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9 votes
9 votes
Solve the following system of equations.
5 a-b=17
3 a+2 b=5

User ExperimenteR
by
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1 Answer

21 votes
21 votes

Answer:

a = 3 , b = - 2

Explanation:

5a + b = 17 → (1)

3a + 2b = 5 → (2)

multiplying (1) by 2 and adding to (2) will eliminate b

10a + 2b = 34 → (3)

add (2) and (3) term by term to eliminate b

13a + 0 = 39

13a = 39 ( divide both sides by 13 )

a = 3

substitute a = 3 into either of the 2 equations and solve for b

substituting into (1)

5(3) + b = 17

15 - b = 17 ( subtract 15 from both sides )

- b = 2 ( multiply both sides by - 1 )

b = - 2

then solution is a = 3 , b = - 2

User Jacky Lau
by
2.7k points