Substitution method
Solve simultaneous equations by substituting one equation into the other. Works best when one equation is already solved for a variable.
Worked examples
One equation already solved for y
Straightforward
Problem
Solve the simultaneous equations:
1
The first equation is already solved for . Substitute it into the second equation.
2
Expand and simplify.
3
Solve for .
4
Substitute back into the first equation to find .
5
Check by substituting into both original equations.
Equation 1: ✓
Equation 2: ✓
Equation 2: ✓
Answer
,
Rearranging one equation first
Moderate
Problem
Solve the simultaneous equations:
1
Neither equation is solved for a single variable. Rearrange the second equation to isolate .
2
Substitute this expression for into the first equation.
3
Expand and simplify.
4
Substitute back into .
5
Check in both original equations.
Equation 1: ✓
Equation 2: ✓
Equation 2: ✓
Answer
,
Solution involves a negative value
Challenging
Problem
Solve the simultaneous equations:
1
Substitute into the second equation.
2
Simplify and solve for .
3
Substitute into .
4
Check in both original equations.
Equation 1: ✓
Equation 2: ✓
Equation 2: ✓
Answer
,
Practise
Q1·Straightforward
Solve the simultaneous equations using substitution.
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Explanation
Substitute into :
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Q2·Straightforward
Solve the simultaneous equations using substitution.
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Explanation
Substitute into :
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Q3·Straightforward
Solve the simultaneous equations using substitution.
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Explanation
Substitute into :
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Q4·Straightforward
Solve the simultaneous equations using substitution.
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Explanation
Substitute into :
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Q5·Moderate
Solve the simultaneous equations using substitution.
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Explanation
Substitute into :
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Q6·Moderate
Solve the simultaneous equations using substitution.
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Explanation
Substitute into :
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Q7·Moderate
Solve the simultaneous equations using substitution.
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Explanation
Substitute into :
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Q8·Moderate
Solve the simultaneous equations using substitution.
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Explanation
Substitute into :
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Q9·Challenging
Solve the simultaneous equations using substitution.
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Explanation
Substitute into :
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Q10·Challenging
Solve the simultaneous equations using substitution.
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Explanation
Substitute into :
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Q11·Challenging
Solve the simultaneous equations using substitution.
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Explanation
Substitute into :
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Q12·Challenging
Solve the simultaneous equations using substitution.
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Enter your answer as (x, y).
Explanation
Substitute into :
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,
Substitute into :
Check: ✓
Solution: ,