Problem: Solve 2 x + 5 y = − 3 ; 3 x − y = 21 Steps: I will try to solve your system of equations. 3 x − y = 21 ; 2 x + 5 y = − 3 Step: Solve 3 x − y = 21 for y: 3 x − y + − 3 x = 21 + − 3 x (Add -3x to both sides) − y = − 3 x + 21 − y − 1 = − 3 x + 21 − 1 (Divide both sides by -1) y = 3 x − 21 Step: Substitute 3 x − 21 for y in 2 x + 5 y = − 3 : 2 x + 5 y = − 3 2 x + 5 ( 3 x − 21 ) = − 3 17 x − 105 = − 3 (Simplify both sides of the equation) 17 x − 105 + 105 = − 3 + 105 (Add 105 to both sides) 17 x = 102 17 x 17 = 102 17 (Divide both sides by 17) x = 6 Step: Substitute 6 for x in y = 3 x − 21 : y = 3 x − 21 y = ( 3 ) ( 6 ) − 21 y = − 3 (Simplify both sides of the equation) Answer: y = − 3 and x = 6