Question

A variable needs to be eliminated to solve the system of equations below. Choose the correct first step.
minus, 4, x, minus, 5, y, equals, minus, 17
−4x−5y=
−17
x, minus, 5, y, equals, minus, 27
x−5y=
−27
Answer
Multiple Choice Answers
A, d, d, to eliminate , y, .Add to eliminate y.
S, u, b, t, r, a, c, t, to eliminate , y, .Subtract to eliminate y.
A, d, d, to eliminate , x, .Add to eliminate x.
S, u, b, t, r, a, c, t, to eliminate , x, .Subtract to eliminate x.

Answer 1

To choose the correct first step to eliminate a variable from the given system of equations, we should analyze them:

1. \(-4x - 5y = -17\)
2. \(x - 5y = -27\)

Looking closely at the two equations, we see that both equations contain the term \(-5y\). This makes it convenient to eliminate \(y\) by either adding or subtracting the two equations.

Since both equations have \(-5y\), we can directly subtract the second equation from the first equation to eliminate \(y\).

Thus, the correct first step would be:

**Subtract to eliminate \(y\).**

So the correct answer is:
**S, u, b, t, r, a, c, t, to eliminate , y. Subtract to eliminate y.**