I have these two equations and can't seem to get one exact answer for x and y. I tried to follow the right steps, but don't know what I'm doing wrong. Can anyone tell me how to do this?
3x-5y=1 (2)
6x-10y=4 (1)

6x-10y=2
6x-10y=4
-------------
12x-20=6??
I don't understand what to do, I'm supposed to be solving for X and Y but I got this... :o

Hi, CyCervantes!

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The purpose of the elimination method is to cancel out terms. Your on a good start by multiplying (2) to 3x-5y=1 ; however, none of the terms cancel out.

In these kinds of problems, you would pick a term to eliminate. For example, you want to eliminate "x". Since 6x is a multiple of 3x, you can use "2" to multiply. To cancel the terms out, you will need to have one negative.
So by multiplying by "-2", you will end up with:

-6x+10y=-2
6x-10y=4
0 + 0= -2

In this case, all the terms canceled out, meaning they are the same (Correct me if I'm wrong; it's been a long time heh... ).

All in all, this problem set is not a great example to use to learn the concept, but that's how you do it.

Hello CyCervantes

Indeed : it seems that the data provided here is incorrect (at least insufficient to solve).

I think I remember now; this would mean they do not intersect, therefore there is no solution. To be the same line, I believe the equations are completely identical.

Simultaneous Equatuions by Elimination, Maths First, Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University (http://mathsfirst.massey.ac.nz/Algebra/SystemsofLinEq/EMeth.htm)

For practice