Expert: Bobby Soltani - 12/3/2009

Question
in my class we are solving systems of equations using multiplication with the addition method... and i know how to do it but one of the questions came up with a fraction and i dont know how to solve it.... here it is.....   X/3 + Y/2= -4; X - 3Y= 6

Answer
Hi Brittanie,

You can solve systems of equations having fractions in the same way as ones that have whole numbers.  For example, you can write the two equations as:

(1/3)X + (1/2)Y = -4

(3/3)X - (6/2)Y =  6

Then you can use the same methods to solve for X an Y.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Bobby