Question

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Answer 1

Hey, the page finally loaded!

Answer 2

Ok, this looks like you have to solve the system... that's what you started doing last time when you followed your notes but you said you didn't really understand.

Answer 3

You followed your notes correctly, but it turns out that's not what this problem wanted you to do.

Answer 4

Although it might be confusing in the wording, they were trying to show you just one step... sort of the "starting step"... in how you could solve the full system.

Answer 5

The key part of the problem is this:

"if you isolated x in the second equation..."

All you need to do is take the 2nd equation and solve it for x... in other words, "isolate x".

Answer 6

This is the equation:
−x − y = −8

So you need to solve it for x... get x all alone on one side of the equation.

Answer 7

That would be one way to start... do that and show your work here so I can follow you.

Answer 8

Ok, great start. But x still has "stuff" near it... that "-8" needs to be moved.

Answer 9

no, it's just like you did with adding x to both sides.
-y = -8 + x
Now add 8 to both sides to get rid of it on the right side.
-y = -8 + x
+ 8 + 8

-y + 8 = -8 + 8 + x

-y + 8 = x

Or, x = 8 - y

Answer 10

Did you follow that or did I confuse you?

Answer 11

Do you follow the idea of moving stuff back and forth across the equals sign? I don't want to take up time you don't have, but I can talk to you more about that too if it would help.

Answer 12

yes, you're right.

It's a bit silly, but you can think of it like a see-saw or teeter-totter... the equation must remain balanced. If you want to add something to one side, you have to add it to the other also, otherwise it will "tip" and it won't be an equation any more.

So, anything you need to do to solve for a variable, do it to both sides. Then simplify if you need to, take another look at what you need to move, and again, do it to both sides.

Answer 13

:)