Subtract
x + y = 5
-(x - 3y = 3)
----------------
4y = 2
Isolate the y. Divide 4 from both sides
4y/4 = 2/4
y = 1/2
y = 1/2
Plug in 1/2 for y in one of the equations.
x + y = 5
x + (1/2) = 5
Isolate the x. Subtract 1/2 from both sides
x + 1/2 (-1/2) = 5 (-1/2)
x = 4 1/2
x = 4 1/2, y = 1/2, is your answer
hope this helps