How do you solve 4x+y=13 and 2x-y=5?

1 Answer
Aug 1, 2015

Add the 2 equations together to get a third equation with the y term eliminated; solve for x; replace x in one of the given equations with the solution to find y
(x,y) = (3,1)

Explanation:

[1]color(white)("XXXX")4x+y=13
[2]color(white)("XXXX")2x-y=5

Add [1] and [2] together
[3]color(white)("XXXX")6x=18

Divide both sides by 6
[4]color(white)("XXXX")x=3

Substitute 3 for x in [1]
[5]color(white)("XXXX")4(3)+y=13

Simplify
[6]color(white)("XXXX")12+y=13

Subtract 12 from both sides
[7]color(white)("XXXX")y=1