(1) ax + by = c (2) dx + ey = f. ralph is trying to solve the system of equations. he begins by subtracting ax from both sides of equation (1), and then he divides the equation by b. before he can continue, his friend alice comes along and says, "no, you should have subtracted by from both sides, and then divided by a. you will get the wrong answer." is alice right? why or why not? a) yes; ralph's way will make y disappear, resulting in no solution. b) yes; ralph should isolate x in both equations. now his answer will be wrong. eliminate c) no; ralph is substituting for y, alice is substituting for x. both ways will work. d) no; ralph is using substitution, while she is trying to use elimination. both ways will work.