16Hit1600
AlgebraMediumConstants from a known solution of a system

Algebra practice question

The ordered pair (3, −2) is the solution of the system x + 2y = k and 3x − y = m, where k and m are constants. What is the value of k + m?

Answer: 10

Substitute (3, −2): k = 3 + 2(−2) = −1 and m = 3(3) − (−2) = 11. So k + m = 10.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 6
6 comes from k = 3 − 4 = −1 and m = 9 − 2 = 7, mishandling −(−2).
If you answered 12
12 comes from m = 9 + 2 = 11 and k = 1, dropping the sign on 2y.
If you answered -11
−11 comes from k − m.

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