Question

What would you do to solve the system?

Answer 1

Answer:

To decide whether to add or subtract,  determine if the values of the  coefficients are the same or opposites:

. If the values are the same, subtract the  equations.

• If the values are opposites or additive  inverses, add the equations.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given

$12x = 48 - 8y$

$10x + 8y = 38$

Required

How to solve

Options (1) and (2) are incorrect because none of the options eliminate x or y.

For option (3),

- Check for the coefficients of x and y

- If they are the same (sign and value), then subtract; otherwise add

For instance:

$12x = 48 - 8y$

$10x + 8y = 38$

Rewrite the second equation

$12x = 48 - 8y$

$10x = 38 - 8y$

The coefficient of y are the same, so we subtract;

$12x - 10x = 48 - 38 -8y -(-8y)$

$12x - 10x = 48 - 38 -8y +8y$

$2x = 10$

$x= 5$

See that y has been eliminated