Solving Systems of Equations

Using Elimination
Notes

Prac%ce:

Solve the systems of equa0ons below:

x + y = 3
x - y = 9

y = 3 x , y = x 9
3 x = x 9
12 = 2x
6 = x
y = -3

x + y = 3
x y = 9
2x + 0 = 12
2x = 12
x = 6
y = -3

Solving Systems of Equations Using Elimination

Elimination is another method we can use to solve
systems of equations.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Line up the equations in Standard Form

Add the equations (eliminating one variable)
Solve for the remaining variable
Substitute that value into either equation to solve for
the other variable
5. Check
2x + 3y = 5
-2x + 5y = 11
8y = 16
y=2
2x +3(2) = 5 x = - Solution: ( -, 2)

Zero Pair a pair of numbers whose sum is zero

Ex: 2 and -2
x and x
-12y and 12y

Standard Form: Another way of writing linear

equations (other than slope-intercept form)
ax + by = c
(a, b, and c are all integers)
Ex: 2x + 3y = 5
-17x + 4y = -18
3x + - 5y = 27

Prac%ce:

Solve the systems of equa0ons below:

6x y = 30
3x + y = 15
9x = 45
x = 5

3(5) + y = 15
y = 0

Solu%on: (5, 0)

Prac%ce
Direc0ons: Solve the systems of equa0ons using
Elimina0on. Beg: (1 - 4) Int: (2 - 5), Adv: (3 - 6)

1. x y = 3



2. 5x + y = -3
2x + y = 3


-x - y = 7

3. 4x y = 5



4. 6x 10y = 5
- x + y = 10

-6x + 9y = -3

5. 10x 8y = 2


6. x + 3y = 9
-10x - 15y = -25

-x + 2y = 6

Explore: Answers

1. (2, -1)
2. (1 , -8)
3. (5, 15)

4. (-2.5, -2)
5. (1, 1)
6. (0, 3)

Prac%ce:

Solve the systems of equa0ons below using elimina0on:

2x + y = 20
x + y = 15

2x + y = 20
-x + -y = -15
x = 5

(5) + y = 15
y = 10

Solu%on: (5, 10)

We need to create
a zero pair!

Creating Zero Pairs

Sometimes we need to create a zero pair by
modifying the coefficients of one, or both, equations
Multiply the entire equation by a value that would
create a zero pair.
Example:
2x + 3y = 5 multiply by two
x - 6y = 5
4x + 6y = 10
x 6y = 5
5x = 15,
x=3

Prac%ce:

Solve the systems of equa0ons below:

9x 2y = 10
-3x + 5y = 14 multiply by 3

9x 2y = 10
-9x + 15y = 42
13y = 52
y = 4
x = 2
Solu%on: (2, 4)