Solving using elimination (algebra 1)

-4x - 2y = -12
4x + 8y = -24

1 answer

To solve the system of equations using elimination, we'll first write the equations:

  1. \(-4x - 2y = -12\)
  2. \(4x + 8y = -24\)

Next, we can manipulate the equations to eliminate one variable. In this case, we can try to eliminate \(x\) by adding both equations together.

First, let's align the equations:

\[ -4x - 2y = -12 \quad \text{(Equation 1)} \]
\[ 4x + 8y = -24 \quad \text{(Equation 2)} \]

Now, add Equation 1 and Equation 2 together:

\[ (-4x - 2y) + (4x + 8y) = -12 + (-24) \]

This simplifies to:

\[ (-4x + 4x) + (-2y + 8y) = -36 \]

\[ 0x + 6y = -36 \]

Thus, we have:

\[ 6y = -36 \]

Now, solve for \(y\):

\[ y = \frac{-36}{6} \]

\[ y = -6 \]

Now that we have the value of \(y\), we can substitute it back into one of the original equations to solve for \(x\). Let's use Equation 1:

\[ -4x - 2(-6) = -12 \]

This becomes:

\[ -4x + 12 = -12 \]

Now, subtract 12 from both sides:

\[ -4x = -12 - 12 \]

\[ -4x = -24 \]

Now, divide both sides by -4:

\[ x = \frac{-24}{-4} \]

\[ x = 6 \]

So, the solution to the system of equations is:

\[ x = 6 \quad \text{and} \quad y = -6 \]

In ordered pair form, the solution is \((6, -6)\).