How do you solve the system 4x-y=9 and x-3y=16?

1 Answer
Jun 4, 2015

(x,y)=(1,-5)

Explanation:

Given
[1]color(white)("XXXX")4x-y = 9
[2]color(white)("XXXX")x-3y = 16

Re-arrange the terms of [2] to get
[3]color(white)("XXXX")x = 3y+16

Using [3] substitute (3y+16) for x in [1]
[4]color(white)("XXXX")4(3y+16)-y = 9

Simplifying
[5]color(white)("XXXX")11y +64 = 9
[6]color(white)("XXXX")11y = -55
[7]color(white)("XXXX")y = -5

Using [7] substitute (-5) for y in [1]
[8]color(white)("XXXX")4x - (-5) = 9
[9]color(white)("XXXX") 4x = 4
[10]color(white)("XXXX")x = 1

(x,y) = (1,-5)