2

Coordinate geometry

Objectives
I To revise:
B methods for solving linear equations
B methods for solving simultaneous linear equations
B finding the distance between two points
B finding the midpoint of a line segment
B calculating the gradient of a straight line
B interpreting and using different forms of the equation of a straight line
B finding the angle of slope of a straight line
B determining the gradient of a line perpendicular to a given line
I To apply a knowledge of linear functions to solving problems.

Much of the material presented in this chapter has been covered in earlier years. The chapter
provides a framework for revision with worked examples and practice exercises.
There is also a section on the solution of simultaneous linear equations with more than two
variables. The use of a CAS calculator to solve such systems of equations is emphasised.

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 64 Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry 2A

2A Linear equations
This section contains exercises in linear equations. The worded problems provide an
opportunity to practise the important skill of going from a problem expressed in English to a
mathematical formulation of the problem.

Summary 2A
 An equation is solved by finding the value or values of the variables that would make
the statement true.
 A linear equation is one in which the variable is to the first power.
 There are often several different ways to solve a linear equation. The following steps
provide some suggestions:
• Expand brackets and, if the equation involves fractions, multiply through by the
lowest common denominator of the terms.
• Group all of the terms containing a variable on one side of the equation and the
terms without the variable on the other side.
 Steps for solving a word problem with a linear equation:
• Read the question carefully and write down the known information clearly.
• Identify the unknown quantity that is to be found.
• Assign a variable to this quantity.
• Form an expression in terms of x (or the variable being used) and use the other
relevant information to form the equation.
• Solve the equation.
• Write a sentence answering the initial question.

Skill-
sheet Exercise 2A

1 Solve the following linear equations:

a 3x − 4 = 2x + 6 b 8x − 4 = 3x + 1 c 3(2 − x) − 4(3 − 2x) = 14
3x 2 3
d − 4 = 17 e 6 − 3y = 5y − 62 f =
4 3x − 1 7
2x − 1 x + 1 2(x − 1) x + 4 5
g = h − =
3 4 3 2 6
3y + 4 1 5(4 − y) x+1 3
i 4y − + = j =
2 3 3 2x − 1 4
2 Solve each of the following pairs of simultaneous linear equations:
a x−4=y b 9x + 4y = 13 c 7x = 18 + 3y
4y − 2x = 8 2x + y = 2 2x + 5y = 11
x y
d 5x + 3y = 13 e 19x + 17y = 0 f + =5
5 2
7x + 2y = 16 2x − y = 53 x−y=4

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 2A 2A Linear equations 65

3 The length of a rectangle is 4 cm more than the width. If the length were to be
decreased by 5 cm and the width decreased by 2 cm, the perimeter would be 18 cm.
Calculate the dimensions of the rectangle.

4 In a basketball game, a field goal scores two points and a free throw scores one point.
John scored 11 points and David 19 points. David scored the same number of free
throws as John, but twice as many field goals. How many field goals did each score?

5 The weekly wage, $w, of a sales assistant consists of a fixed amount of $800 and then
$20 for each unit he sells.
a If he sells n units a week, find a rule for his weekly wage, w, in terms of the number
of units sold.
b Find his wage if he sells 30 units.
c How many units does he sell if his weekly wage is $1620?

6 Water flows into a tank at a rate of 15 litres per minute. At the beginning, the tank
contained 250 litres.
a Write an expression for the volume, V litres, of water in the tank at time t minutes.
b How many litres of water are there in the tank after an hour?
c The tank has a capacity of 5000 litres. How long does it take to fill?

7 A tank contains 10 000 litres of water. Water flows out at a rate of 10 litres per minute.
a Write an expression for the volume, V litres, of water in the tank at time t minutes.
b How many litres of water are there in the tank after an hour?
c How long does it take for the tank to empty?

8 An aircraft, used for fire spotting, flies from its base to locate a fire at an unknown
distance, x km away. It travels straight to the fire and back, averaging 240 km/h for the
outward trip and 320 km/h for the return trip. If the plane was away for 35 minutes, find
the distance, x km.

9 A group of hikers is to travel x km by bus at an average speed of 48 km/h to an

unknown destination. They then plan to walk back along the same route at an average
speed of 4.8 km/h and to arrive back 24 hours after setting out in the bus. If they allow
2 hours for lunch and rest, how far must the bus take them?

10 The cost of hiring diving equipment is $100 plus $25 per hour.
a Write a rule which gives the total charge, $C, of hiring the equipment for t hours
(assume that parts of hours are paid for proportionately).
b Find the cost of hiring the equipment for:
i 2 hours ii 2 hours 30 minutes
c For how many hours can the equipment be hired if the following amounts are
available?
i $375 ii $400

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 66 Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry

2B Linear literal equations and simultaneous linear

literal equations
A literal equation in x is an equation whose solution will be expressed in terms of
pronumerals rather than numbers.
For the equation 2x + 5 = 7, the solution is the number 1.
c−b
For the literal equation ax + b = c, the solution is x = .
a
Literal equations are solved in the same way as numerical equations. Essentially, the literal
equation is transposed to make x the subject.

Example 1
Solve the following for x:
a b
a px − q = r b ax + b = cx + d c = +c
x 2x
Solution
a px − q = r b ax + b = cx + d c Multiply both sides of the
px = r + q ax − cx = d − b equation by 2x:
r+q x(a − c) = d − b 2a = b + 2xc
∴ x=
p d−b 2a − b = 2xc
∴ x=
a−c 2a − b
∴ x=
2c

Simultaneous literal equations are solved by the usual methods of solution of simultaneous
equations: substitution and elimination.

Example 2
Solve the following simultaneous equations for x and y:
y = ax + c
y = bx + d

Solution
ax + c = bx + d (Equate the two expressions for y.)
ax − bx = d − c
x(a − b) = d − c
d−c
Thus x=
a−b
d − c
and y=a +c
a−b
ad − ac + ac − bc ad − bc
= =
a−b a−b

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 2B 2B Linear literal equations and simultaneous linear literal equations 67

Example 3
Solve the simultaneous equations ax − y = c and x + by = d for x and y.
Solution
ax − y = c (1)
x + by = d (2)
Multiply (1) by b:
abx − by = bc (10 )
Add (10 ) and (2):
abx + x = bc + d
x(ab + 1) = bc + d
bc + d
∴ x=
ab + 1
Using equation (1):
y = ax − c
 bc + d  ad − c
=a −c=
ab + 1 ab + 1

Summary 2B
 An equation for the variable x in which all the coefficients of x, including the constants,
are pronumerals is known as a literal equation.
 The methods for solving linear literal equations or pairs of simultaneous linear literal
equations are exactly the same as when the coefficients are given numbers.

Exercise 2B

Example 1 1 Solve each of the following for x:

a ax + n = m b ax + b = bx
ax
c +c=0 d px = qx + 5
b
1 b
e mx + n = nx − m f =
x+a x
b 2b x x
g = h +n= +m
x−a x+a m n
i −b(ax + b) = a(bx − a) j p2 (1 − x) − 2pqx = q2 (1 + x)
x x x 2x 1
k −1= +2 l + =
a b a − b a + b a2 − b2
p − qx qx − t 1 1 2
m +p= n + =
t p x + a x + 2a x + 3a

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 68 Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry 2B

2 Solve each of the following pairs of simultaneous equations for x and y:

Example 2
a ax + y = c b ax − by = a2
Example 3
x + by = d bx − ay = b2
c ax + by = t d ax + by = a2 + 2ab − b2
ax − by = s bx + ay = a2 + b2
e (a + b)x + cy = bc f 3(x − a) − 2(y + a) = 5 − 4a
(b + c)y + ax = −ab 2(x + a) + 3(y − a) = 4a − 1
3 For each of the following pairs of equations, write s in terms of a only:
a s = ah b s = ah c as = a + h d as = s + h
h = 2a + 1 h = a(2 + h) h + ah = 1 ah = a + h
e s = h2 + ah f as = a + 2h g s = 2 + ah + h2 h 3s − ah = a2
h = 3a2 h=a−s 1 as + 2h = 3a
h=a−
a
ap + bq
4 For the simultaneous equations ax + by = p and bx − ay = q, show that x = 2 and
bp − aq a + b2
y= 2 .
a + b2
x y x y ab
5 For the simultaneous equations + = 1 and + = 1, show that x = y = .
a b b a a+b

2C Linear coordinate geometry

In this section we revise the concepts of linear coordinate geometry.

Example 4
A straight line passes through the points y
A(−2, 6) and B(4, 7). Find:
a the distance AB 7
(4, 7)
b the midpoint of line segment AB 6
(−2, 6)
c the gradient of line AB 5
d the equation of line AB 4
e the equation of the line parallel to AB which 3
passes through the point (1, 5) 2
f the equation of the line perpendicular to AB 1
which passes through the midpoint of AB. x
−3 −2 −1 O 1 2 3 4

Solution Explanation
a The distance AB is The distance between two points A(x1 , y1 )
p √ and B(x2 , y2 ) is (x2 − x1 )2 + (y2 − y1 )2 .
p
(4 − (−2))2 + (7 − 6)2 = 37

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 2C Linear coordinate geometry 69

b The midpoint of AB is The line segment joining A(x1 , y1 ) and

 −2 + 4 6 + 7   13  x + x y + y 
1 2 1 2
, = 1, B(x2 , y2 ) has midpoint , .
2 2 2 2 2

c The gradient of line AB is Gradient

7−6 1 y2 − y1
= m=
4 − (−2) 6 x2 − x1

d The equation of line AB is Equation of a straight line passing through

1 a given point (x1 , y1 ) and having gradient m
y−6= x − (−2)


6 is y − y1 = m(x − x1 ).
which simplifies to 6y − x − 38 = 0.
1
e Gradient m = and (x1 , y1 ) = (1, 5). Parallel lines have the same gradient.
6
The line has equation
1
y − 5 = (x − 1)
6
which simplifies to 6y − x − 29 = 0.
f A perpendicular line has gradient −6. If two straight lines are perpendicular
Thus the equation is to each other, then the product of their
13 gradients is −1.
y− = −6(x − 1)
2
which simplifies to 2y + 12x − 25 = 0.

Example 5
A fruit and vegetable wholesaler sells 30 kg of hydroponic tomatoes for $148.50 and sells
55 kg of hydroponic tomatoes for $247.50. Find a linear model for the cost, $C, of x kg of
hydroponic tomatoes. How much would 20 kg of tomatoes cost?
Solution
Let (x1 , C1 ) = (30, 148.5) and (x2 , C2 ) = (55, 247.5).
The equation of the straight line is given by
C2 − C1
C − C1 = m(x − x1 ) where m =
x2 − x1
247.5 − 148.5
Now m = = 3.96 and so
55 − 30
C − 148.5 = 3.96(x − 30)
Therefore the straight line has equation C = 3.96x + 29.7.
Substitute x = 20:
C = 3.96 × 20 + 29.7 = 108.9
Hence it would cost $108.90 to buy 20 kg of tomatoes.

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 70 Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry

The following is a summary of the material that is assumed to have been covered in
Mathematical Methods Units 1 & 2.

Summary 2C
 Distance between two points y
q
AB = (x2 − x1 )2 + (y2 − y1 )2 B(x2, y2)

A(x1, y1)
x
O
 Midpoint of a line segment
The midpoint of the line segment joining two points (x1 , y1 ) and (x2 , y2 ) is the point
with coordinates
x + x y + y 
1 2 1 2
,
2 2 y
 Gradient of a straight line
B(x2, y2)
y2 − y1
Gradient m =
x2 − x1
A(x1, y1)
x
O
 Equation of a straight line
• Gradient–intercept form: A straight line with gradient m and y-axis intercept c has
equation
y = mx + c y
• The equation of a straight line passing through a given
P(x, y)
point (x1 , y1 ) and having gradient m is
y − y1 = m(x − x1 ) A(x1, y1)
x
O
• The equation of a straight line passing through two y
given points (x1 , y1 ) and (x2 , y2 ) is B(x2, y2)
y2 − y1 (x, y)
y − y1 = m(x − x1 ) where m =
x2 − x1 A(x1, y1)
x
O

• Intercept form: The straight line passing through the two y

points (a, 0) and (0, b) has equation
x y
+ =1
a b (0, b)

(a, 0)
x
O

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 2C 2C Linear coordinate geometry 71

 Tangent of the angle of slope

For a straight line with gradient m, the angle of slope is found using
m = tan θ
where θ is the angle that the line makes with the positive direction of the x-axis.
 Perpendicular straight lines
If two straight lines are perpendicular to each other, the product of their gradients is −1,
i.e. m1 m2 = −1. (Unless one line is vertical and the other horizontal.)

Skill-
sheet Exercise 2C

Example 4 1 A straight line passes through the points A(−2, 6) and B(4, −7). Find:
a the distance AB
b the midpoint of line segment AB
c the gradient of line AB
d the equation of line AB
e the equation of the line parallel to AB which passes through the point (1, 5)
f the equation of the line perpendicular to AB which passes through the midpoint
of AB.

2 Find the coordinates of M, the midpoint of AB, where A and B have the following
coordinates:
a A(1, 4), B(5, 11) b A(−6, 4), B(1, −8) c A(−1, −6), B(4, 7)

3 If M is the midpoint of XY, find the coordinates of Y when X and M have the following
coordinates:
a X(−4, 5), M(0, 6) b X(−1, −4), M(2, −3)
c X(6, −3), M(4, 8) d X(2, −3), M(0, −6)

4 Use y = mx + c to sketch the graph of each of the following:

a y = 3x − 3 b y = −3x + 4 c 3y + 2x = 12
d 4x + 6y = 12 e 3y − 6x = 18 f 8x − 4y = 16

5 Find the equations of the following straight lines:

a gradient +2, passing through (4, 2)
b gradient −3, passing through (−3, 4)
c passing through the points (1, 3) and (4, 7)
d passing through the points (−2, −3) and (2, 5)

6 Use the intercept method to find the equations of the straight lines passing through:
a (−3, 0) and (0, 2) b (4, 0) and (0, 6)
c (−4, 0) and (0, −3) d (0, −2) and (6, 0)

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 72 Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry 2C

7 Write the following in intercept form and hence draw their graphs:
3
a 3x + 6y = 12 b 4y − 3x = 12 c 4y − 2x = 8 d x − 3y = 9
2
Example 5 8 A printing firm charges $35 for printing 600 sheets of headed notepaper and $46 for
printing 800 sheets. Find a linear model for the charge, $C, for printing n sheets. How
much would they charge for printing 1000 sheets?

9 An electronic bank teller registered $775 after it had counted 120 notes and $975 after it
had counted 160 notes.
a Find a formula for the sum registered ($C) in terms of the number of notes (n)
counted.
b Was there a sum already on the register when counting began?
c If so, how much?

10 Find the distance between each of the following pairs of points:

a (2, 6), (3, 4) b (5, 1), (6, 2) c (−1, 3), (4, 5)
d (−1, 7), (1, −11) e (−2, −6), (2, −8) f (0, 4), (3, 0)

11 a Find the equation of the straight line which passes through the point (1, 6) and is:
i parallel to the line with equation y = 2x + 3
ii perpendicular to the line with equation y = 2x + 3.
b Find the equation of the straight line which passes through the point (2, 3) and is:
i parallel to the line with equation 4x + 2y = 10
ii perpendicular to the line with equation 4x + 2y = 10.

12 Find the equation of the line which passes through the point of intersection of the lines
y = x and x + y = 6 and which is perpendicular to the line with equation 3x + 6y = 12.

13 The length of the line segment joining A(2, −1) and B(5, y) is 5 units. Find y.

14 The length of the line segment joining A(2, 6) and B(10, y) is 10 units. Find y.

15 The length of the line segment joining A(2, 8) and B(12, y) is 26 units. Find y.

16 Find the equation of the line passing through the point (−1, 3) which is:
a i parallel to the line with equation 2x + 5y − 10 = 0
ii parallel to the line with equation 4x + 5y + 3 = 0
b i perpendicular to the line with equation 2x + 5y − 10 = 0
ii perpendicular to the line with equation 4x + 5y + 3 = 0.

17 For each of the following, find the angle that the line joining the given points makes
with the positive direction of the x-axis:
a (−4, 1), (4, 6) b (2, 3), (−4, 6) c (5, 1), (−1, −8) d (−4, 2), (2, −8)

18 Find the acute angle between the lines y = 2x + 4 and y = −3x + 6.

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 2C 2C Linear coordinate geometry 73

19 Given the points A(a, 3), B(−2, 1) and C(3, 2), find the possible values of a if the length
of AB is twice the length of BC.

20 Three points have coordinates A(1, 7), B(7, 5) and C(0, −2). Find:
a the equation of the perpendicular bisector of AB
b the point of intersection of this perpendicular bisector and BC.

21 The point (h, k) lies on the line y = x + 1 and is 5 units from the point (0, 2). Write down
two equations connecting h and k and hence find the possible values of h and k.
y x
22 P and Q are the points of intersection of the line + = 1 with the x- and y-axes
2 3
1
respectively. The gradient of QR is 2 and the point R has x-coordinate 2a, where a > 0.
a Find the y-coordinate of R in terms of a.
b Find the value of a if the gradient of PR is −2.

23 The figure shows a triangle ABC with A(1, 1) y

and B(−1, 4). The gradients of AB, AC and C
BC are −3m, 3m and m respectively.
a Find the value of m.
b Find the coordinates of C.
c Show that AC = 2AB. B(−1, 4)
A(1, 1)
24 In the rectangle ABCD, the points A and B x
O
are (4, 2) and (2, 8) respectively. Given that
the equation of AC is y = x − 2, find:
a the equation of BC y
b the coordinates of C C
c the coordinates of D
d the area of rectangle ABCD.
B
D
25 ABCD is a parallelogram, with vertices labelled
anticlockwise, such that A and C are the points
(−1, 5) and (5, 1) respectively. A
a Find the coordinates of the midpoint of AC. x
O
b Given that BD is parallel to the line with
equation y + 5x = 2, find the equation of BD.
c Given that BC is perpendicular to AC, find:
i the equation of BC
ii the coordinates of B
iii the coordinates of D.

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 74 Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry 2D

2D Applications of linear functions

In this section, we revise applications of linear functions.

Example 6
There are two possible methods for paying gas bills:
Method A A fixed charge of $25 per quarter + 50c per unit of gas used
Method B A fixed charge of $50 per quarter + 25c per unit of gas used
Determine the number of units which must be used before method B becomes cheaper
than method A.
Solution
C ($)
Let C1 = charge ($) using method A C1 = 0.5x + 25
C2 = charge ($) using method B 100
x = number of units of gas used C2 = 0.25x + 50
Then C1 = 25 + 0.5x 50
C2 = 50 + 0.25x
From the graph, we see that method B is O 25 50 75 100 125 150 x (units)
cheaper if the number of units exceeds 100.
The solution can also be obtained by solving simultaneous linear equations:
C1 = C2
25 + 0.5x = 50 + 0.25x
0.25x = 25
x = 100

Skill-
sheet Exercise 2D

1 On a small island two rival taxi firms have the following fare structures:
Firm A Fixed charge of $1 plus 40 cents per kilometre
Example 6 Firm B 60 cents per kilometre, no fixed charge
a Find an expression for C A , the charge of firm A, in terms of n, the number of
kilometres travelled, and an expression for C B , the charge of firm B, in terms of the
number of kilometres travelled.
b On the one set of axes, sketch the graphs of the charge of each firm against the
number of kilometres travelled.
c Find the distance for which the two firms charge the same amount.
d On a new set of axes, sketch the graph of D = C A − C B against n, and explain what
this graph represents.

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 2D 2D Applications of linear functions 75

2 A car journey of 300 km lasts 4 hours. Part of this journey is on a freeway at an average
speed of 90 km/h. The rest is on country roads at an average speed of 70 km/h. Let T be
the time (in hours) spent on the freeway.
a In terms of T , state the number of hours travelling on country roads.
b i State the distance travelled on the freeway in terms of T .
ii State the distance travelled on country roads in terms of T .
c i Find T .
ii Find the distance travelled on each type of road.
3 A farmer measured the quantity of water in a storage tank 20 days after it was filled and
found it contained 3000 litres. After a further 15 days it was measured again and found
to contain 1200 litres of water. Assume that the amount of water in the tank decreases at
a constant rate.
a Find the relation between L, the number of litres of water in the tank, and t, the
number of days after the tank was filled.
b How much water does the tank hold when it is full?
c Sketch the graph of L against t for a suitable domain.
d State this domain.
e How long does it take for the tank to empty?
f At what rate does the water leave the tank?
4 A boat leaves from O to sail to two islands. The boat y
arrives at a point A on Happy Island with coordinates Happy Island
(10, 22.5), where units are in kilometres.
A
a Find the equation of the line through points O
and A.
b Find the distance OA to the nearest metre. B
The boat arrives at Sun Island at point B. The
coordinates of point B are (23, 9). Sun Island
x
c Find the equation of line AB. O
d A third island lies on the perpendicular bisector of line segment AB. Its port is
denoted by C. It is known that the x-coordinate of C is 52. Find the y-coordinate of
the point C.
y
5 ABCD is a parallelogram with vertices A(2, 2),
C
B(1.5, 4) and C(6, 6).
a Find the gradient of:
i line AB ii line AD
B
b Find the equation of: D
i line BC ii line CD
c Find the equations of the diagonals AC and BD.
d Find the coordinates of the point of intersection
A
of the diagonals. x
O
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 76 Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry 2D

6 The triangle ABC is isosceles. The vertices are A(5, 0), B(13, 0) and C(9, 10).
a Find the coordinates of the midpoints M and N of AC and BC respectively.
b Find the equation of the lines:
i AC
ii BC
iii MN
c Find the equations of the lines perpendicular to AC and BC, passing through the
points M and N respectively, and find the coordinates of their intersection point.

2E The geometry of simultaneous linear equations with

two variables
Two distinct straight lines are either parallel or meet at a point.

There are three cases for a system of two linear equations with two variables.

Example Solutions Geometry

Case 1 2x + y = 5 Unique solution: Two lines meeting at a point

x−y=4 x = 3, y = −1

Case 2 2x + y = 5 No solutions Distinct parallel lines

2x + y = 7

Case 3 2x + y = 5 Infinitely many solutions Two copies of the same line

4x + 2y = 10

Example 7
Explain why the simultaneous equations 2x + 3y = 6 and 4x + 6y = 24 have no solution.
Solution y
First write the two equations in the form
y = mx + c. They become
4 4x + 6y = 24
y = − 23 x + 2 and y = − 23 x + 4
2x + 3y = 6 2
Both lines have gradient − 32 . The y-axis
x
intercepts are 2 and 4 respectively. O 3 6
The equations have no solution as they
correspond to distinct parallel lines.

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 2E The geometry of simultaneous linear equations with two variables 77

Example 8
The simultaneous equations 2x + 3y = 6 and 4x + 6y = 12 have infinitely many solutions.
Describe these solutions through the use of a parameter.
Solution
The two lines coincide, and so the solutions are all points on this line. We make use of a
6 − 3λ
third variable λ as the parameter. If y = λ, then x = . The points on the line are all
 6 − 3λ  2
points of the form ,λ .
2

Using the TI-Nspire

Simultaneous equations can be solved in a
Calculator application.

 Use > Algebra > Solve System of

menu
Equations > Solve System of Linear Equations.
 Complete the pop-up screen.

The solution to this system of equations is given by the calculator as shown. The variable
c1 takes the place of λ.

Using the Casio ClassPad

To solve the simultaneous equations 2x + 3y = 6 and
4x + 6y = 12:
 Open the keyboard.
Math1

 Select the simultaneous equations icon ~.

 Enter the two equations into the two lines and
type x, y in the bottom-right square to indicate
the variables.
 Select EXE .
6 − 3λ
Choose y = λ to obtain the solution x = , y = λ where λ is any real number.
2

Example 9
Consider the simultaneous linear equations
(m − 2)x + y = 2 and mx + 2y = k
Find the values of m and k such that the system of equations has:
a a unique solution b no solution c infinitely many solutions.

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 78 Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry 2E

Solution
Use a CAS calculator to find the solution:
4−k k(m − 2) − 2m
x= and y = , for m , 4
m−4 m−4
a There is a unique solution if m , 4 and k is any real number.
b If m = 4, the equations become
2x + y = 2 and 4x + 2y = k
There is no solution if m = 4 and k , 4.
c If m = 4 and k = 4, there are infinitely many solutions as the equations are the same.

Summary 2E
There are three cases for a system of two linear equations in two variables:
 unique solution (lines intersect at a point), e.g. y = 2x + 3 and y = 3x + 3
 infinitely many solutions (lines coincide), e.g. y = 2x + 3 and 2y = 4x + 6
 no solution (lines are parallel), e.g. y = 2x + 3 and y = 2x + 4.

Exercise 2E

1 Solve each of the following pairs of simultaneous linear equations:

a 3x + 2y = 6 b 2x + 6y = 0 c 4x − 2y = 7 d 2x − y = 6
x−y=7 y−x=2 5x + 7y = 1 4x − 7y = 5

2 For each of the following, state whether there is no solution, one solution or infinitely
many solutions:
a 3x + 2y = 6 b x + 2y = 6 c x − 2y = 3
3x − 2y = 12 2x + 4y = 12 2x − 4y = 12

Example 7 3 Explain why the simultaneous equations 2x + 3y = 6 and 4x + 6y = 10 have no solution.

Example 8 4 The simultaneous equations x − y = 6 and 2x − 2y = 12 have infinitely many solutions.

Describe these solutions through the use of a parameter.

Example 9 5 Find the value of m for which the simultaneous equations

3x + my = 5
(m + 2)x + 5y = m
a have infinitely many solutions
b have no solution.

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 2E 2F Simultaneous linear equations with more than two variables 79

6 Find the value of m for which the simultaneous equations

(m + 3)x + my = 12
(m − 1)x + (m − 3)y = 7
have no solution.

7 Consider the simultaneous equations

mx + 2y = 8
4x − (2 − m)y = 2m
a Find the values of m for which there are:
i no solutions
ii infinitely many solutions.
b Solve the equations in terms of m, for suitable values of m.

8 a Solve the simultaneous equations 2x − 3y = 4 and x + ky = 2, where k is a constant.

b Find the value of k for which there is not a unique solution.

9 Find the values of b and c for which the equations x + 5y = 4 and 2x + by = c have:
a a unique solution
b an infinite set of solutions
c no solution.

2F Simultaneous linear equations with

more than two variables
Consider the general system of three linear equations in three unknowns:
a1 x + b1 y + c1 z = d1
a2 x + b2 y + c2 z = d2
a3 x + b3 y + c3 z = d3
In this section we look at how to solve such systems of simultaneous equations. In some
cases, this can be done easily by elimination, as shown in Examples 10 and 11. In these
cases, you could be expected to find the solution by hand. We will see that in some cases
using a calculator is the best choice.

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 80 Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry

Example 10
Solve the following system of three equations in three unknowns:
2x + y + z = −1 (1)
3y + 4z = −7 (2)
6x + z = 8 (3)

Solution Explanation
Subtract (1) from (3): The aim is first to eliminate z
4x − y = 9 (4) and obtain two simultaneous
equations in x and y only.
Subtract (2) from 4 × (3):
Having obtained equations (4)
24x − 3y = 39 and (5), we solve for x and y.
8x − y = 13 (5) Then substitute to find z.
Subtract (4) from (5) to obtain 4x = 4. Hence x = 1.
Substitute in (4) to find y = −5, and substitute in (3)
to find z = 2.

It should be noted that, just as for two equations in two unknowns, there is a geometric
interpretation for three equations in three unknowns. There is only a unique solution if the
three equations represent three planes intersecting at a point.

Example 11
Solve the following simultaneous linear equations for x, y and z:
x − y + z = 6, 2x + z = 4, 3x + 2y − z = 6
Solution
x−y+z=6 (1)
2x + z = 4 (2)
3x + 2y − z = 6 (3)
Eliminate z to find two simultaneous equations in x and y:
x + y = −2 (4) subtracted (1) from (2)
5x + 2y = 10 (5) added (2) to (3)
14 20 16
Solve to find x = , y=− , z=− .
3 3 3

A CAS calculator can be used to solve a system of three equations in the same way as for
solving two simultaneous equations.

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 2F Simultaneous linear equations with more than two variables 81

Using the TI-Nspire

Use the simultaneous equations template ( menu > Algebra > Solve System of Equations
> Solve System of Linear Equations) as shown.

Note: The result could also be obtained using:

solve x − y + z = 6 and 2x + z = 4 and 3x + 2y − z = 6, {x, y, z}

Using the Casio ClassPad

 From the Math1 keyboard, tap ~ twice to create a
template for three simultaneous equations.
 Enter the equations using the Var keyboard.

As a linear equation in two variables defines a line, z

a linear equation in three variables defines a plane.
P(2, 2, 4)
The coordinate axes in three dimensions are drawn
as shown. The point P(2, 2, 4) is marked.
An equation of the form 4
ax + by + cz = d 2
y
defines a plane. As an example, we will look at
the plane 2
x+y+z=4
x

We get some idea of how the graph sits by considering

 x = 0, y = 0, z = 4
 x = 0, y = 4, z = 0
 x = 4, y = 0, z = 0
and plotting these three points.

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 82 Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry

This results in being able to sketch the plane z

x + y + z = 4 as shown opposite.

y
O 4

4
x
The solution of simultaneous linear equations in three variables can correspond to:

 a point  a line  a plane

There also may be no solution. The situations are as shown in the following diagrams.
Examples 10 and 11 provide examples of three planes intersecting at a point (Diagram 1).

Diagram 1: Diagram 2: Diagram 3:

Intersection at a point Intersection in a line No intersection

Diagram 4: Diagram 5:
No common intersection No common intersection

Example 12
The simultaneous equations x + 2y + 3z = 13, −x − 3y + 2z = 2 and −x − 4y + 7z = 17
have infinitely many solutions. Describe these solutions through the use of a parameter.
Solution
The point (−9, 5, 4) satisfies all three equations, but it is certainly not the only solution.
We can use a CAS calculator to find all the solutions in terms of a parameter λ.

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 2F 2F Simultaneous linear equations with more than two variables 83

Let z = λ. Then x = 43 − 13λ and y = 5λ − 15.

For example, if λ = 4, then x = −9, y = 5 and z = 4.
Note that, as z increases by 1, x decreases by 13 and y increases by 5. All of the points that
satisfy the equations lie on a straight line. This is the situation shown in Diagram 2.

Summary 2F
 A system of simultaneous linear equations in three or more variables can sometimes be
solved by hand using elimination (see Example 10). In other cases, using a calculator is
the best choice.
 The solution of simultaneous linear equations in three variables can correspond to
a point, a line or a plane. There may also be no solution.

Exercise 2F

1 Solve each of the following systems of simultaneous equations:

Example 10
a 2x + 3y − z = 12 b x + 2y + 3z = 13
Example 11
2y + z = 7 −x − y + 2z = 2
2y − z = 5 −x + 3y + 4z = 26
c x+y=5 d x−y−z=0
y+z=7 5x + 20z = 50
z + x = 12 10y − 20z = 30

Example 12 2 Consider the simultaneous equations x + 2y − 3z = 4 and x + y + z = 6.

a Subtract the second equation from the first to find y in terms of z.
b Let z = λ. Solve the equations to give the solution in terms of λ.

3 Consider the simultaneous equations

x + 2y + 3z = 13 (1)
−x − 3y + 2z = 2 (2)
−x − 4y + 7z = 17 (3)
a Add equation (2) to equation (1) and subtract equation (2) from equation (3).
b Comment on the equations obtained in part a.

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 84 Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry 2F

c Let z = λ and find y in terms of λ.

d Substitute for z and y in terms of λ in equation (1) to find x in terms of λ.

4 Solve each of the following pairs of simultaneous equations, giving your answer in
terms of a parameter λ. Use the technique introduced in Question 2.
a x−y+z=4 b 2x − y + z = 6 c 4x − 2y + z = 6
−x + y + z = 6 x−z=3 x+y+z=4

5 The system of equations

x+y+z+w=4
x + 3y + 3z = 2
x + y + 2z − w = 6
has infinitely many solutions. Describe this family of solutions and give the unique
solution when w = 6.

6 Find all solutions for each of the following systems of equations:

a 3x − y + z = 4 b x−y−z=0 c 2x − y + z = 0
x + 2y − z = 2 3y + 3z = −5 y + 2z = 2
−x + y − z = −2

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 Chapter 2 review 85

Review
Chapter summary

Coordinate geometry
Assign-  The distance between two points A(x1 , y1 ) and B(x2 , y2 ) is
ment q
AB = (x2 − x1 )2 + (y2 − y1 )2

Nrich  The midpoint of the line segment joining (x1 , y1 ) and (x2 , y2 ) is the point with coordinates
x + x y + y 
1 2 1 2
,
2 2
 The gradient of the straight line joining two points (x1 , y1 ) and (x2 , y2 ) is
y2 − y1
m=
x2 − x1
 Different forms for the equation of a straight line:
y = mx + c where m is the gradient and c is the y-axis intercept
y − y1 = m(x − x1 ) where m is the gradient and (x1 , y1 ) is a point on the line
x y
+ =1 where (a, 0) and (0, b) are the axis intercepts
a b
 For a straight line with gradient m, the angle of slope is found using
m = tan θ
where θ is the angle that the line makes with the positive direction of the x-axis.
 If two straight lines are perpendicular to each other, the product of their gradients is −1,
i.e. m1 m2 = −1. (Unless one line is vertical and the other horizontal.)
Simultaneous equations
 There are three cases for a system of two linear equations in two variables:
• unique solution (lines intersect at a point), e.g. y = 2x + 3 and y = 3x + 3
• infinitely many solutions (lines coincide), e.g. y = 2x + 3 and 2y = 4x + 6
• no solution (lines are parallel), e.g. y = 2x + 3 and y = 2x + 4.
 The solution of simultaneous linear equations in three variables can correspond to a point,
a line or a plane. There may also be no solution.

Technology-free questions

1 Solve the following linear equations:

x+1 4 3x 2x + 1 x − 1
a 3x − 2 = 4x + 6 b = c − 7 = 11 d =
2x − 1 3 5 5 2
2 Solve each of the following pairs of simultaneous linear equations:
x y
a y= x+4 b − =2
4 3
5y + 2x = 6 y−x=5

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Review 86 Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry

3 Solve each of the following for x:

cx
a bx − n = m b b − cx = bx c −c=0 d px = qx − 6
d
1 a
e mx − n = nx + m f =
x−a x
4 Sketch the graphs of the relations:
x y
a 3y + 2x = 5 b x−y=6 c + =1
2 3
5 a Find the equation of the straight line which passes through (1, 3) and has gradient −2.
b Find the equation of the straight line which passes through (1, 4) and (3, 8).
c Find the equation of the straight line which is perpendicular to the line with equation
y = −2x + 6 and which passes through the point (1, 1).
d Find the equation of the straight line which is parallel to the line with equation
y = 6 − 2x and which passes through the point (1, 1).

6 Find the distance between the points with coordinates (−1, 6) and (2, 4).

7 Find the midpoint of the line segment AB joining the points A(4, 6) and B(−2, 8).

8 If M is the midpoint of XY, find the coordinates of Y when X and M have the following
coordinates:
a X(−6, 2), M(8, 3) b X(−1, −4), M(2, −8)

9 The length of the line segment joining A(5, 12) and B(10, y) is 13 units. Find y.

10 Consider the simultaneous linear equations

mx − 4y = m + 3
4x + (m + 10)y = −2
where m is a real constant.
a Find the value of m for which there are infinitely many solutions.
b Find the values of m for which there is a unique solution.

11 Solve the following simultaneous equations. (You will need to use a parameter.)
a 2x − 3y + z = 6 b x−z+y=6
−2x + 3y + z = 8 2x + z = 4

Multiple-choice questions

1 A straight line has gradient − 12 and passes through (1, 4). The equation of the line is
A y= x+4 B y = 2x + 2 C y = 2x + 4
1 1 9
D y=− x+4 E y=− x+
2 2 2
2 The line y = −2x + 4 passes through a point (a, 3). The value of a is
1 7 1
A − B 2 C − D −2 E
2 2 2
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 Chapter 2 review 87

Review
3 The gradient of a line that is perpendicular to the line y
shown could be
1
A 1 B 2 2
C − 21
D 2 E −2 x
−2 O 2
−2

4 The coordinates of the midpoint of AB, where A has coordinates (1, 7) and B has
coordinates (−3, 10), are
A (−2, 3) B (−1, 8) C (−1, 8.5) D (−1, 3) E (−2, 8.5)

5 The solution of the two simultaneous equations ax − 5by = 11 and 4ax + 10by = 2 for x
and y, in terms of a and b, is
10 21 4 7 13 42
A x=− , y=− B x= , y=− C x= , y=−
a 5b a 5b 5a 25b
13 9 3 14
D x= , y=− E x=− , y=−
2a 10b a 5b
6 The gradient of the line passing through (3, −2) and (−1, 10) is
1
A −3 B −2 C − D 4 E 3
3
7 If two lines −2x + y − 3 = 0 and ax − 3y + 4 = 0 are parallel, then a equals
1 2
A 6 B 2 C D E −6
3 3
8 A straight line passes through (−1, −2) and (3, 10). The equation of the line is
1
A y = 3x − 1 B y = 3x − 4 C y = 3x + 1 D y= x+9 E y = 4x − 2
3
9 The length of the line segment connecting (1, 4) and (5, −2) is
√ √
A 10 B 2 13 C 12 D 50 E 2 5

10 The function with graph as shown has the rule y

A f (x) = 3x − 3
3
B f (x) = − x − 3
4
3 x
C f (x) = x−3 O
4 4
4 −3
D f (x) = x − 3
3
E f (x) = 4x − 4

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Review 88 Chapter 2: Coordinate geometry

11 The pair of simultaneous linear equations

bx + 3y = 0
4x + (b + 1)y = 0
where b is a real constant, has infinitely many solutions for
A b∈R B b ∈ {−3, 4} C b ∈ R \ {−3, 4}
D b ∈ {−4, 3} E b ∈ R \ {−4, 3}

12 The simultaneous equations

(a − 1)x + 5y = 7
3x + (a − 3)y = a
have a unique solution for
A a ∈ R \ {6, −2} B a ∈ R \ {0} C a ∈ R \ {6}
D a=6 E a = −2

13 The midpoint of the line segment joining (0, −6) and (4, d) is
 d + 6  d + 6 d + 6 
A −2, B 2, C ,2
2 2 2
 d − 6 d+6
D 2, E
2 4
14 The gradient of a line perpendicular to the line through (3, 0) and (0, −6) is
1 1
A B −2 C − D 2 E 6
2 2

Extended-response questions

1 A firm manufacturing jackets finds that it is capable of producing 100 jackets per
day, but it can only sell all of these if the charge to wholesalers is no more than
$50 per jacket. On the other hand, at the current price of $75 per jacket, only 50 can be
sold per day.
Assume that the graph of price, $P, against number sold per day, N, is a straight line.
a Sketch the graph of P against N.
b Find the equation of the straight line.
c Use the equation to find:
i the price at which 88 jackets per day could be sold
ii the number of jackets that should be manufactured to sell at $60 each.

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 Chapter 2 review 89

Review
2 ABCD is a quadrilateral with angle ABC a right angle. The point D lies on the
perpendicular bisector of AB. The coordinates of A and B are (7, 2) and (2, 5)
respectively. The equation of line AD is y = 4x − 26.
y C
a Find the equation of the perpendicular bisector of
line segment AB. D
b Find the coordinates of point D.
B
c Find the gradient of line BC.
d Find the value of the second coordinate c of the
point C(8, c).
A
e Find the area of quadrilateral ABCD. x
O

3 Triangle ABC is isosceles with BC = AC. The y

coordinates of the vertices are A(6, 1) and B(2, 8). B
C
a Find the equation of the perpendicular bisector
of AB.
b If the x-coordinate of C is 3.5, find the y-coordinate
of C. A
c Find the length of AB. x
O
d Find the area of triangle ABC.

4 If A = (−4, 6) and B = (6, −7), find:

a the coordinates of the midpoint of AB
b the distance between A and B
c the equation of AB
d the equation of the perpendicular bisector of AB
e the coordinates of the point P on the line segment AB such that AP : PB = 3 : 1
f the coordinates of the point P on the line AB such that AP : AB = 3 : 1 and P is
closer to point B than to point A.

5 A chemical manufacturer has an order for 500 litres of a 25% acid solution (i.e. 25% by
volume is acid). Solutions of 30% and 18% are available in stock.
a How much acid is required to produce 500 litres of 25% acid solution?
b The manufacturer wishes to make up the 500 litres from a mixture of 30% and 18%
solutions.
Let x denote the amount of 30% solution required.
Let y denote the amount of 18% solution required.
Use simultaneous equations in x and y to determine the amount of each solution
required.

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