Question

What is a possible first step to eliminate the variable y in the following system?
4x + 6y = 1
5x – 3y = 8




Answers:



Multiply the second equation by 2.
Multiply the first equation by –2.
Multiply the second equation by –3.
Multiply the first equation by 5.

Answer 1

Any step that will match the coefficient of either variable will do.
In this case, only A will match the coefficients of y (but of opposing signs).