Using the elimination method to eliminate the y

Question

variable, what is your first step to solve the system of equations?

2x+4y=16
2x-4y=0

add the equations together

substitute 2x-4y in for x in the top equation

multiply the top equation by 4

multiply the bottom equation by 2

Answer 1

To eliminate the \( y \) variable in the system of equations:

1. First equation: \( 2x + 4y = 16 \)
2. Second equation: \( 2x - 4y = 0 \)

The simplest step to eliminate \( y \) would be to add the two equations together. This will allow the \( y \) terms to cancel each other out:

So, the correct first step is:

Add the equations together.

This will result in:

\[ (2x + 4y) + (2x - 4y) = 16 + 0 \]

This simplifies to:

\[ 4x = 16 \]

From which you can solve for \( x \) and then substitute back to find \( y \).