To eliminate one of the variables when adding the equations, we need to make the coefficients of that variable be opposites.
Let's analyze the two equations:
- \( 5x + 13y = 232 \)
- \( 12x + 7y = 218 \)
To eliminate \( y \):
- The coefficient of \( y \) in the first equation is \( 13 \).
- The coefficient of \( y \) in the second equation is \( 7 \).
To eliminate \( y \), we can multiply the first equation by \(-7\) (the coefficient of \( y \) in the second equation) and the second equation by \(13\) (the coefficient of \( y \) in the first equation):
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Multiply equation 1 by \(-7\): \[ -7(5x + 13y) = -7(232) \implies -35x - 91y = -1624 \]
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Multiply equation 2 by \(13\): \[ 13(12x + 7y) = 13(218) \implies 156x + 91y = 2834 \]
Now, if we add these modified equations, the \( y \) terms will cancel out.
Conclusion for \( y \):
- First equation times \(-7\) and second equation times \(13\) can eliminate \( y \).
To eliminate \( x \):
- The coefficient of \( x \) in the first equation is \( 5 \).
- The coefficient of \( x \) in the second equation is \( 12 \).
To eliminate \( x \), we can multiply the first equation by \(-12\) and the second equation by \(5\) so that their coefficients become opposites:
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Multiply equation 1 by \(-12\): \[ -12(5x + 13y) = -12(232) \implies -60x - 156y = -2784 \]
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Multiply equation 2 by \(5\): \[ 5(12x + 7y) = 5(218) \implies 60x + 35y = 1090 \]
Now, adding these modified equations will eliminate \( x \).
Conclusion for \( x \):
- First equation times \(-12\) and second equation times \(5\) can eliminate \( x \).
Summary of Options:
- The first equation can be multiplied by –13 and the second equation by 7 to eliminate \( y \). (This is incorrect based on calculations above.)
- The first equation can be multiplied by 7 and the second equation by 13 to eliminate \( y \). (This is correct.)
- The first equation can be multiplied by –12 and the second equation by 5 to eliminate \( x \). (This is correct.)
- The first equation can be multiplied by 5 and the second equation by 12 to eliminate \( x \). (This is incorrect based on calculations above.)
In conclusion, both the second and third options can be used as valid multipliers to eliminate the respective variables.