1. The problem is to choose the correct first step to eliminate a variable in the system of equations: $$-4x - 4y = -68$$ $$x - 4y = -23$$ 2. To eliminate a variable, we can add or subtract the equations so that one variable cancels out. 3. Let's analyze the coefficients of $x$ and $y$ in both equations: - For $x$: coefficients are $-4$ and $1$. - For $y$: coefficients are $-4$ and $-4$. 4. To eliminate $y$, since both have $-4y$, we can subtract the equations: $$(-4x - 4y) - (x - 4y) = -68 - (-23)$$ 5. Subtracting will cancel $y$ because $-4y - (-4y) = 0$. 6. Therefore, the correct first step is: **Subtract to eliminate y.**