How do you solve x - 2y = 10x2y=10 and 1/2x - 2y = 412x2y=4 using substitution?

1 Answer
May 11, 2016

(x,y)=color(blue)(12,1)(x,y)=12,1

Explanation:

Given
[1]color(white)("XXX")x-2y=10XXXx2y=10
[2]color(white)("XXX")1/2x-2y=4XXX12x2y=4

We can rearrange [1] to give us an equation in terms of just xx
[3]color(white)("XXX")x=2y+10XXXx=2y+10

This allows us to substitute (2y+10)(2y+10) for xx in [2]
[4]color(white)("XXX")1/2(2y+10)-2y=4XXX12(2y+10)2y=4

Simplifying
[5]color(white)("XXX")y+5-2y=4XXXy+52y=4

[6]color(white)("XXX")-y=-1XXXy=1

[7]color(white)("XXX")y=1XXXy=1

Now we can substitute 11 for yy back in [1]
[8]color(white)("XXX")x-2(1)=10XXXx2(1)=10

Simplifying
[9]color(white)("XXX")x=12XXXx=12