Need help w/ math problem. 3a+2b=461 and 5a-1b=400?

Question

I am tyring to find out what a & b equal. Please explain how you got answer.

Answer 1

You need to get two of the terms to cancel out. Look at the b terms.

5a - b = 400 (multiply by 2)
10a - 2b = 800

10a - 2b = 800
3a + 2b = 461

13a = 1261
a = 1261 / 13 = 97

3 * 97 + 2b = 461
291 + 2b = 461
2b = 170
b = 85

Answer 2

1. from equation number 2, u can write b=5a-400
2. From equation 1 then it becomes, 3a+2(5a-400)=461
3. then 3a+10a-800=461
4. then 13a=1261 when you add all the "a" together on LHS and the numbers together on RHS.
5.then 13a=1261
6. so a=97
7. then b must be 5 x 97-b=400
8. then 485-b=400
9. So "b" = 85

Answer 3

3a + 2b = 461 . . . . . equation 1
5a - b = 400 . . . . .equation 2
10a - 2b = 800 . . . . equation 2 . . multiplied by 2
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13 a =1261 . . . . . . . add equation 1 and equation 2
a = 97 . . . . substitute this to equation 2
b = 5a - 400 = 5(97) - 400
b = 85