document.write( "Question 38: Please help me with a step by step process for solving linear equations. My problem is:\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "x + y = 4
\n" ); document.write( "x - y = 5\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I don't know what the first step should be.
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Algebra.Com's Answer #21 by spacewolf(2)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


\n" ); document.write( "The very first step is to choose a variable to solve for. Traditionally, I always solve for \"y\" first, and then I'll solve for \"x\". Here's the problem, step by step:
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\n" ); document.write( "x + y = 4x - y = 5 {Here, I'll solve for \"y\"}
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\n" ); document.write( "x + y = 5 {Remember that the problem establishes that each part of the problem containing variables are equal to \"5\"}
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\n" ); document.write( "y = 5 - x
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\n" ); document.write( "4x - y = 5 {Again, each part containing variables is equal to \"5\"}
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\n" ); document.write( "4x - (5 - x) = 5 {We solved for \"y\" earlier, so now we plug it in to the equation to solve for \"x\"}
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\n" ); document.write( "5x - 5 = 5
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\n" ); document.write( "5x = 10
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\n" ); document.write( "x = 2
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\n" ); document.write( "y = 5 - x {Go back to how we solved for \"y\" and plug in the value for \"x\"}
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\n" ); document.write( "y = 5 - 2
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\n" ); document.write( "y = 3
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\n" ); document.write( "Presto: x = 2, and y = 3. Problem solved! The important step is to isolate one of the variables first and solve for it. Then you can plug and chug your way to answer. Hope this helps. \n" ); document.write( "

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