Elimination Method:

The equations are

2a – 3b = – 11        Equation (1)

a + 3b = 8                Equation (2)

Since the coefficients of b-terms are additive inverses, these terms can be

elimanted by adding equations.

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

Apply division property of equality: if a = b then 

                             (Divide each side by 3).

                                     (Cancel common terms).

Now, find the b value by substituting in either equation.

                  (Equation 1).

                       (Product of two different signs is negative).

           (Add 2 to each side).

           (Commutative property: a + b = b + a) \ \

                      (Additive inverse property: )    

                                (Add: ).

                           (Divide each side by negative 3).

                                          (Cancel common terms).

The solution is .