NCERT Solutions
Class 10 Maths
Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables

Ex. 3.1 Q.1
Form the pair of linear equations in the following problems, and find their solutions graphically.
(1) 10 students of Class X took part in a Mathematics quiz.
If the number of girls is 4 more than the number of boys,
find the number of boys and girls who took part in the quiz.
(2) 5 pencils and 7 pens together cost Rs 50, whereas 7 pencils and 5 pens together cost Rs 46.
Find the cost of one pencil and that of one pen.
(1) Let the number of boys be = x
Let the number of girls be = y
Given that total number of students is 10
Therefore, x + y = 10
=> x = 10 – y
Putting y = 0, 5, 10 we get
x = 10 – 0 = 10
x = 10 – 5 = 5
x = 10 – 10 = 0
|
x |
10 |
5 |
0 |
|
y |
0 |
5 |
10 |
Given: the number of girls is 4 more than the number of boys
=> y = x + 4
Putting x = – 4, 0, 4, and we get
y = – 4 + 4 = 0
y = 0 + 4 = 4
y = 4 + 4 = 8
|
x |
-4 |
0 |
4 |
|
y |
0 |
4 |
8 |
Graphical representation is given below:

From the graph, we get
Number of boys = 3 and number of girls = 7
(2) Let the cost of one pencil = Rs x
Let the cost of one pen = Rs y
5 pencils and 7 pens together cost = Rs 50
=> 5x + 7y = 50
=> 5x = 50 – 7y
=> x = (10 – 7y) ÷ 5
Putting value of y = 5, 10 and 15 we get
x = 10 – 7 × = 10 – 7 = 3
x = 10 – 7 × = 10 – 14 = – 4
x = 10 – 7 × = 10 – 21 = – 11
|
x |
3 |
-4 |
11 |
|
y |
5 |
10 |
15 |
Given: 7 pencils and 5 pens together cost Rs 46
=> 7x + 5y = 46
=> 5y = 46 – 7x
=> y = –
=> y = 9.2 – 1.4x
Putting x = 0, 2 and 4 we get
y = 9.2 – 1.4 × 0 = 9.2 – 0 = 9.2
y = 9.2 – 1.4 × 2 = 9.2 – 2.8 = 6.4
y = 9.2 – 1.4 × 2 = 9.2 – 5.6 = 3.6
|
x |
0 |
2 |
4 |
|
y |
9.2 |
6.4 |
3.6 |
Graphical representation is given below:
From the graph, we get
Cost of one pencil = Rs 3 and cost of one pen = Rs 5.
