A variable needs to be eliminated to solve the system of equations below. Choose the correct first step. -9x+4y=17 9x+7y=5 Answer Subtract to eliminate x. Subtract to eliminate y. Add to eliminate y. Add to eliminate x.

To solve the system of equations, we need to eliminate one of the variables. In this case, we can eliminate the variable x by adding the two equations together.<br /><br />Step 1: Add the two equations to eliminate x.<br />$(-9x + 4y) + (9x + 7y) = 17 + 5$<br />$0x + 11y = 22$<br />$11y = 22$<br /><br />Step 2: Solve for y.<br />$y = \frac{22}{11}$<br />$y = 2$<br /><br />Step 3: Substitute the value of y into one of the original equations to solve for x.<br />Let's use the first equation: $-9x + 4y = 17$<br />$-9x + 4(2) = 17$<br />$-9x + 8 = 17$<br />$-9x = 9$<br />$x = -1$<br /><br />Therefore, the solution to the system of equations is $x = -1$ and $y = 2$.