Question

If you use the elimination method to solve the system of equations
3x - 4y = 9 and 2x + 3y = 7, which of the following would be the best method?

Method I: Multiply both sides of the first equation by 2, and multiply both sides of the second equation by 3. Then add the two equations.

Method II: Multiply both sides of the first equation by 3, and multiply both sides of the second equation by 4. Then add the two equations.

Answer 1

It is not a question of which is 'best' - that kind of implies they are both valid options but one is better.

One of those is NOT a method to solve this system.

Elimination is a wy of 'eliminating' onre of the variables.

You are told to ADD the resulting equitions - so this meens you are trying to get the same variable, with opposite sign ( e.g. +6x and -6x) so that when you add them together those two terms disappear (i.e. are eliminated)

follow th e2 options above - see which one 'eliminates' a variable

(BIG HINT:- It is the y variable that you will eliminate in this case....)