How to solve a simple simultaneous equation

Solving simultaneous equations: Example Question:Equation 1 --->         2y – 4x = 2Equation 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 sideRearraging 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 = 104 ( 1 + 2x) – 6x = 10Expanding the above ---> 4 + 8x – 6x = 10 Step 4: Bring x terms onto one side and numbers onto the other side:8x - 6x = 10 - 42x = 6;therefore x = 6/2=3x=3 Step 5: Substitute x =3 into equation 1 or 2 to find the value of yIn this case, Equation 1 is chosen2y – 4x = 22y – 4(3) = 22y – 12 = 22y=14y= 7 Final Answer: x=3; y=7      

NK
Answered by Nivedah K. Maths tutor

5551 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

The two points (4,9) and (2,3) are on line A. A second line, line B is perpendicular to line A and goes through the point (2,3). What is the equation of line B?


A cuboid has sides such that the longest side is two units more than the shortest side, and the middle length side is one unit longer than the shortest side. The total surface area of the cuboid is 52 units². What is the length of the shortest side?


Find x when 2x-3=5


Show x^2 + 8x +15 = 0 in the form of (x+b)^2 +c (complete the square) and then solve the equation


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