Activity (Process)

Solving a System of Linear Equations with Three Variables by Elimination

To solve a system of linear equations with three variables using the elimination method, follow a systematic seven-step procedure. First, write all equations in standard form, clearing any fractional coefficients. Second, choose one variable to eliminate and use a pair of equations to do so by multiplying them to create opposite coefficients and adding them together. Third, select a different pair of equations and eliminate the exact same variable, which produces a second new equation. Fourth, take these two newly formed equations, which now represent a system of two equations with two variables, and solve them. Fifth, substitute the two found values back into one of the original three-variable equations to calculate the third variable. Sixth, express the final answer as an ordered triple. Seventh, verify the solution by checking that the ordered triple satisfies all three of the original equations.

0

1

Updated 2026-04-29

Contributors are:

Who are from:

Tags

OpenStax

Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

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

Algebra

Learn After