15.

Solve the system using elimination.

x + 2y = –6
3x + 8y = –20

(–1, –4)

(–4, 4)

(–4, –1)

(3, 1)

1 answer

To solve the system of equations using the elimination method, follow these steps:

1. **Write down the system of equations:**

\( x + 2y = -6 \)

\( 3x + 8y = -20 \)

2. **Align the equations for elimination:**

Let's multiply the first equation by 3 so that the coefficients of \( x \) in both equations become the same:

\( 3(x + 2y) = 3(-6) \)

This simplifies to:

\( 3x + 6y = -18 \)

Now, the system looks like this:

\( 3x + 6y = -18 \)

\( 3x + 8y = -20 \)

3. **Subtract the first equation from the second:**

\( (3x + 8y) - (3x + 6y) = -20 - (-18) \)

This simplifies to:

\( 3x + 8y - 3x - 6y = -20 + 18 \)

\( 2y = -2 \)

4. **Solve for \( y \):**

\( y = \frac{-2}{2} \)

\( y = -1 \)

5. **Substitute \( y \) back into one of the original equations to solve for \( x \):**

Use the first equation \( x + 2y = -6 \):

\( x + 2(-1) = -6 \)

\( x - 2 = -6 \)

\( x = -6 + 2 \)

\( x = -4 \)

So, the solution to the system of equations is:

\[ (x, y) = (-4, -1) \]

Therefore, the correct answer is \((–4, –1)\).