How do you solve the system of equations #-5x - y = 8# and #5x + y = - 1#?

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Answer 1 · 2016-11-17T22:54:32

The solution set for this problem is the null set or #O/#

Step 1) Solve the first equation for #y# while keeping the equation balanced:

#-5x - y + y - 8 = 8 + y - 8#

#-5x - 8 = y#

Step 2) Substitute #-5x - 8# for #y# in the second equation and solve for #x# while keeping the equation balanced:

#5x + (-5x - 8) = -1#

#5x - 5x - 8 = -1#

#0 - 8 = -1#

#-8 = -1#

Because -8 does not equal -1 the solution set for this problem is the null set or #O/#