Solve the following simultaneous equations: 3x + y = 11, 2x + y = 8

first: look at the 2 equations and see if there are any matching coefficients. eg the same number before x or y in both of the equations. in these examples both y values have the coefficient 1. second: either add or subtract the 2 equations to remove the y values. in this case need to do equation 1 - equation 2 in order for y to equal 0. so (3x + y = 11) - (2x +y = 8) = x = 3 - this is the x value of the equations third: find the y value by substituting the known x value (3) into one of the simultaneous equations = 2(3) + y = 8 6 +y = 8 y = 2 - this is the y value fourth: you can check you have the right values by substituting them into one of the equations and seeing if it works. eg 3(3) + 2 = 11 9+2 = 11 11 = 11