# Math Help - Simultaneous Equation

1. ## Simultaneous Equation

Hi there, I've got a simultaneous equation that I am not sure of how to solve. I have looked at substitution, however I don't know how to reduce one variable to a single without making the rest of the equation look strange. Basically I don't see how to either eliminate one variable, or get one variable to a coefficient of 1.
Here they are

90y + 49x= $1746 62y+43x =$1286

If you could show me how to either eliminate one variable, or reduce one variable to a coefficient of 1, I'd be able to take the rest from there.

Thankyou.

2. ## Re: Simultaneous Equation

Originally Posted by Tren301
Hi there, I've got a simultaneous equation that I am not sure of how to solve. I have looked at substitution, however I don't know how to reduce one variable to a single without making the rest of the equation look strange. Basically I don't see how to either eliminate one variable, or get one variable to a coefficient of 1.
Here they are

90y + 49x= $1746 62y+43x =$1286

If you could show me how to either eliminate one variable, or reduce one variable to a coefficient of 1, I'd be able to take the rest from there.

Thankyou.
To eliminate one of the variables, they need to have the same coefficients. So what is the Lowest Common Multiple of 90 and 62 (if you want to eliminate the y's), or the Lowest Common Multiple of 49 and 43 (if you want to eliminate the x's)?

3. ## Re: Simultaneous Equation

Originally Posted by Tren301
90y + 49x= $1746 [1] 62y+43x =$1286 [2]
Divide [1] by 90 and [2] by 62:
y + 49x/90 = 1746/90 [1]
y + 43x/62 = 1286/62 [2]
Subtract 'em to get:
208x/1395 = 208/155
Solve for x; then for y : OK?