# Thread: Systems of Linear Equations - Elimination

1. ## Systems of Linear Equations - Elimination

Ok. Got what should be a simple problem here but it has me confused and annoyed.
Supposed to be solving by elimination method.

$
5x{+}2y{=}11
$

$
7x{+}8y{=}7
$

I worked on solving this with what I know so far and I come up with pretty ugly fractions. Im thinking that there is something that I am missing and could use a little help here.

2. Originally Posted by sjgerman
Ok. Got what should be a simple problem here but it has me confused and annoyed.
Supposed to be solving by elimination method.

$
5x{+}2y{=}11
$

$
7x{+}8y{=}7
$

I worked on solving this with what I know so far and I come up with pretty ugly fractions. Im thinking that there is something that I am missing and could use a little help here.
multiply the first equation by -4 to eliminate the y-terms.

yes, the solutions are "ugly" fractions ... can't change that fact.

3. Originally Posted by sjgerman
$
7x{+}8y{=}7
$

I worked on solving this with what I know so far and I come up with pretty ugly fractions.
Are you sure that's not 7x + 8y = 5 ?
Would result in x = 3 and y = -2 so no "ugly fractions"

4. Yep. I got all my homework done and then I checked the answers in the back of the book. It was right.

I hate that I don't know this stuff at my age but I never even took algebra in high school and now 18 years later I have to know it for college