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Multiple Choice
Determine if substitution or elimination would be more convenient to use for the system below.
A
Substitution
B
Elimination
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Look at the system of equations: \$7x + 2y = 12\( and \)5x - 4y = 10\(. Identify the coefficients of \)x\( and \)y$ in both equations.
Step 2: Consider substitution: To use substitution, you would solve one equation for one variable (like \(x\) or \(y\)) and then substitute that expression into the other equation. This works best when one variable has a coefficient of 1 or -1.
Step 3: Consider elimination: To use elimination, you aim to add or subtract the equations to eliminate one variable. This is easier when the coefficients of one variable are opposites or can be easily made opposites by multiplying one or both equations.
Step 4: Notice that the coefficients of \(y\) are 2 and -4, which can be easily manipulated to be opposites by multiplying the first equation by 2, making the \(y\) terms \$4y\( and \)-4y$. This makes elimination convenient.
Step 5: Conclude that elimination is more convenient here because the coefficients of \(y\) can be quickly made opposites, allowing you to eliminate \(y\) by adding the equations.