Pair of linear equations in two variables 0 theory
Answers
Linear Equations with Two Variables
You are very much familiar with linear equations in one variable which can be represented in generalized form as “ax = b” where a, b are constants and x is a variable.
For eg: 3x = 5
x = 5/3
Since in the above equation, there is only one variable “x”. The degree of this variable is one as you can see, thus, the equations of this sort are called linear equations is one variable.
In a similar way, when an equation is having two variables with every variable in first degree such that variables are not multiplied with each other then it is called as a linear equation in two variables.
In generalized form it can be written as ax+by = c where a, b, c are constants and x, y are variables.
For eg: 5x+3y = 7
Now, it is too obvious that solution of this equation i.e. values of x and y can’t be evaluated with the help of this single equation. That’s why we always call for the linear system with two variables because there must be two equations in same variables to get a solution otherwise the value of the one variable will be in terms of another variable.
So, to solve linear equations with two variables a number of methods are available which we are going to discuss now.
Solving Linear Equations with Two Variables
1. Graphing Method
Before getting into details of graphing linear equations and solving them we will learn some concepts about graphs.
a) Rectangular Axes for Linear Equation Graph
To specify the location of a point uniquely in a plane, two mutually perpendicular number lines are laid down such that their zeroes coincide. These are called as rectangular axes. This combination of plane and rectangular axes is known as a Cartesian plane.
So, this plane is the place where we are going to plot given linear equations in order to find a solution.
Image result for rectangular axes
The horizontal number line is known as X-axis and the vertical number line perpendicular to the horizontal one is called y-axis.
The point of intersection of the two lines perpendicular to each other is called origin.
b) Quadrants of Rectangular Axes
These two perpendicular number lines divide the two-dimensional plane into four different regions which are called quadrants.
By convention, these quadrants are numbered as I, II, III, IV in the anticlockwise direction.
In the I quadrant, both x-coordinate and y-coordinate will be positive.
In the II quadrant, y-coordinate will be positive while x-coordinate is negative.
In the III quadrant, both x-coordinate and y-coordinate will be negative.
In the IV quadrant, x-coordinate will be positive while the y-coordinate will always be negative.
Now, when we know some basics of graphs we should head towards learning the main topic which is finding a solution using the graphing method.
So, many times we have used word “solution” but what does this word means here?
A solution of a system of linear equations in two variables is an ordered pair which satisfies both equations. The system of linear equations may be consistent or inconsistent.
Suppose the two variables given are x and y, and the linear equation is ax + by = c. Then to graph the equation, we can take any random values of x, fit those values in the equation to get the corresponding values of y. After getting the coordinates for (x, y) the graph can be plotted by joining the points. Using this method you can plot the graph of one equation.
In the same way, you will plot a graph of another equation on the same plane.
Since the equations are linear therefore plotted graphs will be a straight line and if both the straight lines corresponding to each equation are intersecting at a point then they are said to have unique solution and system is said to be consistent and point of intersection is the solution to equations.
If both the straight lines are parallel then, the system has no solution and system is said to be inconsistent.
Let us try an example to understand this better.
Eg: Solve 3x-y = 7 and 2x+3y = 1
Ans: Plot graphs of given equations and after plotting you will find one point of intersection in the graph which is the solution to the equations.
i.e. (2, -1)
You can also cross check by putting this value of (x,y) in the given equations, it will be satisfying both equations.