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3x-y=14
5x+4y=12
Find X and Y.

User HelloWorld
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1 Answer

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These are simultaneous equations and can be solved using the elimination method.
We’ll name equation 3x-y=14 as (1), and 5x+4y=12 as (2)

Firstly, manipulate equations such that one of the variable terms cancels out, for this particular problem, it is easier to manipulate the -y term in (1) to cancel out the +4y term in (2).

To do so, multiply the entire equation (1) on both sides by 4, it should now look like this:

12x - 4y = 56, we’ll name this equation (3)

Add equation (3) and (2)
Upon its addition, notice that the y terms cancel and you’re left with a simple single term equation,

17x = 68
Divide both sides with 17 to get the value of x, which is 4.

Now we can substitute (1) with x=4, which again Leaves us with a single variable term (y), which can be solved for to give y = -2. Note that you can substitute in any of the equations, and the value of y will be the same.

Hope this helps.
User PaulMcG
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