Question

What should be the first step in adding these equations to eliminate y? 12x-2y=-1 + 4x+6y=-4

Answer 1

Multiply the top equation by 3

Explanation:

Answer 2

(A) Multiply the top equation by 3

Explanation:

The given equations are:

`12x-2y=-1` (1)

and
`4x+6y=-4` (2)

Now, multiplying equation (1) by 3, we get

`36x-6y=-3`

Also, adding the above equation with equation (2), we get

`36x-6y+4x+6y=-3+(-4)`

⇒
`40x=-7`

⇒
`x=-(7)/(40)`

Thus, on multiplying the top equation by 3, we can eliminate y easily.

Hence, option (a) is correct.