How do you solve the system of equations 3x - 7y = 56 and 4x + 7y = - 7?

1 Answer
Apr 8, 2017

x=7, y=-5

Explanation:

3x-7y=56
4x+7y=-7

There are two ways to solve problem, though, the first way may not apply to every system of equations.

1st:
add the upper equation to the bottom equation like this:

3x-7y=56
ul(4x+7y=-7)
this cancels the -7y and 7y because they add to 0
3x+4x =7x

-7y +7y =0

56-7=49

7x=49

Divide by 7 on both sides, you will get x=7

Replace x " in " 4x+7y = -7 with 7

4(7)+7y=-7
28+7y=-7" "minus 28 on both sides
7y=-35

7y/7=-35/7

y=-5

2nd:
3x-7y=56
3x=56+7y

Divide by 3 on both sides, and you will get x=(56+7y)/3
Replace x " in " 4x+7y=-7 with x=(56+7y)/3

4((56+7y)/3)+7y=-7
=(224+28y)/3+7y=-7

7y=(7y)/1, so make the denominator similar to (224+28y)/3 by multiply 3 which result of (21y)/3
(224+28y)/3+(21y)/3=-7
(224+49y)/3=-7

multiplying by 3 on both sides

224+49y=-21" " minus 224 on both sides

49y=-245" "divide 49 on both sides
y=-5

replace y " in " 3x-7y=56 " with" -5
3x-7(-5)=56

3x+35=56 minus 35 on both sides

-3x=21

divide by 3

x=7

sorry if it's a bit too long, but always use the second method as it's universal to the system equation. good luck!