16Hit1600
AlgebraHardx + y from a system

Algebra practice question

If 2x + 3y = 19 and x + 4y = 17, what is the value of x + y?

Answer: 8

From the second equation x = 17 − 4y. Substitute: 2(17 − 4y) + 3y = 19, so 34 − 5y = 19 and y = 3. Then x = 5, and x + y = 8.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 3
3 is y alone.
If you answered 5
5 is x alone.
If you answered 15
15 is xy, the product.

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