Substitution Method : We shall explain the method of substitution by taking
some examples.
Example 1 :
Solve the following pair of equations by substitution method:
7x – 15y = 2 (1)
x + 2y = 3 (2)
Solution :
Step 1 : We pick either of the equations and write one variable in terms of the other.
Let us consider the Equation (2) :
x + 2y = 3
and write it as x = 3 – 2y (3)
Step 2 : Substitute the value of x in Equation (1). We get
7(3 – 2y) – 15y = 2
i.e., 21 – 14y – 15y = 2
i.e., – 29y = –19
Therefore, y =19/29
Step 3 : Substituting this value of y in Equation (3), we get
x = 3 – 2 (19/29) =49/29
Therefore, the solution is x =49/29 , Y =19/29
Verification : Substituting x =49/29 and Y=19/29
,you can verify that both the Equations
(1) and (2) are satisfied.
Step 1 : Find the value of one variable, say y in terms of the other variable, i.e., x from
either equation, whichever is convenient.
Step 2 : Substitute this value of y in the other equation, and reduce it to an equation in
one variable, i.e., in terms of x, which can be solved. Sometimes, as in Examples 9 and
10 below, you can get statements with no variable. If this statement is true, you can
conclude that the pair of linear equations has infinitely many solutions. If the statement
is false, then the pair of linear equations is inconsistent.
Step 3 : Substitute the value of x (or y) obtained in Step 2 in the equation used in
Step 1 to obtain the value of the other variable.



