Example

Determining Whether Ordered Pairs are Solutions of {x−y=−1,;2x−y=−5}\{x - y = -1,; 2x - y = -5\}

Determine whether each ordered pair is a solution to the system {x−y=−1,;2x−y=−5}\{x - y = -1,; 2x - y = -5\}

ⓐ Testing (−2,−1)(-2, -1): Substitute x=−2x = -2 and y=−1y = -1 into both equations.

  • First equation: −2−(−1)=−2+1=−1-2 - (-1) = -2 + 1 = -1. Since −1=−1-1 = -1 is true, the first equation is satisfied.
  • Second equation: 2(−2)−(−1)=−4+1=−32(-2) - (-1) = -4 + 1 = -3. Since −3≠−5-3 \neq -5 is false, the second equation is not satisfied.

Because (−2,−1)(-2, -1) does not make both equations true, it is not a solution.

ⓑ Testing (−4,−3)(-4, -3): Substitute x=−4x = -4 and y=−3y = -3 into both equations.

  • First equation: −4−(−3)=−4+3=−1-4 - (-3) = -4 + 3 = -1. Since −1=−1-1 = -1 is true, the first equation is satisfied.
  • Second equation: 2(−4)−(−3)=−8+3=−52(-4) - (-3) = -8 + 3 = -5. Since −5=−5-5 = -5 is true, the second equation is also satisfied.

Because (−4,−3)(-4, -3) makes both equations true, it is a solution of the system.

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Updated 2026-04-24

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