i. 2x+y=−3 ii. 3x−2y=2

Which of the following would be the first step

Multiply equation i by 2 and multiply equation ii by 3 Multiply equation i by 2 and multiply equation ii by 3 Multiply equation ii by 2 Multiply equation ii by 2 Multiply equation i by 2 Multiply i. 2x+y=−3

1 answer

The first step would be to eliminate one variable by multiplying one or both equations by a constant so that the coefficients of one of the variables in both equations have the same absolute value, but opposite signs. In this case, the correct first step would be to multiply equation i by 2 and equation ii by 3:

i. 2(2x+y) = 2(-3)
ii. 3(3x-2y) = 3(2)