The system of equations is:
Insight: To solve this system, we can use either the substitution method or the elimination method. The elimination method seems straightforward here after multiplying the first equation by 3.
Step-by-step solution:
- Step 1: Multiply the first equation by 3 to make the coefficients of 'p' the same.
3 * (p - 3q) = 3 * 5
3p - 9q = 15 - Step 2: Now we have two equations with the same 'p' coefficient:
3p - 9q = 15
3p + 2q = 4 - Step 3: Subtract the second equation from the modified first equation to eliminate 'p'.
(3p - 9q) - (3p + 2q) = 15 - 4
3p - 9q - 3p - 2q = 11
-11q = 11 - Step 4: Solve for 'q'.
q = 11 / -11
q = -1 - Step 5: Substitute the value of 'q' (-1) back into the original first equation (p - 3q = 5) to solve for 'p'.
p - 3(-1) = 5
p + 3 = 5 - Step 6: Solve for 'p'.
p = 5 - 3
p = 2
Answer: p = 2, q = -1