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The equations are

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\"\"                                  Equation (1)

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\"\"                                          Equation (2)

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Since the coefficients of the b-terms are additive inverses, you can eliminate these terms by adding the equations. Add the equations to eliminate variable b.

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Write the equations in column form and add the corresponding columns.

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\"\"

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\"\"                   (Divide each side by 3)

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\"\"                        (Divide: \"\")

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\"\"

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Now Substitute \"\" for a in either equation to find the value of b.

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\"\"                                  (Equation 1)

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\"\"                             (Replace a by –1)

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\"\"                                 

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\"\"                     (Add 2 on each side)

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\"\"                                          (Add: \"\")

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\"\"                                         (Divide each side by -3)

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\"\"                                                  (Divide: \"\")

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The solution is \"\"

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\"\"

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The solution is \"\"