Systems of equations with three variables are only slightly more complicated to solve than those with two variables. The two most straightforward methods of solving these types of equations are by elimination and by using 3 × 3 matrices. To use elimination to solve a system of three equations with three variables, follow this procedure:
Example 1 Solve this system of equations using elimination.
All the equations are already in the required form. Choose a variable to eliminate, say x, and select two equations with which to eliminate it, say equations (1) and (2).
Select a different set of two equations, say equations (2) and (3), and eliminate the same variable.
Solve the system created by equations (4) and (5).
Now, substitute z = 3 into equation (4) to find y.
Use the answers from Step 4 and substitute into any equation involving the remaining variable. Using equation (2), Check the solution in all three original equations.
The solution is x = –1, y = 2, z = 3. Example 2 Solve this system of equations using the elimination method.
Write all equations in standard form.
Notice that equation (1) already has the y eliminated. Therefore, use equations (2) and (3) to eliminate y. Then use this result, together with equation (1), to solve for x and z. Use these results and substitute into either equation (2) or (3) to find y.
Substitute z = 3 into equation (1).
Substitute x = 4 and z = 3 into equation (2).
Use the original equations to check the solution (the check is left to you). The solution is x = 4, y = –2, z = 3. How do you solve system of equations by substitution?The method of substitution involves three steps: Solve one equation for one of the variables. Substitute (plug-in) this expression into the other equation and solve. Resubstitute the value into the original equation to find the corresponding variable.
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