How do you solve x + y = 5 and 2x + Y = 8?

1 Answer
Jan 8, 2016

(3,2)

Explanation:

This could be solved with either elimination or substitution. I'll use elimination, since the category is "Linear Systems with Multiplication."

Multiply the first equation by -1.

-1(x+y=5)rarr-x-y=-5

We now have the two equations:

{(-x-y=-5),(2x+y=8):}

Add the two equations together.

-x+2x-y+y=-5+8

Simplify. Notice that the y terms cancel, which was the point in multiplying the first equation by -1 earlier.

x=3

Now, substitute x=3 into either of the original equations.

3+y=5
y=2

This leaves us with x=3,y=2, or the point (3,2).