# Thread: Simultaneous Equations, 2 Problems.

1. ## Simultaneous Equations, 2 Problems.

Could someone please explain to me how to work out the following equations, I have tried various methods but can't come up with the correct answers.

x+y=2
2x-y=2

5x=8y
4x-3y+17=0

2. Originally Posted by henriklarsson1
Could someone please explain to me how to work out the following equations, I have tried various methods but can't come up with the correct answers.

x+y=2
2x-y=2
$(x+y)+(2x-y)=2+2\Rightarrow\ x+2x+y-y=2+2$

5x=8y
4x-3y+17=0
Get equal coefficients for y

$5x=8y\Rightarrow\ 15x=24y$

$4x-3y+17=0\Rightarrow\ 8(4x-3y+17)=4(0)=0$

Try the same technique as for the first part.

3. Thanks for your help but in the back of my book it says equation 1 is x= 4/3 y= 2/3.

I'll give you an example of one I know how to work out: 2x-y=5, x-2y=4. (2,-1)
The method I have been taught is: 2(2x-y=5) x-2y=4
4x-2y=10 x-2y=4
3x=6
x=2
-y= 5-4
y=-1 (sorry about the mess)

I'm still unsure how to work out the previous ones using this method.

4. Originally Posted by henriklarsson1
Thanks for your help but in the back of my book it says equation 1 is x= 4/3 y= 2/3.
That is exactly the answer I get when using Archie's method!

5. Originally Posted by henriklarsson1
Thanks for your help but in the back of my book it says equation 1 is x= 4/3 y= 2/3.

I'll give you an example of one I know how to work out: 2x-y=5, x-2y=4. (2,-1)
The method I have been taught is: 2(2x-y=5) x-2y=4
4x-2y=10 x-2y=4
3x=6
x=2
-y= 5-4
y=-1 (sorry about the mess)

I'm still unsure how to work out the previous ones using this method.
That's known as "elimination"
Your 1st problem:
x+y=2
2x-y=2
Add the 2 equations:
3x = 4 ; OK?

Your 2nd problem:
5x=8y
4x-3y+17=0
Rewrite:
5x - 8y = 0 [1]
4x - 3y = -17 [2]
[1] * 4, [2] * 5:
20x - 32y = 0
20x - 15y = -85
Finish it...

If you can't, you need classroom help...

6. Originally Posted by henriklarsson1
Thanks for your help but in the back of my book it says equation 1 is x= 4/3 y= 2/3.

I'll give you an example of one I know how to work out: 2x-y=5, x-2y=4. (2,-1)
The method I have been taught is:

2(2x-y=5) x-2y=4

4x-2y=10 x-2y=4

3x=6

x=2

-y= 5-4

y=-1

I'm still unsure how to work out the previous ones using this method.
It's very very similar.

You should understand why the steps are being taken.
It just makes the process so much easier.

Let's just examine the steps of the example you gave that you know how to do...

$2x-y=5,\;\;\;x-2y=4$

Solve for x, so to set that up, get the same amount of y in both,
hence multiply the first by 2...

$2x-y=5\Rightarrow\ 2(2x-y)=2(5)\Rightarrow\ 4x-2y=10$

Now we have

$4x-2y=10,\;\;\;x-2y=4$

therefore subtract them to remove y

$(4x-2y)-(x-2y)=10-4\Rightarrow\ 4x-x-2y--2y=6$

$\Rightarrow\ 3x-2y+2y=6\Rightarrow\ 3x=6$

$3x=3(2)\Rightarrow\ x=2$

$2(2)-y=5\Rightarrow\ 4-y=5=4-(-1)\Rightarrow\ y=-1$

So that's why pickslides said it's the same thing.

However, you can choose to add or subtract.
You subtracted above because you had the same multiple of y.

We can do that also for the questions

$x+y=2,\;\;\;2x-y=2\Rightarrow$

$2(x+y)=2(2)\Rightarrow\ 2x+2y=4$

Subtract

$(2x+2y)-(2x-y)=4-2=2$

$2x-2x+2y--y=2$

$2y+y=2\Rightarrow\ 3y=2\Rightarrow\ y=\frac{2}{3}$

7. Thanks guys, really appreciate your help!

8. Thanks to Wilmer for simpler solutions particularly problem 1. There is a sign error in your solution to 2.x and y must have the same signs.

bjh

9. Originally Posted by bjhopper
Thanks to Wilmer for simpler solutions particularly problem 1. There is a sign error in your solution to 2.x and y must have the same signs.

bjh
The solution was correct, the signs are opposite.

10. ## simultaneous equations

Sorry for my mistake.I did this differently
5x=8y
4x-3y+17=0
x=8y/5
4*8y/5 -15y/5 =-17
32y/5 - 15y /5 = -17
17y/5 = -17
y =-5