"How do you know what method to use to solve the equation?????"
Well, you really don't; it becomes (in long run) a personal choice...
"Here is the problem I am looking at going ....hah?????
-0.25x-0.05y=0.2 [1]
10x + 2y=-8 [2]
The answer in the book says it is an infinitely many solutions answere
(x,y)(y=-5x-4"
I'd use this approach (my choice, like, Eliz would probably use something
different) ; multiply [1] by -40:
10x + 2y = -8 [1]
10x + 2y = -8 [2]
Now subtract them: 0 + 0 = 0 !!
So they're the same equation;
10x + 2y = -8
2y = -10x - 8
y = -5x - 4
"Why I do this to myself just so I don't feel dumb to my kids is beyond me!"
Hmmm...methinks we've all done worse things than that