How do you solve x+y=3 and x-y=1?

1 Answer
Aug 1, 2015

Add the two equations together to get 2x=4 hence x=2
Subtract the two equations to get 2y=2 hence y=1

Explanation:

Add the two equations to find:

2x = (x + color(red)(cancel(color(black)(y))))+(x-color(red)(cancel(color(black)(y)))) = 3 + 1 = 4

Divide both ends by 2 to get x=2

Subtract the two equations to find:

2y = (color(red)(cancel(color(black)(x))) + y) - (color(red)(cancel(color(black)(x))) - y) = 3 - 1 = 2

Divide both ends by 2 to get y = 1