Question 404232
how would you solve
 2x = 7y - 17
 5y = 17 - 3x
:
Rearrange to standard form, and use elimination:
2x - 7y = -17
3x + 5y = 17
:
Multiply the 1st equation by -3, the 2nd equation by 2, results:
-6x + 21y = 51
+6x + 10y = 34
------------------Adding eliminates x find y
31y = 85
y = {{{85/31}}}, an awful number
:
Find x using the 1st original equation
2x = 7y - 17
2x = 7({{{85/31}}}) - 17
2x = ({{{595/31}}}) - {{{527/31}}}
2x = {{{68/31}}}
Divide both sides by 2
x = {{{34/31}}}; another awful number
:
:
Check this using decimals in the 2nd original equation
{{{85/31}}} = 2.742
{{{34/31}}} = 1.097
:
3x + 5y = 17
3(1.097) + 5(2.742) =
3.291 + 13.71 = 17.00; confirms our awful solutions for x and y