Substitution Method

Learn to solve systems of equations by substituting one equation into another.

Intermediate25 minLesson
Printable worksheet

Definition

The substitution method is a technique for solving systems of equations where you:
  1. 1.Solve one equation for one variable
  2. 2.Substitute that expression into the other equation
  3. 3.Solve the resulting equation
  4. 4.Back-substitute to find the other variable
For a system like:
{y=2x+13x+y=11\begin{cases} y = 2x + 1 \\ 3x + y = 11 \end{cases}
Since yy is already isolated, substitute 2x+12x + 1 for yy in the second equation:
3x+(2x+1)=113x + (2x + 1) = 11
This gives you one equation with one variable that you can solve!

Try it now

In the system {y=2x+3x+y=9\begin{cases} y = 2x + 3 \\ x + y = 9 \end{cases}, what expression should you substitute for yy in the second equation?

Worked Examples

Solve the system:
{y=3x−22x+y=8\begin{cases} y = 3x - 2 \\ 2x + y = 8 \end{cases}
1

Identify the isolated variable

The first equation already has yy isolated: y=3x−2y = 3x - 2
2

Substitute into the other equation

Replace yy with (3x−2)(3x - 2) in the second equation: 2x+(3x−2)=82x + (3x - 2) = 8 → 2x+3x−2=82x + 3x - 2 = 8
3

Solve for xx

5x−2=85x - 2 = 8 5x=105x = 10 x=2x = 2
4

Back-substitute to find yy

y=3(2)−2=6−2=4y = 3(2) - 2 = 6 - 2 = 4 → y=4y = 4
5

Verify the solution

Check in second equation: 2(2)+4=4+4=82(2) + 4 = 4 + 4 = 8 ✓ → Solution verified!

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to distribute when substituting

Why it's wrong: When you substitute an expression like (3x−2)(3x - 2) and there's a coefficient in front, you must distribute.

Correct: If you have 2(3x−2)2(3x - 2), distribute to get 6x−46x - 4, not 6x−26x - 2.

Substituting into the same equation

Why it's wrong: If you solve equation 1 for yy and substitute back into equation 1, you'll just get 0=00 = 0 (always true) and learn nothing.

Correct: Always substitute into the OTHER equation to create a new equation with one variable.

Sign errors when distributing negatives

Why it's wrong: Subtracting an expression like −(2x+3)-(2x + 3) means multiplying each term by −1-1.

Correct: −(2x+3)=−2x−3-(2x + 3) = -2x - 3, not −2x+3-2x + 3.

Not checking the solution in BOTH equations

Why it's wrong: A solution must satisfy both equations. Checking only one equation doesn't guarantee correctness.

Correct: Always substitute your answer into both original equations to verify.

Watch a video explanation

The same topic explained by another teacher, if a video helps you more.

Solving Systems of Equations by Substitution | Step-by-Step Examples

by Understand The Math

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Interactive Visual

Function graph

-2-101234560510xy(2, 4)

Tap or hover over the graph to read off values.

y = 3x - 22x + y = 8
  • Intersection point: (2, 4)

Equation Solver

Solve for x,yx, y:

(1)y=3x−2(2)2x+y=8\begin{aligned} (1)\quad y &= 3x - 2 \\ (2)\quad 2x + y &= 8 \end{aligned}
1
(1)y=3x−2(2)2x+y=8\begin{aligned} (1)\quad y &= 3x - 2 \\ (2)\quad 2x + y &= 8 \end{aligned}
Equation (1) already tells you what yy isPick the variable that is easiest to get alone

Tips:

  • • Whatever you do to one side, do to the other
  • • Undo operations in reverse order (PEMDAS backwards)
  • • Check your answer by substituting back

Follow along as we solve the equation step by step.

Interactive Sandbox

Interactive Grapher

-10-50510-10-50510xy

Tap or hover over the graph to read off values.

Try these examples:

y = 3x - 2

m=3, b=-2

y = 8 - 2x

m=-2, b=8

Expression Calculator

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Practice Problems

16 problems
Problem 1 of 16
Easy
In the system {y=2x+3x+y=9\begin{cases} y = 2x + 3 \\ x + y = 9 \end{cases}, what expression should you substitute for yy in the second equation?

Why It Matters

The substitution method is one of the most powerful tools for solving systems of equations:
  • Exact answers: Unlike graphing, substitution gives precise solutions, not estimates
  • Works for all systems: Can solve systems that are hard to graph accurately
  • Foundation for advanced math: The same substitution technique is used in calculus, physics, and engineering
  • Real-world applications: Comparing phone plans, mixing solutions, and balancing budgets all use this method
Mastering substitution opens the door to solving complex real-world problems!

Real World Applications

Comparing Phone Plans

Phone companies offer different plans. The substitution method helps find when two plans cost the same.

Example:

Plan A costs 20 euros monthly plus 0.10 euros per minute. Plan B costs 30 euros monthly plus 0.05 euros per minute. When are they equal?

1Try It Yourself

Plan A: y=20+0.10xy = 20 + 0.10x (cost for xx minutes) Plan B: y=30+0.05xy = 30 + 0.05x

After how many minutes do both plans cost the same?

Step 1: Write the mathematical expression

Set the costs equal and solve:

Mixing Solutions in Chemistry

Scientists often need to mix solutions of different concentrations to get a desired result.

Example:

A chemist needs 100 mL of a 30% acid solution. They have 20% and 50% solutions available.

2Try It Yourself

Let xx = mL of 20% solution, yy = mL of 50% solution. Total volume: x+y=100x + y = 100 Acid content: 0.20x+0.50y=300.20x + 0.50y = 30

How much of each solution is needed?

Step 1: Write the mathematical expression

From the first equation: x=100−yx = 100 - y. Substitute:

Budget Planning

Businesses use systems of equations to balance costs and revenue.

Example:

A company sells basic and premium products. If they sell 50 items and make 2000 euros, with basic at 30 euros and premium at 50 euros, how many of each did they sell?

3Try It Yourself

Let xx = basic products, yy = premium products. Total items: x+y=50x + y = 50 Total revenue: 30x+50y=200030x + 50y = 2000

How many of each product type was sold?

Step 1: Write the mathematical expression

From the first equation: x=50−yx = 50 - y. Substitute:

Key Takeaways

  • 1The substitution method solves systems by replacing one variable with an equivalent expression
  • 2Choose the variable with coefficient 1 or that's already isolated for easiest solving
  • 3Always substitute into the OTHER equation, not the one you solved
  • 4After finding one variable, back-substitute to find the other
  • 5Verify your solution by checking both original equations

Frequently Asked Questions

Use substitution when one variable is already isolated or has a coefficient of 1. Use elimination when both equations have similar coefficients that can be easily canceled.
Use substitution when one variable is already isolated or has a coefficient of 1. Use elimination when both equations have similar coefficients that can be easily canceled.
If you get 0=00 = 0, the system has infinitely many solutions (the lines are the same). If you get something impossible like 0=50 = 5, there's no solution (parallel lines).
Mathematically, no - you'll get the same answer either way. Practically, choose the variable that's easiest to isolate (smallest coefficient, already partially isolated).

Glossary

Substitution method
A technique for solving systems where you replace a variable with an equivalent expression from another equation
System of equations
Two or more equations with the same variables that must be solved simultaneously
Back-substitution
Plugging a found value back into an equation to find the remaining variable
Solution to a system
The ordered pair (x,y)(x, y) that makes both equations true

Formula Card

Substitution Method Steps

1. Isolate: Solve one equation for one variable 2. Substitute: Replace that variable in the other equation 3. Solve: Find the value of the remaining variable 4. Back-substitute: Find the other variable 5. Verify: Check in both original equations

Follow these five steps to solve any system using substitution

Today's challengeOne problem, three tries

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Elimination Method

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