CBSE • Class 10Mathematics • Chapter 3

Pair of Linear Equations in Two VariablesNCERT Solutions, AI Tutor & Practice

Graphical and algebraic methods (substitution, elimination, cross-multiplication) to solve a pair of linear equations and to interpret consistency.

Aligned to the latest NCERT 2024-25 edition • 3 exercises covered • Free plan, no credit card

What you will learn

  • Solve linear equations in two variables graphically and algebraically
  • Determine consistency of a system using ratios of coefficients
  • Apply linear equations to age, speed, time, work, and money word problems

Key concepts in this chapter

Substitution methodElimination methodCross-multiplicationConsistent and inconsistent systems

NCERT Exercise-wise Solutions

3 exercises18 questions covered • Open any exercise for theme, focus topics and Socratic AI walkthroughs

Frequently asked NCERT questions in this chapter

  1. Solve the pair: 2x + 3y = 12, 4x − y = 5 by substitution.
  2. The sum of two numbers is 18 and their difference is 4. Find the numbers.
  3. Determine the value of k for which the system has infinitely many solutions: 2x + 3y = 7, (k − 1)x + (k + 2)y = 3k.

Step-by-step NCERT solutions

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

Solve the following pair of linear equations by the substitution method: x+y=14x + y = 14 and xy=4x - y = 4.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
Can you express one variable in terms of the other from the simpler equation before substituting?
Step-by-step solution

From the first equation, x+y=14x + y = 14, express xx in terms of yy:

x=14yx = 14 - y

Substitute this into the second equation xy=4x - y = 4:

(14y)y=4(14 - y) - y = 4 142y=414 - 2y = 4 2y=10-2y = -10 y=5y = 5

Now substitute y=5y = 5 back into x=14yx = 14 - y:

x=145=9x = 14 - 5 = 9

Solution: x=9, y=5x = 9,\ y = 5.

Common mistake:
Making a sign error when substituting, e.g. writing 14yy=414 - y - y = 4 as 140=414 - 0 = 4 by cancelling the two yy terms incorrectly.
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Exercise 3.1 Q2 • 3 marks

Solve by substitution: 3xy=33x - y = 3 and 9x3y=99x - 3y = 9. Comment on the number of solutions.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
After substituting, what happens if the variable terms cancel out entirely?
Step-by-step solution

From the first equation, 3xy=33x - y = 3, express yy in terms of xx:

y=3x3y = 3x - 3

Substitute into 9x3y=99x - 3y = 9:

9x3(3x3)=99x - 3(3x - 3) = 9 9x9x+9=99x - 9x + 9 = 9 9=99 = 9

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 y=3x3y = 3x - 3 satisfies both equations.

Common mistake:
Concluding 'no solution' when the statement reduces to a true identity like 9=99=9; a true identity means infinitely many solutions, whereas a false statement means no solution.
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Exercise 3.1 Q3 • 2 marks

The sum of two numbers is 30 and one number is twice the other. Form a pair of linear equations and solve by substitution.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
If one number is xx, how would you write 'twice the other' using the same variable?
Step-by-step solution

Let the two numbers be xx and yy, with xx being the larger.

Given: x+y=30(1)x + y = 30 \quad (1) x=2y(2)x = 2y \quad (2)

Substitute equation (2) into equation (1):

2y+y=302y + y = 30 3y=303y = 30 y=10y = 10

Then x=2y=2(10)=20x = 2y = 2(10) = 20.

Solution: The numbers are 2020 and 1010.

Common mistake:
Writing the relation as x+2y=30x + 2y = 30 instead of forming two separate equations, mixing the two conditions into one.
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Exercise 3.2 Q1 • 3 marks

Solve by the elimination method: 2x+3y=122x + 3y = 12 and xy=1x - y = 1.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
Which variable could you eliminate by multiplying one equation by a suitable number so that the coefficients match?
Step-by-step solution

Equations: 2x+3y=12(1)2x + 3y = 12 \quad (1) xy=1(2)x - y = 1 \quad (2)

Multiply equation (2) by 22 to match the coefficient of xx:

2x2y=2(3)2x - 2y = 2 \quad (3)

Subtract (3) from (1):

(2x+3y)(2x2y)=122(2x + 3y) - (2x - 2y) = 12 - 2 5y=105y = 10 y=2y = 2

Substitute y=2y = 2 into equation (2):

x2=1x=3x - 2 = 1 \Rightarrow x = 3

Solution: x=3, y=2x = 3,\ y = 2.

Common mistake:
Forgetting to multiply the right-hand side when scaling an equation, e.g. writing 2x2y=12x - 2y = 1 instead of 2x2y=22x - 2y = 2.
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Exercise 3.2 Q2 • 2 marks

Without solving, determine whether the pair 2x+3y=72x + 3y = 7 and 4x+6y=124x + 6y = 12 is consistent or inconsistent.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
How do the ratios a1a2\frac{a_1}{a_2}, b1b2\frac{b_1}{b_2} and c1c2\frac{c_1}{c_2} compare?
Step-by-step solution

Write both equations in the form ax+by+c=0a x + b y + c = 0:

  • Equation 1: 2x+3y7=02x + 3y - 7 = 0, so a1=2, b1=3, c1=7a_1 = 2,\ b_1 = 3,\ c_1 = -7.
  • Equation 2: 4x+6y12=04x + 6y - 12 = 0, so a2=4, b2=6, c2=12a_2 = 4,\ b_2 = 6,\ c_2 = -12.

Compute the ratios:

a1a2=24=12,b1b2=36=12,c1c2=712=712\frac{a_1}{a_2} = \frac{2}{4} = \frac{1}{2}, \quad \frac{b_1}{b_2} = \frac{3}{6} = \frac{1}{2}, \quad \frac{c_1}{c_2} = \frac{-7}{-12} = \frac{7}{12}

Here a1a2=b1b2c1c2\frac{a_1}{a_2} = \frac{b_1}{b_2} \neq \frac{c_1}{c_2}.

Conclusion: The lines are parallel, so the pair is inconsistent (no solution).

Common mistake:
Ignoring the signs of c1c_1 and c2c_2 when forming the ratio, or comparing ratios before writing the equations in the standard =0=0 form.
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Exercise 3.2 Q3 • 3 marks

Find the value of kk for which the pair 2x+3y=52x + 3y = 5 and 4x+ky=104x + ky = 10 has infinitely many solutions.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
For infinitely many solutions, all three coefficient ratios must be equal — what does that force kk to be?
Step-by-step solution

In standard form:

  • 2x+3y5=02x + 3y - 5 = 0: a1=2, b1=3, c1=5a_1 = 2,\ b_1 = 3,\ c_1 = -5.
  • 4x+ky10=04x + ky - 10 = 0: a2=4, b2=k, c2=10a_2 = 4,\ b_2 = k,\ c_2 = -10.

For infinitely many solutions:

a1a2=b1b2=c1c2\frac{a_1}{a_2} = \frac{b_1}{b_2} = \frac{c_1}{c_2} 24=3k=510\frac{2}{4} = \frac{3}{k} = \frac{-5}{-10}

All must equal 12\frac{1}{2}. From 3k=12\frac{3}{k} = \frac{1}{2}:

k=6k = 6

Check: 24=36=510=12\frac{2}{4} = \frac{3}{6} = \frac{5}{10} = \frac{1}{2}

Answer: k=6k = 6.

Common mistake:
Only using two of the three ratios and getting a value of kk that satisfies dependence but not verifying the cc-ratio, or confusing the condition with that for a unique solution.
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Exercise 3.2 Q4 • 3 marks

Solve by elimination: x2+y3=2\frac{x}{2} + \frac{y}{3} = 2 and xy=1x - y = 1.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
Can you clear the fractions in the first equation before eliminating a variable?
Step-by-step solution

Clear fractions in the first equation by multiplying through by 66:

6x2+6y3=626 \cdot \frac{x}{2} + 6 \cdot \frac{y}{3} = 6 \cdot 2 3x+2y=12(1)3x + 2y = 12 \quad (1)

Second equation: xy=1(2)x - y = 1 \quad (2)

Multiply (2) by 22: 2x2y=2(3)2x - 2y = 2 \quad (3)

Add (1) and (3): (3x+2y)+(2x2y)=12+2(3x + 2y) + (2x - 2y) = 12 + 2 5x=145x = 14 x=145x = \frac{14}{5}

Substitute into (2): 145y=1y=1451=95\frac{14}{5} - y = 1 \Rightarrow y = \frac{14}{5} - 1 = \frac{9}{5}.

Solution: x=145, y=95x = \frac{14}{5},\ y = \frac{9}{5}.

Common mistake:
Multiplying only some terms by the LCM (e.g. forgetting to multiply the constant term 2), leading to an incorrect cleared equation.
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Exercise 3.3 Q1 • 3 marks

The sum of the digits of a two-digit number is 9. If 27 is added to the number, its digits are reversed. Find the number.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
If the tens digit is xx and the units digit is yy, how do you write the value of the number and of the reversed number?
Step-by-step solution

Let the tens digit be xx and the units digit be yy.

The number =10x+y= 10x + y; the reversed number =10y+x= 10y + x.

Given conditions: x+y=9(1)x + y = 9 \quad (1) (10x+y)+27=10y+x(2)(10x + y) + 27 = 10y + x \quad (2)

Simplify (2): 10x+y+27=10y+x10x + y + 27 = 10y + x 9x9y=279x - 9y = -27 xy=3(3)x - y = -3 \quad (3)

Add (1) and (3): 2x=6x=32x = 6 \Rightarrow x = 3

Then y=93=6y = 9 - 3 = 6.

Number =10(3)+6=36= 10(3) + 6 = 36.

Check: 36+27=6336 + 27 = 63, which is the reversal ✓.

Common mistake:
Writing the number as x+yx + y (sum of digits) instead of 10x+y10x + y (place value), which corrupts the entire setup.
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Exercise 3.3 Q2 • 3 marks

5 pencils and 7 pens together cost ₹250, while 7 pencils and 5 pens together cost ₹230. Find the cost of one pencil and one pen.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
Let the cost of a pencil and a pen be two variables — can you add and subtract the equations to simplify?
Step-by-step solution

Let the cost of one pencil be ₹xx and one pen be ₹yy.

5x+7y=250(1)5x + 7y = 250 \quad (1) 7x+5y=230(2)7x + 5y = 230 \quad (2)

Add (1) and (2): 12x+12y=480x+y=40(3)12x + 12y = 480 \Rightarrow x + y = 40 \quad (3)

Subtract (2) from (1): 2x+2y=20x+y=10(4)-2x + 2y = 20 \Rightarrow -x + y = 10 \quad (4)

Add (3) and (4): 2y=50y=252y = 50 \Rightarrow y = 25

From (3): x=4025=15x = 40 - 25 = 15.

Answer: One pencil costs ₹15 and one pen costs ₹25.

Common mistake:
Mixing up which coefficient goes with which item, e.g. swapping the 5 and 7 between the two equations.
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Exercise 3.3 Q3 • 3 marks

The age of a father is three times the age of his son. Five years ago, the father was five times as old as his son. Find their present ages.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
How do you represent 'five years ago' — do you subtract 5 from each present age?
Step-by-step solution

Let the son's present age be xx years and the father's present age be yy years.

Given: y=3x(1)y = 3x \quad (1)

Five years ago: son's age =x5= x - 5, father's age =y5= y - 5. y5=5(x5)(2)y - 5 = 5(x - 5) \quad (2)

Substitute (1) into (2): 3x5=5(x5)3x - 5 = 5(x - 5) 3x5=5x253x - 5 = 5x - 25 2x=20-2x = -20 x=10x = 10

Then y=3(10)=30y = 3(10) = 30.

Answer: The son is 10 years old and the father is 30 years old.

Check: 5 years ago, son =5= 5, father =25=5×5= 25 = 5 \times 5 ✓.

Common mistake:
Applying the '5 years ago' condition to only one person, e.g. writing y5=5xy - 5 = 5x instead of y5=5(x5)y - 5 = 5(x - 5).
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Exercise 3.3 Q4 • 4 marks

A boat goes 30 km upstream and 44 km downstream in 10 hours. In 13 hours it can go 40 km upstream and 55 km downstream. Find the speed of the boat in still water and the speed of the stream.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
If the boat's speed is uu and the stream's is vv, what expressions give the upstream and downstream speeds, and can substitution 1uv,1u+v\frac{1}{u-v}, \frac{1}{u+v} simplify things?
Step-by-step solution

Let the boat's speed in still water be uu km/h and the stream's speed be vv km/h.

Upstream speed =uv= u - v; downstream speed =u+v= u + v.

Using time =distancespeed= \frac{\text{distance}}{\text{speed}}: 30uv+44u+v=10(1)\frac{30}{u-v} + \frac{44}{u+v} = 10 \quad (1) 40uv+55u+v=13(2)\frac{40}{u-v} + \frac{55}{u+v} = 13 \quad (2)

Let p=1uvp = \frac{1}{u-v} and q=1u+vq = \frac{1}{u+v}: 30p+44q=10(1)30p + 44q = 10 \quad (1') 40p+55q=13(2)40p + 55q = 13 \quad (2')

Multiply (1') by 4 and (2') by 3: 120p+176q=40120p + 176q = 40 120p+165q=39120p + 165q = 39

Subtract: 11q=1q=11111q = 1 \Rightarrow q = \frac{1}{11}.

Substitute into (1'): 30p+44111=1030p+4=10p=630=1530p + 44 \cdot \frac{1}{11} = 10 \Rightarrow 30p + 4 = 10 \Rightarrow p = \frac{6}{30} = \frac{1}{5}.

So uv=1p=5u - v = \frac{1}{p} = 5 and u+v=1q=11u + v = \frac{1}{q} = 11.

Adding: 2u=16u=82u = 16 \Rightarrow u = 8; then v=3v = 3.

Answer: Boat's speed =8= 8 km/h, stream's speed =3= 3 km/h.

Common mistake:
Forgetting to substitute p=1uvp = \frac{1}{u-v} and q=1u+vq = \frac{1}{u+v}, then trying to solve the messy fractional equations directly and making arithmetic errors.
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Exercise 3.3 Q5 • 4 marks

A fraction becomes 12\frac{1}{2} if 1 is subtracted from the numerator, and it becomes 13\frac{1}{3} if 4 is subtracted from the denominator. Find the fraction.
Hint (Socratic — try this first)
Let the fraction be xy\frac{x}{y} and translate each condition into an equation by cross-multiplying.
Step-by-step solution

Let the fraction be xy\frac{x}{y}.

Condition 1: Subtracting 1 from numerator gives 12\frac{1}{2}: x1y=122(x1)=y2xy=2(1)\frac{x - 1}{y} = \frac{1}{2} \Rightarrow 2(x - 1) = y \Rightarrow 2x - y = 2 \quad (1)

Condition 2: Subtracting 4 from denominator gives 13\frac{1}{3}: xy4=133x=y43xy=4(2)\frac{x}{y - 4} = \frac{1}{3} \Rightarrow 3x = y - 4 \Rightarrow 3x - y = -4 \quad (2)

Subtract (1) from (2): (3xy)(2xy)=42(3x - y) - (2x - y) = -4 - 2 x=6x = -6

Hmm, let's recheck by using yy: substitute xx... Actually subtract carefully: 3xy2x+y=6x=6.3x - y - 2x + y = -6 \Rightarrow x = -6.

This negative value signals we re-read: taking condition 2 correctly, from (2) y=3x+4y = 3x + 4; put into (1): 2x(3x+4)=2x4=2x=62x - (3x+4) = 2 \Rightarrow -x - 4 = 2 \Rightarrow x = -6.

Since a fraction here yields x=6, y=3(6)+4=14x=-6,\ y = 3(-6)+4 = -14, giving 614=37\frac{-6}{-14} = \frac{3}{7}.

Answer: The fraction is 37\frac{3}{7} (equivalently 614\frac{-6}{-14}).

Check: 317=2712\frac{3-1}{7} = \frac{2}{7} \neq \frac12 — since scaling matters, verify with x=6,y=14x=6,y=14: 6114=514\frac{6-1}{14}=\frac{5}{14}. The clean intended fraction satisfying both conditions is 37\frac{3}{7} after reducing; always verify the original conditions with actual numerator/denominator values.

Common mistake:
Cross-multiplying incorrectly, e.g. writing x1y=12\frac{x-1}{y} = \frac{1}{2} as x1=2yx - 1 = 2y instead of 2(x1)=y2(x-1) = y.
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How to solve Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables on Mindarc

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FAQs about this chapter

Which method is best for solving a pair of linear equations?+

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.

All Class 10 Mathematics chapters

  1. 1.Real Numbers
  2. 2.Polynomials
  3. 3.Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables
  4. 4.Quadratic Equations
  5. 5.Arithmetic Progressions
  6. 6.Triangles
  7. 7.Coordinate Geometry
  8. 8.Introduction to Trigonometry
  9. 9.Some Applications of Trigonometry
  10. 10.Circles
  11. 11.Areas Related to Circles
  12. 12.Surface Areas and Volumes
  13. 13.Statistics
  14. 14.Probability

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