If you're adding positive numbers together, then the order in which you write or group the addends doesn't matter.
If you're "adding" a negative number to a positive number, it's a little easier to visualize this problem if you write the positive number first, followed by the negative number.
But if you're "adding" -15 to 8, it'd make sense to write the -15 first (because its magnitude is greater) and then the 8: -15 + 8 = -7
The solution to this system is (x, y) = (8, -22).
The y-values get closer together by 2 units for each 2-unit increase in x. The difference at x=2 is 6, so we expect the difference in y-values to be zero when we increase x by 6 (from 2 to 8).
You can extend each table after the same pattern.
In table 1, x-values increase by 2 and y-values decrease by 8.
In table 2, x-values increase by 2 and y-values decrease by 6.
The attachment shows the tables extended to x=10. We note that the y-values are the same (-22) for x=8 (as we predicted above). That means the solution is ...
... (x, y) = (8, -22)
First, let's find out the equivalent amount of one-sixth of the total length of 8 ft.
Length of cut = 8(1/6) = 4/3 ft
So, the remaining length would be:
Remaining length = 8 ft - 4/3 ft = 20/3 ft or that's 6 and 2/3 ft.
Since there are 12 inches in 1 ft:
2/3 ft * 12 in/ft = 8 inches
Thus, the remaining length is 6 ft and 8 inches.