document.write( "Question 50825This question is from textbook Saxon Algebra 1
\n" ); document.write( ": 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.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "a. 4y + 3x = -7 and 3y + 2x = -6\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "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.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I'm missing something......:-(\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Rebecca
\n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #33868 by stanbon(75887)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
1st: 4y + 3x = -7
\n" ); document.write( "2nd: 3y + 2x = -6
\n" ); document.write( "------------------
\n" ); document.write( "You can choose which variable you want to eliminate.
\n" ); document.write( "If you want to eliminate the y-terms, mutiply 1st
\n" ); document.write( "thru by 3 and 2nd thru by 4 to get:
\n" ); document.write( "3rd: 12y+9x=-21
\n" ); document.write( "4th: 12y+8x=-24
\n" ); document.write( "Now subtract 4th from 3rd to get:\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "x=-3
\n" ); document.write( "Substitute that into 1st or 2nd: it doesn't matter which:
\n" ); document.write( "4y+3(-3)=-7
\n" ); document.write( "4y=2
\n" ); document.write( "y=1/2
\n" ); document.write( "Solution:
\n" ); document.write( "x=-3 and y=1/2\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Cheers,
\n" ); document.write( "Stan H.
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" );