NCERT Solutions Class 10 Maths Chapter 3 Exercise 3.

Q1. Solve the following pair of linear equations by the elimination method and the
substitution method:
(i) x + y = 5 and 2 x – 3 y = 4 (ii) 3x + 4 y = 10 and 2 x – 2 y = 2
(iii) 3x – 5 y – 4 = 0 and 9 x = 2 y + 7 x 2y y
(iv) + = −1 and x − = 3
2 3 3
Difficulty Level: Easy

Unknown:
Solution for the linear pair of equations.

Reasoning
Substitution method:
Pick either of the equations and write one variable in terms of the other then substitute the
value of the obtained variable in other equation to solve.

Elimination method:
First multiply one or both the equations by some suitable non-zero constants to make the
coefficients of one variable numerically equal then add or subtract one equation from the
other so that one variable gets eliminated.

(i) Known:
x+ y =5
2x − 3 y = 4
Solution
Elimination method:
x+ y =5 (1)
2x − 3 y = 4 ( 2 )

Multiplying equation (1) by 2

x + y = 5  2
2 x + 2 y = 10 ( 3)

By subtracting equation (2) from equation (3)

( 2 x + 2 y ) − ( 2 x − 3 y ) = 10 − 4
2x + 2 y − 2x + 3y = 6
5y = 6
6
y=
5
Substituting y = 6 in equation (1)
5
6
x+ =5
5
6
x = 5−
5
25 − 6
x=
5
19
x=
5

Substitution method:
x+ y =5 (1)
2x − 3 y = 4 ( 2 )

By solving equation (1)

x+ y =5
y = 5− x ( 3 )

Substituting y = 5 − x in equation (2)

2 x − 3(5 − x) = 4
2 x − 15 + 3x = 4
5 x = 4 + 15
19
x=
5

Substituting x = 19 in equation (3)

5
19
y = 5−
5
25 − 19
y=
5
6
y=
5
Answer:
19 6
x= y=
5 5
(ii) Known:
3 x + 4 y = 10
2x − 2 y = 2
Solution
Elimination method:
3x + 4 y = 10 (1)
2x − 2 y = 2 ( 2 )

Multiplying equation (2) by 2

 2 x − 2 y = 2  2
4x − 4 y = 4 ( 3)

By adding equation (1) and equation (3)

( 3x + 4 y ) + ( 4 x − 4 y ) = 10 + 4
3x + 4 y + 4 x − 4 y = 14
7 x = 14
14
x=
7
x=2
Substituting in equation (2)
2 2 − 2y = 2
4 − 2y = 2
2y = 4 − 2
2
y=
2
y =1

Substitution method:

3x + 4 y = 10 (1)
2x − 2 y = 2 ( 2 )

By solving equation (1)

3x + 4 y = 10
4 y = 10 − 3 x
10 − 3x
y= ( 3 )
4
Substituting y = 10 − 3x in equation (2)
4
 10 − 3x 
2x − 2  =2
 4 
4 x − 10 + 3x
=2
2
7 x − 10 = 4
7 x = 4 + 10
14
x=
7
x=2

Substituting x = 2 in equation (3)

10 − 3  2
y=
4
10 − 6
y=
4
4
y=
4
y =1
Answer:
x=2 y =1

(iii) Known:
3x − 5 y − 4 = 0
9x = 2 y + 7
Solution
Elimination method:
3x − 5 y − 4 = 0 (1)
9x = 2 y + 7 ( 2 )

Multiplying equation (1) by 3

3 x − 5 y − 4 = 0  3
9 x − 15 y − 12 = 0 ( 3)

By solving equation (2)

9x − 2 y − 7 = 0 ( 4 )

By subtracting equation (4) from equation (3)

 ( 9 x − 15 y − 12 ) − ( 9 x − 2 y − 7 ) = 0
9 x − 15 y − 12 − 9 x + 2 y + 7 = 0
−13 y − 5 = 0
−13 y = 5
5
y=−
13

Substituting y = − 5 in equation (2)

13
 5
9x = 2  −  + 7
 13 
−10 + 91
9x =
13
81 1
x= 
13 9
9
x=
13

Substitution method:
3x − 5 y − 4 = 0 (1)
9x = 2 y + 7 ( 2 )

By solving equation (1)

3x − 5 y − 4 = 0
5 y = 3x − 4
3x − 4
y= ( 3 )
5

Substituting y = 3x − 4 in equation (2)

5
 3x − 4 
9x = 2  +7
 5 
6 x − 8 + 35
9x =
5
45 x = 6 x + 27
45 x − 6 x = 27
39 x = 27
27
x=
39
9
x=
13
Substitute x = 9 in equation (3)
13

y=
( 13) − 4
3 9
5
 27 − 52  1
y= 
 13  5
25 1
y=− 
13 5
5
y=−
13
Answer:
5 9
y=− x=
13 13

(iii) Known:
x 2y
+ = −1
2 3
y
x− =3
3
Solution
Elimination method:
x 2y
+ = −1 ...(1)
2 3
y
x− =3 ...(2)
3

Multiplying equation (1) by 6 and equation (2) by 3

 x 2y 
 2 + 3 = −1  6
3x + 4 y = −6 ...(3)

 y 
 x − 3 = 3  3
3x − y = 9 ...(4)

By subtracting equation (4) from equation (3)

( 3x + 4 y ) − ( 3x − y ) = −6 − 9
3 x + 4 y − 3 x + y = −15
5 y = −15
15
y=−
5
y = −3
Substitute y = −3 in equation (2)
−3
x− =3
3
x +1 = 3
x = 3 −1
x=2

Substitution method:
x 2y
+ = −1 ...(1)
2 3
y
x− =3 ...(2)
3

By solving equation (2)

y
x− =3
3
y
x = +3
3
y+9
x= ...(3)
3

Substituting x = y + 9 in equation (1)

3
1  y + 9  2y
 + = −1
2 3  3
y + 9 + 4y
= −1
6
5 y + 9 = −6
5 y = −6 − 9
−15
y=
5
y = −3

Substituting y = −3 in equation (3)

−3 + 9
x=
3
6
x=
3
x=2

Answer:
x=2 y = −3
Q2. Form the pair of linear equations in the following problems, and find their
Solutions (if they exist) by the elimination method:

(i) If we add 1 to the numerator and subtract 1 from the denominator, a fraction
reduces to 1. It becomes 1 if we only add 1 to the denominator. What is
2
the fraction?

(ii) Five years ago, Nuri was thrice as old as Sonu. Ten years later, Nuri will be
twice as old as Sonu. How old are Nuri and Sonu?

(iii) The sum of the digits of a two-digit number is 9. Also, nine times this
number is twice the number obtained by reversing the order of the digits.
Find the number.

(iv) Meena went to a bank to withdraw ₹. 2000. She asked the cashier to give
her ₹. 50 and ₹. 100 notes only. Meena got ₹. 25 notes in all. Find how many
notes of ₹. 50 and ₹. 100 she received.

(v) A lending library has a fixed charge for the first three days and an additional
charge for each day thereafter. Saritha paid ₹. 27 for a book kept for seven
days, while Susy paid ₹. 21 for the book she kept for five days. Find the
fixed charge and the charge for each extra day.

(i)
Difficulty Level: Medium

Unknown:
The pair of linear equations and fraction

Known:
Fraction becomes 1, if 1 is added to the numerator and 1 is subtracted from the
denominator, and fraction becomes 1 , if 1 is added to the denominator.
2

Reasoning:
Fraction has two parts numerator and denominator so assume the numerator as x, and
denominator as y, two linear equations can be formed for the known situation.
Solution:
Let the numerator = x
And the denominator = y
x
Then the fraction =
y

When 1 is added to the numerator and 1 is subtracted from the denominator;

x +1
=1
y −1
x +1 = y −1
x +1 = y −1
x − y +1+1 = 0
x− y+2=0 ...(1)

When 1 is added to the denominator;

x 1
=
y +1 2
2x = y +1
2x − y −1 = 0 ...(2)

By subtracting equation (2) from equation (1)

( x − y + 2 ) − ( 2 x − y − 1) = 0
x − y + 2 − 2x + y +1 = 0
−x + 3 = 0
x=3

Substitute x = 3 in equation (1)

3− y + 2 = 0
y=5
Answer:
Equations are x − y + 2 = 0 and 2 x − y − 1 = 0 where the numerator of the fraction is x, and
denominator is y.
Fraction is 3
5

(ii)
Difficulty Level: Medium

Unknown:
The pair of linear equations and ages of Nuri and Sonu.

Known:
5 years ago, Nuri was thrice as old as Sonu and 10 years later, Nuri will be twice as old as
Sonu.
Reasoning:
Assuming the present age of Nuri as x years and Sonu as y years, two linear equations can
be formed for the Known Solutions.
Solution:
Let the present age of Nuri = x years
And the present age of Sonu = y years

5 years ago,
Nuri’s age = ( x − 5 ) years
Sonu’s age = ( y − 5) years

x − 5 = 3( y − 5)
x − 5 = 3 y − 15
x − 3 y − 5 + 15 = 0
x − 3 y + 10 = 0 ...(1)

10 years later,
Nuri’s age = ( x + 10 ) years
Sonu’s age = ( y + 10 ) years

x + 10 = 2( y + 10)
x + 10 = 2 y + 20
x − 2 y + 10 − 20 = 0
x − 2 y − 10 = 0 ...(2)

By subtracting equation (2) from equation (1)

( x − 3 y + 10 ) − ( x − 2 y − 10 ) = 0
x − 3 y + 10 − x + 2 y + 10 = 0
− y + 20 = 0
y = 20
Figure Substitute y = 20 in equation (1)
x − 3  20 + 10 = 0
x − 60 + 10 = 0
x − 50 = 0
x = 50
Answer:
Linear equations are x − 3 y + 10 = 0 and x − 2 y − 10 = 0 where the present age of Nuri is x
and Sonu is y.

Age of Nuri is 50 years.

Age of Sonu is 20 years.
(iii)
Difficulty Level: Hard

Unknown:
The pair of linear equations and two-digit number.

Known:
Sum of digits of a two-digit number is 9 and nine times this number twice the number
obtained by reversing the order of the digits.

Reasoning:
A two-digits number’s form is 10y + x where y and x are ten’s and one’s digit
respectively.

Solution:
Let the one’s place = x
And the ten’s place = y
Then the number = 10y + x

Sum of the digits of the number;

x+ y =9 ...(1)

By reversing the order of the digits, the number = 10x + y

Hence,
9 (10 y + x ) = 2 (10 x + y )
90 y + 9 x = 20 x + 2 y
20 x + 2 y − 90 y − 9 x = 0
11x − 88 y = 0
11( x − 8 y ) = 0
x − 8y = 0 ...(2)

By subtracting equation (2) from equation (1)

( x + y) − ( x − 8y) = 9 − 0
x + y − x + 8y = 9
9y = 9
y =1

Substitute y = 1 in equation (1)

x +1 = 9
x = 9 −1
x =8
Answer:
Equations are x + y = 9 and 8x − y = 0 where y and x are ten’s and one’s digit respectively.
The two-digit number is 18.

(iv)
Difficulty Level: Hard

Unknown:
The pair of linear equations and number of notes of ₹ 50 and ₹ 100 each.

Known:
Meena withdrew ₹ 2000, got ₹ 50 and ₹ 100 notes only and 25 notes in all.

Reasoning:
Assuming the number of notes of ₹ 50 as x and ₹ 100 as y, two linear equations can be
formed for the known Solutions.
Solution:
Let number of notes of ₹ 50 = x
and number of notes of ₹ 100 = y

Meena got 25 notes in all;

x + y = 25 ... (1)

Meena withdrew ₹ 2000;

50 x + 100 y = 2000
50 ( x + 2 y ) = 2000
2000
x + 2y =
50
x + 2 y = 40 ...(2)

By subtracting equation (1) from equation (2)

( x + 2 y ) − ( x + y ) = 40 − 25
x + 2 y − x − y = 15
y = 15

Substitute y = 15 in equation (1)

x +15 = 25
x = 10
Answer:
Equations are x + y = 25 and x + 2 y = 40 where number of ₹ 50 and ₹ 100 notes are x and
y respectively.
Number of ₹ 50 notes is 10
Number of ₹ 100 notes is 15.
(v)
Difficulty Level: Hard

Unknown:
The pair of linear equations, fixed charge and charge for each extra day.

Known:
Saritha paid ₹ 27 for a book kept for 7 days while Susy paid ₹ 21 for a book kept for 5
days, where fixed charge for first 3 days and an additional charge for each day thereafter.

Reasoning:
Assuming fixed charges as ₹ x and additional charge for each extra day as ₹ y, two linear
equations can be formed for the known situation.

Solution:
Let the fixed charge = x
And charge per extra day = y

Saritha paid ₹ 27 for a book kept for 7 days;

x + ( 7 − 3) y = 27
x + 4 y = 27 ... (1)

Susy paid ₹ 21 for a book kept for 5 days;

x + ( 5 − 3) y = 21
x + 2 y = 21 ... ( 2 )

By subtracting equation (2) from equation (1)

( x + 4 y ) − ( x + 2 y ) = 27 − 21
x + 4y − x − 2y = 6
2y = 6
6
y=
2
y=3

Substituting y = 3 in equation (3)

x + 4  3 = 27
x + 12 = 27
x = 27 − 12
x = 15

Answer:
Equations are x + 2 y = 21 and x + 4 y = 27 where fixed charge is ₹ x and charge for each
extra day is ₹ y.
Fixed charge is ₹ 15
Charge for each extra day is ₹ 3