In the following system of equations, what does x equal?
-10x - 2y = 56
6x - 2y = -40 x = 6 or x = -6 or
x = 2 or x = -2
I get x = -6
To solve this system of equations, we can use the method of substitution or elimination. Let's use the method of elimination.
First, we'll combine the two equations by eliminating the variable 'y' so that we can solve for 'x'.
Multiplying the second equation by 5, we get:
30x - 10y = -200
Now, let's subtract the first equation from the second equation:
(30x - 10y) - (-10x - 2y) = -200 - 56
30x - 10y + 10x + 2y = -256
40x - 8y = -256
Now, we have a new equation: 40x - 8y = -256
Next, we can divide this equation by 8:
(40x - 8y)/8 = -256/8
5x - y = -32
Now, we have a new equation: 5x - y = -32
Now, let's solve the new equation for 'y':
y = 5x + 32
Now, we can substitute this value of 'y' in any of the previous equations. Let's substitute it in the second equation:
6x - 2(5x + 32) = -40
6x - 10x - 64 = -40
-4x = 24
x = -6
Therefore, the value of 'x' is -6.