Given the equations below, what is the value of ab?
10b – 9a = 6
b – a = 1
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Solution
Solve the second equation for b in terms of a; b – a = 1, b = a + 1. Substitute this expression for b in the first equation and solve for a:
10(a + 1) – 9a = 6
10a + 10 – 9a = 6
a + 10 = 6
a = –4
Substitute the value of a into the second equation and solve for b:
b – (–4) = 1
b + 4 = 1
b = –3
Since a = –4 and b = –3, the value of ab = (–4)(–3) = 12.
Given the equations below, what is the value of a + b?
1⁄2(a + 3) – b = –6
3a – 2b = –5
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Solution
First, simplify the first equation by multiplying (a + 3) by 1⁄2. The first equation becomes 1⁄2(a) +
3⁄2 – b = –6. Subtract 3⁄2 from both sides, and the equation becomes 1⁄2(a) – b= –\(\frac{15}{2}\).Then,multiply the equation by –6 and add it to the second equation. The a terms will drop out, and you can solve for b:–6(1⁄2(a) – b = –\(\frac{15}{2}\)) = –3a + 6b = 45
b = 10
Substitute the value of b into the second equation and solve for a:
3a – 2(10) = –5
3a – 20 = –5
3a = 15
a = 5
Since a = 5 and b = 10, the value of a + b = 5 + 10 = 15.
Given the equations below, what is the value of y – x?
3x + 4 = –5y + 8
9x + 11y = –8
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Solution
First, simplify the first equation by subtracting 4 from both sides. The first equation becomes 3x = –5y + 4. Then, multiply the equation by –3 and add it to the second equation. The x terms will drop out, and you can solve for y:
–3(3x = –5y + 4) = –9x = 15y – 12
–4y = –20
y = 5
Substitute the value of y into the second equation and solve for x:
9x + 11(5) = –8
9x + 55 = –8
9x = –63
x = –7
Since y = 5 and x = –7, the value of y – x = 5 – (–7) = 5 + 7 = 12.
Given the equations below, what is the value of n⁄m?
m – 6(n + 2) = –8
6n + m = 16
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Solution
First, multiply (n + 2) by –6: –6(n + 2) = –6n – 12. Then, add 12 to both sides of the equation. The first equation becomes m – 6n = 4. Add the two equations. The n terms will drop out, and you can solve for m:
m = 10
Substitute the value of m into the second equation and solve for n:
6n + 10 = 16
6n = 6
n = 1
Since m = 1 and n = 10, the value of \(\frac{n}{m}=\frac{1}{10}\).
Given the equations below, what is the value of xy?
–5x + 2y = –51
–x – y = –6
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Solution
Solve the second equation for y in terms of x; –x – y = –6, –y = x – 6, y = –x + 6. Substitute this expression for y in the first equation and solve for x:
–5x + 2(–x + 6) = –51
–5x – 2x + 12 = –51
–7x + 12 = –51
–7x = –63
x = 9
Substitute the value of x into the second equation and solve for y:
–9 – y = –6
–y = 3
y = –3
Since x = 9 and y = –3, the value of xy = (9)(–3) = –27.
Given the equations below, what is the value of x – y?
x⁄3 – 2y = 14
2x + 6y = –6
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Solution
Multiply the first equation by –6 and add it to the second equation. The x terms will drop out, and you can solve for y:
–6(x⁄3 – 2y = 14) = –2x + 12y = –84
y = –5
Substitute the value of y into the second equation and solve for x:
2x + 6(–5) = –6
2x – 30 = –6
2x = 24
x = 12
Since x = 12 and y = –5, the value of x – y = 12 – (–5) = 12 + 5 = 17.
Given the equations below, what is the value of a + b?
4a + 6b = 24
6a – 12b = –6
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Solution
Divide the second equation by 2 and add it to the first equation. The b terms will drop out, and you can solve for a:
\(\frac{(6a-12b=-6)}{2}=3a-6b=-3\)
a = 3
Substitute the value of a into the first equation and solve for b:
4(3) + 6b = 24
12 + 6b = 24
6b = 12
b = 2
Since a= 3 and b= 2,the value of a+ b= 3 + 2 = 5.
Given the equations below, what is the value of c⁄d?
\(\frac{c-d}{5}-2=0\)
c – 6d = 0
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Solution
Solve the second equation for c in terms of d; c – 6d = 0, c = 6d. Substitute this expression for c in the first equation and solve for d:
\(\frac{c-d}{5}-2=0\)
\(\frac{6d-d}{5}-2=0\)
\(\frac{5d}{5}-2=0\)
d – 2 = 0
d = 2
Substitute the value of d into the second equation and solve for c:
c – 6(2) = 0
c – 12 = 0
c = 12
Since c = 12 and d = 2, the value of c⁄d = \(\frac{12}{2}\) = 6.
Given the equations below, what is one possible value of m?
m(n + 1) = 2
m – n = 0
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Solution
Solve the second equation for n in terms of m; m – n = 0, n = m. Substitute this expression for n in the first equation and solve for m:
m(n + 1) = 2
m(m + 1) = 2
m2 + m = 2
m2 + m – 2 = 0
(m + 2)(m – 1) = 0
m + 2 = 0, m = –2
m – 1 = 0, m = 1
Given the equations below, what is the value of y?
1⁄2(x) + 6y = 7
–4x – 15y = 10
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Solution
Multiply the first equation by 8 and add it to the second equation. The x terms will drop out, and you can solve for y:
8(1⁄2(x) + 6y = 7) = 4x + 48y = 56
y = 2