7b - 5c = 11 -4c - 2b = -14 Let's switch the order of terms on the left of the second equations, so that like letters line up. 7b - 5c = 11 -2b - 4c = -14 See the 7 and the -2 coefficients of b? We want to multiply both equations through by numbers that will make the coefficients of b become equal in absolute value but opposite in sign. 7 and -2 are already opposite in sign, so we need to make them equal in absolute value. To do this we look at their absolute values, 7 and 2. Now 7 and 2 have a least common multiple of 14. So we multiply the first equation by 2 and multiply the second equation through by 7: 14b - 10c = 22 -14b - 28c = -98 Now we draw a line under the pair of equations and add them term by term: 14b - 10c = 22 -14b - 28c = -98 ---------------- 0 - 38c = -76 -38c = -76 c = 2 Return to the original two equations: 7b - 5c = 11 -2b - 4c = -14 See the -5 and the -4 coefficients of c? We want to multiply both equations through by numbers that will make the coefficients of c become equal in absolute value but opposite in sign. -5 and -4 are not opposite in sign, so we will need to multiply one of them through by a positive number and the other through by a negative number to make them opposite in sign. We need to make them equal in absolute value. To do this we look at their absolute values, 5 and 4. Now 5 and 4 have a least common multiple of 20. So we multiply the first equation by 4 and multiply the second equation through by -5: 28b - 20c = 44 10b + 20c = 70 Now we draw a line under the pair of equations and add them term by term: 28b - 20c = 44 10b + 20c = 70 ---------------- 38b + 0 = 114 38b = 114 b = 3 We found BOTH letters by elimination. Sometimes people only find one variable by the elimination method, and then switch over to the substitution method to find the other variable. Either way is correct. Edwin