How to Solve Simultaneous Equations Using Substitution Method

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 10, 2022 References

Simultaneous equations are two linear equations with two unknown variables that have the same solution. Solving equations with one unknown variable is a simple matter of isolating the variable; however, this isn’t possible when the equations have two unknown variables. By using the substitution method, you must find the value of one variable in the first equation, and then substitute that variable into the second equation.^{[1]
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Research source} While it involves several steps, the substitution method for solving simultaneous equations requires only basic algebra skills.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Finding the Value of y

1
Choose the equation you want to work with first. It doesn’t matter which equation you choose, but you might want to look for one that will give you numbers that are easier to work with.^{[2]
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- For example, if your simultaneous equations are 1) $x+2y=-4$ and 2) $2x+5y=1$ , you will probably want to begin with the first equation, because the $x$ is already by itself.
2
Isolate the $x$ variable in the first equation. You could also start by isolating the y variable (or whatever other variable the equation uses).^{[3]
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- For example, if you are beginning with $x+2y=-4$ , you could solve for $x$ by subtracting 2y from each side.
  $x+2y=-4$
  $x=-4-2y$
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3
Plug in the value of $x$ into the second equation. Place the value in parentheses for clarity.^{[4]
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- For example, if you found $x=-4-2y$ in the first equation, plug in $-4-2y$ for $x$ in the second equation:
  $2x+5y=1$
  $2(-4-2y)+5y=1$
4
Find the value of $y$ in the second equation. Remember to follow the order of operations.^{[5]
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- For example, to solve for $y$ in the equation $2(-4-2y)+5=1$ , first use the distributive property to multiply.
  $2(-4-2y)+5y=1$
  $-8-4y+5y=1$
  $-8+y=1$
  $y=9$

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Finding the Value of x

1
Plug in the $y$ value into either equation. It doesn’t matter which equation you use, as long as you use the original equation, or an equation where you’ve isolated the $x$ $x$ variable. This will allow you to find the value for $x$ $x$ .^{[6]
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- If you plug the $y$ value back into the second equation with the $x$ substitution, you will not be able to find the value of $x$ .^{[7]
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- For example, if you found $y=9$ , plug in $9$ for $y$ in the first equation:
  $x+2y=-4$
  $x+2(9)=-4$
2
Find the value of $x$ . Remember to follow the order of operations.^{[8]
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- For example, to solve for $x$ in the equation $x+2(9)=-4$ , first multiply, and then subtract 18 from each side to find the value of $x$ .
  $x+2(9)=-4$
  $x+18=-4$
  $x=-22$ .
3
Check your work. To do this, substitute the values you found for $x$ $x$ and $y$ $y$ into both equations, and verify that the resulting equation are true.^{[9]
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- For example, if you found $y=9$ and $x=-22$ , substitute these values into both equations.
- So, for the first equation:
  $(-22)+2(9)=-4$
  $-22+18=-4$
  $-4=-4$
- For the second equation:
  $2(-22)+5(9)=1$
  $-44+45=1$
  $1=1$

Community Q&A

Question

Is there an easier method for simultaneous equations than what is already on this website?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Not really. Here's the simplest example possible: let's say x + y = 3 and x - y = 1. Solve the second equation for x by adding y to both sides: (x - y) + y = 1 + y. So x = 1 + y. Take that value of x, and substitute it into the first equation given above (x + y = 3). With that substitution the first equation becomes (1+y) + y = 3. That means 1 + 2y = 3. Subtract 1 from each side: 2y = 2. So y = 1. Substitute that value of y into either of the two original equations, and you'll get x = 2.
Question

Is 3x + 4y = 52 and 5x + y = 30 solvable by substitution? I've tried solving twice and I just can't get the last part right.

Donagan

Top Answerer

Yes, it's solvable. Take the second equation, and subtract 5x from both sides: y = (30 - 5x). Plug that value of y back into the other equation: 3x + 4(30 - 5x) = 52. So (3x + 120 - 20x) = 52, and (-17x + 120) = 52. Then (-17x) = -68, and x = 4. Plug that value of x into either of the original equations: 3(4) + 4y = 52, so 12 + 4y = 52, and 4y = 40, so that y = 10. Check your work by plugging the found values of x and y into either of the original equations.
Question

Which is easiest between the elimination, graphical, and substitution methods of solving simultaneous equations?

Community Answer

It depends on what kind of equation you have. One skill you should develop is knowing when to use what so you can manage your time wisely.