Final answer:
The correct first step to eliminate the variable and solve the system of equations is to subtract the second equation from the first equation. After simplifying, we can divide both sides of the resulting equation to solve for y, which gives the value of y as 6.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct first step to eliminate the variable and solve the system of equations is to subtract the second equation from the first equation. This can be done by subtracting the left side and right side of the second equation from the respective sides of the first equation.
3x - 9y - (3x - 6y) = -39 - (-21)
After simplifying, we get:
-3y = -18
Divide both sides of the equation by -3 to solve for y:
y = 6