We want to use a matrix to solve
-8x - 8y = -16
6x - 9y = -108
Before solving, simplify the equations as follows:
Divide the first equation by -8 to obtain
x + y = 2 (1)
Divide the second equation by 3 to obtain
2x - 3y = -36 (2)
In matrix form, the equations are

The determinant of the matrix is
D = (1)(-3) - (1)(2) = -5
Use Cramer's Rule.

Similalrly,

Answer: (-6, 8) or x = -6, y = 8
Answer:
b = 7
Step-by-step explanation:
108 = -2(-5 - 7b)
Distribute -2 to the terms inside the parenthesis:
108 = 10 + 14b
Subtract 10 from both sides of the equation to isolate 14b:
108 - 10 = 10 + 14b - 10
98 = 14b
Divide 14 on both sides of the equation to solve for b:

7 = b
The anwser is one and two tenths
The first choice can be any one of the 8 side dishes.
For each of these . . .
The 2nd choice can be any one of the remaining 7.
Total number of ways to pick 2 out of 8 = (8 x 7) = 56 ways .
BUT ...
That doesn't mean you can get 56 different sets of 2 side dishes.
For each different pair, there are 2 ways to choose them . . .
(first A then B), and (first B then A). Either way, you wind up with (A and B).
So yes, there are 56 different 'WAYS' to choose 2 out of 8.
But there are only 28 different possible results, and 2 'ways'
to get each result.