Question

Seven times a number plus three times another number equals negative one. The sum of the two numbers is negative three. What are the numbers’?

Answer 1

Answer: The numbers are 2 and -5

Explanation:

7x+3y=-1 ...(equation 1)

x+y=-3 ...(equation 2)

x+y=-3

Broken down, we have x=-3-y

Substitute x=-3-y into equation 1

Then we have 7(-3-y) +3y=-1

Which is -21-7y+3y=-1

which is -21-4y=-1

-4y=-1+21=20

y=-20/4=-5

y=-5

Substitute y=-5 into equation 1

x+y=-3

x-5=-3

x=-3+5=2

x=2

Answer 2

ur numbers are 2 and -5

Explanation:

7x + 3y = -1

x + y = -3......x = -3 - y

7(-3 - y) + 3y = -1

-21 - 7y + 3y = -1

-7y + 3y = - 1 + 21

-4y = 20

y = -20/4

y = -5 <====

x = -3 - y

x = -3 - (-5)

x = -3 + 5

x = 2 <====