OK, so for the solution to a system, we are looking for the spot where the two lines cross. I dont know what level of algebra you are taking, so I will attack this in the most basic way I can think of.
first, line the systems up so they are pretty
5x+2y=16
3x-5y=-9
we could solve for y on both equations, and set those ugly things equal..but there would be a mess of nasty fractions that way. So..let's decide which variable to get rid of. The y terms have opposite signs. . so, I think getting rid of y is easiest. So, what is the smallest number that 2 and 5 go into? Yep! 10. so, to make the top line have 10y, we want to multiply through by 5. and for the bottom line, we want to go through by 2
5(5x+2y)=(5)16===>25x+10y=80
2(3x-5y)=2(-9)====> 6x-10y=-18
NOW..add the two lines together.. the y's knock each other out, and we just need to find x.
31x=62
now, divide both sides by 31 to get x by itself->
x=2
OK, we found x!! Now, we can either repeat the above process to clear x's..or just stick a 2 in where we see x...(I think this is easier)
so..1st equation.. since x=2, we get
5(2)+2y=16
10+2y=16 (Now, subtract 10 from both sides)
2y=6 (and divide by 2)
y=3
Voila!! We found X and Y. BUT..it is always a good idea to double check..so now, plug both values into the second equation to make sure it works
x=2, y=3
3x-5y=-9 becomes 3(2)-5(3)=-9==>6-15=-9==>-9=-9 (since both sides of the equal sign match, that means we found the right answer)
This method can help you with any systems...(sometimes the numbers get big and ugly, but it will always work)
Now, try a few on your own and see how it comes out!