What is the solution to this system of equations? y=-3x-2 and 6x+2y=-4. From what I can tell I need to substitute what y equals in the 1st equation and put it into the 2nd equation and since the answer is -4=-4 then this means there are infinitely many solutions. Is this correct or am I totally off? TIA

Question

What is the solution to this system of equations?  y=-3x-2  and  6x+2y=-4.  From what I can tell I need to substitute what y equals in the 1st equation and put it into the 2nd equation and since the answer is -4=-4 then this means there are infinitely many solutions.  Is this correct or am I totally off?  TIA

wolf1728 · Answer

3x + y = -2
6x + 2y = -4 
You are correct.
The equations are said to be inconsistent.  If you graphed these equations you would see that they run parallel to each other and never meet.
To find a solution to simultaneous equations, you need 2 equations that are totally different from one another.
In this case, the equations are the same except that 1 equation was multiplied by 2 to make the second equation.

anonymous · Answer

Thank you! Trying to figure this out so I can explain it to my son in the morning!  No fun trying to figure out something you haven't done in years :)  Thanks again!