Last updated on August 27th, 2025
The substitution property states that if two quantities are equal, one can be substituted for the other in any equation or expression. This helps in solving mathematical problems by allowing you to use known equal values to simplify or rewrite expressions.
The substitution method is a way to solve a system of equations by replacing one variable with an expression from another equation, making it easier to find the values.
For example: x+y=5
2x+3y=5
Solve the first equation for one of its variables, for example:
y=5-x
Substitute into the second equation.
2x+3(5-x)=5
Simplify and solve for x
2x+15-3x=5
-x+15=5
-x=-10
x = 10
Back-substitute to find y
y=5-x
y=5-10
= -5
Answer y=-5 and x = 10
The substitution property of equality states that if two quantities are equal, one can be substituted for the other in any expression or equation. For example, if a = b, then we can replace a with b in any expression, and the value of the expression won’t change. So, if a + 2 = 0, and a = b, we can substitute a with b, and the expression becomes b + 2 = 0.
For example
x = 1
Expression to evaluate: x2-3x+8
Using the substitution property, we replace x by 1
12-3(1)+8=1-3+8=6
So, the expression evaluates to 6 when x = 1.
Solving: x+y=20
x-y=10
The given equations: x+y=20 — (1)
x-y=10 — (2)
Isolating equation 2: x = y + 10
Substituting to find the value of x:
x + y = 20
(y + 10) + y = 20
2y = 20 - 10
2y = 10
y = 5
Substituting the value of y in equation 2:
x - y = 10
x - 5 = 10
x = 10 + 5
x = 15.
The substitution method involves solving one equation for a variable, for example, rewriting it as x = y + 2, and then plugging that into the other equation. It's intuitive and works best when one variable is easily isolated.
The elimination method multiplies one or both equations by suitable numbers to make the coefficients equal, then adds or subtracts them to cancel out one variable. It's often faster and avoids fractions when coefficients are already equal or opposites.
Real-life applications are important in chemistry, physics, and economics, and are used in many ways. Here are examples of real-life applications mentioned below
Students often make mistakes while solving substitution properties of equality, such as sign errors, substituting the wrong value, and many more. To avoid these mistakes, here are some examples and solutions mentioned below
Solve : x + y = 2 and 2x + 3y = 4
x = 2, y = 0
Given,
x + y = 2 —--- (1)
2x + 3y = 4 —----(2)
Solving the first equation to find x:
x = 2 - y
Substituting the value of x in second equation:
2x + 3y = 4
2(2 - y) + 3y = 4
4 - 2y +3y = 4
y = 4 - 4
y = 0
Substituting the value of y in the first equation:
x + y =2
x + 0 = 2
x = 2
Solve: 5m - 2n = 17 and 3m + n = 8
m = 3, n = -1
Solving the system of equations:
5m - 2n = 17 —------------- (1)
3m + n = 8 —-------------- (2)
Solving the equation to find the value for n:
n = 8 - 3m
Substituting the value of n in equation 1:
5m - 2(8 - 3m) = 17
5m - 16 + 6m = 17
11m = 17 + 16
11m = 33
m = 33/11 = 3
As n = 8 - 3m
n = 8 - 3(3)
= 8 - 9
= -1
Find x, y; in x + y = 20 and x - y = 10.
x = 15, y = 5
Given expressions,
x + y = 20
x - y = 10
Solve the equation to find the value of x:
x = 20 - y
Substituting the value of x in x - y = 10
(20 - y) - y = 10
20 - 2y = 10
-2y = -10
y = 5
Substitute the value of y in the equation, x = 20 - y
x = 20 - 5
x = 15
Solve: 2x + y = 7 and x - 2y = 6
x = 4, y = -1
Solving the equation to find the value for x:
x = 6 + 2y
Substituting the value of x in 2x + y = 7
2(6 + 2y) + y = 7
12 + 4y + y = 7
5y = 7 - 12
5y = -5
y =-1
Substituting the value of y in x = 6 + 2y
x = 6 + 2y
x = 6 + 2(-1)
x = 4
Solve: x + y = -1 and y = x - 5
x = 4, y = -1
Given,
x + y = -1
y = x - 5
Substituting the value of x in x + y = -1
x + (x - 5) = -1
2x - 5 = -1
2x = -5 + 1
2x = 4
x = 4
Substituting x = 4 in y = x - 5
y = 4 - 5
y = -1