Question

in the elimination method, what would you do if you had the variable u want to cancel out, but they are the same sign.

for ex- this problem is just an example-

5x + 3y = 15
-12x + 3y = 20 can you just subtract the 3's or do you need to make one negative?

Answer 1

You can pick one equation and multiply by -1 to change the sign.

Answer 2

IN the example you have up, yes you would subtract the two 3ys but if they were doth negative, then you would add the two 3ys.