Question

Julie is asked to solve the system below by elimination. Which of the following steps would be the best way to begin?

i. 2x+y=−3

ii. 3x−2y=2

Answer 1

Multiply equation (i) by 2: 4x + 2y = −6.
Then add to (ii) 3x − 2y = 2 to eliminate y:
7x = −4 → x = −4/7.

Substitute into (i): 2(−4/7) + y = −3 → y = −13/7.

So the best first step is: multiply (i) by 2 and add to (ii). The solution is (−4/7, −13/7).