imfifteen: Let's say 5r-s=5 is equation 1 and -4+5s=17 is equation 2
In equation one you want to isolate s because it's easiest in this scenario.
First move the 5r to the right of the = sign so it becomes -s=-5r + 5
now you need to get rid of the negative on the s so multiply everything in the equation on both sides by -1
so it becomes s=+5r-5 I'll call this equation 3
now substitute that into equation 2 so it becomes -4+5(+5r-5)=17
it should become -4+25r-25=17, now move the 25 and -4 over to the right side of the = sign
it should become +25r=17+25+4
after adding it should be +25r=46
now you can divide both +25r and 46 by +25 because you want to isolate r
so it becomes r=+1.84