How do you solve the following system?: #-5x -y =1, 3x -y = -2#

1 Answer
May 15, 2016

The solution for the set of equations is:

#color(blue)(x = -3/8#

# color(blue)(y = 7/8 #

Explanation:

#-5x color(blue)(- y) = 1 #...........equation #(1)#

#3x color(blue)(- y) = -2 #.........equation #(2)#

Subtracting equation #2# from #1#:

#-5x cancelcolor(blue)(- y) = 1 #

#- 3x cancelcolor(blue)(+ y) = +2 #

#-8x = 3 #

#color(blue)(x = -3/8#

Finding #y# from equation #1#

#-5x color(blue)(- y) = 1 #

#-5x - 1 = y #

#-5 * color(blue)((-3/8)) - 1 = y #

#15/8- 1 = y #

#15/8- 8/8 = y #

#7/8 = y #

# color(blue)(y = 7/8 #