3x+9y=-9

-3x+8y=26

solve each system by elimination

x = - 6

y = 1

Explanation:

Elimination is a process in solving the system of the two unknowns.

It consists of subtracting or adding two equations in order to cancel out one of the unknowns.

In this case:

3x + 9y = - 9

-3x + 8y = 26

we see that we can eliminate 3x and - 3x by adding them up. 3x and - 3x will cancel each other out and give 0 so we will be left with only y.

So, when we add them up, we get:

3x + 9y + (-3x) + 8y = - 9 + 26

17y = 17

y = 1

Now that we know the value of y, we can plug it back into any of the two equations to find x:

3x + 9y = - 9

3x + 9 = - 9

3x = - 18

x = - 6