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3 votes
Elimination
4x-7y=5
9x-7y=-15

User Rarst
by
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1 Answer

5 votes

Answer:

x = -4

Explanation:

To make this easier to explain and easier to solve, we're going to first multiply the second equation of 9x-7y=-15 by -1 to make the y coefficient positive.

This results in -9x+7y=15.

When we line up the two equations on top of each other now, we'll see that both the first and second equations have opposite y coefficients, which is vital for elimination.

The next step is to add the second equation to the first one. Teachers may tell you to subtract, but I find it easier to add if you make the two y coefficients of negative value to each other.

4x-7y=5

+ -9x+7y=15

___________

-5x+0y=20, or just -5x=20, because you have successfully eliminated the y variable.

From there, you're going to solve like a normal equation (divide both sides by -5) toget you x=-4.

User Kizz
by
5.3k points