How do solve the following linear system?: # -2x -8y = 4 , 3x-y=3 #?

1 Answer
Jan 10, 2016

#x=10/13, y = -9/13#

Explanation:

To solve by elimination you will need to make coefficients of x or y "match" so that when you add or subtract the equations one of the variables will be eliminated.

If we multiply the second equation by 8 we get:
#-2x - 8y = 4#
#24x - 8y = 24#

Now if we subtract the two new equations, we will eliminate y and will be able to solve an equation in x.

#26x = 20#
#x=10/13#

Substitute this back into one of the original equations to find y.

#3*10/13 - y =3#
#30/13 - y = 3#
#-y=9/13#
#y=-9/13#