Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Algebra
5 Notes
LINEAR EQUATIONS
You have learnt about basic concept of a variable and a constant. You have also learnt
about algebraic exprssions, polynomials and their zeroes. We come across many situations
such as six added to twice a number is 20. To find the number, we have to assume the
number as x and formulate a relationship through which we can find the number. We shall
see that the formulation of such expression leads to an equation involving variables and
constants. In this lesson, you will study about linear equations in one and two variables.
You will learn how to formulate linear equations in one variable and solve them algebraically.
You will also learn to solve linear equations in two variables using graphical as well as
algebraic methods.
OBJECTIVES
After studying this lesson, you will be able to
• identify linear equations from a given collection of equations;
• cite examples of linear equations;
• write a linear equation in one variable and also give its solution;
• cite examples and write linear equations in two variables;
• draw graph of a linear equation in two variables;
• find the solution of a linear equation in two variables;
• find the solution of a system of two linear equations graphically as well as
algebraically;
• Translate real life problems in terms of linear equations in one or two variables
and then solve the same.
(i) 2x + 5 = 8 Notes
(ii) 3y – z = y + 5
(iii) x2 – 2x = x + 3
(iv) 3x – 7 = 2x +3
(v) 2 + 4 = 5 + 1
Solution:
(i) It is a linear equation in x as the exponent of x is 1. LHS = 2x + 5 and RHS = 8
(ii) It is not a linear equation in one variable as it contains two variables y and z. Here,
LHS = 3y – z and RHS = y + 5
(iii) It is not a linear equation as highest exponent of x is 2. Here, LHS = x2 – 2x and RHS
= x +3.
(iv) It is a linear equation in x as the exponent of x in both LHS and RHS is one.
LHS = 3x – 7, RHS = 2x + 3
(v) It is not a linear equation as it does not contain any variable. Here LHS = 2 + 4 and
RHS = 5 + 1.
Example 5.2: Which of the following are linear equations in two variables.
(i) 2x + z = 5
(ii) 3y – 2 = x + 3
(iii) 3t + 6 = t – 1
Solution:
(i) It is a linear equation in two variables x and z.
(ii) It is a linear equation in two variables y and x.
(iii) It is not a linear equation in two variables as it contains only one variable t.
(iii) 5 – 4 = 1
(iv) y2 = 2y – 1
2. Which of the following are linear equations in two variables:
Notes (i) 3y – 5 = x + 2
(ii) x2 + y = 2y – 3
(iii) x + 5 = 2x – 3
y
In (ii), the equation is = 2.
7
In (iii), You can assume the quantity to be found out as a variable say x, i.e., let Reena has
x apples. She gave 5 apples to her sister, hence she is left with x – 5 apples. Hence, the
required equation can be written as x – 5 = 3, or x = 8.
In (iv), Let the digit in the unit place be x. Therefore, the digit in the tens place should be
2x. Hence, the number is
10 (2x) + x = 20x + x = 21x
When the digit are reversed, the tens place becomes x and unit place becomes 2x. Therefore,
the number is 10x + 2x = 12x. Since original number is 18 more than the new number, the
equation becomes
21x – 12x = 18
or 9x = 18
3y
Example 5.6: Solve: −3 = 9
2
Solution: Adding 3 to both sides of the equation, we get
Notes
3y
−3+3 = 9+3
2
3y
or = 12
2
3y
or × 2 = 12 × 2 (Multiplying both sides by 2)
2
or 3y = 24
3y 24
or = (Dividing both sides by 3)
3 3
or y=8
Hence, y = 8 is the solution.
Example 5.7: Solve the equation 2(x + 3) = 3(2x – 7)
Solution: The equation can be written as
2x + 6 = 6x – 21
or 6x – 21 = 2x + 6 [Interchanging LHS and RHS]
or 6x – 21 + 21 = 2x + 6 + 21 [Adding 21 on both sides]
or 6x = 2x +27
or 6x – 2x = 2x +27 – 2x [Subtracting 2x from both sides]
or 4x = 27
27
or x=
4
27
Thus, x = is the solution of the equation.
4
Note:
1. It is not necessary to write the details of what we are adding, subtracting, multiplying
or dividing each time.
2. The process of taking a term from LHS to RHS or RHS to LHS, is called transposing.
3. When we transpose a term from one side to other side, sign ‘+’ changes to ‘–’,
‘–’ to ‘+’.
1
4. y + 9 = 12
3
5. 5(x – 3) = x + 5
or x = 15
Therefore, the present age of Jacob is 15 years and the present age of his father = 3x
= 3 × 15 = 45 years.
Check: After 5 years, age of Jacob = 15 + 5 = 20 years
After 5 years, age of his father = 45 + 5 =50 years
Difference of their ages = 50 – 20 = 30 years
Example 5.10 : The sum of three consecutive even integers is 36. Find the integers.
Solution: Let the smallest integer be x.
Therefore, other two integers are x + 2 and x + 4.
Since, their sum is 36, we have
x + (x + 2) + (x + 4) = 36
or 3x + 6 = 36
or 3x = 36 – 6 = 30
or x = 10
Therefore, the required integers are 10, 12 and 14.
Example 5.11: The length of a rectangle is 3 cm more than its breadth. If its perimeter is
34 cm find its length and breadth.
Solution: Let the breadth of rectangle be x cm
Therefore, its length = x + 3
Now, since perimeter = 34 cm
We have 2(x + 3 + x) = 34
or 2x + 6 + 2x = 34
or 4x = 34 – 6
or 4x = 28
or x=7
Therefore, breadth = 7 cm, and length = 7 + 3 = 10 cm.
2
4. In a class, the number of boys is of the number of girls. Find the number of girls in
5
the class, if the number of boys is 10.
b c
or x = − y−
a a
Now, for each value of y, we get a unique value of x. Thus, a linear equation in two
variables will have infinitely many solutions.
Note: A linear equation ax + c = 0, a ≠ 0, can be considered as a linear equation in two
variables by expressing it as
ax + 0y + c = 0
i.e., by taking the coefficient of y as zero. It still has many solutions such as
c c
x = − , y = 0; x = − , y = 1 etc.
a a
c
i.e., for each value of y, the value of x will be equal to − .
a
Example 5.12: The sum of two integers is 15. Form a linear equation in two variables.
Solution: Let the two integers be x and y. Therefore, their sum = x + y. It is given that the
sum is 15.
Example 5.13: For the equation 4x – 5y = 2, verify whether (i) x = 3, y = 2 and (ii) x =
4, y = 1 are solutions or not.
Solution: (i) We have 4x – 5y = 2
When x = 3, y = 2, LHS = 4x – 5y = 4 × 3 – 5 × 2
= 12 – 10 = 2
= RHS
Therefore, x = 3, y = 2 is a solution of the given equation.
(ii) When x = 4, y = 1, LHS = 4 × 4 – 5 × 1 = 16 – 5 = 11
But RHS = 2. Therefore, LHS ≠ RHS
Hence, x = 4, y = 1 is not a solution.
12 − 3y 12 − 2x
x= or y =
2 3
Now, for each value of y or for each value of x, we get a unique corresponding value of x
or y. We make the following table for the values of x and y which satisfy the equation:
2x + 3y = 12
x 0 6 3 9 –3
y 4 0 2 –2 6
Thus, x = 0, y = 4; x = 6, y = 0; x = 3, y = 2; x = 9, y = –2; x = –3, y = 6 are all solutions
of the given equation.
We write these solutions as order pairs (0, 4), (6, 0), (3, 2), (9, – 2) and (– 3, 6).
Here, first entry gives the value of x and the corresponding second entry gives the value of
y. We will now learn to draw the graph of this equation by plotting these ordered pairs in
a plane and then join them. In the graph of 2x + 3y = 12, the points representing the
solutions will be on a line and a point which is not a solution, will not lie on this line. Each
point also called orderd pair, which lies on the line will give a solution and a point which
does not lie on the line will not be a solution of the equation.
To draw the graph of a linear equation in two variables, we will first plot these points in a
plane. We proceed as follows:
Step 1: We take two perpendicular lines X'OX and YOY' intersecting at O. Mark the real
numbers on X'OX and YOY' by Notes
Y
considering them as number lines with the
point O as the real number 0 as shown in
Fig 5.2. These two lines divide the plane 4
into four parts, called first quadrant, 3
second quadrant, third quadrant and 2
fourth quadrant. The number line X'OX
1
is called x-axis and the line Y'OY is X' X
called y-axis. Since, we have taken x-
–4 –3 –2 –1 O 1 2 3 4
axis and y-axis, perpendicular to each –1
other in a plane, we call the plane as
–2
coordinate plane or cartesian plane in
the honour of French mathematician –3
Descartes who invented this system to –4
plot a point in the plane.
Y'
Step 2: To plot a point say (3, 2), take
the point 3 on x-axis and through this point, Fig 5.2
draw a line 'l' perpendicular to x-axis
(i.e. parallel to y-axis). Now take the point 2 on y-axis and through 2, draw a line 'm'
perpendicular to y-axis (i.e. parallel to x-axis) to meet l at P. The point P represents the
point (3, 2) on the plane.
Y'
3
P
2
(3, 2)
1
X' X
O
–2 –1 1 2 3 4
Fig. 5.3
Note 1: It may be noted that, for the ordered pair (a, b), a is called x-coordinate and b
is called y-coordinate.
Note 2: Every point on x-axis can be written as (a, 0) i.e. its y-coordinate is zero and
every point on y-axis is of the form (0, b) i.e., its x-coordinate is zero. The coordinates of
the point O are (0, 0).
Notes Note 3: In the first quadrant, both x and y coordinates are positive, in the second quadrant,
x coordinate is negative and y coordinate is positive, in the third quadrant both x and
y coordinates are negative and in the fourth quadrant, x-coordinate is positive and
y-coordinate is negative.
Example 5.14: Represent the point (–2, 3) in the coordinate plane.
Solution: Draw x-axis and y-axis on the plane
Y
and mark the points on them. Take the point – l
2 on x-axis and draw the line l parallel to y-
axis. Now take the point 3 on y-axis and draw 4
the line 'm' parallel to x-axis to meet l at P. 3 m
P
The point P represent (–2, 3), we say (–2 , 3) 2
are coordinates of the point P.
1
You will now learn to draw the graph of a linear X' X
equation in two variables. It should be noted –3 –2 –1 O 1 2 3
that the graph of linear equation in two variables
Y'
is a line and the coordinates of every point on
Fig 5.4
the line satisfies the equation. If a point does
not lie on the graph then its coordinates will
not safisfy the equation. You also know that from two given points, one and only one line
can be drawn. Therefore, it is sufficient to take any two points, i.e., values of the variables
x and y which satisfy the equation. However, it is suggested that you should take three
points to avoid any chance of a mistake occurring.
Example 5.15: Draw the graph of the equation 2x – 3y = 6.
Solution: Now choose values of x and y which satisfy the equation 2x – 3y = 6. It will be
easy to write the equation by transforming it in any of the following form
2x = 3y + 6 or 3y = 2x – 6
3y + 6 2x − 6
⇒ x= or y =
2 3
Now by taking different values of x or y, you find the corresponding values of y or x. If we
2x − 6
take different values of x in y = , we get corresponding values of y. If x = 0, we get
3
y = – 2, x = 3 gives y = 0 and x = – 3 gives y = – 4.
You can represent these values in the following tabular form:
x 0 3 –3
y –2 0 –4
The corresponding points in the plane are (0, –2), (3, 0) and (–3, –4). You can now plot Notes
these points and join them to get the line which represents the graph of the linear equation
as shown here.
Note that all the three points must lie on the line.
Y
4
3
2 6
y=
–3
1 2x
X' X
–4 –3 –2 –1 O 1 2 3 4
B (3, 0)
–1
–2 A (0, –2)
–3
4)
,– –4
(–3
C
Y'
Fig 5.5
Example 5.16: Draw the graph of the equation x = 3.
Solution: It appears that it is a linear equation in one variable x. You can easily convert it
into linear equation in two variables by writing it as
x+0y=3
Now you can have the following table for values of x and y.
x 3 3 3
y 3 0 1
Observe that for each value of y, the value of x is always 3. Thus, required points can be
taken as (3, 3), (3, 0), (3, 1). The graph is shown in Fig. 5.6.
C(3, 3,)
3
Notes
2
x=3
1 B(3, 1)
A(3, 0) X
X'
1 2 3 4
Y'
Fig. 5.6
2. Draw the graph of each of the following linear equations in two variables:
(i) x + y = 5 (ii) 3x + 2y = 6
(iii) 2x + y = 6 (iv) 5x + 3y = 4
2x + 3y = 19
3x + 2y = 16
These two equations taken together are called system of linear equations in two variables
and the values of x and y which satisfy both equations simultaneously is called the solution. Notes
There are different methods for solving such equation. These are graphical method and
algebraic method. You will first learn about graphical method and then algebraic method
for solving such equations.
In this method, you have to draw the graphs of both linear equations on the same graph
sheet. The graphs of the equations may be
(i) Intersecting lines: In this case, the point of intersection will be common solution of
both simultaneous equations. The x-coordinate will give the value of x and y-coordinate
will given value of y. In this case system will have a unique solution.
(ii) Concident lines: In this case each point on the common line will give the solution.
Hence, system of equations will have infinitely many solutions.
(iii) Parallel lines: In this case, no point will be common to both equations. Hence, system
of equations will have no solution.
Example 5.17: Solve the following system of equations:
x – 2y = 0 ...(1)
3x + 4y = 20 ...(2)
Solution: Let us draw the graphs of these equations. For this, you need atleast two solutions
of each equation. We give these values in the following tables.
x – 2y =0 3x + 4y = 20
x 0 2 –2 x 0 4 6
y 0 1 –1 y 5 2 1/2
Now plot these points on the same graph sheet as given below:
The two graphs intersect at the point P whose coordinates are (4, 2). Thus x = 4, y = 2 is
the solution.
You can verify that x = 4, y = 2 satisfies both the equations.
7
Notes
6
(0, 5)
5
3x
4 +
4y
=
20
3
P
2
(2, 1) (4, 2)
1 1
(6, )
2
X' X
–3 –2 –1 O 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
=0 –1
2y )
x– , –1
(–2
Y'
Fig. 5.7
Example 5.18: Solve the following system of equations:
x +y=8 ...(1)
2x –y = 1 ...(2)
Solution: To draw the graph of these equation, make the following by selecting some
solutions of each of the equation.
x+y=8 2x – y = 1
x 3 4 5 x 0 1 2
y 5 4 3 y –1 1 3
Now, plot the points (3, 5), (4, 4) and (5, 3) to get the graph of x + y = 8 and (0, –1),
(1, 1) and (2, 3) to get the graph of 2x – y = 1 on the same graph sheet. The two lines
intersect at the point P whose coordinates are (3, 5). Thus x = 3, y = 5, is the solution of
the system of equations. You can verify that x = 3, y = 5 satisfies both equations
simultaneously.
(3, 5)
5
P
(4, 4)
4 Notes
x
(5, 3)
+
3
y=
y
(2, 3)
=
8
–
2
2x
1 (1, 1)
O
X' –2 –1 1 2 3 4 5 X
–1
(0, –1)
–2
T'
Fig. 5.8
Example 5.19: Solve the following system of equations:
x+y=2 ...(1)
2x + 2y = 4 ...(2)
Solution: First make tables for some solutions of each of the equation.
x + y =2 2x + 2y = 4
x 0 2 1 x 0 2 1
y 2 0 1 y 2 0 1
Fig. 5.9
6
=
2
2y
–
1
4x
X'
X
–2 –1 O 1 2 3
–1
–2
4
y=
–3
–
2x
–4
Y'
Fig. 5.10
There are several methods of solving system of two linear equations in two variables. You
have learnt one method which is known as graphical method. We shall now discuss here
two more methods, called algebraic methods. They are
(i) Substitution Method.
(ii) Elimination method.
Note: These methods are useful in case the system of equations has a unique solution.
Substitution Method: In this method, we find the value of one of the variable from one
equation and substitute it in the second equation. This way, the second equation will be
reduced to linear equaion in one variable which we have already solved. We explain this
method through some examples.
Example 5.21: Solve the following system of equations by substitution method.
5x + 2y = 8 ...(1)
3x – 5y = 11 ...(2)
Solution: From (1), we get
2y = 8 – 5x
1
or y= (8 – 5x) ...(3)
2
Substituting the value of y in (2), we get
5
3x − (8 − 5x ) = 11
2
or 6x – 5(8 – 5x) = 22 [multiplying both sides by 2]
or 6x – 40 + 25x = 22
or 31x = 40 + 22
62
or x= =2
31
1 1
y= (8 – 5× 2) = (8 – 10)
2 2
Notes
2
or y= − =–1
2
So, the solution to the system of equations is x = 2, y = – 1.
Example 5.22: Solve the following system of equations by substitution method:
2x + 3y = 7 ...(1)
3x + y = 14 ...(2)
Solution: From equation (2), we get
y = 14 – 3x ...(3)
Substituting the value of y in (1), we get
2x + 3 (14 – 3x) = 7
or 2x + 42 – 9x = 7
or 2x – 9x = 7 – 42
or – 7x = – 35
− 35
Therefore x= =5
−7
Elimination Method: In this method, we eliminate one of the variable by multiplying both Notes
equations by suitable non-zero contants to make the coefficients of one of the variable
numerically equal. Then we add or subtract one equation to or from the other so that one
variable gets eliminated and we get an equation in one variable. We now consider some
examples to illustrate this method.
Example 5.23: Solve the following system of equations using elimination method.
3x – 5y = 4 ...(1)
9x – 2y = 7 ...(2)
Solution: To elminate x, multiply equation (1) by 3 to make coefficient of x equal. You get
the equations.
9x – 15y = 12 ...(3)
9x – 2y = 7 ...(4)
Subtracting (4) from (3), we get
9x – 15y – (9x – 2y) = 12 – 7
or 9x – 15y – 9x + 2y = 5
or – 13 y = 5
5
or y= −
13
5
Substituting y = − in equation (1), we get
13
⎛ 5⎞
3x – 5 × ⎜ − ⎟ = 4
⎝ 13 ⎠
25
or 3x + =4
13
25 27
or 3x = 4 − =
13 13
9
or x=
13
9 5
Therefore, x = and y = − is the required solution of the given system of equations.
13 13
Example 5.24: Solve the following system of equations using elimination method.
Notes
2x + 3y = 13 ...(1)
5x – 7y = –11 ...(2)
Solution: To eliminate y, multiply equation (1) by 7 and equation (2) by 3, we get
14x + 21y = 91 ...(3)
15x – 21y = –33 ...(4)
Adding (3) and (4), we get
29 x = 58
58
or x= =2
29
Substituting x = 2 in (1), we get
2 × 2 + 3y = 13
or 3y = 13 – 4 = 9
9
or y= =3
3
Therefore, x = 2 and y = 3 is the solution of the given system of equations.
LET US SUM UP
• An equation in one variable of degree one is called a linear equation in variable.
Notes
• The general form of a linear equation in one variable is ax + b = 0, a ≠ 0, a and b are
real numbers.
• The value of the variable which satisfies the linear equation is called its solution or root.
• To solve a word problem, it is first translated into algebriac statements and then solved.
• The general form of a linear equation in two variables is ax + by + c =0, where a, b, c
are real numbers and atleast one of a or b is non zero.
• The equation ax + c = 0 can be expressed as linear equation in two variables as
ax + 0y + c = 0.
• To draw the graph of a linear equation in two variables, we find atleast two points in
plane whose coordinates are solutions of the equation and plot them.
• The graph of a linear equaion in two variables is a line.
• To solve two simultaneous equations in two variables, we draw their graphs on the
same graph paper.
(i) if graph is intersecting lines, point of intersection gives unique solution.
(ii) If graph is the same line, system has infinitely many solutions
(iii) If graph is parallel lines, system of equation has no solution
• Algebraic methods of solving system of linear equations are
(i) Substitution method
(ii) Elimination method
• To solve word problems, we tranlate the given information (data) into linear equations
and solve them.
TERMINAL EXERCISE
1. Choose the correct option:
(i) Which one of the following is a linear equation in one variable?
(A) 2x + 1 = y –3 (B) 3t – 1 = 2t + 5
(C) 2x – 1 = x2 (D) x2 – x +1 = 0
(ii) Which one of the following is not a linear equation?
(A) 5 + 4x = y + 3 (B) x + 2y = y – x
(C) 3 – x = y2 + 4 (D) x + y = 0
(iii) Which of the following numbers is the solution of the equation 2(x + 3) = 18?
(A) 6 (B) 12
Notes (C) 13 (D) 21
(iv) The value of x, for which the equation 2x – (4 – x) = 5 – x is satisfied, is:
(A) 4.5 (B) 3
(C) 2.25 (D) 0.5
(v) The equation x – 4y = 5 has
(A) no solution (B) unique solution
(C) two solutions (D) infinitely many solutions
2. Solve each of the following equations
x+2
(i) 2z + 5 = 15 (ii) = −2
3
4 − 2y y + 1
(iii) + =1 (iv) 2.5x – 3 = 0.5x +1
3 2
3. A certain number increased by 8 equals 26. Find the number.
4. Present ages of Reena and Meena are in the ration 4 : 5. After 8 years, the ratio of their
ages will be 5 : 6. Find their present ages.
5. The denominator of a rational number is greater than its numerator by 8. If the
denominaor is decreased by 1 and numerator is increased by 17, the number obtained
3
is . Find the rational number
2
6. Solve the following system of equations graphically:
(i) x – 2y = 7 (ii) 4x + 3y = 24
x+y=–2 3y – 2x = 6
(iii) x + 3y = 6 (iv) 2x – y = 1
2x – y = 5 x+y =8
7. Solve the following system of equations :
(i) x + 2y – 3 = 0 (ii) 2x + 3y = 3
x – 2y + 1= 0 3x + 2y = 2
(iii) 3x – y = 7 (iv) 5x – 2y = –7
4x – 5y = 2 2x + 3y = –18
5.7
1. x = 4, y = 1, unique solution
4. No solution
5. x= 2, y = 1, unique solution
5.8
1. x = 8, y = 6 2. x = –2, y = 5
3. x = 5, y = –2 4. x = 1, y = 3
5.9
1. x = 2, y = –3 2. x = 1, y = 2
3. x = 11, y = 2 4. x = 1, y = 3
5. x = 5, y = –2 6. x = 6, y = –1
5.10
1. 14 years, 42 years
2. 7 m
3. 75 prizes Rs 500 and 125 prizes of Rs 100 each.
4. 17 of Rs 100 each and 16 of Rs 50 each.
1. (i) (B) (ii) (C) (iii) (A) (iv) (C) (v) (D)
3. 18
13
5.
21
(iii) x = 3, y = 1 (iv) x = 3, y = 5
7. (i) x = 1, y = 1 (ii) x = 0, y = 1
Notes
(iii) x = 3, y = 2 (iv) x = –3, y = –4
8. 74
10. 10 m, 6m