Solve the simultaneous equations: (1) 4x + y = 7 and (2) x - 3y = 5

Start by multiplying equation (2) by 4 so both equations contain 4 lots of x: 4x - 12y = 20 Then take away equation 1 from equation 2 to eliminate x -13y = 13 divide by 13 and then reverse the negative signs to give y = -1 Substitute y = -1 into equation 1 to give: 4x + (-1) = 7 then add 1 to both sides and divide by 4 to give x = 2