Answer:
y = m x + b equation of a line where m is the slope
m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)
Note: If the line passes thru the origin then m = y2 / x2 since
y1 = x1 = 0
To find the number of years between 1844 to 2015 you have to subtract.
Lets say that x is the # of years in between 1844 and 2015
Then we have:

After doing the subtraction using a calculator or a pencil and paper, you get that:

So 171 years have passed from 1844 to reach to 2015.
Given the system of equations:

To solve it by substitution, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Solve one linear equation for x in terms of y.
Let's choose the second equation. To solve it for x, add 3y to each side of the equations.

Step 2: Substitute the expression found for x in the first equation.

Step 3: Isolate y in the equation found in step 2.
To do it, first, add 48 to both sides.

Then, divide both sides by 15.

Step 4: Substitute y by 5 in the relation found in step 1 to find x.

Answer:
x = -9
y = 5
or (-9, 5)
Also, you can graph the lines by choosing two points from each equation, according to the picture below.
Answer:
12 cups are less than 4 liters