16Hit1600
AlgebraMediumSolution of a system by elimination

Algebra practice question

Which ordered pair (x, y) satisfies the system 2x + 3y = 14 and x − y = 2?

  1. A. (4, 2)Correct
  2. B. (2, 4)
  3. C. (5, 3)
  4. D. (1, 4)

Answer: A. (4, 2)

From the second, x = y + 2. Substitute: 2(y + 2) + 3y = 14, so 5y = 10, y = 2, x = 4.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. (2, 4)
(2, 4): 2 − 4 = −2, not 2.
C. (5, 3)
(5, 3): 10 + 9 = 19, not 14.
D. (1, 4)
(1, 4): 2 + 12 = 14 ✓, but 1 − 4 = −3.

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