Linear Equations in Two Variables

Exercise 4.1

Write the correct answer in each of the following:

1. The linear equation 2x– 5 y= 7 has
(A) A unique solution
(B) Two solutions
(C) Infinitely many solutions
(D) No solution
Sol. 2x – 5 = 7 is a linear equation in two variables. A linear equation in two variables has
infinitely many solution.
Hence, (c) is the correct answer.

2. The equation 2x+ 5y = 7 has a unique solution, if x, y are:

(A) Natural numbers
(B) Positive real numbers
(C) Real numbers
(D) Rational numbers
Sol. The equation 2x + 5y = 7 has a unique solution if x, y are natural numbers.
Hence, (a) is the correct answer.

3. If (2, 0) is a solution of the linear equation 2x+ 3y= k, then the value of k is
(A) 4
(B) 6
(C) 5
(D) 2
Sol. Substituting x = 2 and y = 0 in the given equation 2x + 3y = k, we get
2(2) + 3(0) = k ⇒ k = 4
Therefore, the value of k is 4.
Hence, (a) is the correct answer.

4. Any solution of the linear equation 2 x + 0 y + 9 = 0 in two variables is of the form:

 9 
(a)  − , m 
 2 
 9
(b)  n, − 
 2
 9
(c)  0, − 
 2
(d) (−9, 0)
Sol. The given linear equation is 2 x + 0 y + 9 = 0 ⇒ 2 x = −9
9
∴ x=−
2
  9 
Since the coefficient of y is 0 in the given equation, the solution can be given as  − , m  .
 2 
Hence, (a) is the correct answer.

5. The graph of the linear equation 2x + 3y= 6 cuts the y-axis at the point
(A) (2, 0)
(B) (0, 3)
(C) (3, 0)
(D) (0, 2)
Sol. The graph of the linear equation 2x + 3y = 6 cuts the y-axis at the point where x-
coordinate is zero.
Putting x = 0 in 2x + 3y = 6, we get
2(0) + 3 y = 6 ⇒ 3 y = 6 ⇒ y = 6 ÷ 3 = 2
So, (0, 2) is the required point.
Hence, (d) is the correct answer.

6. The equation x= 7, in two variables, can be written as

(A) 1.x + 1.y = 7
(B) 1.x + 0.y = 7
(C) 0.x + 1.y = 7
(D) 0.x + 0.y = 7
Sol. The equation x = 7 in two variables can be expressed as 1.x + 0.y = 7.
Hence, (b) is the correct answer.

7. Any point on the x-axis is of the form

(A) (x, y)
(B) (0, y)
(C) (x, 0)
(D) (x, x)
Sol. Any point on the x-axis has its ordinate 0.
So, any point on the x-axis if of the form (x, 0).
Hence, (c) is the correct answer.

8. Any point on the line y = x is of the form

(A) (a, a)
(B) (0, a)
(C) (a, 0)
(D) (a, – a)
Sol. Any point on the line y = x will have x and y coordinate same.
So, any point on the line y = x is of the form (a, a).
Hence, (a) is the correct answer.

9. The equation of x-axis is of the form

(A) x = 0
 (B) y = 0
(C) x + y = 0
(D) x = y
Sol. y = 0 is the equation of x-axis.
Hence, (b) is the correct answer.

10. The graph of y = 6 is a line

(A) parallel to x -axis at a distance 6 units from the origin
(B) parallel to y -axis at a distance 6 units from the origin
(C) making an intercept 6 on the x-axis.
(D) making an intercept 6 on both the axes.
Sol. The given equation y = 6 does not contain x. Its graph is a line parallel to x-axis.
So, the graph of y = 6 is a line parallel to x-axis at a distance 6 units from the origin.
Hence, (a) is the correct answer.

11. x = 5, y= 2 is a solution of the linear equation

(A) x + 2y = 7
(B) 5x + 2y = 7
(C) x + y = 7
(D) 5x + y = 7
Sol. x = 5, y = 2 is a solution of the linear equation x + y = 7, as 5 + 2 = 7.
Hence, (c) is a correct answer.

12. If a linear equation has solutions (–2, 2), (0, 0) and (2, – 2), then it is of the form
(A) y – x = 0
(B) x + y = 0
(C) –2x + y = 0
(D) –x + 2y = 0
Sol. The points (-2, 2) and (2, -2) have x and y coordinates of opposite signs.
Also, any point on the graph of x + y = 0
i.e., y = -x will have x and y coordinate of opposite signs. The Point (0, 0) also satisfies x +
y = 0.
Hence, (b) is the correct answer.

13. The positive solutions of the equation ax + by + c = 0 always lie in the

(A) 1st quadrant
(B) 2nd quadrant
(C) 3rd quadrant
(D) 4th quadrant
Sol. Quadrant I consist of all points (x, y) for which the x and y are positive.
So, the positive solution of the equation ax + by + c = 0 always lie in the Ist quadrant.
Hence, (a) is the correct answer.

14. The graph of the linear equation 2x+ 3 y= 6 is a line which meets the x-axis at the
point
 (A) (0, 2)
(B) (2, 0)
(C) (3, 0)
(D) (0, 3)
Sol. The graph of the linear equation 2x + 3y = 6 is a line which meets the x-axis at the point
where y = 0.
Now putting y = 0 in 2x + 3y = 6, we get
2 x + 3(0) = 6 ⇒ 2 x = 6 ⇒ x = 6 ÷ 2 = 3
So, (3, 0) is a point on the line 2x + 3y = 6.
Hence, (c) is the correct answer.

15. The graph of the linear equation y = x passes through the point.
 3 −3 
(a)  , 
2 2 
 3
(b)  0, 
 2
(c) (1, 1)
 −1 1 
(d)  , 
 2 2
Sol. We know that any point on the line y = x will have x and y coordinates same.
So, the graph of the linear equation y = x passes through the point (1, 1).
Hence, (c) is the correct answer.

16. If we multiply or divide both sides of a linear equation with a non-zero number,
then the solution of the linear equation:
(A) Changes
(B) Remains the same
(C) Changes in case of multiplication only
(D) Changes in case of division only
Sol. If we multiply or divide both sides of a linear equation with a non-zero number, then the
solution of the linear equation remains the same.
Hence, (b) is the correct answer.

17. How many linear equations in x and y can be satisfied by x = 1 and y= 2?

(A) Only one
(B) Two
(C) Infinitely many
(D) Three
Sol. There are infinitely many linear equations which are satisfied by x = 1 and y = 2.
For example, a linear equation x + y = 3 is satisfied by x = 1 and y =2.
Others are y = 2x, y – x = 1, 2y – x = 3 etc.
Hence, (c) is the correct answer.
18. The point of the form (a, a) always lies on:
(A) x-axis
(B) y-axis
(C) On the line y= x
(D) On the line x+ y = 0
Sol. The points of the form (a, a) have x and y coordinates same. So, the point of the form (a, a)
always lies on the line y = x.
Hence, (c) is the correct answer.

19. The point of the form (a, –a) always lies on the line
(A) x = a
(B) y = –a
(C) y = x
(D) x + y = 0
Sol. The point of the (a, -a) have x and y coordinate of opposite signs.
So, the points of the form (a, -a) always lie on the line y = - x, i.e., x + y = 0.
Hence, (d) is the correct answer.
 Linear Equations in Two Variables
Exercise 4.2

Write whether the following statements are true or false. Justify your answer.
1. The point (0, 3) lies on the graph of the linear equation 3x + 4y= 12.
Sol. Substituting x = 0 and y = 3 in the equation
3(0) + 4(3) = 12 ⇒ 12 = 12, which is true.
The point (0, 3) satisfies the equation 3x + 4y = 12.
Hence, the given statement is true.

2. The graph of the linear equation x+ 2y= 7 passes through the point (0, 7).
Sol. Substituting x = 0 and y = 7 in the given equation x + y 2y = 7, we get
0 + 2(7) = 7 ⇒ 14 = 7, which is false.
The point (0, 7) does not satisfy the equation.
Hence, the given statement is false.

3. The graph given below represents the linear equation x + y= 0.

Sol. The given equation is x + y = 0, i.e., y = -x.

Any point on the graph of y = - x, will have x and y coordinates of opposite signs.
As the points (-1, 1) and (-3, 3) have x and y coordinates of opposite signs, so these points
satisfy the given equation and the two points determine a unique line, hence the given
statement is true.

4. The graph given below represents the linear equation x = 3 (see Fig. 4.2).
Sol. We know that the graph of the equation x = a is a line parallel to the y-axis and to the
right of y-axis, if a>0.
The given statement is true, since the graph is a line parallel to y-axis at a distance of 3
units to the right of it.

5. The coordinates of points in the table:

X 0 1 2 3 4
y 2 3 4 -5 6
Represent some of the solution of the equation x – y + 2 = 0.
Sol. The points (0, 2), (1, 3), (2, 4) and (4, 6) satisfy the given equation x – y + 2 = 0. Each of
these points is the solution of the equation x – y + 2 = 0. But, the satisfy the given equation
as 3 – (–5) + 2 = 0, i.e., 3 + 5 + 2 = 0 or 10 = 0, which is false.
Hence, the given statement is false, since the point (3, -5) does not satisfy the given
equation.

6. Every point on the graph of a linear equation in two variables does not represent a
solution of the linear equation.
Sol. As every point on the graph of linear equation in two variables represent a solution of the
equation, so the given statement is false.

7. The graph of every linear equation in two variables need not be a line.
Sol. As the graph of a linear equation in two variables is always a line, so the given statement
is false.
 Linear Equations in Two Variables
Exercise 4.3

1. Draw the graphs of linear equations y = x and y = – x on the same Cartesian plane.
What do you observe?
Sol. Any point on the graph of y = x will have x and y coordinates same. The line passes
through the points (0, 0), (1, 1) and (-1, -1).
Again, any point on the graph of y = -x will have x and y coordinates of opposite signs. The
line passes through the points (1, -1) and (-1, 1).
Also, (0, 0) satisfy y = -x.
The graph of linear equation y = x and y = - x on the same Cartesian plane is shown in the
figure given below.

We observe that the graph of these equation passes through (0, 0).

2. Determine the point on the graph of the linear equation 2x+ 5y= 19, whose
1
ordinate is 1 times its abscissa.
2
Sol. Let the coordinate of the point be (2, 3).
Now, for x = 2 and y = 3.
2 x + 5 y = 2(2) + 5(3) = 4 + 15 = 19
Therefore, the point (2, 3) is a solution of the equation 2 x + 5 y = 19.
Abscissa of the point is 2 and ordinate is 3.
1 3
Now, 2 ×1 = 2 × = 3
2 2
1
So, ordinate of the point (2, 3) is 1 times its abscissa.
2

3. Draw the graph of the equation represented by a straight line which is parallel to
the x-axis and at a distance 3 units below it.
Sol. The graph of the equation y = - 3 is a line parallel to the axis and at a distance 3 units
below it. So, graph of the equation y = - 3 is a line parallel to x-axis and passing through
the point (0, -3) as shown in the figure given below:

4. Draw the graph of the linear equation whose solutions are represented by the
points having the sum of coordinates as 10 units.
Sol. A linear equation whose solutions are represented by the points having the sum of
coordinates as 10 units is x + y = 10.
When x = 0, y = 10 and when x = 10, y = 0.
Now, plot these two points (0, 10) and (10, 0) on a graph paper and join them to obtain a
straight line.
The graph of x = y = 10 is a straight line as shown in the figure given below.
5. Write the linear equation such that each point on its graph has an ordinate 3 times
its abscissa.
Sol. A linear equation such that each point on it graph has an ordinate 3 times its abscissa is
y = 3x.

6. If the point (3, 4) lies on the graph of 3 y = ax + 7, then find the value of a.
Sol. The point (3, 4) lies on the graph of 3 y = ax + 7.
Substituting x = 3 and y = 4 in the given equation 3 y = ax + 7, we get
∴ 3× 4 = a × 3 + 7
5
⇒ 12 = 3a + 7 ⇒ 3a = 5 ⇒ a =
3

7. How many solution(s) of the equation 2x+ 1 = x– 3 are there on the:

(i) Number line
(ii) Cartesian plane?
Sol. (i) The number of solution(s) of the equation 2x + 1 = x – 3 which are on the number line
is one.
2 x + 1 = x − 3 ⇒ 2 x − x = −3 − 1 ⇒ x = −4
∴ x = −4 is the solution of the given equation.
(ii) The number of solution(s) of the equation 2x + 1 = x – 3 which are on the Cartesian
plane are infinitely many solutions.

8. Find the solution of the linear equation x+ 2y= 8 which represents a point on
(i) x-axis (ii) y-axis
Sol. We know that the point which lies on x-axis has its ordinate 0.
Putting y = 0 in the equation x + 2y = 8, we get
x + 2(0) = 8 ⇒ x = 8
A point which lies on y-axis has its abscissa 0.
Putting x = 0 in the equation x + 2y = 8, we get
0 + 2y = 8 ⇒ y = 4

9. For what value of c, the linear equation 2x+ cy = 8 has equal values of x and y for its
solution.
Sol. The value of c for which the linear equation 2x + cy = 8 has equal values of x and y
i.e., x = y for its solution is
2 x + cy = 8 ⇒ 2 x + cx = 8 [∵ y = x]
⇒ cx = 8 − 2 x
8 − 2x
∴ c= ,x ≠ 0
x

10. Let y varies directly as x. If y = 12 when x = 4, then write a linear equation. What is
the value of y when x = 5?
Sol. y varies of directly as x.
⇒ y ∝ x,
∴ y = kx
Substituting y = 12 when x = 4, we get
12 = k × 4 ⇒ k = 12 ÷ 4 = 3
Hence, the required equation is y = 3x.
The value of y when x = 5 is y = 3 × 5 = 15.
 Linear Equations in Two Variables
Exercise 4.4

1. Show that the points A (1, 2), B (– 1, – 16) and C (0, – 7) lie on the graph of the linear
equation y= 9 x – 7.
Sol. For A (1, 2), we have 2 = 9(1) – 7 = 9 – 7 = 2
For B (–1, –16), we have –16 = 9(–1) – 7 = – 9 – 7 = – 16
For C (0, –7), we have – 7 = 9(0) – 7 = 0 – 7 = – 7
We see that the line y = 9x – 7 is satisfied by the points A (1, 2), B (–1, –16) and C (0, –7).
Therefore, A (1, 2), B (–1, –16) and C (0, –7) are solutions of the linear equation y = 9x – 7
and therefore, lie on the graph of the linear equation y = 9x – 7.

2. The following observed values of x and y are thought to satisfy a linear equation.
x 6 -6
y -2 6
Write the linear equation.
Draw the graph using the values of x, y given in the above table. At what points the
graph of the linear equation
(i) cuts the x-axis (ii) cuts the y-axis
Sol. The linear equation is 2x + 3y = 6. Both the points (6, -2) and (-6, 6) satisfy the given
linear equation.
Plot the points (-6, 2) and (-6, 6) on a graph paper. Now join these two points and obtain a
line. We see that the graph cuts the x-axis at (3, 0) and y-axis at (0, 2).

3. Draw the graph of the linear equation 3x+ 4y= 6. At what points, the graph cuts the
x-axis and the y-axis.
Sol. The solutions of the linear equation
3x + 4y = 6
 Can be expressed in the form of a table as follows by writing the values of y below the
corresponding value of x:
X 2 -2 0
y 0 3 1.5
Now plot the points (2, 0), (-2, 3) and (0, 1.5) on a graph paper. Now, join the points and
obtain a line.

We see that the graph cuts the x-axis at (2, 0) and y-axis at (0, 1.5).

4. The linear equation that converts Fahrenheit (F) to Celsius (oC) is given by the
relation:
5 F − 160
C=
9
(i) If the temperature is 86°F, what is the temperature in Celsius?
(ii) If the temperature is 35°C, what is the temperature in Fahrenheit?
(iii) If the temperature is 0°C what is the temperature in Fahrenheit and if the
temperature is 0°F, what is the temperature in Celsius?
(iv) What is the numerical value of the temperature which is same in both the
scales?
5 F − 160
Sol. C=
9
5(86) − 160 430 − 160 270
(i) Putting F = 86o, we get C = = = = 300
9 9 9
Hence, the temperature in Celsius is 30o C.
5( F ) − 160
(ii) Putting C = 35o, we get 350 = ⇒ 3150 = 5F − 160
9
⇒ 5F = 315 + 160 = 475
475
∴ F= = 950
5
Hence, the temperature in Fahrenheit is 95 F.
 (iii) Putting C = 0o, we get
5F − 160
0= ⇒ 0 = 5F − 160
9
⇒ 5 F = 160
160
∴ F= = 320
5
Now, putting F = 0o, we get
0
5F − 160 5(0) − 160  160 
C= ⇒C= = − 
9 9  9 
If the temperature is 0o C, the temperature in Fahrenheit is 32o and if the temperature is
0
 160 
0F, then the temperature in Celsius is  −  C.
 9 

(iv) Putting C = F, in the given relation, we get

5F − 160
F= ⇒ 9 F = 5 F − 160
9
⇒ 4 F = −160
−160
∴ F= = −400
4
Hence, the numerical value of the temperature which is same in both the scales is – 40.
The linear equation that converts Kelvin (x) to Fahrenheit (y) is given by the relation:
9
y = ( x − 273) + 32
5

5. If the temperature of a liquid can be measured in Kelvin units as x° K or in

Fahrenheit units as y° F, the relation between the two systems of measurement of
temperature is given by the linear equation
9
y = ( x − 273) + 32
5
(i) Find the temperature of the liquid in Fahrenheit if the temperature of the liquid
is 313°K.
(ii) If the temperature is 158° F, then find the temperature in Kelvin.
9
Sol. y = ( x − 273) + 32
5
(i) When the temperature of the liquid is x = 313o K
9 9
y = (313 − 273) + 32 = × 40 + 32 = 720 + 320 = 1040 F
5 5
(ii) When the temperature of the liquid is y = 158o F
9 9
158 = ( x − 273) + 32 ⇒ ( x − 273) = 158 − 32
5 5
 5
⇒ x − 273 = 126 × = 70
6
⇒ x − 273 = 70 = 273 + 70 = 3430 K

6. The force exerted to pull a cart is directly proportional to the acceleration

produced in the body. Express the statement as a linear equation in two variables
and draw the graph of the same by taking the constant mass equal to 6 kg. Read
from the graph, the force required when the acceleration produced is (i) 5 m/sec2,
(ii) 6 m/sec2.
Sol. We have y ∝ x ⇒ y = mx
Where y denotes the force, x denotes the acceleration and m denotes the constant mass.
Taking m = 6kg, we get y = 6x
Now, we form a table as follows by writing the value of y below the corresponding value
of x.
X 0 1 2
y 0 6 12
Plot the points (0, 0), (1, 6) and (2, 12) on a graph paper and join any two points and
obtain a line.