3x + 2y = 16
5x - 3y = -5

If you place 3,2,16 in A1:A3
and 5,-3,-5 in B1:B3
then...

[x] = (B2*C1 - B1*C2)/(A1*B2 - A2*B1)

[y] = (A2*C1 - A1*C2)/(A2*B1 - A1*B2)

--
HTH. :)
Dana DeLouis
Windows XP, Office 2003


"John" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 10 Mar 2006 10:16:30 -0800, Gary L Brown
wrote:

Actually, x and y have infinite values. For example, using the 1st
equation
[3x + 2y = 16],
when...
x = 0, y = 8
x = 1, y = 6.5
x = 2, y = 5
etc, etc, etc

An example...
Cell Value
A1 0
A2 1
A3 2

B1 = =(16-(3*A1))/2
B2 = (16 -(3*A2))/2
B3 = (16 -(3*A3))/2

HTH,

Thanks for the assistance, Gary. Unfortunately, I wasn't specific
enough. Both equations are supposed to be part of the same problem. So
only when x=2 and y=5 will you solve both equations. The question is
how do you express this in excel.

Thanks.

"John" wrote:

Hi,

I'm trying to figure out this problem:

3x + 2y = 16
5x - 3y = -5

What is x? What is y?

x=2 y=5

I can do it on paper. Can it be done in excel? If so, how?

Thank you,
John