Let 3x + y = 60 and solve the system of equations with 4x + 3y = 120

1 answer

To solve the system of equations, we can use the method of substitution or elimination.

Method of Substitution:
Step 1: Solve one of the equations for one variable in terms of the other variable.
From the first equation, we can isolate y:
3x + y = 60
y = 60 - 3x

Step 2: Substitute the expression for y in the other equation.
Substituting y = 60 - 3x into the second equation:
4x + 3(60 - 3x) = 120
4x + 180 - 9x = 120
-5x + 180 = 120
-5x = 120 - 180
-5x = -60
x = -60 / -5
x = 12

Step 3: Substitute the value of x back into one of the original equations to find y.
Using the first equation:
3(12) + y = 60
36 + y = 60
y = 60 - 36
y = 24

Therefore, the solution to the system of equations is x = 12 and y = 24.

Method of Elimination:
Step 1: Multiply the first equation by 3 and the second equation by -1 to make the coefficients of y the same.
3(3x + y) = 3(60)
-1(4x + 3y) = -1(120)
9x + 3y = 180
-4x - 3y = -120

Step 2: Add the two resulting equations to eliminate the y term.
(9x + 3y) + (-4x - 3y) = 180 + (-120)
9x - 4x + 3y - 3y = 60
5x = 60
x = 60 / 5
x = 12

Step 3: Substitute the value of x back into one of the original equations to find y.
Using the first equation:
3(12) + y = 60
36 + y = 60
y = 60 - 36
y = 24

Therefore, the solution to the system of equations is x = 12 and y = 24.