How do solve the following linear system?: 5x+2y=4 , y=-3x+4 ?

1 Answer
Mar 11, 2018

x=4, y=-8

Explanation:

5x+2y=4
y=-3x+4

Since the second function already has the y term isolated, plug it in for y in the first function to solve for x

5x+2(-3x+4)=4 (Distribute the 2)

5x-6x+8=4 (Combine like terms)

-x+8=4 (Subtract 8 from both sides)

-x=-4 (Divide both sides by -1)

x=4

Now that you found the x variable, plug it into either equation to find y

y=-3(4)+4 (Distribute -3)

y=-12+4 (Find the difference/sum)

y=-8

Check your answer by plugging it back into either of the original equations

5(4)+2(-8)=4

20+(-16)=4

4=4

This is how you solve by substitution