Given the equations below, what is the value of y – x?

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Accepted Answer

First, simplify the first equation by subtracting 4 from both sides. The first equation becomes 3x = –5y + 4. Then, multiply the equation by –3 and add it to the second equation. The x terms will drop out, and you can solve for y: –3(3x = –5y + 4) = –9x = 15y – 12 –9x = 15y – 12 + 9x + 11y = –8 11y = 15y – 20 –4y = –20 y = 5 Substitute the value of y into the second equation and solve for x: 9x + 11(5) = –8 9x + 55 = –8 9x = –63 x = –7 Since y = 5 and x = –7, the value of y – x = 5 – (–7) = 12.

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