How do you solve the system 3y-8x=24 and 3y+2x=9?

1 Answer
Jul 27, 2016

x=3/2

I have taken you just to this point so that you can complete the whole thing.

Explanation:

The trick is to eliminate one of the variables so that you only have one unknown left.

Write as

" "3y-8x=24
" "ul(3y+2x=color(white)(2)9) " "larr" Subtract"
" "0-10x=15

Multiply both sides by (-1)

+10x=-15

Divide both sides by 10

x=-(cancel(15)^3)/(cancel(10)^2)" "larr" Divide top and bottom by 5"

x=3/2

.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now just substitute 3/2 for x in any of the given equations and solve for y

color(green)("I have left that for you to do!")