How to solve simultaneous equations?

Let's say we have two equtions: 3x + y = 8 5x + 2y = 14 In order to solve them, we need to bring one of the coefficients to the same number. Let's say we do that with y. So: 6x + 2y = 16    5x + 2y = 14 Now, we can take away the second equation from the first, which gives us: x = 2 Now we can substitute this value into any of the two equations: 6 (2) + 2y = 16 2y = 16 - 12 = 4 hence: y = 2 To verify our answers, we can substitute both values into the other equation and see if it works: 5 (2) + 2(2) = 14 10 + 4 = 14 hence the values are correct.