Soultion to the system of linear equations

Question

6x+7y=59

4x+5y=41

Answer 1

Hi Jalisa,

To solve a system of equations, you can use either substitution or elimination.  For this problem, elimination will be easier.  Both equations must be multiplied by a number in order to cancel out either the x or y terms when equations are added together.  It is totally up to you which variable to eliminate first.

I chose to eliminate X first:

 

2(6x+7y=59)

-3(4x+5y=41)    distribute to get:

 

12x+14y=118

-12x-15y=-123   now add the equations and the x terms will cancel out:

 

-1y = -5 simplify to get y=5  then plug y=5 into one of your original equations.  I chose the first one:

6x+7(5) = 59  simplify

6x=24

x=4

Solution to system of equations is (4, 5)