Question

James is solving the system below:

-4x + 8y = 10

7x + 9y = 19

He wants to eliminate x and said that he needs to multiply the first equation by 8 and the second equation by 3. Is this correct? If not, what should he multiply each equation by to eliminate x?

Answer 1

i would reduce the first equation by 2...

Answer 2

Can you explain more please.

Answer 3

oh, James want to eliminate x --> you must start from x :)

Answer 4

To the first equation, what is the coefficient of x? (the number in the front of x)

Answer 5

no it's not correct.
to eliminate the x need to let the x values cancel out
ist equation has -4 and 2nd eqn has 7 as the coefficients
product is 28
multiply the 1st by 7 and the 2nd by 4

the 1st eqn can be divided by 2 as mentioned by @melissatyga
to solve by elimination the numbers would be -2 and 7 so the 1st would be multiplied by 7 and the 2nd by 2 so that each will be 14 and when both equations are added the x would be eliminated

Answer 6

Thank you!