How do you solve 5x + 4y = 6 and -2x - 3y = -1?

1 Answer
Aug 10, 2015

(x,y) = (2,-1)

Explanation:

[1]color(white)("XXXX")5x+4y=6
[2]color(white)("XXXX")-2x-3y=-1

Multiply [1] by 2 and [2] by (-5) to get 2 equations with identical coefficients for x
[3]color(white)("XXXX")10x+8y = 12
[4]color(white)("XXXX")10x+15y=5

Subtract [4] from [3]
[5]color(white)("XXXX")-7y = 7

Divide both sides by (-7)
[6]color(white)("XXXX")y = -1

Substitute (-1) for y in [1]
[7]color(white)("XXXX")5x+4(-1) = 6

Simplify
[8]color(white)("XXXX")x = 2