You should clear of fractions first. Clear the first of fractions by multiplying through by : 2x - 9y = -30 Clear the second of fractions by multiplying through by : 9x + 4y = 132 So we have the system 2x - 9y = -30 9x + 4y = 132 The coefficients of y are -9 and 4. The LCD of their absolute values is 36, so 1. We need to make the -9 in the first into a -36 by multiplyng the whole first equation through by 4. 2. We need to make the 4 in the second into a 36 by multiplyng the whole second equation through by 9. (4)2x - (4)9y = (4)(-30) (9)9x + (9)4y = (9)(132) which simplified becomes: 8x - 36y = -120 81x + 36y = 1188 Add term by term vertically 8x - 36y = -120 81x + 36y = 1188 ------------------ 89x = 1068 Divide through by 89 x = 1068/89 x = 12 Sunstitute 12 for x in 2x - 9y = -30 2(12) - 9y = -30 24 - 9y = -30 -9y = -30 - 24 -9y = -54 y = (-54)/(-9) y = 6 So the solution is (x,y) = (12,6). Edwin