How do you solve this system of equations: #0.5x + y = 4.5 , y = x + 3#?

1 Answer
Mar 3, 2018

#x=1#
#y=4#

Explanation:

To solve this system of equations, you need to use the substitution method because only one of the variables is defined.

First, substitute for y
#0.5x+(x+3)=4.5#

Then, combine like terms (Ignore the parentheses)
#1.5x+3=4.5#

Finally, solve for x
#1.5x+3=4.5#
#x=1#

Since you now know what x is, substitute it in the other equation
#y=1+3#
#y=4#

Now that you know what both of the variables are, substitute for all the variables to check your answer
#0.5(1)+4=4.5# (correct)
#4=1+3# (correct)

Since both of the variables work, we can now come to a conclusion about our answer
#x=1#
#y=4#

We can write our answer like this
#(1,4)#