Solving simultaneous Only one equationis necessary when finding the value of a_single unknown quantity (as with simple equations in Chapter 11), However, when an equation contains two unknown quantities it has an infinite number of solutions. When two equations are available connecting the same (wo unknown values then a unique solution is possible. Similarly, for three unknown quantities itis hecessary to have three equations in order to solve: for a particular value of each of the unknown quantities, and soon, Equations which have to be solved together to find the unique values of the unknown quantities, which are true for each of the equations, are called simultaneous equations, ‘Two methods of solving simultaneous equations anal yt- ically are: (a) by substitution, and (b) by elimination. (A. graphical solution of simultaneous equations is shown in Chapter 19.) The method of solving simultaneous equations is demonstrated in the following worked problems. equations Problem 1. Solve the following equations for x and y, (a) by substitution and (b) by elimination ao Q (a) By substitution From equation (1): x = —1—2y Substituting this expression for x into equation (2) gives 4-1-2) -3y = 18 This is now a simple equation in y. Removing the bracket gives ~4-8y-3y=18 -Ily = 18 +4=22 2 y 2 2 into equation (1) gives Substituting y = x+2(-2) 14453 Thus, x=3 and y= —2 is the solution to the simultaneous equations. Check: im equation (2), since x = 3 and y = LHS = 4(3) — 4-2) = 12+6= 18=RHS 2,(b) By climination x +2y a) 2 If equation (1) is multiplied throughout by 4, the coefficient of x will be the same as in equation (?), giving Ac +8y=-4 8) ‘Subtracting equation (3) from equation (2) gives ar =3y=18 ° 4c48y=—4 @) oO iy 2 Hence, y= 22 = -2 -1 (Note: in the above subtraction, 18- -4= 18 +4=22) Substituting y= —2 into either equation (1) or equa- tion (2) will give x = 3 as in method (a). The solution x= 3, y = —2 is the only pair of values that satisfies both of the original equations. Problem 2. Solve, by a substitution method, the simultaneous equations: 3x-2y = 12 a a+3y=-7 Q) From equation (2), x= -7 = 3y ‘Substituting for x in equation (1) gives A(-7 =3y)-2y =12 ie. -21-9y -2. -ily Substituting y = 3 in equation (2) gives 24-3) =-7 ie. x-9=-7 Hence x=-749=2 ‘Thus, x = 2, y = —3isthe solution of the simultaneous equations, (Such solutions should always be checked by substituting values into cach of the original two equations.) ‘Problem 3. Use an elimination methad to solve the following simuliancous equations 3x+4y=5 a 2x —Sy=-12 @ If equation (1) is multiplied throughout by 2 and equa- tion (2) by 3, the coefficient of x will be the same in the newly formed equations. Thus, 2 x equation (1) gives Gr +8y= 10 @B 3 x equation (2) gives Gx — ISy = -36 ® Equation (3) — equation (4) gives 0423 =46 ' 6 ie —=2 IrB (Note +By — - ISy = By + 15y = 23yand 10- -36 = 10436 ‘Substituting y = 2 in equation (1) gives 3x44Q)=5 from which 3x =5-8=-3 and axe-l Checking, by substituting « in equation (2). gives LHS = 2(-1) - (2) = -2- 10=-12 =RHS Hence, x = —I and y = 2 is the solution of the simul- taneous equations, ‘The elimination method is the most common method of solving simultaneous equations. Problem 4, Solve Tx -2y = 26 a 6x +Sy=29 @ ‘When equation (1) is multiplied by 5 and equation (2) by 2, the coefficients of y in each equation are numeri- cally the same, i.e. 10, but are of opposite sign.5 = equation (1) gives 2 = equation (2) gives Adding equations (3) and (4) gives Hence, 350 — 10y = 130 @) 12c+10y = 58 (4) 47x +0= 188 188 a7 Note that when the signs of common coefficients are different the two equations are added and when the signs of common coefficients are the same the two equations are subtracted (23 in Problems | and 3). Substituting x = 4 in equation (1) gives 7(4) = 2y = 26 38 -—2y = 26 28 =—26=2y Hence, zZ=2y yel Checking, by substituting 1 = 4 and y = | in equation (2), gives LHS = 6(4) +5(1) =244+5=29=RHS Thus, the solution is x m4. ym 1.Here are some further worked problems on solving simultaneous equations. Probiem 5. Solve Sp=2q 4p+q+1l=0 Rearranging gives 3p-2q=0 4p+q=-ll Multiplying equation (4) by 2 gives 8p+2g=-22 Adding equations (3) and (5) gives Ip+0=-22 po—-=-2 Hn Substituting p = —2 inso equation (1) gives ao @ (4) G) 3-2)=1g -6=24 qeze53 Checking. by substituting » =—2 and g = —3 into equation (2), gives LHS = 4(-2) + (-3) + 11 = -8-34+11=0=RHS Hence, the solution is p = -2,¢ = —3.Problem 6, Solve 24 ati7’ a 1-3 a3 @ ‘Whenever fractions are involved in simultaneous equa- tions it is often easier to firstly remove them. Thus, multiplying equation (1) by 8 gives 8(3) +8(3) =ty ie. x+™=8y @ ‘Multiplying equation (2) by 3 gives 39-y=9x “ Rearranging equations (3) and (4} gives a= By=-20 Gy Wty=39 3) “Multiplying equation (6) by 8 gives 72x + By = 312 a Adding equations (5) and (7) gives 3x +0 = 292 2» way Substituting x = 4 into equation (5) gives 4-8y=-20 4+20=8) M=8y Pas Checking, substituting x = 4 and y ‘equations, gives 4.5 1.41 an Smo+ ema +2- awe gt pe ats Qy US =13-F=13-1=82 RHS =31 = 4) = 12 Hence, the solution is x = 4, yas 3. Problem 7. Solve 25x +0.75-3y =0 1.6 = 1.08 — 1.2y It is often easier to remove decimal fractions. Thus, multiplying equations (1) and (2) by 100 gives 250x +75 — 3009 =0 a 1601 = 108 — 120y 2 Rearranging gives 250x - 300 = -75 a) 160x + 120y = 108 4) Multiplying equation (3) by 2 gives 300x — 600y = -150 (5) Multiplying equation (4) by 5 gives 800x + 600y = 340 6) Adding equations (5) and (6) gives 1300s +0 = 390 Substituting x = 0.3 into equation (|) gives 2500.3) + 75 — 3007 = 0 7S475 = 300y 150 = 300y 150 yes Checking. by substituting x = 0.3 and y = 0.5 in equa- tion (2), gives LHS = 1600.3) = 48 RHS = 108 — 120(0.5) = 108 —60 = 48 Hence, the solution is x = 0.3, y= 0.513.4 Solving more difficult simultaneous equations Here are some further worked problems on solving more difficult simultaneous equations. Problem 8 Solve +- i] “4 a) ej bh =-2 (2) ‘at | ee te In this type of equation the solution is easier if a 1 I substitution is initially made, Let : =a and 7 =h Thus equation (1) becomes 2a+3b=7 (3) and equation (2) becomes a-4b=-2 (4) Multiplying equation (4) by 2 gives 2a = fh = =4 (i‘Subtracting equation (3) from equation (3) gives O+1b=11 ie. b=l ‘Substituting 6 = | in equation (3) gives 2a+3=7 2a=7-3=4 ie. a=? ‘Checking. substituting a = 2 and b = | in equation (4), gives LHS =? -4(1) =2-4=-2 =RHS Hence, a = 2 and b= 1 a) 2 GB) (4) ‘To remove fractions, equation (3) is multiplied by 10, giving 10(5) + 10(35) = 104) ie. Se +6y = 40 6) Multiplying equation (4) by 2 gives: &r+yo2 6 Multiplying equation (6) by 6 gives 48x +6y = 126 aSubtracting equation (5) from equation (7) gives 43x +0 = 86 a6 xs=—=2 43 Substituting x = 2 into equation (3) gives Hence, the solution is checked in the original equations. Problem 10. Solve ele Spe ‘To eliminate fractions, both sides of equation (1) are multiplied by 27(x + y), giving I 4 ne+n(=)=76 +n(3) ie, 2) =4a+y) Wadrty 8) Similarly, in equation (2) 33 = 4(2x - y). ie. 33=8x-4y “) Equation (3) + equation (4) gives 60 = I2r and x = Substituting x = 5 in equation (3) gives 27=45)+4y from which 4y =27-20=7 118 and =<=1-or1.75 wear Hence, x m §, ym 1.75 is the required solution, which ‘may be checked in the original equations. Problem il. Solve a Q Before equations (1) and (2) can be simultaneously solved, the fractions need to be removed and the equations rearranged. ‘Multiplying equation (1) by 15 gives ie. SU — 1) +3 +2) =2 Sx-S+3y+6 Se+3y=245-6 Sr43y= @ Hence, ‘Muhiplying equation (2) by 6 gives ie. «@ expressed as Qo @ ‘Subtracting equation (4) from equation (3) gives 6 +0=12 2Substituting « = 2 into equation (3) gives 5(2)+3y= 1 10+3y¥= 1 jy=1-10=-9 -4¥ yo—-=-) Checking, substituting x = 2, y = —3 in equation (4) gives LHS = —2 + 3(-—3) = —2-—9 = -11 = RHS Hence, the solution is x = 2, y = —3.There are a number of situations in engineering and science in which the solution of simultaneous equations is required. Some are demonstrated in the following worked problems. Problem 12. The law connecting friction F and Joad L for an experiment is of the form F = aL +b where a and b are constants. When F = 5.6N, L=8.0N and when F =4.4N, 2 =2.0N. Find the values of a and b and the value of F when L=65N Substituting F = 5.6 and L=8.0 into F=aL+b gives S6=80a+b (D Substituting F =4.4 and L=20 into F=aL +b gives 44=20a+b @ Subtracting equation (2) from equation (1) gives 12=600 2 4 a= Fp tert Substituting a = ; ‘into equation (1) gives 1 56=80(-)+5 (3)+ S56=164+5 56-16=b ie b=4 Checking. substituting a = Fand b= 4inequation 2), gives 1 Rus =20(2) +4=04+4—44=1Hs Hence, a= f and b= 4 When L =65, F=al+b= FOS)44=1344, ie. F = 5.30N.‘Problem 13. ‘The equation of a straight tine, ‘of gradient m and intercept on the y-axis c, is y=max +e. Ifa straight line passes through the point where x = I and y = —2, and also through the point where x = 3.5 and y = 10.5, find the values of the gradient and the y-axis intercept Substituting x = 1 and y = —2 into » mx +e gives -2em+e a) Substituting x= 3.5 and y=10.5 into y=mx+e gives 10.5 =3.5m+¢ 2) Subiracting equation (1) from equation (2) gives 12.5=2.5m, from which, m= Bias Substituting m = 5 into equation (1) gives Checking, substituting m = 5 and c= ~7 in equation (2). gives = G.5)() +(-7) =175-7=10.5=LHS Hence, the gradient m= and the y-axis intercept e=—7. Problem 14. When Kirchhoff’s laws are applied to the electrical circuit shown in Figure 13.1, the currents 4 and Jz are connected by the equations 2 = 15h +8(h -b) a 26 =2h -8(h— hb) @ i le at) (Dlesv 1al| | 20 Figure 13.4 Solve the equations to find the values of currents J, and fz Removing the brackets from equation (1) gives 27 = 15h +8h -8h Rearranging gives 95h - Biz =27 3 Removing the brackets from equation (2) gives Bh + 8h; “8h +10 = -26 “ Multiplying equation (3) by 5 gives 47.5h — 4012 = 135 o ‘Multiplying equation (4) by 4 gives -32 +40h = -104 © Adding equations (5) and (6) gives 155 +0=31 31 h-== 155 ‘Substituting J, = 2 into equation (3) gives 95(2)-8h =27 19-84 =27 19-27=8b -8=8h and h=-l Hence, the solution is fy = 2 and f; = =1 (which may be checked in the original equations). Problem 15. The distance s metres from a fixed point of a vehicle travelling in a straight line with ‘constant acceleration, ams”, is given by 5 =ut +5ar”, where u is the initial velocity in m/s and f the time in seconds. Determine the initial velocity and the acceleration given that s =42m 144m when = 4s. Also find‘Substituting s = 42 and ¢ = 2intos = ut + Sar? gives 42 = 2+ gat i.e. 42 = 2u+2a aw Substituting s = 144 and t= 4 imo s gives Lat =u + Sats)? ue. 144 = 4u + 8a @ Multiplying equation (1) by 2 gives 84 = du + da a) ‘Subtracting equation (3) from equation (2) gives @=0+4a 60 and i! a=7 =is ‘Substituting « = 15 into equation (1) gives 42 =2u + 2(15) 42-3=2w ‘Substituting a = 15 and w = 6 in equation (2) gives RHS = 4(6) + 8(15) = 244 120 = 144 = LHS Hence, the initial velocity u = 6 m/s and the acceler- ation a = 15 m/s? ay Distance travelled after 38 is given by s = ar 5ar* where 1 =3,u =6and a =15. Henee, s = (6)(3)+ z05)GF = 18+67.5 ie, distance travelled after 3s = 85.5 m. Problem 16. The resistance RO of a length of wire at 1°C is given by R = Ro(I + at), where Ro is the resistance at 0°C and @ is the temperature coefficient of resistance in /°C. Find the values of er and Ro if R = 302 at 50°C and R = 35.2 at 100°C Substituting R = 30 and 1 = 50 imo R = Ro(| + at) gives 30= Ro(1 + 50a) a) Substituting RX = 35 and 1 = 100 imto R = Ro(l + at) gives 35. = Ro(1 + 1000) Q) Although these equations may be solved by the conven- tional substitution method, an easier way is to eliminate Ro by division. Thus, dividing equation (1) by equation (2) gives 30 Ro(1 +500) 1 +500 35 Ro(1 + 1000) Cross-multiplying gives 1+ 1000 30(I + 100a) = 35(1 + 50a) 30 + 3000cr = 35 + 17500 3000e — 17500 = 35 — 30 12500 =5 i Substitutinga = — is 1) gi a ea into equation (1) gives 30= {1 +00 30= Ry(.2) Checking, substinting « = 5¥- and Ro = 25 in equa- tion (2), gives wenn ( 2) =25(14)=35 = LHS ‘Thus, the solution is a = 0.004/°C and Rg = 252 Problem 17. The molar heat capacity of a solid compound is given by the equation ¢ =a +6T, where @ and b are constants. When c = 52, T = 100 and when ¢ = 172, T = 400. Determine the values of a and bWhence =52, T= 100, hence S2=0+ 1006 al) Whene = 172, T = 400, hence Tl =a +400b (2) Equation (2) - equation (1) gives 120 = 3006 from which, b= 120 =0.4 300 Substituting / = 0.4 in equation (1) gives Sl=a+ 100(0.4) a=§2-40=12 Hence, am 12 and be O04Ee Solving pT helt tel tem eP erp ate ey Tine ack ar} Using exactly the same procedures as those used with are three equations to work with. The method is demon- strated in the following worked problem. Problem 18. Solve the simultaneous equations. r¢y¢2=4 ql) 2x —3y+42=33 @) 3x —2y —22=2 (3) There are a number of ways of solving these equations. One method is shown below. The initial object is to produce two equations with two unknowns. For example, multiplying equation (1) by 4 and then subtracting this new equation from equation (2) will produce an equation with only 1x and y involved.Multiplying equation (1) by 4 gives de +4y +42 = 16 a Equation (2) — equation (4) gives -2e-Ty=17 ib) Similarly, multiplying equation (3) by 2 and then adding this new equation to equation (2) will produce another equation with only x and y involved. Multiplying equation (3) by 2 gives 6x =dy=42=4 (6) Equation (2) + equation (6) gives 81 -7y =37 m Rewriting equation (5) gives -2e -Ty=17 8) Now we can use the previous method for solving simultaneous equations in two unknowns. ‘Equation (7) — equation (5) gives 10x = 20 from which, xrm2 (Note that 8x — —2x = 8x +2 = 10x) Substituting x = 2 into equation (5) gives -4-Ty=17 from which, -Ty=174+4=21 and. y=-3 Substituting x = 2 and y = —3 into equation (1) gives 2-342=4 from which, r=S Hence, the solution of the simultaneous equations is em? y= —Jandz=5.