = 10

Find the unknown quantities, x and y.

Solution:

Step 1: Firstly check whether there are more than 2 unknowns in the given question.

If there are more unknowns than given equations – the problem cannot be solved.

Step 2: Eliminate one unknown quantity by rearranging one of the equations such that x terms are on one side and the y terms are on the other side

Rearraging Equation 1: y = 1 +2x ---> (Equation 3)

Step 3: Substitute y (equation 3) into equation 2 - such that only one unknown quantity exists within the equation:

4y – 6x = 10

4 ( 1 + 2x) – 6x = 10

Expanding the above ---> 4 + 8x – 6x = 10

Step 4: Bring x terms onto one side and numbers onto the other side:

8x - 6x = 10 - 4

2x = 6;

therefore x = 6/2=3

x=3

Step 5: Substitute x =3 into equation 1 or 2 to find the value of y

In this case, Equation 1 is chosen

2y – 4x = 2

2y – 4(3) = 2

2y – 12 = 2

2y=14

y= 7

Final Answer: x=3; y=7

Nivedah K. GCSE German tutor, GCSE Maths tutor, A Level Maths tutor, ...

2 years ago

Answered by Nivedah, a GCSE Maths tutor with MyTutor

Still stuck? Get one-to-one help from a personally interviewed subject specialist

563 SUBJECT SPECIALISTS

Jay G. GCSE Biology tutor, A Level Biology tutor, 11 Plus Maths tutor...

View profile

£20 /hr

Jay G.

Degree: Biological Sciences (Biochemistry) (Bachelors) - Edinburgh University

Subjects offered:Maths, Mandarin+ 2 more

“I am here not only to help you get better at exams, but to help you enjoy your subject more”

5.0

22 reviews | 51 completed tutorials

Save profile

View profile

£24 /hr

Rachel H.

Degree: Physics and Astronomy with a Year Abroad (Bachelors) - Durham University

Subjects offered:Maths, Science+ 3 more

“Hey, I'm Rachel and I'm Physics graduate from Durham University. My best subjects at school were always science and maths but I also loved languages and art”

4.8

51 reviews | 133 completed tutorials

Save profile

Upasana T. GCSE Maths tutor, A Level Biology tutor

View profile

£20 /hr

Upasana T.

Degree: Medicine (Bachelors) - Birmingham University

Subjects offered:Maths, Latin+ 3 more

“About me: Hi, my name is Upasana Topiwala and I am currently in my third year of medical school at the university of Birmingham. I've taken up tutoring in order to inspire my students to appreciate the importance of science in our liv...”

5.1