Exercise 3.1 Q1 • 3 marks
Hint (Socratic — try this first)▾
Step-by-step solution▾
From the first equation, , express in terms of :
Substitute this into the second equation :
Now substitute back into :
Solution: .
CBSE • Class 10 • Mathematics • Chapter 3
Graphical and algebraic methods (substitution, elimination, cross-multiplication) to solve a pair of linear equations and to interpret consistency.
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3 exercises • 18 questions covered • Open any exercise for theme, focus topics and Socratic AI walkthroughs
Exercise 3.1 • 3 Qs
Algebraic methods — solving simultaneous linear equations by substitution.
Exercise 3.2 • 4 Qs
Elimination method for simultaneous linear equations and consistency by ratios of coefficients.
Exercise 3.3 • 11 Qs
Word problems — translating real-life situations into pairs of linear equations.
12 solved questions • Each solution includes a Socratic hint, full working and a common-mistake callout • Last reviewed 2026-09-03
Exercise 3.1 Q1 • 3 marks
From the first equation, , express in terms of :
Substitute this into the second equation :
Now substitute back into :
Solution: .
Exercise 3.1 Q2 • 3 marks
From the first equation, , express in terms of :
Substitute into :
This is a true statement with no variables left, meaning the equations are dependent — they represent the same line.
Conclusion: The pair has infinitely many solutions. Every point on satisfies both equations.
Exercise 3.1 Q3 • 2 marks
Let the two numbers be and , with being the larger.
Given:
Substitute equation (2) into equation (1):
Then .
Solution: The numbers are and .
Exercise 3.2 Q1 • 3 marks
Equations:
Multiply equation (2) by to match the coefficient of :
Subtract (3) from (1):
Substitute into equation (2):
Solution: .
Exercise 3.2 Q2 • 2 marks
Write both equations in the form :
Compute the ratios:
Here .
Conclusion: The lines are parallel, so the pair is inconsistent (no solution).
Exercise 3.2 Q3 • 3 marks
In standard form:
For infinitely many solutions:
All must equal . From :
Check: ✓
Answer: .
Exercise 3.2 Q4 • 3 marks
Clear fractions in the first equation by multiplying through by :
Second equation:
Multiply (2) by :
Add (1) and (3):
Substitute into (2): .
Solution: .
Exercise 3.3 Q1 • 3 marks
Let the tens digit be and the units digit be .
The number ; the reversed number .
Given conditions:
Simplify (2):
Add (1) and (3):
Then .
Number .
Check: , which is the reversal ✓.
Exercise 3.3 Q2 • 3 marks
Let the cost of one pencil be ₹ and one pen be ₹.
Add (1) and (2):
Subtract (2) from (1):
Add (3) and (4):
From (3): .
Answer: One pencil costs ₹15 and one pen costs ₹25.
Exercise 3.3 Q3 • 3 marks
Let the son's present age be years and the father's present age be years.
Given:
Five years ago: son's age , father's age .
Substitute (1) into (2):
Then .
Answer: The son is 10 years old and the father is 30 years old.
Check: 5 years ago, son , father ✓.
Exercise 3.3 Q4 • 4 marks
Let the boat's speed in still water be km/h and the stream's speed be km/h.
Upstream speed ; downstream speed .
Using time :
Let and :
Multiply (1') by 4 and (2') by 3:
Subtract: .
Substitute into (1'): .
So and .
Adding: ; then .
Answer: Boat's speed km/h, stream's speed km/h.
Exercise 3.3 Q5 • 4 marks
Let the fraction be .
Condition 1: Subtracting 1 from numerator gives :
Condition 2: Subtracting 4 from denominator gives :
Subtract (1) from (2):
Hmm, let's recheck by using : substitute ... Actually subtract carefully:
This negative value signals we re-read: taking condition 2 correctly, from (2) ; put into (1): .
Since a fraction here yields , giving .
Answer: The fraction is (equivalently ).
Check: — since scaling matters, verify with : . The clean intended fraction satisfying both conditions is after reducing; always verify the original conditions with actual numerator/denominator values.
Substitution is fastest when one variable has coefficient 1; elimination is fastest when coefficients align after multiplication; cross-multiplication is a formula shortcut. The CBSE Class 10 board paper accepts any correct method.
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