How do you solve the following system: 5x+3y=6,4x+2y=10?

2 Answers
May 8, 2017

Complex linear systems can be solved in matrix form using Cramer's Rule. Simple ones like this one can be arranged according to their factors and solved algebraically.

Explanation:

Arrange the equations so that the factors align, with all of the unknowns on one side:
5x+3y=6
4x+2y=10
Then algebraically combine them. You can use multiplicative factors to an entire equation if the coefficients are not already equal. Then we can simply subtract one equation from the other to get a single equation in only the 'x' variable.
(5x+3y=6)2
(4x+2y=10)3

(1) 10x+6y=12
(2) 12x+6y=30 Subtract (1) from (2):
22x=18
x=(911)

Substitute this value back into one equation to solve for 'y', then use the other equation to check the final values for correctness.
5(911)+3y=6 ; (4511)+3y=6 ; 3y=(11111) ; y=(3711)
CHECK:
4x+2y=10 ; 4(911)+2(3711)=10 (3611)+(7411)=10 ; (11011)=10 ; 10=10 CORRECT!

May 8, 2017

x=911, y=3711

Explanation:

Let's use elimination:

5x+3y=6

4x+2y=10

Our first step is to change one of our varables to match another. I'm going to multiply 4x+2y=10 by 1.5 to change it to 6x+3y=15

5x+3y=6

6x+3y=15
.........................................................
11x=9

11x=9

divide by 11

x=911

Now we can solve for y:
4(911)+2y=10

3611+2y=10

subtract 3611 on both sides

2y=7411

divide by 2 on both sides

y=3711

Just to double check our work, let's solve the first equation, replacing x and y with 911 and 3711:

5x+3y=6

(911)+3(3711)=6

4511+11111

6=6

We were right! x=911, y=3711