Q: If 2x + 3y = a and -x + 5y = 6b, express x and y in terms of a and b.
My answer:
x = a/2 - 3y/2
y = 6b/5 + x/5
Rearrange and sub
y = (1/13)a + (12/13)b --> matches answer key
x = (1/2)a - (3/2)y
= (1/2)a - (3/2)(6b/5 + x/5)
x = (5/7)a - (18/7)b --> wrong according to the answer key,
the right answer -> x = (5/13)a - (18/13)b
Did I do something wrong or is the answer key mistaken?
My answer:
x = a/2 - 3y/2
y = 6b/5 + x/5
Rearrange and sub
y = (1/13)a + (12/13)b --> matches answer key
x = (1/2)a - (3/2)y
= (1/2)a - (3/2)(6b/5 + x/5)
x = (5/7)a - (18/7)b --> wrong according to the answer key,
the right answer -> x = (5/13)a - (18/13)b
Did I do something wrong or is the answer key mistaken?
-
I'll show you my way, and you can compare yours AND the key
Multiply the second equation by 2, then add the two equations.
+2x+3y=a
-2x+10y=12b
-------------------
13y=a+12b
y=(a+12b)/13 This does agree with you and the answer key
Substitute into the first equation as you did
x = (a-3y)/2 = a/2 -(3/2)y Agrees with you
x = a/2 - (3/2)((a+12b)/13)
x = a/2 - 3a/(2*13) - 3*12*b/(2*13)
x = 13a/26 - 3a/26 - 18b/13
x = 10a/26 - 18b/13
x = 5a/13 - 18b/13 Agrees with key; Sorry
Multiply the second equation by 2, then add the two equations.
+2x+3y=a
-2x+10y=12b
-------------------
13y=a+12b
y=(a+12b)/13 This does agree with you and the answer key
Substitute into the first equation as you did
x = (a-3y)/2 = a/2 -(3/2)y Agrees with you
x = a/2 - (3/2)((a+12b)/13)
x = a/2 - 3a/(2*13) - 3*12*b/(2*13)
x = 13a/26 - 3a/26 - 18b/13
x = 10a/26 - 18b/13
x = 5a/13 - 18b/13 Agrees with key; Sorry