Solve the system of equations by using the addition method

How do you solve this system of equations using the addition method:
4
x
−
y
=
−
4
;
5
x
+
2
y
=
−
18
?
Algebra
1 Answer

IDKwhatName
Jun 30, 2017
x
=
−
2
,
y
=
−
4
Explanation:
Right now, you have:
4
x
−
y
=
−
4

5
x
+
2
y
=
−
18
To make this easier, you must get rid of one variable, in this case I will remove
y
, to do this you must make the y-values in both equations the same.
To do this, I will multiply the whole of
4
x
−
y
=
−
4
by 2 to give
8
x
−
2
y
=
−
8
We now have:
8
x
−
2
y
=
−
8

5
z
+
2
y
=
−
18
All we need to do now is
(
8
x
−
2
y
+
5
x
+
2
y
)
=
(
−
18
−
8
)
≡
13
x
=
−
26
.
Divide both sides by 13 to find
x
:
13
x
=
−
26

13
x
13
=
−
26
13

x
=
−
2
Now put your value for
x
into either equation:
4
(
−
2
)
−
y
=
−
4

−
8
−
y
=
−
4

y
=
−
8
+
4

y
=
−
4
x
=
−
2
;
y
=
−
4
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