solve for y

Question

x-2y=5

x-2y=5

Answer 1

Hi Katie,

 

Dave is right in saying that these two equations are the same.  What this means is that these two linear equations describe the same line.  

 

Hence, ALL points will lie on the same line and, thus, there are an INFINITE number of solutions.

 

Mathematically, this system of linear equations is called a DEPENDENT system, i.e. they are identical when placed in slope-intercept form:

    x - 2y = 5

       -2y = -x + 5

          y = (1/2)x -(5/2)

    same slope:  1/2

    same y-intercept:  -(5/2)

    therefore, same line

 

Trust this helps.

 

God bless, Jordan. 

Answer 2

Since the two equations are the same, there is no way to solve this.  I have to have  a value for x or a second equation with which to calculate the x and y.  With both equations the same, x and y could still have any value.

 

I'm guessing you or your teacher simply typed this problem wrong.