document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=201885>Question 201885</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Hi there. I need some help.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "solve for x or y.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "2x-3y=2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "7x-7y=5\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "I dont understand the -2  </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #152138 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=PRMath><B>PRMath(133)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-09.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=PRMath><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=152138\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> solve for x or y.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "2x-3y=2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "7x-7y=5\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "I'm not sure if you want each equation solved for x or y, or whether this is a system.  I think this is a system, so if it isn't, just re-submit your question and I'm sure you'll get an answer.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "There are a few ways you can solve this but I will show you how to solve this system by elimination.........\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "2x - 3y = 2   (What if you multiply this whole line by 7?)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "7x - 7y = 5   (What if you multiply this whole line by -2?)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Here are your new equations after multiplying by 7 (top line) and -2 (bottom line)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( " 14x - 21y = 14  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "-14x + 14y = -10  (now add these two equations)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "0x   - 7y = 4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "        y = -4/7\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Now you can \"plug\" -4/7 into one of your original equations.  I'll choose the first one:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "2x-3y=2  (original equation)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "2x - 3(-4/7) = 2  (plug in -4/7)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2x + 12/7 = 2 (multiply -3 times -4/7)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2x        = 2 - 12/7 (subtract 12/7 from both sides)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2x        = 2/1 - 12/7 (showing that 2 is the same as 2/1)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2x        = 14/7 - 12/7 (finding a common denominator for combining fractions)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2x        = 2/7 (subtraction)<BR>\n" );
document.write( " x        = 2/7 divided by 2 (divide by 2 on both sides)<BR>\n" );
document.write( " x        = 2/7 times 1/2 (when we divide fractions, we multiply by the reciprocal)<BR>\n" );
document.write( " x        = 2/14 = 1/7<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Now if your question was an equation of a line, that's something else...\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "I hope this is helpful....\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
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