With the NCERT Solutions Class 10 Maths Chapter 3 Linear Equations in Two Variables Exercise 3.6, students can enhance their skills for solving a pair of non-linear equations in two variables. The exercise deals with the equations that don’t seem to be linear at first look but are transformable into one by performing some mathematical operations. Understanding these mathematical operations is essential for solving such non-linear equations and real-life problems. Here, you can find all the key concepts and an overview of the exercise, along with NCERT Solutions Class 10 Maths Chapter 3 Linear Equations in Two Variables Exercise 3.6 PDF.
Before getting resourceful insights into the method of reducing non-linear equations, it is important to understand the meaning of these equations. Most of the time, the equations provided in a problem are also not linear in their original form. Such equations may have terms such as x2, y2 {\x^2 , y^2} or even variable products (such as xy), which are not directly solvable via standard methods for linear equations. However, if proper mathematical operations like substitutions are performed, such non-linear equations can be made linear. Once these equations are reduced to linear form, they can be solved via standard methods such as substitution or elimination.
Exercise 3.6 goes beyond the traditional linear equations; that is, it primarily focuses on handling non-linear equations not solved with standard methods. Let’s see some key concepts and insightful tips used in solving the exercise:
The reducible equations may seem very complex; however, with the right approach, this can be made easy. Here is how students should approach solving these questions:
All of these methods mentioned above can be found in other sections of the same chapter 3.
It is always necessary to check the solutions against the initial equations to confirm there are no errors in the solutions. Substitution can sometimes bring in solutions that don't satisfy the initial equation, so checking is an essential step. This step can essentially help in situations where you don’t know the answer to the question but want to verify its validity, like in the exam hall.
To enhance your problem-solving skills and do well in the exams, try practicing NCERT Solutions Class 10 Maths Chapter 3 Linear Equations in Two Variables Exercise 3.6, to get sure results and improvement.
1. Solve the following pairs of equations by reducing them to a pair of linear equations :
(i) 1/(2x) + 1/(3y) = 2, 1/(3x) + 1/(2y) = 13/6
(ii) 2/√x + 3/√y = 2, 4/√x - 9/√y = -1
(iii) 4/x + 3y = 14, 3/x - 4y = 23
(iv) 5/(x-1) + 1/(y-2) = 2, 6/(x-1) - 3/(y-2) = 1
(v) (7x-2y)/xy = 5, (8x+7y)/xy = 15
(vi) 6x + 3y = 6xy, 2x + 4y = 5xy
(vii) 10/(x+y) + 2/(x-y) = 4, 15/(x+y) - 5/(x-y) = -2
(viii) 1/(3x+y) + 1/(3x-y) = 3/4, 1/(2(3x+y)) - 1/(2(3x-y)) = -1/8
Solution:
(i) 1/(2x) + 1/(3y) = 2, 1/(3x) + 1/(2y) = 13/6
Substituting 1/x = u and 1/y = v
We get, (1/2)u + (1/3)v = 2, (1/3)u + (1/2)v = 13/6
Multiplying by 6 on both sides, we get
=> 3u + 2v = 12 ...(1)
2u + 3v = 13 ...(2)
Multiplying (1) by 3 and (2) by 2, then subtracting the latter from the first, we get
3(3u + 2v) - 2(2u + 3v) = 3 × 12 - 2 × 13
=> 9u + 6v - 4u - 6v = 36 - 26
=> 5u = 10
=> u = 2
Then substituting u = 2 in (1), we get
6 + 2v = 12
=> v = 3
Now, u = 2 and v = 3
=> 1/x = 2 and 1/y = 3 => x = 1/2 and y = 1/3
(ii) 2/√x + 3/√y = 2 ...(1)
4/√x - 9/√y = -1 ...(2)
Take 1/√x = a, 1/√y = b, we get
2a + 3b = 2 ...(3)
4a - 9b = -1 ...(4)
Multiplying (3) by 3, we get
6a + 9b = 6 ...(5)
Adding (4) and (5), we get
10a = 5
=> a = 1/2
Substituting a = 1/2 in (3), we get
3b = 1
=> b = 1/3
Now, 1/√x = a = 1/2 and 1/√y = b = 1/3
=> √x = 2, √y = 3
Squaring, we get
x = 4, y = 9
(iii) 4/x + 3y = 14
3/x - 4y = 23
Take, 1/x = a
4a + 3y = 14 ...(3)
3a - 4y = 23 ...(4)
Multiplying (3) by 4 and (4) by 3
16a + 12y = 56
9a - 12y = 69
Adding both, we get
25a = 125
=> a = 5
Substituting a in (3), we get
20 + 3y = 14
=> 3y = -6
=> y = -2
As, 1/x = a = 5
=> x = 1/5
Hence, x = 1/5 and y = -2
(iv) 5/(x-1) + 1/(y-2) = 2
6/(x-1) - 3/(y-2) = 1
Take, 1/(x-1) = a and 1/(y-2) = b
5a + b = 2 ...(3)
6a - 3b = 1 ...(4)
Multiplying (3) by 3, we get
15a + 3b = 6
6a - 3b = 1
Adding both, we get
21a = 7
a = 1/3
So, by solving, b = 1/3
As, a = 1/3 = 1/(x-1)
=> x - 1 = 3 => x = 4
and b = 1/3 = 1/(y-2)
=> y - 2 = 3
=> y = 5
(v) (7x-2y)/xy = 5, (8x+7y)/xy = 15
By solving, we get
7/y - 2/x = 5
8/y + 7/x = 15
Taking 1/y = u, 1/x = v
7u - 2v = 5 ...(3)
8u + 7v = 15 ...(4)
Multiplying (3) by 7 and (4) by 2, we get
49u - 14v = 35
16u + 14v = 30
Adding, we get
65u = 65
u = 1
By solving, we get v = 1
As, u = 1 = 1/y => y = 1
And, v = 1 = 1/x => x = 1
(vi) 6x + 3y = 6xy
2x + 4y = 5xy
By solving, we get
6/y + 3/x = 6
2/y + 4/x = 5
Take, 1/y = u, 1/x = v, we get
6u + 3v = 6 ...(3)
2u + 4v = 5 ...(4)
Multiply (4) by 3, we get
6u + 12v = 15 ...(5)
Subtract (3) from (5), we get
9v = 9
v = 1
By solving we get u = 1/2
As, 1/x = v = 1 => x = 1
And 1/y = u = 1/2
=> y = 2
(vii) 10/(x+y) + 2/(x-y) = 4, 15/(x+y) - 5/(x-y) = -2
Take 1/(x+y) = u and 1/(x-y) = v
10u + 2v = 4 ...(1)
15u - 5v = -2 ...(2)
Multiply (1) by 5 and (2) by 2, we get
50u + 10v = 20
30u - 10v = -4
Adding, we get
80u = 16
u = 1/5
By solving, we get v = 1
As, 1/(x+y) = u = 1/5
=> x + y = 5 ...(3)
And 1/(x-y) = v = 1
=> x - y = 1 ...(4)
Adding (3) and (4), we get
2x = 6
=> x = 3 and y = 2
Hence, x = 3, y = 2
(viii) 1/(3x+y) + 1/(3x-y) = 3/4 ...(1)
1/(2(3x+y)) - 1/(2(3x-y)) = -1/8 ...(2)
Let, 1/(3x+y) = u, 1/(3x-y) = v
u + v = 3/4 ...(3)
u/2 - v/2 = -1/8 ...(4)
From (4), we get
u - v = -1/4 ...(5)
Solving (3) and (5), we get:
2u = 1/2
u = 1/4, v = 1/2
So, 1/(3x + y) = 1/4 => 3x + y = 4
1/(3x - y) = 1/2 => 3x - y = 2
Solving these equations, we get:
x = 1, y = 1
2. Formulate the following problems as a pair of linear equations, and hence find their solutions:
(i) Ritu can row downstream 20 km in 2 hours, and upstream 4 km in 2 hours. Find her speed of rowing in still water and the speed of the current.
(ii) 2 women and 5 men can together finish an embroidery work in 4 days, while 3 women and 6 men can finish it in 3 days. Find the time taken by 1 woman alone to finish the work, and also that taken by 1 man alone.
(iii) Roohi travels 300 km to her home partly by train and partly by bus. She takes 4 hours if she travels 60 km by train and the remaining by bus. If she travels 100 km by train and the remaining by bus, she takes 10 minutes longer. Find the speed of the train and the bus separately.
Solution:
(i) Speed of Ritu in still water = x km/hr
Speed of current = y km/hr
Then speed downstream = (x+y) km/hr
speed upstream = (x-y) km/hr
20/(x+y) = 2 and 4/(x-y) = 2
=> x+y = 10 ...(1)
x-y = 2 ...(2)
From (1) and (2)
x+y = 10
x-y = 2
2x = 12 => x = 6
From (1)
6+y = 10
y = 4
So the speed of Ritu in still water = 6 km/hr and speed of current = 4 km/hr.
(ii) Let 1 woman finish the work in x days and let 1 man finish the work in y days.
Work of 1 woman in 1 day = 1/x
Work of 1 man in 1 day = 1/y
Work of 2 women and 5 men in one day = 2/x + 5/y
The number of days required for complete work = xy/(5x+2y)
We are given that xy/(5x+2y) = 4
Similarly, in second case xy/(6x+3y) = 3
xy = 4(5x+2y)
xy = 3(6x+3y)
By solving, we get
xy = 20x+8y
xy = 18x+9y
=> 20/y + 8/x = 1 ...(5)
18/y + 9/x = 1 ...(6)
Putting 1/y = u, 1/x = v
20u + 8v = 1
18u + 9v = 1
Multiply (5) by 9 and (6) by 10
180u + 72v = 9
180u + 90v = 10
On subtracting, we get
18v = 1
v = 1/18
and u = 1/36
As u = 1/36 = 1/y => y = 36 days
And v = 1/18 = 1/x => x = 18 days
(iii) Let the speed of train be x km/hr and the speed of bus be y km/hr
So, 60/x + 240/y = 4 ...(1)
100/x + 200/y = 25/6 ...(2)
Let 1/x = u, 1/y = v
60u + 240v = 4 ...(3)
100u + 200v = 25/6 ...(4)
Solving (3) and (4), we get
u = 1/60, v = 1/80
So, 1/x = 1/60 and 1/y = 1/80
∴ x = 60 km/hr and y = 80 km/hr
(Session 2025 - 26)