What is a possible first step to eliminate a variable in the following system?
2x - 3y = -1
3x - 4y = -3

Question

anonymous · Answer

well you have two techniques

substituting, and combining

if you want to substitute, the first step would be to isolate a variable
if you want to combine, the first step would be multiplying/divide each equation by a common factor

anonymous · Answer

a) Multiply the first equation by -3 and the second equation by 2.
b) Multiply the first equation by 3 and the second equation by -2.
c) Multiply the first equation by 4 and the second equation by 3.
d) All of the above.

anonymous · Answer

could be either both a and b you see you just want the x's to cancel and one has to be negative and one positive 
$$-3(2x-3y=-1)$$
$$2(3x-4y=-3)$$
if you distribute what do u get

tkhunny · Answer

Personally, I would subtract the first from the second.