a+2b=13

2a-3b=5

1 answer

Multiply both sides of first equation by 2

2 a + 4 b = 26

Subtract the second equation from the first

2 a + 4 b = 26
-
2 a - 3 b = 5
___________

2 a - 2a + 4 b - ( - 3 b ) = 26 - 5

4 b + 3 b = 21

7 b = 21

b = 21 / 7

b = 3

Replace b by 3 in first equation

a + 2 b = 13

a + 2 ∙ 3 = 13

a + 6 = 13

a = 13 - 6

a = 7

The solution is:

a = 7 , b = 3