Try to eliminate one variable by multiplying both equations and the subtracting them form each other. This will likely get you one of the variable values. Once that's done, you simply substitute into one of the equations and solving for the remaining variable. So, let's try this
Let's say you've got these equations:
(1) 10x - 12y = 24
(2) 7x + 4y = 48
My first thought is to find the value of y so I'll try to eliminate x. I'll multiply by 7 for Eq.(1) and 10 for Eq.(2) giving me:
(1') 70x - 84y = 168
(2') 70x + 40y = 480
Now I subtract the two giving me:
-124y = -312
I can solve for y
y = 312/124 (or 2.51612)
Substituting this in for the above equation (1), I can solve for x now:
(3) 10x - 12*(312/124) = 24
(4) 10x = 24 + 12*(312/124)
x = 5.41935
You should, of course, double check your work. I'll use Eq. (1):
10*(5.41935) - 12*2.51612 ~= 24 (rounding error)
The trick is to find the right numbers to multiply your equations with so they cancel each other out. As you probably noticed, I'm using multiples that will give the same number of x's (or y's) in both equations allowing me to subtract that variable out.
Good luck.
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