1) multiply the first equation by 3 3(3x-2y=-5) this will give you the new equation: 9x-6y=-15
2) multiply the second equation by 2 2(3y-4x=8) this should give you the equation: 6y-8x=16
3) combine both equations/ like terms 9x-6y=-15 6y-8x=16
4) -6y and 6y cancel out 9x=-15 -8x=16
5) 9x and -8x combine to make 1x or just x and -15 combined with 16 gives you just 1
6) we are now left with: x=1
7) plug in the x to any of the two original equations ( i chose the first) 3x-2y=-5 3(1) - 2y = -5 3 - 2y = -5 -2y = -8 y = 4 When you plug in the x=1 you are given 3(1) - 2y = -5 Distribute the 3 and you should have 3 - 2y = -5 Subtract 3 from 3 (this cancels out) then from -5 This should leave you with -2y = -8 ( -3 and -5 add to -8) Divide by -2 ( -2 divided by -2 cancels out) -8 divided by -2 gives you 4 (two negatives make a positive)
So, y=4 and x=1 To check, plug in x=1 and y=4 into one equation. when you're done with that you can plug them into the other. when you plug them into the first equation you get -5=-5 which means they worked. when plugged into the second, the result is 8=8 which means x=1 and y=4 worked for both equations.
