Simultaneous equations in both equations equal. Thus eqn.

(i) is
multiplied by 4 and eqn. (ii) by 3
Simultaneous equations in two
i.e. 4 x eqn. (i) + 3 x eqn. (ii)
unknowns
These are equations containing two
unknowns. The equations may all be linear 20x + 12y =28
(equations of straight lines) or one of them
may be linear and the other non-linear. + 6x – 12y = 9

Linear simultaneous equations 26x = 37

Simultaneous equations may solved by any of x=

the three methods
Substituting x in eqn.(i)
- Elimination method
5x + 3y = 7
- Substitution method
- Graphical method 3y = 7 – 5 x
- Solving simultaneous equations using
matrixes Y=

(b) 3x + 2y = 8

Solving simultaneous equations using 3y + 4x = 11

elimination method Solution
This involves elimination of one of the Rearrange the eqns.
unknown variables so as to be in position to
find the other. 3x + 2y = 8 …………. (i)

Example 1 4x + 3y = 11 ……….. (ii)

(a) 5x + 3y = 7 Eliminate x as follows

2x -4y = 3
4 x eqn. (i) – 3 x eqn. (ii)
Solution
12x + 8y = 32
5x + 3y = 7 ………… (i)
- 12x + 9y = 33
2x -4y = 3 ………….(ii)
y=1
To eliminate y the equation are multiplied by
Substituting y in eqn. (i)
relevant factors to make the coefficients of y

1
3x + 2y = 8 Substituting y in equation (ii)

3x + 2 x 1 = 8 3( )
3x = 6
Multiplying 2 through
x=2
3(8 – 3x) + 8x = 22
Solving simultaneous equations using 24 – 9x + 8x = 22
substitution method
-1x = = -2
This involves the expression of one of the
unknown variable in terms of the other. x=2

Example 2 substituting x into equation (i)

Solve the following pairs of simultaneous y= =

equation for x and y by substitution method
x =2 and y = 1
(a) 5x + 3y = 7
Solving simultaneous equations using
2x -4y = 3 graphical method
Solution This method involve drawing graphs of the
5x + 3y = 7 two linear equations and finding the
5x = 7 – 3y coordinates of their points of intersection
x= ………… (i) Establish at least two possible points with
known coordinates satisfying the equations.
2x -4y = 3 ……… (ii)
The coordinates of the point of intersection of
Substituting x in eqn. (ii) the lines drawn are the solutions to the
equations
2( )
Example 3
Multiply 5 through
Solve the following pairs of simultaneous
2(7 – 3y) – 20y = 15 equations for x and y using graphical method

14 – 6y – 20y = 15 (a) 3x + 2y = 8
3y + 4x = 11
-26y = 1
For 3x + 2y = 8
y=
x 0 4
Substituting y into eqn. (i) y 4 -2
For 3y + 4x = 11
( )
x= = x -1 2
y 5 1
x and y =

(b) 3x + 2y = 8
y= …………………. (i)

3y + 4x = 11 ………….. (ii)

2
  ( )( ) ( ) …………… (i)

( )

Matrix B is obtained by interchanging the

coefficients of x in eqn. (i) with the column
matrix on the right hand side

( )

Matric C is obtained by interchanging the

From the graph the point of intersection is coefficients of y in equation (i) with the
(2, 1) Hence x = 2 and y = 1 column matrix on the right and side of eqn.(i)
(b) x + y = 4 For the determinant method
3x + 2y = 6
| | | |
and y = |
For x + y = 4 | | |

x 0 4 Example 4
y 4 0
(a) x + 3y – 15 = 0
For 3x + 2y = 6
3x = 17 – 2y
x 0 0 Re-arranging the equation
y 3 2 x + 3y = 15
3x + 2y = 17
Expressing the equation in matrix form
( )( ) ( )
( )

( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( )

( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )

Hence x = 3 and y = 4
(b) 5x + 3y = 7
From the graph, the point of intersection is
(-2, 6). Hence x = -2, y = 6 2x -4y = 3

Solving simultaneous equations using Expressing the equation in matrix form

matrixes
( )( ) ( )
A. Determinant method
( )
Consider the simultaneous equations
( )
a1x + b1y = c1 ( ) ( )
( ) ( )
a2x + b1y = d1

3
 ( ) To obtain the values of x and y, the adjunct is
( ) pre-multiplied on the both sides, i.e.

( ) ( ) ( )( )( ) ( )( )
( ) ( )
Example 5
(c) 34 + 3y = 3x
3x – 4y- 16 = 0 Solve the following equations using matrix
method
Rearranging the equations
(a) 4x – 3y = 2
-3x + 3y = -34 x + 2y = 1
3x – 4y = 16 (b) 4x + 3y = 17
5x – 2y = 4
Expressing the equations in matrix form (c) 7x – y = -1
3x – 2y = - 24
( )( ) ( )
Solution
|( )|
(a) 4x – 3y = 2
|( )|
x + 2y = 1
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
Express the equation in matrix form

( )( ) ( ) ………………… (i)

|( )| Let ( )
|( )|

( ) ( ) Adjunct ( )
( ) ( )
Pre- multiply both sides of eqn. (i) the adjunct
matrix A

Hence x = and y = 18 ( )( )( ) ( )( )

B. Adjunct method ( )( ) ( )

Consider the simultaneous equations

( )( ) ( )
a1x + b1y = c1
11x = 7
a2x + b1y = d1

Arranging in matrix form

11y =2
( )( ) ( ) …………… (i)

If A= ( )
Hence ,

Adjunct A =( )

4
(b) 4x + 3y = 17 ( )( ) ( )
5x – 2y = 4
-11x = -22
Express in matrix form

( )( ) ( ) ………….. (i)
-23y = -69
Let ( )
= 15
Adjunct A( ) Hence x = 2 and y = 15
Pre- multiply both sides of eqn. (i) the adjunct C. Inverse method
matrix A
Example 6
( )( )( ) ( )( ) (a) 4x – 3y = 2
x + 2y = 1
( )( ) (b) 4x + 3y = 17
( ) 5x – 2y = 4
(c) 7x – y = -1
( )( ) ( ) 3x – 2y = - 24

Solution
-23x = -46
(a) 4x – 3y = 2
x + 2y = 1
-23y = -69 Arrange n matrix form

=3 ( )( ) ( )
Hence x = 2, y = 3
Let ( )
(c) 7x – y = -1
3x – 2y = - 24 det A = (4 x 2) – (1 x -3) = 11

Arrange in matrix form

Inverse, ( ) ( )
( )( ) ( ) ……………..(i)

Pre-multiply both sides of eqn. (i) by the

Let ( )
inverse matrix A

Adjunct A ( )
( )( )( ) ( )( )
Pre- multiply both sides of eqn. (i) the adjunct
matrix A

( )( )( ) ( )( )

( )( )

( )

5
 ( )( ) Inverse A (A-1)= ( ) ( )

Pre-multiply both sides of eqn. (i) by the

inverse matrix A
( )

( )( ) ( )( )

( )( ) ( )

( ) ( ) ( )

( ) ( )
( ) ( )

Hence x = , y= Hence x = 2, y = 3
Note: when we pre-multiply a matrix by its (c) 7x – y = -1
inverse, we obtain an identity matrix, 3x – 2y = - 24
i.e. AA-1 = 1
Express in matrix form

( )( ) ( )( ) ( )

Let ( )

( ) det A = (7 x -2)- (3 x -1) = -11

Adjunct A ( )

( )( ) ( ) ( ) Inverse of matrix A (A-1) = ( )

Hence x = , y= =( )

(b) 4x + 3y = 17
Pre-multiply both sides of eqn. (i) by the
5x – 2y = 4
inverse matrix A
Arrange in matrix form

( )( ) ( ) …………………(i) ( ) ( )( )

Let ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
det A = 4 x -2 – (5 x 3) = -23

Adjunct A ( ) ( ) ( )

Hence x = 2 and y 15

6
Non-linear simultaneous equation x= 1

These are solved basically by using 2x2 – 25 = 0

substitution method
2x2 = 25
Example 7
x
√
(a) x2 + 2x – y = 14
2x2 – 3y = 47 Substituting for x into eqn. (i)
(b) 2x2-xy + y2 = 32
y=
y=

Solution When x = 1,

(a) x2 + 2x – y = 14 When x = -1,

y = x2 + 2x – 14……………… (i)
√
2x2 – 3y = 47 …………………. (ii) When x = , √
√
√
Substituting eqn. (i) into eqn. (ii)
√
When x = , √
2x2 - 3(x2 + 2x – 14) = 47 √
√

2x2 - 3x2 – 6x + 42 = 47 Hence the solution to simultaneous equations

-x2 – 6x – 5 = 0 are (x, y)= (1, -5), (-1, 5), ( √ ), ( √ ),
√ √

x2 + 6x +5 = 0 (c) (x – 4y)2 = 1
3x = 8y = 11 (06marks)
(x+1)(x+5)= 0
Solving equations
x = -1 or x = -5 (x – 4y) = 1 …………………… (i)
3x = 8y = 11……………………. (ii)
Substituting x into eqn. (i) Eqn. (ii) - 3Eqn. (i)
When x = -1, y = (-1)2 + 2(-1) – 14 = -15 20y = 8
y=
When x = -5, y = (-5)2 + 2(-5) – 14 = 1
From eqn. (i)
Hence (x, y) = (-1, -15) and (-5, -1) x = 1 + 4( ) =
2 2
(b) 2x -xy + y = 32 ……………….. (i) And
y= ……………………………… (ii) (x – 4y) = -1 …………………… (i)
3x = 8y = 11……………………. (ii)
Substituting equation (ii) into eqn. (i) 2(eqn (i)) + eqn. (ii)
5x = 9
2x2-x( )+( ) = 32 x =
From equation (i)
2x2+ 5 + = 32
4y =
2x2+ - 27 =0 y=

2x4 - 27 x2 + 25 =0 (x,y) = ( ) ( )

(x2 – 1)(2x2 – 25) = 0

x2 = 1

7
Three linear simultaneous equations n z = -4
three unknown. x = -2, y = 3 and z = -4

When solving for three unknowns, there must (b) 2x = 3y = 4z

be three equation that will be solved
simultaneously. The methods that will be used x2 - 9y2 – 4z + 8 = 0
to such equation are
2x = 3y = 4z, substituting 4z = 2x and y =
- Elimination and substitution into the equation x2 – 9y2 – 4z + 8 = 0
- Row reduction to echelon x2 – (2x)2 – 2x + 8 = 0
Elimination and substitution -3x2 – 2x + 8= 0
√( ) ( )( )
x= ; x = -2 or x =
This involves elimination of one unknown ( )
( ) ( )
variable so as to remain two unknowns which When x = -2; y = = ; z= =-
can easily be solved 1
Example 7 (x, y, z) = ( -2, )
( ) ( )
(a) Solve the simultaneous equations When x = ; y = = ; z= =
x – 2y - 2z = 0 (x, y, z) = ( , )
2x + 3y + z = 1
3x –y – 3z = 3
Alternatively
X – 2y -2z = 0 ……………………… (i)
2x + 3y + z = 1…………………… (ii) 2x = 3y = 4z, substituting 4z = 3y and x =
3x –y – 3z = 3 ……………………...(iii) into the equation x2 – 9y2 – 4z + 8 = 0
Eqn. (i) + 2eqn. (ii) ( )2 – 9y2 – 3y + 8 = 0
4x + 4y = 2 ……………………………(iv) 9y2 – 36y2 – 12y + 32 = 0
3Eqn. (ii) + eqn. (iii) -27y2 – 12y + 32 = 0
9x + 8y = 6 …………………………. (v) √( ) ( )( )
2eqn. (iv) – eqn. (v) y= ( )
;y= or x =
x = -2 When y = ;x= = ; z= =
Substituting x = -2 into eqn. (iv)
-1
5(-2) + 4y = 2
(x, y, z) = ( -2, )
y=3
Substituting x = -2 and y = 3 into eqn. (ii) When y = ; x = ; z= =
2(-2) + 3(3) + z =2 (x, y, z) = ( , )

Row reduction to Echelon matrix form

This method involves the expression of the three equations into matrix form known as augmented
matrix and thereafter transforming the augmented matrix to a unity triangular matrix (a matrix
whose elements in the major diagonal are unity and zero below)

Example

Solve the simultaneous equations

(a) x – 2y - 2z = 0
2x + 3y + z = 1
3x –y – 3z = 3

8
Solution

Expressing the equation in matrix form

The augmented matrix is
( )( ) ( )
( )

Transforming augmented matrix to a unity triangular matrix

( ) ( )

( ) ( ⁄ )

 ( )( ) ( ⁄ )

z = -4 y+ 𝑧= ⁄ x – 2y – 2z = 0
x -2(3) – 2(-4) = 0
y+ 𝑥 = ⁄
x = -2
y=3 x = -2, y = 3 and z = -4

(b) 3x – y – 2z = 0
x +3y – z = 5
2x – y + 4z = 26

Expressing the equation into matrix form

The augmented matrix is

( )( ) ( )
( )

Transforming the augmented matrix into unity

( ) ( )

( ) ( )

9
Z=5 y- 𝑥 = x– y– z=0
10y - = x - (2) – (5) = 0
y=2 x=4
x = 4, y = 2 and z = 5

(c) 3x – 2y – z = 5
x +3y – z = 4
2x – y + 4z = 13 [3, 1, 2]

Expressing the equation into matrix form

The augmented matrix is

( )( ) ( )
( )

Transforming the augmented matrix into unity

( ) ( )

( ) ( )

Z=2 y- 𝑥𝑧= x– y– z=
11y - = x - (1) – (2) =
y=1
x=3
x = 3, y = 1 and z = 2

Revision exercise 1 (b) y – 2x = -3

7y + 3x = -21 [x = 0, y = -3]
1. Using elimination method solve the (c) 2x + 5y = 26
following pairs of simultaneous equation 3x + 2y = 6 [ x = -2, y = 6]
(a) -3x + 2y =-16 3. Solve the following pairs of simultaneous
x + 5y = 11 [x = 6, y = 1] equation using the matrix method
(b) 3y – 2x = -18 (a) 2x – 3y = 7
2y + 3x = -6 [ x = 0, y = -3] 2x + 3y = 1 [x =2, y = -1]
(c) 2x - 3y = 7 (b) 2x – 7y = 1
X + 4y = -2 [x = 2, y = -1] 3x + 3y = 15
(d) 5x + 3y = 8 (c) 3x – 4y = 5
3x + 2y = 6 [x = -2, y = 6) 6x – 3y = 0 [x = -1, y =-2]
2. Using substitution method solve the (d) 3x + 2y = 3
following pairs of simultaneous equation x -6y = 1[x =1, y = 0]
(a) -3x + 2y = 16 (e) 2x + 3y= 1
5x + 3y = 33 [x = 6, y = 1]

10
 3x + y = 5 [x =2, y = -1] (a) x +2y – 2z =0
4. Solve the following simultaneous 2x + y – 4z = -1
equations elimination and substitution 4x – 3y + z = 11 [(x, y, z), (3, 1, 2]
method (b) x – 2y + 3z = 6
(a) 3x – 2y – 2z = -2 3x + 4y – z = 3
x + 3y – 3z = -5 4x + 6y – 5z = 0 [(x, y, z)=(2, , 1)]
2x – y + 4z = 26 [(x, y, z)=(4, 2, 5)] (c) 2x – y + 3z = 10
(b) 2x + 2y – 3z = 1 x +2y -5z = 9
3x + 3y – z = 5 5x + y + 4z [ x =2, y = -2, z= 1]
4x – 2y + 2z = 4 [(x, y, z)=(1, 1, 1)] (d) p + 2q – r = -1
(c) 4x –y + 2z = 7 3p –q + 2r = 16
x + y + 6z = 2 2p + 3q + r =3 [p= 4, q = -2, r = 1]
8x + 3y – 10z = -3 [(x, y, z)=(1, -2, )]
5. By row reducing the appropriate matric to
Thank you
echelon form solve the systems of
equations below Dr. Bbosa Science

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