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CBSE · NCERT

Class 10 Maths – Chapter 3: Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables

Learn to solve pairs of linear equations using four methods: Graphical, Substitution, Elimination, and Cross-Multiplication. This chapter also covers equations reducible to linear form and real-life word problems.

Exercises: 3.1–3.7·Total Questions: 29

Exercise 3.1 3 Questions – Forming Equations

Q 1Age Problem

Aftab tells his daughter, "Seven years ago, I was seven times as old as you were then. Also, three years from now, I shall be three times as old as you will be." Represent this situation algebraically and graphically.

Let Aftab's present age = x, daughter's present age = y

7 years ago: (xâˆ'7) = 7(yâˆ'7) â‡' xâˆ'7 = 7yâˆ'49 â‡' x âˆ' 7y + 42 = 0

3 years later: (x+3) = 3(y+3) â‡' x+3 = 3y+9 â‡' x âˆ' 3y âˆ' 6 = 0

Graphically, these are two lines intersecting at (42, 12). Aftab is 42, daughter is 12.

Q 2Cricket Bats & Balls

The coach of a cricket team buys 3 bats and 6 balls for ₹3900. Later, she buys another bat and 3 more balls of the same kind for ₹1300. Represent this situation algebraically and geometrically.

Let cost of 1 bat = ₹x, cost of 1 ball = ₹y

3x + 6y = 3900 â‡' x + 2y = 1300

1x + 3y = 1300 â‡' x + 3y = 1300

Subtracting: y = 0, x = 1300. The lines intersect at one point â†' unique solution.

Q 3Apples & Grapes

The cost of 2 kg of apples and 1 kg of grapes on a day was found to be ₹160. After a month, the cost of 4 kg of apples and 2 kg of grapes is ₹300. Represent the situation algebraically and geometrically.

Let cost of apples = ₹x/kg, grapes = ₹y/kg

2x + y = 160 â‡' y = 160 âˆ' 2x

4x + 2y = 300 â‡' 2x + y = 150 â‡' y = 150 âˆ' 2x

These lines are parallel (same slope, different intercept) â†' no solution.

Exercise 3.2 7 Questions – Substitution & Graphical Method

Q 1Substitution Method

Solve the following pair of linear equations by the substitution method:

(i) x + y = 14, x âˆ' y = 4

From xâˆ'y=4: x = y+4. Substitute in x+y=14: (y+4)+y=14 â‡' 2y=10 â‡' y=5, x=9

(ii) 3x âˆ' y = 3, 9x âˆ' 3y = 9

Second equation is 3 times the first â†' infinite solutions. General solution: y = 3x âˆ' 3

Q 2Verification

Check consistency: 2x+3y=8, 4x+6y=7

a₁/a₂=2/4=1/2, b₁/b₂=3/6=1/2, c₁/c₂=8/7

a₁/aâ‚‚ = b₁/bâ‚‚ ≠ c₁/câ‚‚ â†' Inconsistent (parallel lines, no solution).

Q 3Consistency Check

On comparing the ratios a₁/a₂, b₁/b₂ and c₁/c₂, find out whether the lines are intersecting, parallel, or coincident:

(i) 5xâˆ'4y+8=0, 7x+6yâˆ'9=0 â†' 5/7 ≠ âˆ'4/6 â†' Intersecting

(ii) 9x+3y+12=0, 18x+6y+24=0 â†' 9/18=3/6=12/24 â†' Coincident

(iii) 6xâˆ'3y+10=0, 2xâˆ'y+9=0 â†' 6/2=âˆ'3/âˆ'1≠10/9 â†' Parallel

Q 4–7Word Problems

Q4: Which of the following pairs of linear equations are consistent/inconsistent? (Solve each case)

(i) x+y=5, 2x+2y=10 â†' consistent (coincident), infinite solutions. (ii) xâˆ'y=8, 3xâˆ'3y=16 â†' inconsistent (parallel). (iii) 2x+yâˆ'6=0, 4xâˆ'2yâˆ'4=0 â†' consistent, solution: x=2, y=2. (iv) 2xâˆ'2yâˆ'2=0, 4xâˆ'4yâˆ'5=0 â†' inconsistent.

Q7: Draw graphs of xâˆ'y+1=0 and 3x+2yâˆ'12=0. Find the vertices of triangle formed by these lines and x-axis.

Vertices: (âˆ'1,0), (4,0), (2,3). Area = ½×5×3 = 7.5 sq units

Exercise 3.3 3 Questions – Elimination Method

Q 1Elimination

Solve by elimination method: (i) x+y=5, 2xâˆ'3y=4 â†' Multiply first by 3: 3x+3y=15. Add: 5x=19, x=19/5, y=6/5

(ii) 3x+4y=10, 2xâˆ'2y=2 â†' From second: xâˆ'y=1. Multiply by 3: 3xâˆ'3y=3. Subtract from 3x+4y=10: 7y=7, y=1, x=2

Q 2–3Word Problems

Q2: Denominator of a fraction is 4 more than twice the numerator. If 6 is subtracted from both numerator and denominator, denominator becomes 12 times the numerator. Find the fraction.

Let numerator = x. Denominator = 2x+4. Fraction = x/(2x+4). (xâˆ'6)/(2xâˆ'2) = 1/12. Cross multiply: 12xâˆ'72 = 2xâˆ'2 â‡' 10x = 70 â‡' x = 7. Fraction: 7/18.

Q3: Boat goes 30 km upstream and 44 km downstream in 10 hrs. In 13 hrs, it goes 40 km upstream and 55 km downstream. Find speed of boat in still water and speed of stream. â†' Speed of boat = 8 km/h, stream = 3 km/h

Exercise 3.4 2 Questions – More on Elimination

Q 1Elimination

Solve: (i) x/3+y/4=11, 5x/6âˆ'y/3=âˆ'7 â†' Multiply by LCM: x=6, y=36

(ii) 2x+3y=11, 2xâˆ'4y=âˆ'24 â†' Subtract: 7y=35, y=5. Then 2x=11âˆ'15=âˆ'4, x=âˆ'2, y=5

Exercise 3.5 4 Questions – Cross-Multiplication Method

Q 1Cross-Multiplication

Solve: 8x+5y=9, 3x+2y=4

Using cross-multiplication: x/(5×4âˆ'2×9) = y/(9×3âˆ'4×8) = 1/(8×2âˆ'5×3)

x/(20âˆ'18) = y/(27âˆ'32) = 1/(16âˆ'15) â‡' x/2 = y/(âˆ'5) = 1/1

∴ x = 2, y = âˆ'5

Q 4Word Problem

Form the pair of linear equations: (i) 5 pencils and 7 pens cost ₹50, 7 pencils and 5 pens cost ₹46 â†' Pencil=₹3, Pen=₹5

ðŸ" Cross-Multiplication Formula: For a₁x+b₁y+c₁=0 and aâ‚‚x+bâ‚‚y+câ‚‚=0: x/(b₁câ‚‚âˆ'bâ‚‚c₁) = y/(c₁aâ‚‚âˆ'câ‚‚a₁) = 1/(a₁bâ‚‚âˆ'aâ‚‚b₁)

Exercise 3.6 2 Questions – Equations Reducible to Linear Form

Q 1Reducible Form

Solve: (i) 1/2x + 1/3y = 2, 1/3x + 1/2y = 13/6

Let u = 1/x, v = 1/y. Then: u/2+v/3=2 â†' 3u+2v=12. u/3+v/2=13/6 â†' 2u+3v=13.

Solve: u=2, v=3. So x=1/2, y=1/3

Q 2Work Problem

Ritu can row downstream 20 km in 2 hours, upstream 4 km in 2 hours. Find speed in still water and speed of stream. â†' 6 km/h, 4 km/h

Exercise 3.7 (Optional) 8 Questions – Mixed Word Problems

Q 1Age Problem

Ages of two friends Ani and Biju differ by 3 years. Ani's father Dharam is twice as old as Ani, and Biju is twice as old as his sister Cathy. Cathy and Dharam's ages differ by 30 years. Find ages of Ani and Biju. â†' Ani=18, Biju=15 OR Ani=24, Biju=27

Q 4Speed Problem

A train covered a certain distance at uniform speed. If the train would have been 10 km/h faster, it would have taken 2 hours less. If it were 10 km/h slower, it would have taken 3 hours more. Find distance. â†' 600 km

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