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Question from Enid, a student:

Solve by substitution method
3x + 7y = 25
-7x + y = 63

Hi Enid,

This problem is especially nice for the substitution method. In the second equation the coefficient of y is 1 so it is straightforward to solve this equation for y.

-7x + y = 63 so y = 63 + 7x

Substitute y = 63 + 7x into the first equation. Thus

3x + 7y = 25

so after substitution

3x + 7(63 + 7x) = 25

Solve for x and then substitute the value you get into either of the original equations and solve for y.

Penny

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