Here is a quick way to solve it. Remember (-1) is equal to (-1). That's the reflexive property. Though I always liked to call it the "no duh" property.
But moving right along: X + Y = 5x - 2y ...we know this, now...
If we add 2y to each side: X + 3y = 5x .....good, now let's subtract X from each side...
Then we will get: 3y = 4x ....and if we solve for Y we get:
Y = (4/3)x ...Now we are ready to plug these in and solve.
X + Y = -1 now becomes: X + (4/3)X = -1
Let's combine like therms One plus four thirds is one and four thirds so..
(7/3)x = -1
We arrive at our answer by multiplying by the RECIPROCAL of the X coefficient:
X = -(3/7)