Y= 4x + 1 y= 2x - 5

When using the method called substitution, the best first step in solving the system of equations (shown above) is to:

Solve one of the equations for x.
y = 4x + 1
y-1 = 4x
(y-1)/4 = x

Next, plug in this expression in the place of “x” in the previous expression
y = 2x - 5
y = 2((y-1)/4) -5
y = 1/2y - 11/2
1/2 y = - 11/2
y = -11