Question

Solve the following system of equations by the method of cross-multiplication:

(a + 2b)x + (2a – b)y = 2

(a – 2b)x + (2a + b)y = 3

Answer 1

The given system of equations may be written as

(a + 2b)x + (2a – b)y – 2 = 0

(a – 2b)x + (2a + b)y – 3 = 0

Here,

`a_1 = a + 2b, b_1  = 2a - b, c_1 = -2`

`a_2 = a - 2b, b_2 = 2a + b, c_2 = -3`

By cross multiplication, we have

`=> x/(-3(2a - b) - (-2)(2a + b)) = (-y)/(3(a + 2b) - (-2)(a - 2b)) = 1/((a + 2b)(2a + b)-(2a - b)(a - 2b))`

`=> x/(-6a + 3b +4a + 2b) =  (-y)/(-3a - 6b + 2a - 4b) = 1/(2a^2 + ab + 4ab + 2b^2 -(2a^2 - 4ab - ab + 2b^2))`

`=> x/(-2a + 5b) = (-y)/(-a - 10b) = 1/(2a^2 + ab+ 4ab + 2b^2 - (2a^2 - 4ab - ab + 2b^2))`

`=> x/(-2a + 5b) = (-y)/(-a + 10b) = 1/(10ab)`

`=> x/(-2a + 5b) = y/(a+10b) = 1/(10ab)`

Now

`x/(-2a + 5b) = 1/(10ab)`

`=> y = (a + 10b)/(10ab)`

And

`y/(a + 10b) = 1/(0ab)`

`=> y = (a + 10b)/(10ab)`

Hence `x = (5b - 2a)/(10ab), y = (a + 10b)/(10ab)` is the solution of the given system of equations.