To eliminate the [tex]\( y \)[/tex]-terms and solve for [tex]\( x \)[/tex] in the fewest steps, by which constants should the equations be multiplied before adding the equations together?

First Equation: [tex]\( 5x - 4y = 28 \)[/tex]
Second Equation: [tex]\( 3x - 9y = 30 \)[/tex]

A. The first equation should be multiplied by 3 and the second equation by 5.
B. The first equation should be multiplied by 3 and the second equation by -5.
C. The first equation should be multiplied by 9 and the second equation by 4.
D. The first equation should be multiplied by 9 and the second equation by -4.



Answer :

To solve this system of linear equations by eliminating the [tex]$y$[/tex]-terms, we need to manipulate the equations so that the coefficients of [tex]$y$[/tex] in both equations are equal in magnitude but opposite in sign. This allows us to add the equations together, thereby eliminating the [tex]$y$[/tex]-terms and solving for [tex]$x$[/tex].

Given the equations:
1. [tex]\(5x - 4y = 28\)[/tex]
2. [tex]\(3x - 9y = 30\)[/tex]

1. First equation: [tex]\(5x - 4y = 28\)[/tex]
- To make the coefficient of [tex]\(y\)[/tex] suitable for elimination, we can multiply this equation by 3. This results in:
[tex]\[3 \cdot (5x - 4y) = 3 \cdot 28\][/tex]
[tex]\[15x - 12y = 84\][/tex]

2. Second equation: [tex]\(3x - 9y = 30\)[/tex]
- To make the coefficients of [tex]\(y\)[/tex] in the two equations opposite in sign, we should multiply this equation by -5. This results in:
[tex]\[-5 \cdot (3x - 9y) = -5 \cdot 30\][/tex]
[tex]\[-15x + 45y = -150\][/tex]

Now, we have two new equations:
1. [tex]\(15x - 12y = 84\)[/tex]
2. [tex]\(-15x + 45y = -150\)[/tex]

By adding these two equations, we effectively eliminate the [tex]$y$[/tex]-terms:
[tex]\[ (15x - 12y) + (-15x + 45y) = 84 + (-150) \][/tex]
[tex]\[(15x - 15x) + (-12y + 45y) = 84 - 150\][/tex]
[tex]\[0x + 33y = -66\][/tex]

However, the question was specifically about the constants by which the original equations should be multiplied before adding them together to eliminate the [tex]$y$[/tex]-terms. Therefore, the constants are:

- The first equation should be multiplied by [tex]\(3\)[/tex]
- The second equation should be multiplied by [tex]\(-5\)[/tex]

Thus, the correct answer is:
- The first equation should be multiplied by 3 and the second equation by -5.

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