Solving Systems of Equations in Two Variable - Elimination

 When you are done with this section, you will be able to do the following


For this lesson, we are focusing on the method of elimination. 

The idea behind the method of elimination is to add the two equations together to eliminate one of the variable.  This should leave an equation in one variable that can be solved.

The main steps of the graphing method are:
1.  multiply one equation by a number (if needed) (you can also multiply the other equation by a number, if needed)
2.  add the two equations together to eliminate one of the variables
3.  solve for the other variable
4.  take the number(s) from part 3, plug it in to either equation and solve for the remaining variable

The method of graphing can be used with both linear and non-linear equations.  This method is most often used with linear equations.


A good place to find information about solving systems of equations using the method of elimination is your text book (pages 450-451) in College Algebra 3rd edition by Stewart, Redlin, and Watson).
Additional Elimination Method On-line Resources:
Solving Systems of Equations - Elimination Homework:
The Solving Systems of Equations - Elimination Homework contains 6 problems.
Things to remember:
  • Solutions are points and must be written as ordered pairs.
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Homework examples:
Keep in mind that it is recommended that you also complete all the problems in the set called "also recommended" with the same number as the Solving Systems of Equations - Elimination Homework.  There are many different ways to ask the same questions.  This will allow you to see additional problems that are related to this topic.

© 2005 Elizabeth E. K. Jones and the ASU Department of Mathematics and Statistics - All rights reserved.