To solve a system of linear equations using the Elimination Method, one of the variable terms needs to be eliminated when one equation is added to or subtracted from the other equation. In this exercise, this means that either the x-terms or the y-terms must cancel each other out.
4 y-2 x=6 & (I) 8 y=4 x-12 & (II)
Currently, none of the terms in this system will cancel out. Therefore, we need to find a common multiple between two variable like terms in the system. If we multiply (I) by -2, the y-terms will be additive inverses.
-2(4 y-2 x)=-2(6) 8 y=4 x-12
⇓
- 8y+4 x=-12 8y=4 x-12
We can see that the y-terms will eliminate each other if we add (I) to (II).
Solving this system of equations resulted in a contradiction; 0 can never be equal to -24. Therefore, it is an inconsistent system. The lines are parallel and do not have a point of intersection.
