Question

-2x - y = -9
5x - 2y = 18

Answer 1

x = 4,

y = 1

Explanation:

Let us solve through elimination ~

1. Multiply top equation -2x - y = -9 by -2, adding that product to the bottom equation 5x - 2y = 18:

-2 (-2x - y = -9) ⇒ 4x + 2y = 18

+ 5x - 2y = 18 + 5x - 2y = 18

2. To further express this algebraic process of adding to find x in this case:

4x + 2y = 18 ⇒ 9x = 36 ⇒ x = 4

+ 5x - 2y = 18

3. Now let us substitute this value of x into the top equation 4x + 2y = 18:

4( 4 ) + 2y = 18

4. And solve for y:

16 + 2y = 18 ⇒ 2y = 2 ⇒ y = 1