Add the two equations and use the elimination method. The x term will "cancel out" to be able to solve for the y term.
STEP 1
−12x−5y=40
12x−11y=88
x terms "cancels out"; add y terms
-16y= 128
divide both sides by -16
y= -8
STEP 2
substitute y value into either original equation
12x−11y=88
12x - 11(-8)= 88
12x + 88= 88
subtract 88 from both sides
12x= 0
divide both sides by 12; 0 divided by any number is 0
x= 0
ANSWER: x= 0; y= -8
Hope this helps! :)