Class 10 NCERT Solutions Chapter 3 Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables Exercise 3.7 (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 23 Jul, 2025

Exercise 3.7 in Chapter 3 of the Class 10 NCERT Mathematics textbook focuses on solving pairs of linear equations in two variables. This exercise is designed to help students apply various methods such as substitution and elimination to solve real-world problems involving linear equations. It enhances problem-solving skills and provides a deeper understanding of how to work with systems of linear equations.

What is a Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables?

A pair of linear equations in two variables consists of the two linear equations that are simultaneously solved for the two variables typically denoted as x and y. These equations can be represented in the general form:

a1π‘₯+𝑏1𝑦=𝑐1

a2x+b2y=c2

where π‘Ž1, 𝑏1, 𝑐1, π‘Ž2, 𝑏2 and 𝑐2 are constants. The solution to this pair of equations is the point (x,y) that satisfies both equations simultaneously. The methods used to solve such pairs include:

Question 1. The ages of two friends Ani and Biju differ by 3 years. Ani’s father Dharam is twice as old as Ani and Biju is twice as old as his sister Cathy. The ages of Cathy and Dharam differ by 30 years. Find the ages of Ani and Biju.

**Solution:

The age difference between Ani and Biju = 3 yrs.

**Case 1: Either Biju is 3 years older than that of Ani,

y - x = 3

**Case 2: or Ani is 3 years older than Biju.

x - y = 3

Given, Ani’s father’s age is 30 yrs more than that of Cathy’s age.

Let's take,

Ani's age = x

and Biju's age = y

So, Dharam's age will be = 2x

And the age of Biju sister (Cathy) will be = \frac{y}{2}

**CASE 1 (y > x)

According to the given condition,

y - x = 3 -(1)

and, 2xβˆ’y/2 = 30

Multiply it by 2, we get

4x – y = 60 -(2)

Add eq(1) and (2)

3x = 63

x = 63/3

x = 21

Now putting x = 21 in eq(1), we get

y - 21 = 3

y = 24

Therefore, the age of Ani = 21 years

And the age of Biju is = 24 years.

**CASE 2: (x > y)

According to the given condition,

x - y = 3 -(1)

and, 2xβˆ’y/2 = 30

Multiply it by 2, we get

4x – y = 60 -(2)

Now, by using Elimination method,

Subtract eq(1) from eq(2)

3x = 57

x = 57/3

x = 19

Now putting x = 19 in eq(1), we get

19 - y = 3

y = 19 - 3

y = 16

Therefore, the age of Ani = 19 years

And the age of Biju is = 16 years.

Question 2. One says, β€œGive me a hundred, friend! I shall then become twice as rich as you”. The other replies, β€œIf you give me ten, I shall be six times as rich as you”. Tell me what is the amount of their (respective) capital? [From the Bijaganita of Bhaskara II]

[Hint : x + 100 = 2(y – 100), y + 10 = 6(x – 10)].

**Solution:

Let there be two persons as A and B.

Let's take,

Money person A has = β‚Ή x

Money person B has = β‚Ή y

So, According to the given conditions, we have

x + 100 = 2(y - 100)

x - 2y = - 300 -(1)

And

6(x – 10) = (y + 10)

6x -y = 70 -(2)

Now, by using Elimination method,

Multiply eq(2) by 2 and subtract eq(1) from it

11x = 440

x = 40

Now putting x = 40 in eq(1), we get

40 - 2y = - 300

2y = 300 + 40

y = 340/2

y = 170

Hence,

Person A had Rs 40 and person B had Rs 170 with them.

Question 3. A train covered a certain distance at a uniform speed. If the train would have been 10 km/h faster, it would have taken 2 hours less than the scheduled time. And, if the train were slower by 10 km/h; it would have taken 3 hours more than the scheduled time. Find the distance covered by the train.

**Solution:

Let the speed of the train = x km/hr

The time taken by the train to travel a distance = t hours

The distance to travel = d km.

As we know,

Distance traveled by train = Speed of the train Γ— Time taken to travel that distance

d = xt -(1)

According to the given equation,

d = (x + 10) Γ— (t - 2)

d = xt + 10t – 2x – 20

as d = xt, we get

10t - 2x = 20 -(2)

and 2nd condition,

d = (x - 10) Γ— (t + 3)

d = xt – 10t + 3x – 30

as d = xt, we get

10t - 3x = -30 -(3)

Now, by using Elimination method,

Subtract eq(3) from eq(2), we get

x = 50 km/h

Now putting x = 50 in eq(1), we get

10t - 2(50) = 20

10t = 120

t = 12 hours

Now, distance will be = 50 Γ— 12 = 600 km

Hence, the distance covered by the train is 600 km.

Question 4. The students of a class are made to stand in rows. If 3 students are extra in a row, there would be 1 row less. If 3 students are less in a row, there would be 2 rows more. Find the number of students in the class.

**Solution:

Let the number of rows = x

and, the number of students in a row = y.

Total number of students = Number of rows x Number of students in a row = xy -(1)

Here, total no. of student will be same always

According to the given condition,

Total number of students = (x – 1)(y + 3)

xy = (x – 1)(y + 3)

xy = xy – y + 3x – 3

3x – y = 3 -(2)

and,

Total Number of students = (x + 2 ) ( y – 3 )

xy = xy + 2y – 3x – 6

3x – 2y = -6 -(3)

Now, by using Elimination method,

Subtract eq(3) from eq(2), we get

y = 9

Now putting y = 9 in eq(1), we get

3x – 9 = 3

3x = 12

x = 4

Number of total students in a class = xy

= 4 x 9

= 36

Hence, No. of students = 36

Question 5. In a βˆ†ABC, ∠C = 3 ∠B = 2 (∠A + ∠B). Find the three angles.

**Solution:

Here, according to the given conditions

3 ∠B = 2 (∠A + ∠B)

3 ∠B = 2∠A + 2∠B

∠B = 2∠A -(1)

and, ∠C = 3∠B

∠C = 3 (2∠A)

∠C = 6∠A -(2)

As we know,

∠A + ∠B + ∠C = 180° (Angle sum property)

∠A + (2∠A) + (6∠A) = 180° -(From eq(1) and eq(2))

9∠A = 180

∠A = 20°

∠B = 2∠A = 2(20°) = 40°

∠C = 6∠A = 6(20°) = 120°

Hence, the three angles are 20Β°, 40Β° and 120Β°.

Question 6. Draw the graphs of the equations 5x – y = 5 and 3x – y = 3. Determine the coordinates of the vertices of the triangle formed by these lines and the y axis.

**Solution:

5x – y = 5 -(1)

3x – y = 3 -(2)

y-axis, x = 0 -(3)

To get the co-ordinates of the vertices of the triangle formed, lets get there intersection point,

Intersection of eq(1) and (2)

Now, by using Elimination method,

Subtract eq(2) from (1), we get

2x = 2

x = 1

Now putting x = 1 in eq(1), we get

5(1) – y = 5

y = 0

So, Intersection of eq(1) and (2) vertices are (1, 0)

Now, Intersection of eq(1) and (3)

As x =0 substitutes it in eq(1), we get

5(0) – y = 5

y = -5

So, Intersection of (I) and (III) vertices are (0, -5)

Now, Intersection of eq(2) and (3)

As x =0 substitutes it in eq(2), we get

3(0) – y = 3

y = -3

So, Intersection of eq(2) and (3) vertices are (0,-3)

Hence, the co-ordinates of the vertices of the triangle formed are (1, 0), (0, -5) and (0, -3)

Question 7. Solve the following pair of linear equations:

(i) px + qy = p – q

qx – py = p + q

**Solution:

px + qy = p – q -(1)

qx – py = p + q -(2)

Multiplying p to equation (1) and q to equation (2), we get

p2x + pqy = p2 βˆ’ pq -(3)

q2x βˆ’ pqy = pq + q2 -(4)

Add eq(3) and (4), we get

p2x + q2 x = p2 + q2

(p2 + q2) x = p2 + q2

x = \frac{(p^2 + q^2)}{p^2 + q^2}

x = 1

Now putting x = 1 in eq(1), we get

p(1) + qy = p – q

qy = p-q-p

qy = -q

y = -1

(ii) ax + by = c

bx + ay = 1 + c

**Solution:

ax + by = c -(1)

bx + ay = 1 + c -(2)

Multiplying a to equation (1) and b to equation (2), we get

a2x + aby = ac -(3)

b2x + aby = b + bc -(4)

Subtract equation eq(4) from equation (3),

(a2 – b2) x = ac βˆ’ bc– b

x = \frac{(ac βˆ’ bc– b)}{(a^2 – b^2)}

x = \frac{(c(a-b) –b)}{(a^2 – b^2)}

Now putting the value of x in eq(1), we get

ax + by = c

a{\frac{(c(a-b) –b)}{(a^2 – b^2)}} +by = c

\frac{(ac(a-b) –b)}{(a^2 – b^2)} +by = c

by = \frac{c–ac(aβˆ’b)βˆ’ab}{(a^2 – b^2)}

by = \frac{(c–ac(aβˆ’b)βˆ’ab)}{(a^2 – b^2)}

y = \frac{(c(a-b)+a)}{(a^2 – b^2)}

(iii) \frac{x}{a} - \frac{y}{b} = 0

ax + by = a2+ b2.

**Solution:

\frac{x}{a} - \frac{y}{b} = 0 -(1)

Multiplying equation (1) with ab, we get

bx βˆ’ ay = 0 -(new 1)

Multiplying a and b to equation (1) and (2) respectively, we get

b2x βˆ’ aby = 0 -(3)

a2x + aby = a3 + ab3 -(4)

Add eq(3) and (4), we get

b2x + a2x = a3 + ab2

x (b2 + a2) = a (a2 + b2)

x = a

Now putting x = a in eq(1), we get

b(a) βˆ’ ay = 0

ab βˆ’ ay = 0

ay = ab,

y = b

(iv) (a – b)x + (a + b) y = a2– 2ab – b2

(a + b)(x + y) = a2+ b2

**Solution:

(a – b)x + (a + b) y = a2– 2ab – b2 -(1)

(a + b)(x + y) = a2+ b2 -(2)

Subtract equation (2) from equation (1), we get

(a βˆ’ b) x βˆ’ (a + b) x = (a2 βˆ’ 2ab βˆ’ b2) βˆ’ (a2 + b2)

x(a βˆ’ b βˆ’ a βˆ’ b) = βˆ’ 2ab βˆ’ 2b2

βˆ’ 2bx = βˆ’ 2b (b + a)

x = b + a

Substituting, x = b + a in equation (1), we get

(a + b)(a βˆ’ b) +y (a + b) = a2βˆ’ 2ab – b2

a2 βˆ’ b2 + y(a + b) = a2βˆ’ 2ab – b2 -(Using the identity (a + b)(a - b) = a2 - b2)

(a + b) y = βˆ’ 2ab

y = \frac{-2ab}{a+b}

(v) 152x – 378y = – 74

–378x + 152y = – 604

**Solution:

x = \frac{(189y-137)}{76} -(1)

βˆ’ 378x + 152y = βˆ’ 604

Dividing it by 2, we get

βˆ’ 189x + 76y = βˆ’ 302 -(2)

Substitute x in equation (2), we get

βˆ’189(\frac{(189y-137)}{76}) +76y=βˆ’302

βˆ’ (189)2y + 189 Γ— 37 + (76)2 y = βˆ’ 302 Γ— 76

189 Γ— 37 + 302 Γ— 76 = (189)2 y βˆ’ (76)2y

6993 + 22952 = (189 βˆ’ 76) (189 + 76) y

29945 = (113) (265) y

y = 1

Using equation(1), we get

x = \frac{189-37}{76}

x = 152/76

x = 2

Question 8. ABCD is a cyclic quadrilateral (see Figure). Find the angles of the cyclic quadrilateral.

**Solution:

It is known that the sum of the opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral is 180Β°

Thus, we have

∠C +∠A = 180

4y + 20βˆ’ 4x = 180

βˆ’ 4x + 4y = 160

x βˆ’ y = βˆ’ 40 -(1)

And, ∠B + ∠D = 180

3y βˆ’ 5 βˆ’ 7x + 5 = 180

βˆ’ 7x + 3y = 180 -(2)

Multiplying 3 to equation (1), we get

3x βˆ’ 3y = βˆ’ 120 -(3)

Adding equation (2) to equation (3), we get

βˆ’ 7x + 3x = 180 – 120

βˆ’ 4x = 60

x = βˆ’15

Substituting this value in equation (1), we get

x βˆ’ y = βˆ’ 40

-yβˆ’15 = βˆ’ 40

y = 40-15

y = 25

∠A = 4y + 20 = 20 + 4(25) = 120°

∠B = 3y βˆ’ 5 = βˆ’ 5 + 3(25) = 70Β°

∠C = βˆ’ 4x = βˆ’ 4(βˆ’ 15) = 60Β°

∠D = 5 - 7x

∠D= 5 βˆ’ 7(βˆ’15) = 110Β°

Hence, ∠A, ∠B, ∠C and ∠D are equal to 120°, 70°, 60° and 110° respectively.

Practice Questions - Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables

**1).The sum of two numbers is 35 and their difference is 9. Find the numbers.

**2).A fraction becomes 1/3 when 2 is added to both its numerator and denominator. If 3 is added to both, it becomes 1/2. Find the fraction.

**3).The age of father is three times that of his son. After 8 years, the father's age will be two and a half times that of his son. Find their present ages.

**4).A two-digit number is 4 times the sum of its digits. If 18 is added to the number, the digits are reversed. Find the number.

**5).In a mixture of milk and water, the ratio of milk to water is 3:2. If 5 liters of water is added to the mixture, the ratio becomes 1:1. Find the initial quantities of milk and water.

**6).The sum of the areas of two squares is 468 mΒ². The difference of their perimeters is 24 m. Find the sides of the two squares.

**7).A man travels 300 km partly by train and partly by car. He takes 4 hours if he travels 60 km by train and the rest by car. He takes 10 minutes more if he travels 100 km by train and the rest by car. Find the speed of the train and the car.

**8).A shopkeeper sold a TV and a refrigerator for Rs. 20,000 each. On one he gained 5% and on the other he lost 5%. Find the cost price of each item.

**9).The sum of two numbers is 50. If 3 is subtracted from one number and 4 is added to the other, the new numbers are in the ratio 2:3. Find the original numbers.

**10).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.

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Summary

Exercise 3.7 focuses on solving word problems using pairs of linear equations in two variables. It covers various real-life scenarios that can be modeled using linear equations, including problems related to ages, numbers, currency, geometry, and more. Students learn to translate word problems into mathematical equations, solve these equations using methods like elimination or substitution, and interpret the solutions in the context of the original problem.