Question

To eliminate the y terms and solve for x in the fewest steps, by which constants should the equations be multiplied by before adding the equations together?

First equation: 4x − 3y = 34

Second equation: 3x + 2y = 17

Answer 1

Multiply both sides of the first equation by 2.

Multiply both sides of the second equation by 3.

Explanation:

The y terms are

-3y

2y

The LCM of 2 and 3 is 6.

We need the y terms to add to zero.

Multiply both sides of the first equation by 2 to get -6y.

Multiply both sides of the second equation by 3 to get 6y.

Then -6y + 6y = 0 eliminating the y terms after adding the equations.