Question 26·Medium·Systems of Two Linear Equations in Two Variables
The ordered pair satisfies the system of equations shown. What is the value of ?
For systems of two linear equations on the SAT, elimination is usually the fastest: line up the equations, multiply one (or both) so that one variable’s coefficients become opposites, then add or subtract the equations to eliminate that variable. Solve the resulting one-variable equation, substitute back into the simpler original equation to find the other variable, and read the specific value the question asks for (here, ), double-checking signs and fraction arithmetic.
Hints
Choose a method to solve the system
You can solve this system by substitution or elimination. Which variable looks easier to eliminate based on the coefficients in the two equations?
Make the y-coefficients opposites
The first equation has and the second has . What could you multiply the second equation by so that its -term becomes and will cancel with when you add the equations?
Solve for x, then use it to find y
After you eliminate , solve the resulting equation for . Then plug that value of into one of the original equations (pick the simpler one) to solve for .
Be careful with negative signs and fractions
When you substitute into an equation, watch the negative sign on the right-hand side and combine the fractions carefully so you do not lose a minus sign.
Desmos Guide
Enter the equations as lines
Rewrite each equation in terms of :
- From , solve for : .
- From , solve for : .
In Desmos, type these as two separate lines:
y = (2x - 7)/3y = -1 - 4x
Find the intersection point
Look at the graph and tap (or click) the point where the two lines intersect. Desmos will display the intersection as an ordered pair ; the -coordinate of this point is the solution for in the system.
Step-by-step Explanation
Set up elimination to remove one variable
We have the system
To eliminate , make the coefficients of opposites. The first equation has , so multiply the entire second equation by to get a term:
Add the equations to solve for x
Now add the new equation to the first equation so that cancels:
Adding the equations gives:
Solve for :
Substitute x back to find y
Use one of the original equations to find . The second equation is simpler:
Substitute :
Simplify :
Isolate y and match the answer choice
From
subtract from both sides:
Write as so the denominators match:
So the value of is , which corresponds to choice D.