Final answer:
To solve the system of equations 2y + x = -15 and x = 3y using the substitution method, substitute x from the second equation into the first, and then simplify and solve for y, finally substituting back to find x.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is working on a system of equations problem, which is a concept in algebra, a branch of mathematics. The substitution method is one technique to solve such systems. In the given equations, 2y + x = -15 and x = 3y, the student can substitute x from the second equation into the first, resulting in 2y + (3y) = -15. Combining like terms gives 5y = -15. Dividing both sides by 5 yields y = -3. Substituting this value back into the second equation gives x = 3(-3), so x = -9. Plotting these values in a graph, we would see the intersection of the lines represented by the two equations at the point (-9, -3).