document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=99604>Question 99604</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Solve the system of equations using the elimination method. \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "2a + 3b = -1 \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "3a + 5b = -2  </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #72459 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=elima><B>elima(1433)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-12.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=elima><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=72459\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> With the elimination method, we want to eliminate one of the variables;<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2a + 3b = -1 <BR>\n" );
document.write( "3a + 5b = -2 <BR>\n" );
document.write( "We will multiply the first equation with -3 and the second with 2, so we can eliminate the a;<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-3(2a+3b=-1)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2(3a+5b=-2)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "new equations;<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-6a-9b=3<BR>\n" );
document.write( "6a+10b=-4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Add the two equations together, and you can eliminate the a;<BR>\n" );
document.write( "b=-1<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Now plug the -1 into one of the original equations;<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2a+3(-1)=-1<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2a-3=-1<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2a=2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a=1<BR>\n" );
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