Question

Please help! This is due in less that 10 minutes! (Will mark Brainliest!)

Answer 1

Answer:

Answer: a = - 12

Step-by-step explanation:

We have here two equations, one 18x + 12y = 36, the other ax - 8y = - 24;

Now if we were to consider making these two equations have a common y co - efficient, we would multiply the top equation by 2, the bottom consecutively by - 3. This would make a standard 24y ;

2 * ( 18x + 12y = 36 ),     ⇒       36x + 24y = 72

+ - 3 * (  ax - 8y = - 24 )            + - 3ax + 24y = 72

As you can see, all terms are equivalent, besides that of the co - efficient of x. Knowing that, it would be ax must be multiplied by - 3 to receive 36x, as the bottom equation is multiplied by - 3, where all terms are equivalent to the top terms;

- 3 * ax ⇒ 36x, - 3 * - 12x = 36x,

Answer: a = - 12