TEACHGYAN INTERNATIONAL • CLASS 10 MATHEMATICS • 2026–27

Chapter 3 – Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables

Graphical method • consistency • algebraic methods • real-life applications

1. Standard form

A pair of linear equations in x and y can be written as:

a₁x+b₁y+c₁=0
a₂x+b₂y+c₂=0

A solution is an ordered pair (x,y) satisfying both equations.

2. Graphical meaning

Each equation represents a straight line. Their intersection gives the common solution.

One solution
Lines intersect at one point.
No solution
Parallel distinct lines.
Infinitely many
Coincident lines.

3. Consistency conditions

For a₁x+b₁y+c₁=0 and a₂x+b₂y+c₂=0:

  • Unique solution: a₁/a₂ ≠ b₁/b₂
  • No solution: a₁/a₂ = b₁/b₂ ≠ c₁/c₂
  • Infinitely many solutions: a₁/a₂ = b₁/b₂ = c₁/c₂

4. Substitution method

Express one variable from one equation and substitute into the other.

Example: x+y=7 and x−y=1.
x=7−y. Substituting: 7−y−y=1 → 2y=6 → y=3 → x=4.
Solution = (4,3).

5. Elimination method

Multiply one or both equations, if needed, so that one variable has equal coefficients. Add or subtract to eliminate that variable.

Worked example: 2x+3y=13 and 3x−2y=4.
Multiply the first equation by 2: 4x+6y=26.
Multiply the second by 3: 9x−6y=12.
Add: 13x=38 → x=38/13.
Substitute in 2x+3y=13: y=7/3.
Solution = (38/13, 7/3).

6. Cross-multiplication

For a₁x+b₁y+c₁=0 and a₂x+b₂y+c₂=0:

x/(b₁c₂−b₂c₁) = y/(c₁a₂−c₂a₁) = 1/(a₁b₂−a₂b₁)

Arrange the equations correctly before applying the formula; sign errors are common.

7. Real-life application

The sum of two numbers is 52 and their difference is 14.

x+y=52 and x−y=14. Adding gives 2x=66, so x=33 and y=19.

8. Competency Case – School Stationery

A school sells 3 notebooks and 2 pens for ₹86. Another combination of 2 notebooks and 4 pens costs ₹92. Let notebook cost be x and pen cost be y.

  1. Form the two equations.
  2. Solve using elimination.
  3. Interpret the values in the context.

Equations: 3x+2y=86 and 2x+4y=92.

Divide the second equation by 2: x+2y=46, so x=46−2y. Substitute into the first: 3(46−2y)+2y=86 → 138−4y=86 → y=13. Hence x=20.

Notebook = ₹20; Pen = ₹13.

9. Practice Set

  1. Solve 2x+3y=11 and 3x−2y=4.
  2. Determine whether 3x+2y=5 and 6x+4y=10 have a unique, no, or infinitely many solutions.
  3. Find the value of k for which kx+3y=7 and 12x+ky=14 have no solution.
  4. The sum of two numbers is 60 and their difference is 18. Find them.
  5. A two-digit number has digits whose sum is 9. Reversing the digits increases the number by 27. Find the number.

10. Quick Revision

Pair of lines → intersection → consistency → substitution → elimination → cross-multiplication → applications.

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