How do I solve the simultaneous equations 5x+2y=11 and 4x-3y=18?

Simultaneous equations have two or more unknown values, in this case there are two: x and y. To solve them, first we need to get one unknown by itself. In order to do this we need the coefficient of either x or y to be the same number in both equations. If we multiply the first equation by 3 we get: 15x+6y=33. If we multiply the second equation by 2 we get: 8x-6y=36. The coefficient of y is 6 in both equations so now we can eliminate the y values. As we have a positive and a negative value, adding the two equations together will cancel out the y values: 23x=69. If both values were positive, we would need to subtract one equation from the other instead. 23x=69 can be easily solved to give x=3. Then we just replace the x in one of the original equations to find y: 5(3)+2y =11 --> 2y = -4 --> y=-2. You can then check your answers by substituting back into the other equation.

HT
Answered by Helen T. Maths tutor

7206 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Sketch the graph of y= (x^2) -2x -3 labelling the turning points and points of intersection


How do you go about rearranging equations where the required subject appears on both sides? Such as making x the subject of 7x + a = 3x + b.


A sequence increases by 5 each time and the first term is x. The sum of the first four terms is 54. Set up and solve an equation to work out the value of x.


Find x for: x^2 + 5x = 5


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning