How do you solve the following system: xy=3,4x5y23=0?

1 Answer
Mar 15, 2016

4(xy)=43
+4x5y=23


y=11ory=11

5(xy)=53
+4x5y=23


x=8orx=8

Therefore, x=8 and y=11

Explanation:

To solve this problem, you must first solve for one variable (x) and then the other (y). To solve for y, we eliminate the x variable by multiplying the first equation by -4 on both sides:

4(xy)=43 ----> 4x+4y=12

Then we add the two equations:

4x+4y=12
+4x5y=23

This gives us (4x+4x)+(4y5y)=(2312) = y=11 or y=11

To solve for x we then eliminate the y variable by multiplying the first equation by -5 on both sides:

5(xy)=53 ----> 5x+5y=15

Then we add the two equations:

5x+5y=15
+ 4x5y=23

This gives us (5x+4x)+(5y5y)=8 = x=8 or x=8

You can check the answer by substituting -8 for x and -11 for y, and you will find that both equations are satisfied.