Question

Solve the following system of equations by using the elimination method. 2x + 4y = 8 and 3x – 3y = 12

Answer 1

(x, y) = (4, 0)

Explanation:

It is convenient to first put the equations into standard form by eliminating common factors. The first equation has a factor of 2 that can be removed; the second equation has a factor of 3 that can be removed. Then you have ...

• x +2y = 4
• x -y = 4

Subtracting the second equation from the first eliminates the x variable. That gives you ...

(x +2y) -(x -y) = (4) -(4)

3y = 0 . . . . . . simplify

y = 0 . . . . . . . divide by 3

Substituting this value into either equation above, you get ...

x + 0 = 4

x = 4

The solution is (x, y) = (4, 0).