7x - 3y = 13
x - 2y = 5
To solve a system of equations, we first need to solve for one of the variables. In this case, let's solve for x.
7x - 3y = 13 Given
7x = 3y + 13 Add 3y to both sides
x = 3/7y + 13/7 Divide both sides by 7
x - 2y = 5 Given
x = 2y + 5 Add 2y to both sides
Now we can set the two equations equal to each other, since they both equal x.
3/7y + 13/7 = 2y + 5 Set the equations equal to each other
13/7 = 11/7y + 5 Subtract 3/7y from both sides; 2 can also be written as 14/7, since 14 divided by 7 is 2, so just subtract 3 from 14
-22/7 = 11/7y Subtract 5 from both sides
-2 = y Multiply both sides by 7/11, since you multiply fractions by their reciprocal to cancel; you might want to use a calculator for this
Now we know that y = -2. Let's substitute that into one of our original equations to get x.
x = 2y + 5 Given
x = 2(-2) + 5 Substitute y for -2
x = -4 + 5 Multiply
x = 1 Add
The answer is x = 1, y = -2.
Hope this helps!