How do you solve x – y = 5 and x + y = 3?

1 Answer
Jim G.
Feb 18, 2016

x = 4 , y = -1

Explanation:

solve by elimination ie eliminate x or y from the equations by performing operations on them.
first label the equations , to follow the process.

x - y = 5 ----------------(1)
x+ y = 3 ----------------(2)
If (1) and (2) are added then y will be eliminated.

(1) + (2) gives : 2x = 8 → x = 4
now substitute this value of x into either of the 2 equations and solve for y.

let x = 4 in (1) : 4 - y = 5 → -y = 1 → y = -1

check in (1) : 4-(-1) = 4+1 = 5
check in(2) : 4 - 1 = 3

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