Solve each of the following systems of equations by the method of cross-multiplication
`(x + y)/(xy) = 2`
`(x - y)/(xy) = 6`
Solution
The given system of equations is
`(x + y)/(xy) = 2`
`=> x/(xy) + y/(xy) = 2`
`=> 1/y + 1/x = 2`
`=> 1/x + 1/y = 2` ............(i)
And
`(x - y)/(xy) = 6`
`=> x/(xy) - y/(xy) = 6`
`=> 1/y - 1/x = 6`
`=> 1/x - 1/y = 6` ......(ii)
Taking `u = 1/x and v = 1/y` we get
`u + v = 2 => u + v - 2 = 0` ....(iii)
And u - v = -6 => u - v+ 6 = 0 ........(iv)
Here
`a_1 = 1, b_1 = 1,c_1 = -2`
`a_2 = 1, b_2 = -1, c_2 = 6`
By cross multiplication
`=> u/(1xx6-(-2)xx(-1)) = v/(1xx6-(-2)xx1) = 1/(1xx(-1) -1 xx1)`
`=> u/(6-2) = (-v)/(6+2) = 1/(-1-1)`
`=> u/4 = (-v)/8 = 1/(-2)`
Now, `u/4 = 1/(-2)`
`=> u = 4/(-2) = -2`
And `(-v)/8 = 1/(-2)`
`=> -v = 8/(-2) = -4`
`=> -v = -4`
=> v = 4
Now `x = 1/u = (-1)/2, y = 1/v = 1/4`
Hence `x = (-1)/2, y = 1/4 `is the solution of the given system of equations.