Apparently there is an expression in x and y, say Ax+By, such that when the point (x,y)=(5,2) is substituted, the result is 9, and when the point (x,y)=(8,3) is substituted, the result is 17. The problem is asking what do we get when the point (x,y)=(7,6) is substituted in it? If that's what is meant, then we substitute (x,y)=(5,2) in Ax+By and set that equal to 9: A(5)+B(2) = 9 5A+2B = 9 Then we substitute (x,y)=(8,3) in Ax+By and set that equal to 17: A(8)+B(3) = 17 8A+3B = 17 Then we solve the system: 5A+2B = 9 8A+3B = 17 and get A = 7 and B = -13. So the expression Ax+By becomes 7x-13y So we substitute the point (x,y)=(7,6) in that expression and get: 7(7)-13(6) = 49-78 = -29 Edwin