Question

What is the first step to solving this system of equations using the substitution method?
x+y=11
x=-y-9

Answer 1

To solve the system of equations using the substitution method, the first step is to substitute one equation into the other. In this case, you can use the second equation, \( x = -y - 9 \), to substitute \( x \) in the first equation.

Here are the steps:

1. Start with the first equation:
\[ x + y = 11 \]

2. Substitute the expression for \( x \) from the second equation:
\[ (-y - 9) + y = 11 \]

Now you can simplify and solve for \( y \). Once you find \( y \), you can substitute it back into the second equation to find \( x \).