Calculate the value of both x and y using the following 2 equations: 3x - 2y = 12 (1) and x - y = 3 (2)

Process of elimination:

Multiply equation 2 by 3 to get the same coefficent in front of x:  3x - 3y = 9  (3)

Subtract eq 3 from eq 1 to get:  y = 3

Substitutute our value for y into eq 2 for simplicity: x - 3 = 3  therefore x = 6

Process of substitution: Add y to the right hand side of equation 2 to get: x = 3 + y

Substitute this expression of x into equation 1 to eliminate x:  3(3+y) - 2y = 12 

Expand and simplify: 9 + y = 12 therefore y = 3

Substitute this value of y into equation 2 and solve for x: x - 3 = 3 so x = 6

HM
Answered by Hamza M. Maths tutor

8753 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Can you solve 18-7x < 12-3x ?


If I have £730 in my bank account which has 2.5% compound interest per year, how much more money will be in there after two years?


Solve the simultaneous equations 3x + y = -4 and 3x - 4y = 6


What is a good rule to find angles in a right angled triangle?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning