Question

Elimination and multiply
3a + 2b = -9
A - b = -13

Answer 1

Assuming the second equation is a - b = -13 (capital A = a), solve by elimination:

1. Multiply the second equation by 2 to line up b-terms:
2(a - b) = 2(-13) → 2a - 2b = -26

2. Add this to the first equation 3a + 2b = -9:
(3a + 2b) + (2a - 2b) = -9 + (-26)
5a = -35 → a = -7

3. Substitute a = -7 into a - b = -13:
-7 - b = -13 → -b = -6 → b = 6

Solution: a = -7, b = 6. (Check: 3(-7)+2(6) = -21+12 = -9; -7-6 = -13.)