The first step is to set the two equations equal to each other, since at the point of intersection, they will be. To do this more easily, convert each equation into slope-intercept form.

First equation:

 State equation

 Divide both sides by .

 Rearrange the right side to match slope-intercept form.

Second equation:

 This equation is already in slope-intercept form.

Notice how the two equations are identical? This means the lines do not intersect at one point -- they intersect at all points, and are identical lines.

Let's use the method of substution to solve this. First we need to get one variable in terms of the other variable. Look at the 2nd equation and isolate x:

Moving y to the right side:

Now plug in this value of x into the first equation and solve for y:

Now plug y back into to either of the oringial two equations and solve for x:

Our answer is: 

This system of equations simplifies very nicely if one begins by isolating the variable q in the second equation. Isolating q in the second equation yields: . Now substitute this expression for q into the first equation. This results in: . Now distribute the one-third term outside the brackets to obtain: . This expression will simplify quite simply to: .

We can rewrite the first equation as:

If we substitute this new value for  into the second equation we get:

Simplify.

Combine like terms

Solve for 

Now substitute this value into either of the original equations:

While substitution is a plausible way to solve this problem, it does not provide the most effecient solution. Instead, begin by subtracting the first equation from the second equation in a manner similar to the "elimination" method used by many students.

This subtraction will result in 

.

Now, simply divide this result by 3 to obtain 

.

This result, indicates that the correct answer choice is 15. This problem is an excellent example of a time trap. The use of substitution would require use of fractions or time consuming conversions to decimals. If, however, the test taker identifies the route between the original two functions and the desired function of unkown value, then this problem becomes much quicker. 

First notice that in this system of equations, there are four unkown variables, but only three independent equations. Therefore, we know the system is indeterminate and so substitution/elimination will not work. The answer, however, is NOT "None of the above". The explanation is below:

Note that the third equation is extraneous information. Begin by look at the second equation, . This equation tells us that at least one of the variables (x, y, or z) must equal zero in order for the overall expression to equal zero. Now, look at the first equation . This equation indicates that NONE of the variables (r,z, nor x) are equal to zero, as the overall expression does NOT equal zero. Realize that "y" is the only variable that exists in the second expression, but does not exist in the first expression.

Therefore, we can definitively state that 

To find the solution we will multiply by some number to cancel out one variable and then solve for the variable that is left over. This is called the "elimination" method. You may choose to eliminate either variable, but it is prudent to choose the variable that is easier to cancel.

1) 

2) 

Multiply equation 1 by -2:

Add new equation 1 to equation 2:

The result is 

Solve for y:

Now solve for x by plugging in the value for y (we can choose either original equation):

To solve this system of equations, multiply each equation by an integer that would allow us to cancel one variable. We then substitute that value back into either original equation to find the other variable. In this case we will cancel the x variable by multiplying each equation by 3 and 4 respectively.

1) 

2) 

Multiply equation 1 by 3 and equation 2 by 4:

Add the new equations:

The result is 

Solve for y:

Now substitute this value back into equation 1:

Solve the second equation for , allowing us to solve using the substitution method.

Substitute for   in the first equation, and solve for .

Now, substitute for  in either equation; we will choose the second. This allows us to solve for .

Now we can write the solution in the notation , or .

Multiply the bottom equation by , then add to the top equation:

Divide both sides by