what's the answer to this one using the elimination method Please? I am so tired of looking at all these numbers until I am confused now!
2x+2y=42
x=y+7
I really

Question

what's the answer to this one using the elimination method Please? I am so tired of looking at all these numbers until I am confused now!
2x+2y=42
x=y+7 
I really

psymon · Answer

Well, start off by rearranging the bottom equation so that x's, y's, and numbers all line up in both equations.

anonymous · Answer

My mind is fired and I don't even know where to start

psymon · Answer

Thats fine. Do you know how to rearrange the bottom equation so that both equations have x's, y's, and numbers lined up?

anonymous · Answer

x=y+7
x-7=y

psymon · Answer

I'll help ya out with lining them up to start then. 
2x + 2y = 42
  x  -  y  = 7

Do you see how I got that?

anonymous · Answer

You switched the x and changed the sign

psymon · Answer

I just subtracted y from both sides really :P So now we need something to be eliminated. In order for this to happen, we have to have the same x term in both equations, but opposite signs. We can also have the same y term in both equations that have opposite signs. So as of now, you have
2x + 2y = 42
 x  -   y  = 7
So looking at this, if something is going to cancel, I need to have either a 2x in one equation and -2x in the other. Or I could have a 2y in one equation and a -2y in the other. Do you know how this can be done?