Question

Solve the following system of equations by cross-multiplication method.

2x + 3y + 8 = 0

4x + 5y + 14 = 0

Answer 1

The given system of equations is

2x + 3y + 8 = 0

4x + 5y + 14 = 0

By cross-multiplication, we get

`\Rightarrow \frac{x}{3\times 14-5\times 8}=\frac{x}{3\times 14-5\times8}=\frac{1}{2\times 5-4\times 3}`

`\Rightarrow \frac{x}{42-40}=\frac{-y}{28-32}=\frac{1}{10-12}`

`\Rightarrow \frac{x}{2}=\frac{-y}{-4}=\frac{1}{-2}`

`\Rightarrow \frac { x }{ 2 } = \frac { -1 }{ 2 }`

⇒ x = – 1

`\Rightarrow \frac { -y }{ -4 } = \frac { -1 }{ 2 }`

⇒ y = – 2

Hence, the solution is x = – 1, y = – 2

We can verify the solution.