Answer is (3, 2) Step by step We know x + y = 5 ( call this a) and x - y = 1 (call this b) We want to change one to have the x variable on the opposite side of the = So let’s change (b) by adding y to both sides to isolate x. x - y + y = 1 + y Combine terms x =1 + y Now we can substitute this new equation into (a)
1 + y + y = 5
Subtract 1 from both sides to isolate y 1 + y + y - 1 = 5 - 1 2y = 4 Now solve for y by dividing both sides by 2 y = 2
Now substitute your answer for y=2 into one of the equations Let’s use (a) again x + y = 5 x + 2 = 5 Isolate x by subtracting 2 from both sides x + 2 - 2 = 5 - 2 Combine terms x = 3
