Concept

Cramer's Rule for a System of Two Linear Equations

For a system of two linear equations in the standard form {a1x+b1y=k1a2x+b2y=k2\left\{\begin{array}{l}a_1x+b_1y=k_1\\a_2x+b_2y=k_2\end{array}\right., Cramer's Rule states that the solution (x,y)(x, y) can be calculated using determinants: x=DxDx = \frac{D_x}{D} and y=DyDy = \frac{D_y}{D}. To use this method, you must first evaluate three specific determinants. The determinant DD is formed using only the coefficients of the variables: D=a1b1a2b2D = \begin{vmatrix} a_1 & b_1 \\ a_2 & b_2 \end{vmatrix}. The determinant DxD_x is formed by substituting the constants k1k_1 and k2k_2 in place of the xx coefficients: Dx=k1b1k2b2D_x = \begin{vmatrix} k_1 & b_1 \\ k_2 & b_2 \end{vmatrix}. Similarly, the determinant DyD_y is formed by substituting the constants in place of the yy coefficients: Dy=a1k1a2k2D_y = \begin{vmatrix} a_1 & k_1 \\ a_2 & k_2 \end{vmatrix}.

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Updated 2026-04-29

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Ch.4 Systems of Linear Equations - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

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