y = 3x + 2 2y - 14 = - 4x Since the first equation is solved for y, and since y is equal to 3x + 2, we put that in parentheses like this (3x + 2), then we take the other equation and instead of y put what y equals, namely (3x + 2). Then solve for x 2y - 14 = -4x 2(3x + 2) - 14 = -4x 6x + 4 - 14 = -4x 6x - 10 = -4x 6x + 4x = 10 10x = 10 x = 1 Now take the first equation y = 3x + 2 and substitute (1) for x y = 3(1) + 2 then finish the right side y = 3 + 2 y = 5 So the solution is (x,y) = (1,5) Edwin