text: how do i solve for x and y? please help, my notes on this seem to be wrong (they had a lot of steps and i think i missed some)  2x+3y=7 5x-y=9  does the formula work for all other types of these? do both of those equations relate? then use systems of equations:  2x+3y=7 5x-y=9  multiply one of the equations by a factor that will lead to one of the variables dropping out. i am multiplying the second one by 3.  2x+3y=7 15x-3y=27  now add the two equations up, it is easiest to do when they are on top of each other.  2x+3y=7 15x-3y=27 becomes: 17x = 34  then solve for x 17x = 34 x = 2  now that you know x you can plug x into one of the equations to find y. i like the second one better, since y isn't multiplied by anything.  5x-y=9 put x=2 in 10 - y = 9 -y = -1 y = 1  so, x=2 and y=1  this method works for all the kinds of equations like this. i am not sure what you mean by a formula?