How do you use the substitution method to solve 3x-15y=-12 and 3x+24y=-12?

1 Answer
Jun 26, 2015

Derive an expression for 3x from the first equation, then substitute that in the second equation and solve to find y=0 and x=4

Explanation:

First add 15y to both sides of the first equation to get:

[1] 3x=15y12

Then substitute 15y12 for 3x in the second equation to get:

(15y12)+24y=12

Add 12 to both sides and combine the remaining terms to get:

39y=0

Divide both sides by 39 to get y=0

Then substitute y=0 in [1] to get:

3x=12

Divide both sides by 3 to get x=4