\[\left\{ \begin{matrix} a + b = 4\ \ | \cdot ( - 2) \\ 2a + 7b = 2\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \\ \end{matrix} \right.\ \text{\ \ \ \ \ }\]
\[\left\{ \begin{matrix} - 2a - 2b = - 8\ \ (1) \\ 2a + 7b = 2\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ (2) \\ \end{matrix} \right.\ \]
\[(1) + (2) \Longrightarrow 5b = - 6\]
\[\left\{ \begin{matrix} 6b = - 6\ \ \ \\ a + b = 4 \\ \end{matrix} \right.\ \text{\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ }\]
\[\left\{ \begin{matrix} 5b = - 6\ \ \ \\ a = 4 - b \\ \end{matrix} \right.\ \]