How do you solve the following linear system 3 x-2y=4 , x+4y=33x2y=4,x+4y=3?

2 Answers
Feb 12, 2017

y = 5/14 y=514
x = 11/7 x=117

Explanation:

1) Rearrange your equations to make them easier to use. The easiest way to do this is to isolate ONE variable that has the coefficient of 1.

3x - 2y = 4 3x2y=4

x = -4y + 3 x=4y+3

2) Since you now know what the x variable is in terms of y, you can go ahead and substitute it into the first equation.

3 (-4y + 3) - 2y = 4 3(4y+3)2y=4

3) Simplify

3 (-4y + 3) - 2y = 4 3(4y+3)2y=4

-12y + 9 - 2y = 4 12y+92y=4

-14y + 9 = 4 14y+9=4

-14y = -5 14y=5

y = 5/14 y=514

4) Substitute the solution you just got to get the second variable.

x + 4y = 3 x+4y=3

x + 4 (5/14) = 3 x+4(514)=3

x + 10/7 = 3 x+107=3

x = 11/7 x=117

Feb 12, 2017

x=11/7=1 4/7x=117=147 and y=5/14y=514

Explanation:

3x-2y=43x2y=4
x+4y=3x+4y=3

Using the second equation, derive a value for xx.

x+4y=3x+4y=3

Subtract 4y4y from each side.

x=3-4yx=34y

In the first equation, substitute xx with color(red)((3-4y))(34y).

3x-2y=43x2y=4

3color(red)((3-4y))-2y=43(34y)2y=4

Open the brackets and simplify. The product of a positive and a negative is a negative.

9-12y-2y=4912y2y=4

9-14y=4914y=4

Subtract 99 from each side.

-14y=-514y=5

Divide both sides by -1414.

y=5/14y=514

In the second equation, substitute yy with color(blue)(5/14)514.

x+4y=3x+4y=3

x+4(color(blue)(5/14))=3x+4(514)=3

Open the brackets and simplify.

x+2cancel4xx5/(7cancel14)=3

x+10/7=3

Subtract 10/7 from each side.

x=3-10/7

x=21/7-10/7

x=11/7=1 4/7