What are x and y if 10x - 2y = -8 and 3y - 5x = 8?

1 Answer
Oct 21, 2015

(x,y) = (-2/5,2)

Explanation:

Given
[1]color(white)("XXX")10x-2y = -8
[2]color(white)("XXX")3y-5x=8

Rearrange [2] into standard form order:
[3]color(white)("XXX")-5x+3y=8

Multiply [3] by 2 to make coefficients of x in [1] and [4] additive inverses
[4]color(white)("XXX")-10x+6y = 16

Add [1] and [4]
[5]color(white)("XXX")4y=8

Divide [5] by 2
[6]color(white)("XXX")y=2

Substitute 2 fro y in [1]
[7]color(white)("XXX")10x-2(2)=-8

[8]color(white)("XXX")10x -4 = -8

[9]color(white)("XXX")10x = -4

[10]color(white)("XXX")x=-2/5