Question 122293
4x+8y=-1
8x-4y=-7
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Multiply the bottom equation by 2. The reason I picked 2 was because that give me a -8y term, which, when added to the top equation eliminates the y term:
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4x+8y=-1
16x-8y=-14

Add them and you get:
20x=-15
x=-15/20
{{{highlight(x=-3/4)}}}
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Take the original equations again, and this time multiply the top by -2. This will eliminate the x term when I add them. You get:
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-8x-16y=2
8x-4y=-7

Add them and you get:
-20y=-5
y=5/20
{{{highlight(y=1/4)}}}
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Good Luck,
tutor_paul@yahoo.com