Solve the following system of equations. −1.6x + 0.2y = 8.8 0.5x + 1.2y = −7.8 x = ? y = ?

So!

This is a system of equations. So there are two ways to solve the problem: elimination or substitution.

Now...I'll use the elimination method, where you add the equations in such a way that one of the variables cancel.

I choose to eliminate"y". the coefficients are 0.2 and 1.2uh ohthey don't cancelwhat do I do?

multiply both numbers by the l.c.m. (lowest common multiple), and that's 1.2.

multiply the whole first equation by 6 to get "-9.6x+1.2y=52.8 "
and multiply the whole second equation by 1 to get "0.5x+1.2y=-7.8"

So "y" has the same coefficient, but we need them to cancel, remember?

Make one of the equations negative.
Using the second one, multiply by d - 1: -0.5x-1.2y = 60.6

Now we can add the equations!

Add the "x's" and the "y's" and constants together. 

The result is the following: -10.1x = 16.6
                                                     x = -6

Now take the value of "x" and put it into one of the equations.

Let's use the first one: -1.6x+0.2y=8.8
                                      -1.6(-6) + 0.2y = 8.8
                                       9.6 + 0.2y = 8.8
                                         0.2y = -0.8
                                               y = -4

Therefore, the answers are "x = -6" and "y = -4".

Hope this helps.