3x+2y=8 and 2x+5y=-2

3x+2y=8 and 2x+5y=-2

Solve the following pair of simultaneous equations and show your working.

3x+2y=8 and 2x+5y=-2

Multiply the top equation throughout by 2, and the bottom equation throughout by 3 as shown above.

Subtract the equations.

Both equations now have 6x as the first term. If you subtract the two equations then 6x will be eliminated.

Solution for y

After subtraction, we have the y terms on the LHS.

Solution for x

Substituting the value for y into the equation 3x+2y=8 then allows you to solve for x as shown above with the working out.