document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1015677>Question 1015677</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> A student is using the elimination method to solve the system of equations below. What is the best first step?\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "5x - 2y = -15<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3x + 3y = 12 </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #632027 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=josgarithmetic><B>josgarithmetic(39618)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=josgarithmetic><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=632027\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Multiply the members of the first equation by 3; and multiply the members of the second equation by 2.  The equivalent system can be  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=15x-6y=-45%2C6x%2B6y=24 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"15x-6y=-45%2C6x%2B6y=24\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "That is one way to begin, but you could choose to prepare to eliminate the other variable instead. </SPAN>\n" );
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