17) -8x + 6y = -2\n-7x + 8y = -21

Explanation:

Step1: Multiply first equation by 4.

Multiply $-8x + 6y=-2$ by 4 to get $-32x+24y = - 8$.

Step2: Multiply second equation by 3.

Multiply $-7x + 8y=-21$ by 3 to get $-21x+24y=-63$.

Step3: Subtract the second - new equation from the first - new equation.

$(-32x + 24y)-(-21x + 24y)=-8-(-63)$ $-32x + 24y + 21x-24y=-8 + 63$ $-11x=55$ $x=-5$

Step4: Substitute $x = - 5$ into the first original equation.

$-8\times(-5)+6y=-2$ $40 + 6y=-2$ $6y=-2 - 40$ $6y=-42$ $y=-7$

Answer:

$x=-5,y = - 7$