A variable needs to be eliminated to solve the system of equations below. Choose the correct first step.

Question

5, x, plus, y, equals, 48
5x+y=
48
3, x, minus, y, equals, 16
3x−y=
16

Answer 1

To eliminate a variable, we can either add or subtract the equations. In this case, it would be best to add the equations in order to eliminate the variable "y". Thus, the correct first step is to add the two equations together.