CHAPTER 13 SOLVING SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS

EXERCISE 51 Page 105

1. Solve the simultaneous equations 2 x − y =6

x+y=6

2x − y =6 (1)
x+y=6 (2)
12
(1) + (2) gives: 3x = 12 from which, x= =4
3

From (1): 8–y=6

i.e. 8–6=y from which, y = 2

2. Solve the simultaneous equations 2x – y = 2

x – 3y = –9

2x – y = 2 (1)
x – 3y = –9 (2)

3 × (1) gives: 6x – 3y = 6 (3)

15
(3) – (2) gives: 5x = 15 from which, x= =3
5

From (1): 6–y=2

i.e. 6–2=y from which, y = 4

3. Solve the simultaneous equations x – 4y = – 4

5x – 2y = 7

x – 4y = –4 (1)
5x – 2y = 7 (2)

2 × (2) gives: 10x – 4y = 14 (3)

18
(3) – (1) gives: 9x = 18 from which, x= =2
9
180 © 2014, John Bird
From (1): 2 – 4y = – 4

i.e. 2 + 4 = 4y

6
i.e. 6 = 4y from which, y = = 1.5
4

4. Solve the simultaneous equations 3x – 2y = 10

5x + y = 21

3x – 2y = 10 (1)
5x + y = 21 (2)

2 × (2) gives: 10x + 2y = 42 (3)

52
(1) + (3) gives: 13x = 52 from which, x= =4
13

From (1): 12 – 2y = 10

i.e. 12 – 10 = 2y

2
i.e. 2 = 2y from which, y = =1
2

5. Solve the simultaneous equations 5p + 4q = 6

2p – 3q = 7

5p + 4q = 6 (1)
2p – 3q = 7 (2)

3 × (1) gives: 15p + 12q = 18 (3)

4 × (2) gives: 8p – 12q = 28 (4)

46
(3) + (4) gives: 23p = 46 from which, p= =2
23

From (1): 10 + 4q = 6

i.e. 4q = 6 – 10

−4
i.e. 4q = –4 from which, q = = –1
4

181 © 2014, John Bird

6. Solve the simultaneous equations 7x + 2y = 11
3x – 5y = –7

7x + 2y = 11 (1)
3x – 5y = –7 (2)

5 × (1) gives: 35x + 10y = 55 (3)

2 × (2) gives: 6x – 10y = –14 (4)

41
(3) + (4) gives: 41x = 41 from which, x= =1
41

From (1): 7 + 2y = 11

i.e. 2y = 11 – 7

4
i.e. 2y = 4 from which, y= =2
2

7. Solve the simultaneous equations 2x – 7y = –8

3x + 4y = 17

2x – 7y = –8 (1)
3x + 4y = 17 (2)

3 × (1) gives: 6x – 21y = –24 (3)

2 × (2) gives: 6x + 8y = 34 (4)

58
(4) – (3) gives: 29y = 58 from which, y= =2
29

From (1): 2x – 14 = –8

i.e. 2x = 14 – 8

6
i.e. 2x = 6 from which, x= =3
2

8. Solve the simultaneous equations a + 2b = 8

b – 3a = –3

182 © 2014, John Bird

Rearranging gives: a + 2b = 8 (1)
– 3a + b = –3 (2)

2 × (2) gives: – 6a + 2b = –6 (3)

14
(1) – (3) gives: 7a = 14 from which, a= =2
7

From (1): 2 + 2b = 8

i.e. 2b = 8 – 2

6
i.e. 2b = 6 from which, b= =3
2

9. Solve the simultaneous equations a + b = 7

a–b=3

a+b=7 (1)
a–b=3 (2)

10
(1) + (2) gives: 2a = 10 from which, a= =5
2

From (1): 5+b=7

i.e. b=7–5 from which, b=2

10. Solve the simultaneous equations 2x + 5y = 7

x + 3y = 4

2x + 5y = 7 (1)
x + 3y = 4 (2)

2 × equation (2) gives: 2x + 6y = 8 (3)

(3) – (1) gives: y=1

2
Substituting in (1) gives: 2x + 5 = 7 i.e. 2x = 7 – 5 = 2 and x = =1
2

Thus, x = 1 and y = 1 and may be checked by substituting into both of the original equations

183 © 2014, John Bird

11. Solve the simultaneous equations 3s + 2t = 12
4s – t = 5

3s + 2t = 12 (1)
4s – t = 5 (2)

2 × equation (2) gives: 8s – 2t = 10 (3)

22
(1) + (3) gives: 11s = 22 from which, s= =2
11

6
Substituting in (1) gives: 6 + 2t = 12 i.e. 2t = 12 – 6 = 6 and t= =3
2

Thus, s = 2 and t = 3 and may be checked by substituting into both of the original equations

12. Solve the simultaneous equations 3x – 2y = 13

2x + 5y = –4

3x – 2y = 13 (1)
2x + 5y = –4 (2)

2 × equation (1) gives: 6x – 4y = 26 (3)

3 × equation (2) gives: 6x + 15y = –12 (4)

38
(3) – (4) gives: –19y = 38 from which, y= = –2
−19

9
Substituting in (1) gives: 3x + 4 = 13 i.e. 3x = 13 – 4 = 9 and x= =3
3

Thus, x = 3 and y = –2 and may be checked by substituting into both of the original equations

13. Solve the simultaneous equations 5m – 3n = 11

3m + n = 8

5m – 3n = 11 (1)
3m + n = 8 (2)

3 × equation (2) gives: 9m + 3n = 24 (3)

184 © 2014, John Bird

 35
(1) + (3) gives: 14m = 35 from which, m= = 2.5
14

Substituting in (1) gives: 12.5 – 3n = 11

i.e. 12.5 – 11 = 3n

1.5
i.e. 1.5 = 3n and n= = 0.5
3

14. Solve the simultaneous equations 8a – 3b = 51

3a + 4b = 14

8a – 3b = 51 (1)
3a + 4b = 14 (2)

4 × (1) gives: 32a – 12b = 204 (3)

3 × (2) gives: 9a + 12b = 42 (4)

246
(3) + (4) gives: 41a = 246 from which, a= =6
41

From (1): 48 – 3b = 51

i.e. 48 – 51 = 3b

−3
i.e. –3 = 3b from which, b= = –1
3

15. Solve the simultaneous equations 5x = 2y

3x + 7y = 41

5x – 2y = 0 (1)
3x + 7y = 41 (2)

3 × equation (1) gives: 15x – 6y = 0 (3)

5 × equation (2) gives: 15x + 35y = 205 (4)

205
(4) – (3) gives: 41y = 205 from which, y= =5
41
10
Substituting in (1) gives: 5x – 10 = 0 i.e. 5x = 10 and x= =2
5
185 © 2014, John Bird
16. Solve the simultaneous equations 5c = 1 – 3d
2d + c + 4 = 0

Rearranging gives: 5c + 3d = 1 (1)

c + 2d = –4 (2)

5 × equation (2) gives: 5c + 10d = –20 (3)

−21
(3) – (1) gives: 7d = –21 from which, d= = –3
7

10
Substituting in (1) gives: 5c – 9 = 1 i.e. 5c = 10 and c= =2
5

186 © 2014, John Bird

EXERCISE 52 Page 107

1. Solve the simultaneous equations 7p + 11 + 2q = 0

–1 = 3q – 5p

Rearranging gives: 7p + 2q = –11 (1)

5p – 3q = 1 (2)

3 × equation (1) gives: 21p + 6q = –33 (3)

2 × equation (2) gives: 10p – 6q = 2 (4)

(3) + (4) gives: 31p = –31 from which, p=–1

−4
Substituting in (1) gives: –7 + 2q = –11 i.e. 2q = –11 + 7 = –4 and q= = –2
2

x y
2. Solve the simultaneous equations + =4
2 3
x y
– =0
6 9

x y
Rearranging gives: (6) + (6) =(6)(4) i.e. 3x + 2y = 24 (1)
2 3

x y
and (18) − (18) =(18)(0) i.e. 3x – 2y = 0 (2)
6 9

(1) – (2) gives: 4y = 24 from which, y=6

12
Substituting in (1) gives: 3x + 12 = 24 i.e. 3x = 24 – 12 = 12 and x= =4
3

a
3. Solve the simultaneous equations – 7 = –2b
2
2
12 = 5a + b
3

a
Rearranging gives: (2) − (2)7 =
−(2)(2b) i.e. a + 4b = 14 (1)
2

187 © 2014, John Bird

 2
and (3)(12) = (3)(5a) + (3) b i.e. 15a + 2b = 36 (2)
3

2 × equation (2) gives: 30a + 4b = 72 (3)

(3) – (1) gives: 29a = 58 from which, a=2

12
Substituting in (1) gives: 2 + 4b = 14 i.e. 4b = 14 – 2 = 12 and b= =3
4

3
4. Solve the simultaneous equations s – 2t = 8
2
s
+ 3t = –2
4

3
Rearranging gives: (2) s − (2)2t =
(2)(8) i.e. 3s – 4t = 16 (1)
2
s
and (4) + (4)3t =(4)(−2) i.e. s + 12t = –8 (2)
4

3 × equation (2) gives: 3s + 36t = –24 (3)

(1) – (3) gives: – 40t = 40

− 40
from which, t= i.e. t = –1
40

12
Substituting in (1) gives: 3s + 4 = 16 i.e. 3s = 16 – 4 = 12 and s= =4
3

x 2y 49
5. Solve the simultaneous equations + =
5 3 15
3x y 5
– + =0
7 2 7

x 2y 49
Rearranging gives: (15) + (15) =
(15) i.e. 3x + 10y = 49 (1)
5 3 15

3x y 5
and (14) − (14) + (14) =0 i.e. 6x – 7y = –10 (2)
7 2 7

2 × equation (1) gives: 6x + 20y = 98 (3)

188 © 2014, John Bird

 108
(3) – (2) gives: 27y = 108 from which, y = =4
27

9
Substituting in (1) gives: 3x + 40 = 49 i.e. 3x = 49 – 40 = 9 and x= =3
3

u
6. Solve the simultaneous equations v – 1 =
12
v 25
u+ – =0
4 2

u
Rearranging gives: (12)v − (12)(1) =
(12) i.e. 12v – u = 12 (1)
12

v 25
and (4)u + (4) − (4) =
0 i.e. v + 4u = 50 (2)
4 2

4 × equation (1) gives: 48v – 4u = 48 (3)

98
(2) + (3) gives: 49v = 98 from which, v = =2
49

Substituting in (1) gives: 24 – u = 12 i.e. 24 – 12 = u and u = 12

7. Solve the simultaneous equations 1.5x – 2.2y = –18

2.4x + 0.6y = 33

Multiplying both equations by 10 gives: 15x – 22y = –180 (1)

24x + 6y = 330 (2)

6 × equation (1) gives: 90x – 132y = –1080 (3)

22 × equation (2) gives: 528x + 132y = 7260 (4)

(3) + (4) gives: 618x = 6180 from which, x = 10

−330
Substituting in (1) gives: 150 – 22y = –180 i.e. –22y = –180 – 150 = –330 and y = = 15
−22

Thus, x = 10 and y = 15 and may be checked by substituting into both of the original equations.

189 © 2014, John Bird

8. Solve the simultaneous equations 3b – 2.5a = 0.45
1.6a + 0.8b = 0.8

Multiplying equation (1) by 100 gives: – 250a +300b = 45 (1)

Multiplying equation (1) by 10 gives: 16a +8b = 8 (2)

4 × equation (1) gives: –1000a + 1200b = 180 (3)

150 × equation (2) gives: 2400a + 1200b = 1200 (4)

(4) – (3) gives: 3400a = 1020

1020
from which, a= = 0.3
3400

120
Substituting in (1) gives: –75 + 300b = 45 i.e. 300b = 45 + 75 = 120 and b = = 0.4
300

190 © 2014, John Bird

EXERCISE 53 Page 109

3 2
1. Solve the simultaneous equations + = 14
x y
5 3
– = –2
x y

1 1
Let = a and =b
x y

Thus, the equations become: 3a + 2b = 14 (1)

and 5a – 3b = –2 (2)

3 × equation (1) gives: 9a + 6b = 42 (3)

2 × equation (2) gives: 10a – 6b = –4 (4)

38
(3) + (4) gives: 19a = 38 from which, a= =2
19
8
Substituting in (1) gives: 6 + 2b = 14 i.e. 2b = 14 – 6 = 8 and b= =4
2
1 1 1 1 1 1
Since = a then x = = and since = b then y = =
x a 2 y b 4
1 1
Thus, x = and y = and may be checked by substituting into both of the original equations
2 4

4 3
2. Solve the simultaneous equations – = 18
a b
2 5
+ = –4
a b

1 1
Let = x and =y
a b

Thus, the equations become: 4x – 3y = 18 (1)

and 2x + 5y = –4 (2)

2 × equation (2) gives: 4x + 10y = –8 (3)

191 © 2014, John Bird

 26
(1) – (3) gives: –13y = 26 from which, y= = –2
−13

12
Substituting in (1) gives: 4x + 6 = 18 i.e. 4x = 18 – 6 = 12 and x= =3
4
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Since = x then a = = and since = y then b = = = −
a x 3 b y −2 2
1 1
Thus, a = and b = − and may be checked by substituting into both of the original equations
3 2

1 3
3. Solve the simultaneous equations + =5
2p 5q
5 1 35
– =
p 2q 2

1 1
Let = a and =b
p q
1 3
Thus, the equations become: a+ b=
5
2 5
1 35
5a − b =
2 2
1 3
Rearranging gives: (10) a + (10) b =
(10)(5) i.e. 5a + 6b = 50
2 5

1 35
(2)(5a ) − (2) b =
(2) i.e. 10a – b = 35
2 2

Thus, 5a + 6b = 50 (1)

and 10a – b = 35 (2)

2 × equation (1) gives: 10a + 12b = 100 (3)

65
(3) – (2) gives: 13b = 65 from which, b= =5
13
20
Substituting in (1) gives: 5a + 30 = 50 i.e. 5a = 50 – 30 = 20 and a= =4
5
1 1 1 1 1 1
Since = a then p = = and since = b then q = =
p a 4 q b 5
1 1
Thus, p = and q = and may be checked by substituting into both of the original equations
4 5

192 © 2014, John Bird

 5 3
4. Solve the simultaneous equations + = 1.1
x y
3 7
– = –1.1
x y

1 1
Let = a and =b
x y

Thus, the equations become: 5a + 3b = 1.1 (1)

and 3a – 7b = –1.1 (2)

3 × equation (1) gives: 15a + 9b = 3.3 (3)

5 × equation (2) gives: 15a – 35b = –5.5 (4)

8.8 1
(3) – (4) gives: 44b = 8.8 from which, b= =
44 5
0.5 1
Substituting in (1) gives: 5a + 0.6 = 1.1 i.e. 5a = 1.1 – 0.6 = 0.5 and a= =
5 10
1 1 1 1
Since = a then x = = 10 and since = b then y = = 5
x a y b
Thus, x = 10 and y = 5 and may be checked by substituting into both of the original equations

c +1 d + 2
5. Solve the simultaneous equations – +1=0
4 3
1− c 3 − d 13
+ + =0
5 4 20

c +1 d +2
Rearranging gives: (12) − (12) + (12)(1) =
0 i.e. 3(c + 1) – 4(d + 2) + 12 = 0
4 3

1− c 3− d 13
and (20) + (20) + (20) =
0 i.e. 4(1 – c) + 5(3 – d) + 13 = 0
5 4 20

Since 3(c + 1) – 4(d + 2) + 12 = 0 then 3c + 3 – 4d – 8 + 12 = 0 i.e. 3c – 4d = –7

and 4(1 – c) + 5(3 – d) + 13 = 0 then 4 – 4c + 15 – 5d + 13 = 0 i.e. 4c + 5d = 32

Thus, 3c – 4d = –7 (1)
4c + 5d = 32 (2)

193 © 2014, John Bird

4 × equation (1) gives: 12c – 16d = –28 (3)

3 × equation (2) gives: 12c + 15d = 96 (4)

124
(4) – (3) gives: 31d = 124 from which, d= =4
31

9
Substituting in (1) gives: 3c – 16 = –7 i.e. 3c = 16 – 7 = 9 and c= =3
3

Thus, c = 3 and d = 4 and may be checked by substituting into both of the original equations

3r + 2 2 s − 1 11
6. Solve the simultaneous equations – =
5 4 5
3 + 2r 5 − s 15
+ =
4 3 4

3r + 2 2s − 1 11
Rearranging gives: (20) − (20) =
(20) i.e. 4(3r + 2) – 5(2s – 1) = 44
5 4 5

3 + 2r 5− s 15
and (12) + (12) =
(12) i.e. 3(3 + 2r) + 4(5 – s) = 45
4 3 4

Since 4(3r + 2) – 5(2s – 1) = 44 then 12r + 8 – 10s + 5 = 44 i.e. 12r – 10s = 31

and 3(3 + 2r) + 4(5 – s) = 45 then 9 + 6r + 20 – 4s = 45 i.e. 6r – 4s = 16

Thus, 12r – 10s = 31 (1)

6r – 4s = 16 (2)

2 × equation (2) gives: 12r – 8s = 32 (3)

1
(3) – (1) gives: 2s = 1 from which, s=
2

36
Substituting in (1) gives: 12r – 5 = 31 i.e. 12r = 31 + 5 = 36 and r= =3
12

1
Thus, r = 3 and s = and may be checked by substituting into both of the original equations
2

194 © 2014, John Bird

 5 20
7. Solve the simultaneous equations =
x+ y 27
4 16
=
2x − y 33

Multiplying both sides of the first equation by 27(x + y) gives: i.e.

5 20
27( x + y ) = 27( x + y ) i.e. 135 = 20x + 20y i.e. 20x + 20y = 135 (1)
x+ y 27
Multiplying both sides of the second equation by 33(2x – y) gives: i.e.

4 16
33(2 x − y ) = 33(2 x − y ) i.e. 132 = 32x – 16y i.e. 32x – 16y = 132 (2)
2x − y 33

4 × equation (1) gives: 80x + 80y = 540 (3)

5 × equation (2) gives: 160x – 80y = 660 (4)

1200
(3) + (4) gives: 240x = 1200 from which, x= =5
240
35 3
Substituting in (1) gives: 100 + 20y = 135 i.e. 20y = 135 – 100 = 35 and y= =1
20 4

3 4 5 xy + 1
8. If 5x – = 1 and x + = find the value of
y y 2 y

3 3 3 1
If 5x – =1 then 5x = +1 and x= +
y y 5y 5

4 5 4 5
and if x + = then x = − +
y 2 y 2

3 1 4 5 3 4 5 1
Equating x values gives: + =− + i.e. + = −
5y 5 y 2 5y y 2 5

3 + 20 25 − 2 23 23
i.e. = i.e. =
5y 10 5 y 10

and (23)(10) = (5y)(23) i.e. 230 = 115y

230
from which, y= =2
115

195 © 2014, John Bird

 3 2.5 1
Substituting into the first equation gives: 5x – =1 i.e. 5x = 2.5 and x = =
2 5 2

1
xy + 1  2 
( 2) + 1 1 + 1
Thus, = = =1
y 2 2

196 © 2014, John Bird

EXERCISE 54 Page 112

1. In a system of pulleys, the effort P required to raise a load W is given by P = aW + b, where a and

b are constants. If W = 40 when P = 12 and W = 90 when P = 22, find the values of a and b.

P = aW + b, hence if W = 40 when P = 12, then: 12 = 40a + b (1)

and if W = 90 when P = 22, then: 22 = 90a + b (2)

Equation (2) – equation (1) gives: 10 = 50a

10 1
from which, a= = or 0.2
50 5

1
Substituting in (1) gives: 12 = 40   + b i.e. 12 = 8 + b
5

from which, b=4

Thus, a = 0.2 and b = 4 and may be checked by substituting into both of the original equations

2. Applying Kirchhoff's laws to an electrical circuit produces the following equations:

5 = 0.2I1 + 2(I1 – I 2 )

12 = 3I 2 + 0.4I 2 – 2(I 1 – I 2 )

Determine the values of currents I 1 and I 2

Rearranging 5 = 0.2 I1 + 2 ( I1 − I 2 ) gives: 5= 0.2 I1 + 2 I1 − 2 I 2 i.e. 2.2 I1 − 2 I 2 =

5

Rearranging 12 =3I 2 + 0.4 I 2 − 2 ( I1 − I 2 ) gives: 12 = 3I 2 + 0.4 I 2 − 2 I1 + 2 I 2 i.e.

−2 I1 + 5.4 I 2 =
12

Thus, 2.2 I1 − 2 I 2 =
5 (1)

and −2 I1 + 5.4 I 2 =
12 (2)

2 × equation (1) gives: 4.4 I1 − 4 I 2 =

10 (3)

2.2 × equation (2) gives: −4.4 I1 + 11.88 I 2 =

26.4 (4)

36.4
(3) + (4) gives: 7.88 I 2 = 36.4 from which, I 2 = = 4.62
7.88

197 © 2014, John Bird

 14.24
Substituting in (1) gives: 2.2 I1 − 9.24 =
5 i.e. 2.2 I1 = 14.24 and I1 = = 6.47
2.2
Thus, I1 = 6.47 and I 2 = 4.62 and may be checked by substituting into both of the original
equations

3. Velocity v is given by the formula v = u + at. If v = 20 when t = 2 and v = 40 when t = 7, find the

values of u and a. Hence find the velocity when t = 3.5

v = u + at, hence if v = 20 when t = 2, then: 20 = u + 2a (1)

and if v = 40 when t = 7, then: 40 = u + 7a (2)

Equation (2) – equation (1) gives: 20 = 5a

20
from which, a= =4
5

Substituting in (1) gives: 20 = u + 8 from which, u = 12

Thus, a = 4 and u = 12 and may be checked by substituting into both of the original equations

When t = 3.5, velocity, v = u + at = 12 + (4)(3.5) = 26

4. Three new cars and four new vans supplied to a dealer together cost £97 700 and five new cars and

two new vans of the same models cost £103 100. Find the cost of a car and a van.

Let a car = C and a van = V then 3C + 4V = 97 700 (1)

5C + 2V = 103 100 (2)

2 × equation (2) gives: 10C + 4V = 206 200 (3)

108 500
(3) – (1) gives: 7C = 108 500 from which, C = = 15 500
7
108 500
Substituting in (1) gives: 46 500 + 4V = 97 700 i.e. 4V = 97 700 – 46 500 = 51 200
7
51 200
from which, V= = 12 800
4
Hence, a car costs £15 500 and a van costs £12 800

198 © 2014, John Bird

5. y = mx + c is the equation of a straight line of slope m and y-axis intercept c. If the line passes

through the point where x = 2 and y = 2, and also through the point where x = 5 and y = 0.5, find

the slope and y-axis intercept of the straight line.

When x = 2 and y = 2, then 2 = 2m + c (1)

When x = 5 and y = 0.5, then 0.5 = 5m + c (2)

1.5
(1) – (2) gives: 1.5 = –3m i.e. m = = –0.5
−3

In equation (1): 2 = –1 + c i.e. c = 2 + 1 = 3

Hence, slope m = –0.5 and the y-axis intercept c = 3

6. The resistance R ohms of copper wire at t°C is given by R = R 0 (1 + αt), where R0 is the resistance

at 0°C and α is the temperature coefficient of resistance. If R = 25.44 Ω at 30°C and R = 32.17 Ω

at 100°C, find α and R 0

R = R0 (1 + α t ) thus when R = 25.44 Ω at t = 30°C, then: 25.44 = R0 (1 + 30α ) (1)

and when R = 32.17 Ω at t = 100°C, then: 32.17 = R0 (1 + 100α ) (2)

32.17 R0 (1 + 100α )
Dividing equation (2) by equation (1) gives: =
25.44 R0 (1 + 30α )

32.17 (1 + 100α )
i.e. = from which, (32.17)(1 + 30α=
) (25.44)(1 + 100α )
25.44 (1 + 30α )

and 32.17 + 965.1α = 25.44 + 2544α

i.e. 32.17 – 25.44 = 2544α – 965.1α

i.e. 6.73 = 1578.9α

6.73
from which, α= = 0.00426
1578.9

Substituting in (1) gives: 25.44 = R0 [1 + (30)(0.00426) ] =

R0 (1.1278 )

199 © 2014, John Bird

 25.44
from which, R0 = = 22.56
1.1278

Thus, α = 0.00426 and R0 = 22.56 Ω and may be checked by substituting into both of the original

equations.

7. The molar heat capacity of a solid compound is given by the equation c = a + bT. When c = 52,

T = 100 and when c = 172, T = 400. Find the values of a and b.

c = a + bT, hence if c = 52 when T = 100, then: 52 = a + 100b (1)

and if c = 172 when T = 400, then: 172 = a + 400b (2)

Equation (2) – equation (1) gives: 120 = 300b

120
from which, b= = 0.40
300

Substituting in (1) gives: 52 = a + 40 from which, a = 12

Thus, a = 12 and b = 0.40 and may be checked by substituting into both of the original equations

8. In an engineering process two variables p and q are related by: q = ap + b/p, where a and b are

constants. Evaluate a and b if q = 13 when p = 2 and q = 22 when p = 5

If q = 13 when p = 2 then 13 = 2a + b/2 or 26 = 4a + b (1)

If q = 22 when p = 5 then 22 = 5a + b/5 or 110 = 25a + b (2)

84
(2) – (1) gives: 84 = 21a from which, a = =4
21

Substituting in (1) gives: 26 = 16 + b i.e. b = 26 – 16 = 10

9. In a system of forces, the relationship between two forces F1 and F2 is given by:

5F1 + 3F2 + 6 = 0
3F1 + 5F2 + 18 = 0

Solve for F1 and F2

5F1 + 3F2 + 6 = 0 (1)

200 © 2014, John Bird
 3F1 + 5F2 + 18 = 0 (2)

5 × (1) gives: 25F1 + 15F2 + 30 = 0 (3)

3 × (1) gives: 9F1 + 15F2 + 54 = 0 (4)

24
(3) – (4) gives: 16F1 – 24 = 0 i.e. 16F1 = 24 from which, F1 = = 1.5
16

Substituting in (1) gives: 7.5 + 3F2 + 6 = 0 i.e. 3F2 = –7.5 – 6 = –13.5

−13.5
from which, F2 = = –4.5
3

10. For a balanced beam, the equilibrium of forces is given by: R1 + R2 =

12.0 kN

As a result of taking moments: 0.2 R1 + 7 × 0.3 + 3 × 0.6 =0.8 R2

Determine the values of the reaction forces R1 and R2

Rearranging gives: R1 + R2 =
12.0 (1)

0.2 R1 − 0.8 R2 =
−3.9 (2)

5 × (2) gives: R1 − 4.0 R2 =

−19.5 (3)

(1) – (3) gives: 5.0 R2 = 31.5

31.5
from which, R2 = = 6.3 kN
5

Substituting in (1) gives: R1 + 6.3 =

12.0

Hence, R1 = 12.0 – 6.3 = 5.7 kN

201 © 2014, John Bird

EXERCISE 55 Page 113

1. Solve the simultaneous equations x + 2 y + 4z =

16
2 x − y + 5z =
18
3x + 2 y + 2 z =
14

x + 2 y + 4z =
16 (1)
2 x − y + 5z =
18 (2)
3x + 2 y + 2 z =
14 (3)
(1) – (3) gives: –2x + 2z = 2 (4)

2 × (2) gives: 4x – 2y + 10z = 36 (5)

(1) + (5) gives: 5x + 14z = 52 (6)

7 × (4) gives: –14x + 14z = 14 (7)

38
(6) – (7) gives: 19x = 38 from which, x = =2
19

Substituting in (6) gives: 10 + 14z = 52

42
i.e. 14z = 52 – 10 = 42 from which, z = =3
14

Substituting in (1) gives: 2 + 2y + 12 =16

2
i.e. 2y = 16 – 2 – 12 = 2 and y = =1
2

2. Solve the simultaneous equations 2x + y − z =0

3x + 2 y + z =4
5x + 3 y + 2 z =
8

2x + y − z =0 (1)
3x + 2 y + z =4 (2)
5x + 3 y + 2 z =
8 (3)
(1) + (2) gives: 5x + 3y = 4 (4)

2 × (1) gives: 4x + 2y – 2z = 0 (5)

202 © 2014, John Bird

(3) + (5) gives: 9x + 5y = 8 (6)

5 × (4) gives: 25x + 15y = 20 (7)

3 × (6) gives: 27x + 15y = 24 (8)

4
(8) – (7) gives: 2x = 4 from which, x = =2
2

Substituting in (4) gives: 10 + 3y = 4

−6
i.e. 3y = 4 – 10 = –6 from which, y = = –2
3

Substituting in (1) gives: 4 + –2 – z = 0

i.e. z=2

3. Solve the simultaneous equations 3x + 5 y + 2 z =

6
x − y + 3z =0
2 x + 7 y + 3z =
−3

3x + 5 y + 2 z =
6 (1)
x − y + 3z =0 (2)
2 x + 7 y + 3z =
−3 (3)
(3) – (2) gives: x + 8y = –3 (4)

3 × (1) gives: 9x + 15y + 6z = 18 (5)

2 × (2) gives: 2x – 2y + 6z = 0 (6)

(5) – (6) gives: 7x + 17y = 18 (7)

7 × (4) gives: 7x + 56y = – 21 (8)

39
(7) – (8) gives: –39y = 39 from which, y = = –1
− 39

Substituting in (7) gives: 7x – 17 = 18

35
i.e. 7x = 18 + 17 = 35 from which, x = =5
7

Substituting in (1) gives: 15 – 5 + 2z = 6

203 © 2014, John Bird

 −4
i.e. 2z = 6 – 15 + 5 = –4 from which, z = = –2
2

4. Solve the simultaneous equations 2 x + 4 y + 5z =

23
3x − y − 2 z =6
4 x + 2 y + 5z =
31

2 x + 4 y + 5z =
23 (1)
3x − y − 2 z =6 (2)
4 x + 2 y + 5z =
31 (3)

2 × (2) gives: 6x – 2y – 4z = 12 (4)

(3) + (4) gives: 10x + z = 43 (5)

2 × (3) gives: 8x + 4y + 10z = 62 (6)

(6) – (1) gives: 6x + 5z = 39 (7)

5 × (5) gives: 50x + 5z = 215 (8)

176
(8) – (7) gives: 44x = 176 from which, x = =4
44

Substituting in (7) gives: 24 + 5z = 39

15
i.e. 5z = 39 – 24 = 15 from which, z = =3
5

Substituting in (1) gives: 8 + 4y + 15 = 23

i.e. 4y = 23 – 8 – 15 from which, y = 0

5. Solve the simultaneous equations 2x + 3y + 4z = 36

3x + 2y + 3z = 29
x + y + z = 11

2x + 3y + 4z = 36 (1)
3x + 2y + 3z = 29 (2)
x + y + z = 11 (3)

2 × (2) gives: 2x + 2y + 2z = 22 (4)

204 © 2014, John Bird

(1) – (4) gives: y + 2z = 14 (5)

3 × (3) gives: 3x + 3y + 3z = 33 (6)

(6) – (2) gives: y=4

Substituting in (5) gives: 4 + 2z = 14

10
i.e. 2z = 14 – 4 = 10 from which, z = =5
2

Substituting in (1) gives: 2x + 12 + 20 = 36

4
i.e. 2x = 36 – 12 – 20 = 4 from which, x = =2
2

6. Solve the simultaneous equations 4x + y + 3z = 31

2x – y + 2z = 10
3x + 3y – 2z = 7

4x + y + 3z = 31 (1)
2x – y + 2z = 10 (2)
3x + 3y – 2z = 7 (3)

(1) + (2) gives: 6x + 5z = 41 (4)

3 × (2) gives: 6x – 3y + 6z = 30 (5)

(3) + (5) gives: 9x + 4z = 37 (6)

3 × (4) gives: 18x + 15z = 123 (7)

2 × (6) gives: 18x + 8z = 74 (8)

49
(7) – (8) gives: 7z = 49 from which, z = =7
7

Substituting in (4) gives: 6x + 35 = 41

6
i.e. 6x = 41 – 35 = 6 from which, x = =1
6

Substituting in (1) gives: 4 + y + 21 = 31

i.e. y = 31 – 4 – 21 = 6

205 © 2014, John Bird

7. Solve the simultaneous equations 5x + 5y – 4z = 37
2x – 2y + 9z = 20
–4x + y + z = – 14

5x + 5y – 4z = 37 (1)
2x – 2y + 9z = 20 (2)
–4x + y + z = –14 (3)

2 × (3) gives: –8x + 2y + 2z = –28 (4)

(2) + (4) gives: –6x + 11z = –8 (5)

5 × (3) gives: –20x + 5y + 5z = –70 (6)

(1) – (6) gives: 25x – 9z = 107 (7)

9 × (5) gives: –54x + 99z = –72 (8)

11 × (7) gives: 275x – 99z = 1177 (9)

1105
(8) + (9) gives: 221x = 1105 from which, x = =5
221

Substituting in (7) gives: 125 – 9z = 107

18
i.e. 125 – 107 = 9z from which, z = =2
9

Substituting in (1) gives: 25 + 5y – 8 = 37

20
i.e. 5y = 37 – 25 + 8 = 20 from which, y = =4
4

8. Solve the simultaneous equations 6x + 7y + 8z = 13

3x + y – z = –11
2x – 2y – 2z = –18

6x + 7y + 8z = 13 (1)
3x + y – z = –11 (2)
2x – 2y – 2z = –18 (3)

2 × (2) gives: 6x + 2y – 2z = –22 (4)

206 © 2014, John Bird

(3) + (4) gives: 8x – 4z = –40 (5)

7 × (2) gives: 21x + 7y – 7z = –77 (6)

(1) – (6) gives: –15x + 15z = 90 (7)

15 × (5) gives: 120x – 60z = –600 (8)

4 × (7) gives: –60x + 60z = 360 (9)

240
(8) + (9) gives: 60x = –240 from which, x = − = –4
60

Substituting in (5) gives: –32 – 4z = –40

8
i.e. 40 – 32 = 4z from which, z = =2
4

Substituting in (1) gives: –24 + 7y + 16 = 13

21
i.e. 7y = 13 + 24 – 16 = 21 from which, y = =3
7

9. Solve the simultaneous equations 3x + 2y + z = 14

7x + 3y + z = 22.5
4x – 4y – z = – 8.5

3x + 2y + z = 14 (1)
7x + 3y + z = 22.5 (2)
4x – 4y – z = – 8.5 (3)

(2) + (3) gives: 11x – y = 14 (4)

(3) + (1) gives: 7x – 2y = 5.5 (5)

2 × (4) gives: 22x – 2y = 28 (6)

22.5
(6) – (5) gives: 15x = 22.5 from which, x = = 1.5
15

Substituting in (4) gives: 16.5 – y = 14

i.e. 16.5 – 14 = y i.e. y = 2.5

Substituting in (1) gives: 4.5 + 5 + z = 14

i.e. z = 14 – 4.5 – 5 = 4.5

207 © 2014, John Bird

10. Kirchhoff’s laws are used to determine the current equations in an electrical network and result

in the following:
i1 + 8 i2 + 3 i3 = −31
3 i1 − 2 i2 + i3 = −5
2 i1 − 3 i2 + 2 i3 =6

Determine the values of i1 , i2 and i3

i1 + 8 i2 + 3 i3 = –31 (1)
3 i1 – 2 i2 + i3 = –5 (2)
2 i1 – 3 i2 + 2 i3 = 6 (3)

(2) × (2) gives: 6 i1 – 4 i2 + 2 i3 = –10 (4)

(4) – (3) gives: 4 i1 – i2 = –16 (5)

3 × (2) gives: 9 i1 – 6 i2 + 3 i3 = –15 (6)

(6) – (1) gives: 8 i1 – 14 i2 = 16 (7)

2 × (5) gives: 8 i1 – 2 i2 = –32 (8)

48
(7) – (8) gives: –12 i2 = 48 from which, i2 = − = –4
12

Substituting in (5) gives: 4 i1 + 4 = –16

20
i.e. 4 i1 = –16 – 4 = –20 i.e. i1 = − = –5
4

Substituting in (1) gives: –5 – 32 + 3 i3 = –31

6
i.e. 3 i3 = –31 + 5 + 32 = 6 i.e. i3 = =2
3

208 © 2014, John Bird

11. The forces in three members of a framework are F1 , F2 and F3 . They are related by the

simultaneous equations shown below.

1.4F1 + 2.8F2 + 2.8F3 = 5.6

4.2F1 – 1.4F2 + 5.6F3 = 35.0
4.2F1 + 2.8F2 – 1.4F3 = –5.6

Find the values of F1, F2 and F3 .

1.4F1 + 2.8F2 + 2.8F3 = 5.6 (1)

4.2F1 – 1.4F2 + 5.6F3 = 35.0 (2)
4.2F1 + 2.8F2 – 1.4F3 = –5.6 (3)

(1) – (2) gives: –2.8F1 + 4.2F3 = 11.2 (4)

2 × (2) gives: 8.4F1 – 2.8F2 + 11.2F3 = 70.0 (5)

(1) + (5) gives: 9.8F1 + 14F3 = 75.6 (6)

9.8 × (4) gives: –27.44F1 + 41.16F3 = 109.76 (7)

2.8 × (6) gives: 27.44F1 + 39.20F3 = 211.68 (8)

321.44
(7) + (8) gives: 80.36F3 = 321.44 from which, F3 = =4
80.36

Substituting in (4) gives: –2.8F1 + 16.8 = 11.2

5.6
i.e. 16.8 – 11.2 = 2.8F1 i.e. F1 = =2
2.8

Substituting in (1) gives: 2.8 + 2.8F2 + 11.2 = 5.6

8.4
i.e. 2.8F2 = 5.6 – 2.8 – 11.2 = –8.4 i.e. F2 = = –3
2.8

209 © 2014, John Bird