How do you solve 1/2a+1/3b=8, 3/2a-4/3b=-4?

1 Answer
Dec 31, 2016

Solution is a=8, b=12.

Explanation:

The two given are equations are

1/2a+1/3b=8 ...................................(1) and

3/2a-4/3b=-4 ...................................(2)

Multiplying (1) by 3 we get

3/2a+3/3b=24 ...................................(3)

and subtracting (2) from (3), we get

3/3b-(-4/3b)=24-(-4)

or 3/3b+4/3b=24+4

or 7/3b=28 i.e.

b=28xx3/7=4cancel28xx3/(1cancel7)=12

Putting b=12 in (1), we get

1/2a+1/3xx12=8

or 1/2a+4=8

or 1/2a=8-4=4

i.e. a=8

Hence, solution is a=8, b=12.