Solve algebraically for a and b: 6a+b=16, 5a-2b=19

Multiply equation 1) by 2 : 12a+2b=32. There are alternate signs of b and so therefore add the equations together: 17a=51. Solve for a: a=3. Sub a into one of the equations to find b: 5*3-2b=19b=-2. The final answer is therefore: a=3 and b=-2