You can put this solution on YOUR website! x + 3y = –8 [pick one of the equations and solve for one of the variables]
x+3y=-8
x=-3y-8
.
5x + 2y = 12
5(-3y-8)+2y=12[plug the first equation into the second equation and solve for y]
-15y-40+2y=12
-13y=40+12
-13y=52
y=-4
.
Plug y=-4 into either equation and solve for the x-term.
5x+2y=12
5x+2(-4)=12
5x-8=12
5x=8+12
5x=20
x=4
.
checking:
5(4)+2(-4)=12
20-8=12
12=12 [checks out]
or
x + 3y = –8
(4)+3(-4)=-8
4-12=-8
-8=-8 [also checks out]
