SOLUTION: I think I'm just confused by the terminology. Saxon asks to solve the following by "elimination" to solve equivalent fractions, but with only positive numbers on the variable side

Question 50825This question is from textbook Saxon Algebra 1
: I think I'm just confused by the terminology. Saxon asks to solve the following by "elimination" to solve equivalent fractions, but with only positive numbers on the variable side, I can't get the problem to work out as in their examples - each of which has at least one negative number.
a. 4y + 3x = -7 and 3y + 2x = -6
They say to multiply each equation by one of the variable terms from the other...i.e. multiply first one by 2x and the other by 3x....doesn't work out. ?????? I end up with a plus 6x in both rather than a +6x and a -6x which would cancel out each other, leaving room to solve for y.
I'm missing something......:-(
Rebecca This question is from textbook Saxon Algebra 1

Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
1st: 4y + 3x = -7
2nd: 3y + 2x = -6
------------------
You can choose which variable you want to eliminate.
If you want to eliminate the y-terms, mutiply 1st
thru by 3 and 2nd thru by 4 to get:
3rd: 12y+9x=-21
4th: 12y+8x=-24
Now subtract 4th from 3rd to get:
x=-3
Substitute that into 1st or 2nd: it doesn't matter which:
4y+3(-3)=-7
4y=2
y=1/2
Solution:
x=-3 and y=1/2
Cheers,
Stan H.
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