Question 81·Hard·Systems of Two Linear Equations in Two Variables
The solution to the system of equations
is . What is the value of ?
(Express the answer as an integer)
When a system of equations is written using repeated grouped terms like and , look for quick elimination by adding and/or subtracting the equations instead of expanding everything immediately. First, use elimination to turn the system into two simpler linear equations, then choose the fastest method (often substituting one variable in terms of the other) to obtain the specific quantity the question asks for, such as , without doing extra work you do not need.
Hints
Look at the structure of the equations
Both equations contain the same grouped expressions and , just combined with different signs. Think about using addition or subtraction of the equations to make one of these grouped terms disappear.
Try adding and subtracting the equations
If you add the two equations, one of the grouped terms cancels out. If you subtract one equation from the other, the other grouped term cancels out. This will give you two simpler linear equations in and .
Focus on y, since you need 28y
Once you have the simpler system, solve it in a way that gets you efficiently (for example, express in terms of from one equation and substitute into the other), and then multiply that value by 28.
Desmos Guide
Graph the original system
In Desmos, enter the first equation exactly as given: (4x + 3y) - 2(x - y) = 11. Then enter the second equation: (4x + 3y) + 2(x - y) = 83. Desmos will plot both lines.
Find the intersection point
Use the cursor (or tap) to click on the point where the two lines intersect. Desmos will display the coordinates of this intersection as ; note the y-coordinate.
Compute 28y in Desmos
In a new expression line, type 28* followed by the y-coordinate of the intersection point (for example, 28*(-25/7) if that is the y-value you saw). The value that Desmos outputs for this expression is the value of .
Step-by-step Explanation
Eliminate the grouped terms by adding and subtracting the equations
Notice that both equations use the same pieces, and , but with opposite signs.
Add the two equations so that and cancel:
This simplifies to:
Divide both sides by 2:
Now subtract the first original equation from the second to eliminate :
This simplifies to:
Divide both sides by 4:
So the original system is equivalent to the simpler system and .
Use the simpler system to solve for y
From , solve for in terms of :
Substitute this expression for into :
Distribute and combine like terms:
Subtract 72 from both sides:
Divide both sides by 7:
Compute 28y
Now use the value of to find :
Simplify by dividing 28 by 7:
So the value of is .