To solve the system given below using substitution it is best to start by solving the second equation for y 5x plus 2y equals 33 6y plus x equals 3?

Answer 1

First of all, you haven't asked a question. But I'll just grab this tidbit and gambol

through the meadow with it anyway, as a pleasant springtime lark, tra la.

Let's do it your way: The second equation is 6y + x = 3 .

I changed my mind. Your suggestion was to solve this for 'y', but it's easier to solve it for 'x' instead, so I've decided to do this MY way after all.

Subtract 6y from each side: x = 3 - 6y Bring that along, while we look at the second equation: 5x + 2y = 33 Substitute the exprssion for 'x' that we derived a moment ago: 5(3-6y) + 2y = 33 Eliminate the parentheses: 15 - 30y + 2y = 33 Subtract 15 from each side: -30y + 2y = 18 Combine like terms on the left side: -28y = 18 Divide each side by -28: y = -18/28

y = -9/14 . Wonderful ! Substitute this into the second equation: 6(-9/14) + x = 3

x = 3 + 54/14 = 3 + 27/7

x = 21/7 + 27/7

x = 48/7. What delightful numbers! Nothing like obscuring the forest with so many trees

that the class never notices why you brought them there.

FYI ... I also tried it your way, on paper, and that doesn't make it any less messy.