SOLUTION: I am having trouble understanding system of equations. i have tried to work the problem out but im not sure what steps to take. can you help me on the problem 3x/2 + y/4=7 x/5 - 2

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Lessons -> SOLUTION: I am having trouble understanding system of equations. i have tried to work the problem out but im not sure what steps to take. can you help me on the problem 3x/2 + y/4=7 x/5 - 2      Log On


   



Question 54398: I am having trouble understanding system of equations. i have tried to work the problem out but im not sure what steps to take. can you help me on the problem 3x/2 + y/4=7
x/5 - 2y/3 = 2 1/3

Found 3 solutions by Edwin McCravy, stanbon, Earlsdon:
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20056) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I am having trouble understanding system of equations. 
i have tried to work the problem out but im not sure what 
steps to take. can you help me on the problem 

3x/2 +  y/4 = 7
 x/5 - 2y/3 = 2 1/3

We need to clear fractions in each equation:

Put the the 7 of the first equation over 1 so everything 
will be a fraction:

 3x     y     7
---- + --- = ---
  2     4     1

Multiply every term by the LCD of 3 and 4, which is 12.
Put it over 1 too:

 12   3x     12   y     12   7
----·---- + ----·--- = ----·---
  1    2      1   4      1   1

Cancel the 2 into the 12 in the first term, getting 6.  
Cancel the 4 into the 12 in the second term, getting 3.

  6           3 
 12   3x     12   y     12   7
----·---- + ----·--- = ----·---
  1    2      1   4      1   1
       1          1

All that's left is 

            18x + 3y = 84

------------------------

 x/5 - 2y/3 = 2 1/3

Change the 2 1/3 to a mixed fraction 7/3

 x/5 - 2y/3 = 2 1/3


 x     2y     7
--- - ---- = ---
 5      3     3

Multiply every term by the LCD of 5, 3 and 3, which is 15.
Put it over 1 too:
 
 15   x     15   2y     15   7
----·--- - ----·---- = ----·---
  1   5      1    3      1   3
     
Cancel the 5 into the 15 in the first term, getting 3.  
Cancel the 3 into the 15 in the second term, getting 5.
Cancel the 3 into the 15 in the term on the right, 
getting 5

  3          5           5
 15   x     15   2y     15   7
----·--- - ----·---- = ----·---
  1   5      1    3      1   3
      1           1          1

All that's left is 

            3x - 10y = 35 

-----------------------------------------------

Now you have the fractionless system

            18x +  3y = 84
             3x - 10y = 35  

Can you solve that system?  If not post again.

Answer: (x, y) = (5, 2)

Edwin

Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
1st:3x/2 + y/4=7
Multiply thru by 4 to get:
2nd: 6x+y=28
3rd: x/5 - 2y/3 = 2 1/3
Multiply thru by 15 to get:
4th: 3x-19y=35
To eliminate the "x" terms multiply thru 4th by 2 to get:
5th: 6x-38y=70
Subtract 5th from 2nd to get:
6th: 39y=-42
Then y=-14/13
Substitute that into 2nd to solve for "x":
6x-14/13 = 28
6x=14/13 + 364/13
6x = 378/13
x= 63/13
Solution:
x=63/13 y=-14/13
cheers,
Stan H.

Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Solve the system of equations:
1) 3x%2F2%2By%2F4+=+7 Multiply through by 4, the LCD to clear the fractions.
1a) 6x%2By+=+28
2) x%2F5-2y%2F3+=+7%2F3 Mulitiply through by 15, the LCD to clear the fractions.
2a) 3x-10y+=+35
Rewrite equation 1a) as:
1b) y+=+28-6x and substitute for y in equation 2a)
2b) 3x+-+10%2828-6x%29+=+35 Simplify and solve for x.
2c) 3x+-+280%2B60x+=+35
2d) 63x+=+315 Divide both sides by 63.
2e) x+=+5 Now substitute this for x in equation 1b)
1c) y+=+28-6%285%29
1d) y+=+-2
The solution to the system of equations is:
(5, -2)