Finish solving the system of equations –9.5x – 2.5y = –4.3 and 7x + 2.5y = 0.8 using the linear combination method. 1. determine which variable will be eliminated: y will be eliminated because –2.5y and 2.5y are opposite terms. 2. add the equations together to create a one-variable linear equation: –2.5x = –3.5 3. solve to determine the unknown variable in the equation: x = 1.4 4. substitute the value of the variable into either original equation to solve for the other variable.