If one solution to the system of equations above is , what is one possible value of x ?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is either 8 or 9. The first equation can be rewritten as . Substituting for y in the second equation gives . By applying the distributive property, this can be rewritten as . Subtracting 72 from both sides of the equation yields . Factoring the left-hand side of this equation yields . Applying the Zero Product Property, it follows that and . Solving each equation for x yields and respectively. Note that 8 and 9 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.

Question if-one