Use the substitution method to solve the system: x = y - 4, x + 8y = 2

1 answer

To solve the system of equations using the substitution method, we can start with the two given equations:

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

Since the first equation expresses \( x \) in terms of \( y \), we can substitute this expression into the second equation.

Substituting \( x = y - 4 \) into the second equation:

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

Now, we will simplify this equation:

\[ y - 4 + 8y = 2 \]

Combine the \( y \) terms:

\[ 9y - 4 = 2 \]

Now add 4 to both sides:

\[ 9y = 2 + 4 \] \[ 9y = 6 \]

Now, divide both sides by 9 to solve for \( y \):

\[ y = \frac{6}{9} = \frac{2}{3} \]

Now that we have the value of \( y \), we can substitute it back into the first equation to find \( x \):

\[ x = y - 4 \] \[ x = \frac{2}{3} - 4 \] \[ x = \frac{2}{3} - \frac{12}{3} = \frac{2 - 12}{3} = \frac{-10}{3} \]

Thus, the solution to the system of equations is:

\[ x = -\frac{10}{3}, \quad y = \frac{2}{3} \]

The final answer is: \[ (x, y) = \left(-\frac{10}{3}, \frac{2}{3}\right) \]