document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=271058>Question 271058</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I need help with solving linear systems.  I need to use the linear combinations to solve the system of linear equations.  I have tried several and they are not coming out right.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "3a+9b=8b-a<BR>\n" );
document.write( "5a-10b=4a-9b+5\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Please help me! </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #198473 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=oberobic><B>oberobic(2304)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=oberobic><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=198473\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> 3a + 9b = 8b - a<BR>\n" );
document.write( "5a - 10b = 4a - 9b + 5<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "for each equation, collect like terms and simplify to get into the right format<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "3a + 9b  = 8b - a<BR>\n" );
document.write( "add 'a' to both sides<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4a + 9b = 8b<BR>\n" );
document.write( "subtract 8b from both sides<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4a + b = 0<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "5a - 10b = 4a - 9b + 5<BR>\n" );
document.write( "subtract 4a from both sides<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a - 10b = -9b + 5<BR>\n" );
document.write( "add 9b to both sides<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a - b = 5<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "now both equations are in the right form<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4a + b = 0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a - b = 5<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "add them<BR>\n" );
document.write( "5a = 5<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a = 1<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "substitute back<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "4a + b = 0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4(1) + b = 0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4 + b = 0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "b = -4<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "continue checking...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3a + 9b = 8b - a ??<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3(1) + 9(-4) = 8(-4) - 1 ??<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3 -36 = -32 -1 ??<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-33 = -33  YES!<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "5a - 10b = 4a - 9b + 5 ??<BR>\n" );
document.write( "5(1) - 10(-4) = 4(1) - 9(-4) + 5 ??<BR>\n" );
document.write( "5 + 40 = 4 + 36 + 5 ??<BR>\n" );
document.write( "45 = 45  YES!<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Answer:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a = 1<BR>\n" );
document.write( "b = -4 </SPAN>\n" );
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