Example

Example: Solving a System of Two Equations Using Cramer's Rule

Solve the system {2x+y=43x2y=6\left\{\begin{array}{l} 2x + y = -4 \\ 3x - 2y = -6 \end{array}\right. using Cramer's rule. First, evaluate the determinant DD using the coefficients of the variables: D=2132=(2)(2)(1)(3)=7D = \begin{vmatrix} 2 & 1 \\ 3 & -2 \end{vmatrix} = (2)(-2) - (1)(3) = -7. Next, evaluate DxD_x by replacing the xx coefficients with the constants 4-4 and 6-6: Dx=4162=(4)(2)(1)(6)=14D_x = \begin{vmatrix} -4 & 1 \\ -6 & -2 \end{vmatrix} = (-4)(-2) - (1)(-6) = 14. Then, evaluate DyD_y by replacing the yy coefficients with the constants: Dy=2436=(2)(6)(4)(3)=0D_y = \begin{vmatrix} 2 & -4 \\ 3 & -6 \end{vmatrix} = (2)(-6) - (-4)(3) = 0. Now, find xx and yy using the formulas: x=DxD=147=2x = \frac{D_x}{D} = \frac{14}{-7} = -2 and y=DyD=07=0y = \frac{D_y}{D} = \frac{0}{-7} = 0. Write the solution as the ordered pair (2,0)(-2, 0). Finally, check the solution in both original equations to verify it is correct.

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Updated 2026-04-28

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