How to do the subsitution method in math

1 answer

To use the substitution method in math, follow these steps:

1. Solve one of the equations for one variable in terms of the other variable. Let's say you have two equations:
- 5x + 3y = 11
- 2x + y = 7

From the second equation, solve for y:
y = 7 - 2x

2. Substitute this expression for y into the other equation.
- 5x + 3(7 - 2x) = 11

3. Simplify the equation by distributing the 3 and combining like terms.
- 5x + 21 - 6x = 11
- -x + 21 = 11

4. Solve for x:
- -x = -10
- x = 10

5. Plug the value of x back into one of the original equations to solve for y:
- 2(10) + y = 7
- 20 + y = 7
- y = -13

6. Therefore, the solutions for x and y are x = 10 and y = -13.