x + 8y = -6 5x - 2y = 12

Multiply the second equation by 4: 20x - 8y = 48. Add this to the first equation: (x + 8y) + (20x - 8y) = -6 + 48, which simplifies to 21x = 42, so x = 2. Substitute x back into the first equation: 2 + 8y = -6. Solve for y: 8y = -8, so y = -1.