After isolating x in both equations, which expression is shorter?
Equation to Be Manipulated: x-y=-3 Variable to Be Isolated: x
Practice makes perfect
To solve a system of equations using the Substitution Method, a variable must be isolated on one side of one of the equations. Looking at the given equations, we see that it will be necessary to apply the Properties of Equality for this to happen with either equation.
x-y=-3 & (I) 4x+3y=-5 & (II)
Which variable in which equation would be the easiest to isolate? Well, the coefficient of x in the first equation is 1, which makes it easy to isolate x.
x= y-3 & (I) 4x+3y=-5 & (II)
We could have chosen to isolate x in the second equation. However, in the second equation, the coefficient of x is 4 and the constant is - 5. The fact that we have easier, smaller numbers in the first equation makes this the best candidate.
