+0  
 
0
825
1
avatar+213 

The equation is 4x+8y=20 and -4x+2y=-30 where I am told to find X and Y using elimination. Anyone have any ideas?

 Jan 4, 2018

Best Answer 

 #1
avatar+2439 
+2

Let's line the equation up side by side.

 

\(\hspace{4mm}\textcolor{red}{4x}+8y=+20\\ \textcolor{red}{-4x}+2y=-30\)

 

Take note of the bit highlighted in red. Do you notice how the coefficients are opposite of each other? This is important! If I were to add these equations together as is, then the x would cancel out. 

 

\(\hspace{4mm}\textcolor{red}{4x}+8y=+20\\ \textcolor{red}{-4x}+2y=-30\\ \overline{\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad}\\ \hspace{2mm}0x+10y=-10\)

 

We can solve for y pretty easily by dividing by -10. Of course, 0x simplifies to 0, so the x has disappeared.

 

\(10y=-10\\ \hspace{5mm}y=-1\)

 

We can now plug in this y value into the the original equation and solve for x. I'll plug it into the first one.

 

\(4x+8y=20\) We already know that y=-1, so let's substitute that in for y and solve for the remaining unknown.
\(4x+8(-1)=20\) 8*-1 can be simplified.
\(4x-8=20\) Add 8 to both sides.
\(4x=28\) Finally, divide by 4 to isolate x completely.
\(x=7\)  
   


 

 Jan 4, 2018
 #1
avatar+2439 
+2
Best Answer

Let's line the equation up side by side.

 

\(\hspace{4mm}\textcolor{red}{4x}+8y=+20\\ \textcolor{red}{-4x}+2y=-30\)

 

Take note of the bit highlighted in red. Do you notice how the coefficients are opposite of each other? This is important! If I were to add these equations together as is, then the x would cancel out. 

 

\(\hspace{4mm}\textcolor{red}{4x}+8y=+20\\ \textcolor{red}{-4x}+2y=-30\\ \overline{\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad\quad}\\ \hspace{2mm}0x+10y=-10\)

 

We can solve for y pretty easily by dividing by -10. Of course, 0x simplifies to 0, so the x has disappeared.

 

\(10y=-10\\ \hspace{5mm}y=-1\)

 

We can now plug in this y value into the the original equation and solve for x. I'll plug it into the first one.

 

\(4x+8y=20\) We already know that y=-1, so let's substitute that in for y and solve for the remaining unknown.
\(4x+8(-1)=20\) 8*-1 can be simplified.
\(4x-8=20\) Add 8 to both sides.
\(4x=28\) Finally, divide by 4 to isolate x completely.
\(x=7\)  
   


 

TheXSquaredFactor Jan 4, 2018

7 Online Users

avatar
avatar
avatar
avatar