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About EliminationUse elimination when you are solving a system of equations and you can quickly eliminate one variable by adding or subtracting your equations together. You can use this Elimination Calculator to practice solving systems. Need more problem types? Try MathPapa Algebra Calculator By the end of this section, you will be able to: NoteBefore you get started, take this readiness quiz.
We have solved systems of linear equations by graphing and by substitution. Graphing works well when the variable coefficients are small and the solution has integer values. Substitution works well when we can easily solve one equation for one of the variables and not have too many fractions in the resulting expression. The third method of solving systems of linear equations is called the Elimination Method. When we solved a system by substitution, we started with two equations and two variables and reduced it to one equation with one variable. This is what we’ll do with the elimination method, too, but we’ll have a different way to get there. Solve a System of Equations by EliminationThe Elimination Method is based on the Addition Property of Equality. The Addition Property of Equality says that when you add the same quantity to both sides of an equation, you still have equality. We will extend the Addition Property of Equality to say that when you add equal quantities to both sides of an equation, the results are equal. For any expressions a, b, c, and d, \[\begin{array}{lc} \text{ if } & a=b \\ \text { and } & c=d \\ \text { then } &a+c =b+d \end{array}\] To solve a system of equations by elimination, we start with both equations in standard form. Then we decide which variable will be easiest to eliminate. How do we decide? We want to have the coefficients of one variable be opposites, so that we can add the equations together and eliminate that variable. Notice how that works when we add these two equations together: \[\begin{array}{l} 3x+y=5 \\ \underline{2x-y=0} \\ 5x\quad\quad=5\end{array}\] The y’s add to zero and we have one equation with one variable. Let’s try another one: \[\left\{\begin{array}{l}{x+4 y=2} \\ {2 x+5 y=-2}\end{array}\right.\] This time we don’t see a variable that can be immediately eliminated if we add the equations. But if we multiply the first equation by −2, we will make the coefficients of x opposites. We must multiply every term on both sides of the equation by −2. Now we see that the coefficients of the x terms are opposites, so x will be eliminated when we add these two equations. Add the equations yourself—the result should be −3y = −6. And that looks easy to solve, doesn’t it? Here is what it would look like. We’ll do one more: \[\left\{\begin{array}{l}{4 x-3 y=10} \\ {3 x+5 y=-7}\end{array}\right.\] It doesn’t appear that we can get the coefficients of one variable to be opposites by multiplying one of the equations by a constant, unless we use fractions. So instead, we’ll have to multiply both equations by a constant. We can make the coefficients of x be opposites if we multiply the first equation by 3 and the second by −4, so we get 12x and −12x. This gives us these two new equations: \[\left\{\begin{aligned} 12 x-9 y &=30 \\-12 x-20 y &=28 \end{aligned}\right.\] When we add these equations, \[\[\left\{\begin{array}{r}{12 x-9 y=30} \\ {\underline{-12 x-20 y=28}} \\\end{array}\right.\\\quad\qquad {-29 y=58}\]\] the x’s are eliminated and we just have −29y = 58. Once we get an equation with just one variable, we solve it. Then we substitute that value into one of the original equations to solve for the remaining variable. And, as always, we check our answer to make sure it is a solution to both of the original equations. Now we’ll see how to use elimination to solve the same system of equations we solved by graphing and by substitution. Exercise \(\PageIndex{2}\)Solve the system by elimination. \(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{3 x+y=5} \\ {2 x-3 y=7}\end{array}\right.\) Answer(2,−1) Exercise \(\PageIndex{3}\)Solve the system by elimination. \(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{4 x+y=-5} \\ {-2 x-2 y=-2}\end{array}\right.\) Answer(−2,3) The steps are listed below for easy reference. HOW TO SOLVE A SYSTEM OF EQUATIONS BY ELIMINATION.
First we’ll do an example where we can eliminate one variable right away. Exercise \(\PageIndex{4}\)Solve the system by elimination. \(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{x+y=10} \\ {x-y=12}\end{array}\right.\) Answer
Exercise \(\PageIndex{5}\)Solve the system by elimination. \(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{2 x+y=5} \\ {x-y=4}\end{array}\right.\) Answer(3,−1) Exercise \(\PageIndex{6}\)Solve the system by elimination.\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{x+y=3} \\ {-2 x-y=-1}\end{array}\right.\) (−2,5) In Exercise \(\PageIndex{7}\), we will be able to make the coefficients of one variable opposites by multiplying one equation by a constant. Exercise \(\PageIndex{8}\)Solve the system by elimination.\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{4 x-3 y=1} \\ {5 x-9 y=-4}\end{array}\right.\) Answer(1,1) Exercise \(\PageIndex{9}\)Solve the system by elimination.\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{3 x+2 y=2} \\ {6 x+5 y=8}\end{array}\right.\) Answer(−2,4) Now we’ll do an example where we need to multiply both equations by constants in order to make the coefficients of one variable opposites. Exercise \(\PageIndex{10}\)Solve the system by elimination. \(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{4 x-3 y=9} \\ {7 x+2 y=-6}\end{array}\right.\) AnswerIn this example, we cannot multiply just one equation by any constant to get opposite coefficients. So we will strategically multiply both equations by a constant to get the opposites.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{11}\)Solve the system by elimination. \(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{3 x-4 y=-9} \\ {5 x+3 y=14}\end{array}\right.\) Answer(1,3) Exercise \(\PageIndex{12}\)Solve the system by elimination. \(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{7 x+8 y=4} \\ {3 x-5 y=27}\end{array}\right.\) Answer(4,−3) When the system of equations contains fractions, we will first clear the fractions by multiplying each equation by its LCD. Exercise \(\PageIndex{13}\)Solve the system by elimination. \(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{x+\frac{1}{2} y=6} \\ {\frac{3}{2} x+\frac{2}{3} y=\frac{17}{2}}\end{array}\right.\) AnswerIn this example, both equations have fractions. Our first step will be to multiply each equation by its LCD to clear the fractions.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{14}\)Solve the system by elimination. \(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{\frac{1}{3} x-\frac{1}{2} y=1} \\ {\frac{3}{4} x-y=\frac{5}{2}}\end{array}\right.\) Answer(6,2) Exercise \(\PageIndex{15}\)Solve the system by elimination. \(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{x+\frac{3}{5} y=-\frac{1}{5}} \\ {-\frac{1}{2} x-\frac{2}{3} y=\frac{5}{6}}\end{array}\right.\) Answer(1,−2) In the Solving Systems of Equations by Graphing we saw that not all systems of linear equations have a single ordered pair as a solution. When the two equations were really the same line, there were infinitely many solutions. We called that a consistent system. When the two equations described parallel lines, there was no solution. We called that an inconsistent system. Exercise \(\PageIndex{16}\)Solve the system by elimination.\(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{3 x+4 y=12} \\ {y=3-\frac{3}{4} x}\end{array}\right.\) Answer\(\begin{array} {ll} & \left\{\begin{aligned} 3 x+4 y &=12 \\ y &=3-\frac{3}{4} x \end{aligned}\right. \\\\\text{Write the second equation in standard form.} & \left\{\begin{array}{l}{3 x+4 y=12} \\ {\frac{3}{4} x+y=3}\end{array}\right.\\ \\ \text{Clear the fractions by multiplying thesecond equation by 4.} & \left\{\begin{aligned} 3 x+4 y &=12 \\ 4\left(\frac{3}{4} x+y\right) &=4(3) \end{aligned}\right. \\\\ \text{Simplify.} & \left\{\begin{array}{l}{3 x+4 y=12} \\ {3 x+4 y=12}\end{array}\right.\\\\ \text{To eliminate a variable, we multiply thesecond equation by −1.} & \left\{\begin{array}{c}{3 x+4 y=12} \\ \underline{-3 x-4 y=-12} \end{array}\right.\\ &\qquad\qquad\quad 0=0 \\ \text{Simplify and add.} \end{array}\) This is a true statement. The equations are consistent but dependent. Their graphs would be the same line. The system has infinitely many solutions. After we cleared the fractions in the second equation, did you notice that the two equations were the same? That means we have coincident lines. Exercise \(\PageIndex{17}\)Solve the system by elimination. \(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{5 x-3 y=15} \\ {y=-5+\frac{5}{3} x}\end{array}\right.\) Answerinfinitely many solutions Exercise \(\PageIndex{18}\)Solve the system by elimination. \(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{x+2 y=6} \\ {y=-\frac{1}{2} x+3}\end{array}\right.\) Answerinfinitely many solutions Exercise \(\PageIndex{19}\)Solve the system by elimination. \(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{-6 x+15 y=10} \\ {2 x-5 y=-5}\end{array}\right.\) Answer\(\begin{array} {ll} \text{The equations are in standard form.}& \left\{\begin{aligned}-6 x+15 y &=10 \\ 2 x-5 y &=-5 \end{aligned}\right. \\\\ \text{Multiply the second equation by 3 to eliminate a variable.} & \left\{\begin{array}{l}{-6 x+15 y=10} \\ {3(2 x-5 y)=3(-5)}\end{array}\right. \\\\ \text{Simplify and add.} & \left\{\begin{aligned}{-6 x+15 y =10} \\ \underline{6 x-15 y =-15} \end{aligned}\right. \\ & \qquad \qquad \quad0\neq 5 \end{array}\) This statement is false. The equations are inconsistent and so their graphs would be parallel lines. The system does not have a solution. Exercise \(\PageIndex{20}\)Solve the system by elimination. \(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{-3 x+2 y=8} \\ {9 x-6 y=13}\end{array}\right.\) Answerno solution Exercise \(\PageIndex{21}\)Solve the system by elimination. \(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{7 x-3 y=-2} \\ {-14 x+6 y=8}\end{array}\right.\) Answerno solution Solve Applications of Systems of Equations by EliminationSome applications problems translate directly into equations in standard form, so we will use the elimination method to solve them. As before, we use our Problem Solving Strategy to help us stay focused and organized. Exercise \(\PageIndex{22}\)The sum of two numbers is 39. Their difference is 9. Find the numbers. Answer\(\begin{array} {ll} \textbf{Step 1. Read}\text{ the problem}& \\ \textbf{Step 2. Identify} \text{ what we are looking for.} & \text{We are looking for two numbers.} \\\textbf{Step 3. Name} \text{ what we are looking for.} & \text{Let n = the first number.} \\ & \text{ m = the second number} \\\textbf{Step 4. Translate} \text{ into a system of equations.}& \\ & \text{The sum of two numbers is 39.} \\ & n+m=39\\ & \text{Their difference is 9.} \\ & n−m=9 \\ \\ \text{The system is:} & \left\{\begin{array}{l}{n+m=39} \\ {n-m=9}\end{array}\right. \\\\ \textbf{Step 5. Solve} \text{ the system of equations. } & \\ \text{To solve the system of equations, use} \\ \text{elimination. The equations are in standard} \\ \text{form and the coefficients of m are} & \\ \text{opposites. Add.} & \left\{\begin{array}{l}{n+m=39} \\ \underline{n-m=9}\end{array}\right. \\ &\quad 2n\qquad=48 \\ \\\text{Solve for n.} & n=24 \\ \\ \text{Substitute n=24 into one of the original} &n+m=39 \\ \text{equations and solve form.} & 24+m=39 \\ & m=15 \\ \textbf{Step 6. Check}\text{ the answer.} & \text{Since 24+15=39 and 24−15=9, the answers check.}\\ \textbf{Step 7. Answer} \text{ the question.} & \text{The numbers are 24 and 15.} \end{array}\) Exercise \(\PageIndex{23}\)The sum of two numbers is 42. Their difference is 8. Find the numbers. AnswerThe numbers are 25 and 17. Exercise \(\PageIndex{24}\)The sum of two numbers is −15. Their difference is −35. Find the numbers. AnswerThe numbers are −25 and 10. Exercise \(\PageIndex{26}\)Malik stops at the grocery store to buy a bag of diapers and 2 cans of formula. He spends a total of $37. The next week he stops and buys 2 bags of diapers and 5 cans of formula for a total of $87. How much does a bag of diapers cost? How much is one can of formula? AnswerThe bag of diapers costs $11 and the can of formula costs $13. Exercise \(\PageIndex{27}\)To get her daily intake of fruit for the day, Sasha eats a banana and 8 strawberries on Wednesday for a calorie count of 145. On the following Wednesday, she eats two bananas and 5 strawberries for a total of 235 calories for the fruit. How many calories are there in a banana? How many calories are in a strawberry? AnswerThere are 105 calories in a banana and 5 calories in a strawberry. Choose the Most Convenient Method to Solve a System of Linear EquationsWhen you will have to solve a system of linear equations in a later math class, you will usually not be told which method to use. You will need to make that decision yourself. So you’ll want to choose the method that is easiest to do and minimizes your chance of making mistakes.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{28}\)For each system of linear equations decide whether it would be more convenient to solve it by substitution or elimination. Explain your answer.
1. \(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{3 x+8 y=40} \\ {7 x-4 y=-32}\end{array}\right.\) Since both equations are in standard form, using elimination will be most convenient. 2. \(\left\{\begin{array}{l}{5 x+6 y=12} \\ {y=\frac{2}{3} x-1}\end{array}\right.\) Since one equation is already solved for y, using substitution will be most convenient. Exercise \(\PageIndex{29}\)For each system of linear equations, decide whether it would be more convenient to solve it by substitution or elimination. Explain your answer.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{30}\)For each system of linear equations, decide whether it would be more convenient to solve it by substitution or elimination. Explain your answer.
Key Concepts
How do you solve a system with elimination?To Solve a System of Equations by Elimination. Write both equations in standard form. ... . Make the coefficients of one variable opposites. ... . Add the equations resulting from Step 2 to eliminate one variable.. Solve for the remaining variable.. Substitute the solution from Step 4 into one of the original equations.. What is the elimination method in Algebra 1?The elimination method is where you actually eliminate one of the variables by adding the two equations. In this way, you eliminate one variable so you can solve for the other variable. In a two-equation system, since you have two variables, eliminating one makes the process of solving for the other quite easy.
What is elimination method Class 8?Hint: In elimination method, we eliminate one of the variables using the given pair of equations. For that, multiply the equations with suitable numbers so as to make the coefficients same. If the coefficients are of the same sign, then subtract one from another and if they are of different sign, add both of them.
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