Exercise 4 Page 242

When solving a system of equations using substitution, there are three steps.

1. Isolate a variable in one of the equations.
2. Substitute the expression for that variable into the other equation and solve.
3. Substitute this solution into one of the equations and solve for the value of the other variable.

For this exercise, y is already isolated in one equation, so we can skip straight to step 2!

y=x-4 & (I) -2x+y=18 & (II)

Substitute

(II):y= x-4

y=x-4 -2x+ x-4=18

AddTerms

(II):Add terms

y=x-4 - x-4=18

AddEqn

(II):LHS+4=RHS+4

y=x-4 - x=22

MultEqn

(II): LHS * (-1)=RHS* (-1)

y=x-4 x=-22

Now, to find the value of y, we need to substitute x=-22 into either one of the equations in the given system. Let's use the first equation.

y=x-4 x=-22

Substitute

(I):x= -22

y= -22-4 x=-22

SubTerm

(I): Subtract term

y=-26 x=-22

The solution, or point of intersection, to this system of equations is the point (-22,-26).

Checking Our Solution

To check our answer, we will substitute our solution into both equations. If doing so results in true statements, then our solution is correct.

y=x-4 & (I) -2x+y=18 & (II)

(I), (II): x= -22, y= -26

-26? = -22-4 -2( -22)+( -26)? =18

MultNegNegOnePar

(II): - a(- b)=a* b

-26? =-22-4 44+(- 26)? =18

RemovePar

(II): Remove parentheses

-26? =-22-4 44-26? =18

(I), (II): Subtract terms

-26=-26 18=18

Because both equations are true statements, we know that our solution is correct.