<PRE><B>Question 17258</B>
You have 2 equations. Each represents a straight line on the x-y plane.
The solution will be the intersection of the two straight lines.
      
      2x + 3y = 1
      5x + 3y = 16

 Multiply both sides of the second equation by (-1).

      (-1)(5x + 3y) = (-1)(16)

 so       -5 - 3y = -16

Add this result to the first equation.

     2x + 3y = 1
    -5x - 3y = -16

     -3x = -15  (notice +3y -3y = 0)

Now divide both sides by -3

     x = 5

plug this result into first equation.

    2(5) + 3y = 1
      10 + 3y = 1

subtract 10 from both sides.

           3y = -9

divide both sides by 3.

            y = -3

If you plug these solutions, x=5 and y= -3 into the original equations,
they should solve both.</PRE>