System of two linear equations

System of two equations is generally given as    It has
  • a unique solution, if lines are not parallel.
  • no solution, if lines are parallel but not equal.
  • infinite number of solutions, if line are exactly the same.
The easiest way to solve system of two equations is substituting method. It is not a reasonable method, if the number of variables exceeds 2, as expressions are long and errors are very probable. The elimination method of solving a system of linear equations algebraically is the most widely used method. Substituting method:
  • Solve one variable from the first equations.
  • Substitute the solution to the unknown in the second equation. Now, there is normal linear equation to be solved.
  • Solve the linear equation.
  • Substitute the solution to the first equations in order to find solution for the second variable.
  • Check your solution by substituting bot solution to both original equations (not only to one equation).
Elimination method:
  • Multiply or divide both the linear equations with a non-zero number to get a common opposite coefficient of any one of the variables in both equations.
  • Add both the equations such that the same terms will get eliminated.
  • Solve the linear equation.
  • Substitute this value in any of the given equations to find the value of the other given variable.
  • Check your solution by substituting bot solution to both original equations (not only to one equation).

Example 1.

Solve   Multiply equations so that multipliers of one variable are opposite numbers: Add equations so, that only one variable is left:   After this, the second variable can be solved from any equation: The solution is check by substituting to the original equations:   As solutions in the second equation gives the same value as given at the right side, solution seems to be fine.