Solve Two Equations Simultaneously: Using Substitution to Find x and y

System of Equations with Fractional Forms

Solve the following equations for x and y using the substitution method:

{2x3y4+xy5=302y+x83yx4=12 \begin{cases} \frac{2x-3y}{4}+\frac{x-y}{5}=30 \\ \frac{2y+x}{8}-\frac{3y-x}{4}=12 \end{cases}

❤️ Continue Your Math Journey!

We have hundreds of course questions with personalized recommendations + Account 100% premium

Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Solve the system of equations
00:03 Multiply by 20 to eliminate fractions
00:21 Open parentheses properly, multiply by each term
00:33 Collect terms
00:40 Isolate X
00:54 This is the value of X, we want to substitute it in the second equation to find Y
01:01 Multiply by 8 to eliminate fractions
01:13 Open parentheses properly, multiply by each term
01:21 Collect terms
01:29 Substitute the X value we found to find Y
01:50 Multiply by 14 to eliminate the fraction
02:10 Open parentheses properly, multiply by each term
02:19 Collect terms
02:33 This is the value of Y
02:40 Now substitute the value of Y to find X
02:50 And this is the solution to the problem

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Solve the following equations for x and y using the substitution method:

{2x3y4+xy5=302y+x83yx4=12 \begin{cases} \frac{2x-3y}{4}+\frac{x-y}{5}=30 \\ \frac{2y+x}{8}-\frac{3y-x}{4}=12 \end{cases}

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this system, we'll first simplify and manipulate the equations to perform substitution. Let's begin:

The first equation is 2x3y4+xy5=30 \frac{2x-3y}{4} + \frac{x-y}{5} = 30 .
To eliminate the fractions, multiply through by 20 (the least common multiple of 4 and 5):

20(2x3y4)+20(xy5)=20×30 20 \left( \frac{2x-3y}{4} \right) + 20 \left( \frac{x-y}{5} \right) = 20 \times 30

Simplifying each term gives:
5(2x3y)+4(xy)=600 5(2x - 3y) + 4(x - y) = 600

Expanding the terms:

10x15y+4x4y=600 10x - 15y + 4x - 4y = 600

Combine like terms:

14x19y=600 14x - 19y = 600 [Equation (1)]

Next, let's work on the second equation: 2y+x83yx4=12 \frac{2y + x}{8} - \frac{3y - x}{4} = 12 .
Multiply through by 8 to clear the denominators:

8(2y+x8)8(3yx4)=8×12 8 \left( \frac{2y + x}{8} \right) - 8 \left( \frac{3y - x}{4} \right) = 8 \times 12

Simplifying each term gives:

2y+x2(3yx)=96 2y + x - 2(3y - x) = 96

Expanding the terms:

2y+x6y+2x=96 2y + x - 6y + 2x = 96

Combine like terms for a simplified second equation:

3x4y=96 3x - 4y = 96 [Equation (2)]

Now let's use substitution:

From Equation (2), solve for x x :

3x=4y+96 3x = 4y + 96

x=4y+963 x = \frac{4y + 96}{3}

Substitute this expression for x x in Equation (1):

14(4y+963)19y=600 14\left( \frac{4y + 96}{3} \right) - 19y = 600

Multiply through by 3 to clear the fraction:

14(4y+96)57y=1800 14(4y + 96) - 57y = 1800

56y+134457y=1800 56y + 1344 - 57y = 1800

Combine like terms:

y+1344=1800 -y + 1344 = 1800

Solve for y y :

y=18001344=456 -y = 1800 - 1344 = 456

y=456 y = -456

Substitute y=456 y = -456 back into the expression for x x :

x=4(456)+963 x = \frac{4(-456) + 96}{3}

x=1824+963 x = \frac{-1824 + 96}{3}

x=17283 x = \frac{-1728}{3}

x=576 x = -576

Thus, the solution for the system is:

x=576,y=456 x = -576, y = -456

After verifying against the provided answer choices, the solution is consistent with choice 4.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is x=576,y=456 x = -576, y = -456 .

3

Final Answer

x=576,y=456 x=-576,y=-456

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Elimination: Clear fractions by multiplying by LCD before substituting
  • Technique: Multiply equation 1 by 20: 5(2x-3y) + 4(x-y) = 600
  • Check: Substitute x=-576, y=-456 into both original equations ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Not clearing fractions before substitution
    Don't substitute expressions with fractions directly = messy arithmetic and calculation errors! Working with fractions makes algebraic manipulation much harder and increases chances of mistakes. Always multiply by LCD first to convert to whole number coefficients.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Solve the following equations:

\( \begin{cases} 2x+y=9 \\ x=5 \end{cases} \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why multiply by the LCD instead of just cross-multiplying?

+

Cross-multiplying only works for single fractions set equal to each other. When you have multiple fractions added or subtracted, you need the LCD to clear all denominators at once.

How do I find the LCD when there are different denominators?

+

Find the least common multiple of all denominators. For denominators 4 and 5, the LCD is 20. For denominators 8 and 4, the LCD is 8.

What if I get very large negative numbers like -576?

+

Large numbers are normal in systems with fractions! Don't panic - just double-check your arithmetic carefully and verify by substituting back into the original equations.

Can I use elimination method instead of substitution?

+

Absolutely! Both methods work. After clearing fractions, you could eliminate variables by adding/subtracting equations. Choose whichever method feels more comfortable to you.

How do I verify my answer with such complicated fractions?

+

Substitute your values back into the original equations (not the simplified ones). Use a calculator if needed: 2(576)3(456)4+576(456)5=30 \frac{2(-576)-3(-456)}{4} + \frac{-576-(-456)}{5} = 30

🌟 Unlock Your Math Potential

Get unlimited access to all 18 System of linear equations questions, detailed video solutions, and personalized progress tracking.

📹

Unlimited Video Solutions

Step-by-step explanations for every problem

📊

Progress Analytics

Track your mastery across all topics

🚫

Ad-Free Learning

Focus on math without distractions

No credit card required • Cancel anytime

More Questions

Click on any question to see the complete solution with step-by-step explanations