How to Solve Systems of Equations by Elimination

Description

A detailed tutorial on how to solve systems of equations by elimination. Step by step tutorial including several examples of how to solve systems of equations by elimination for reference.

Overview

There are two different ways to solve systems of equations – substitution and elimination. We will focus on elimination. Elimination is when you want to add or subtract the equations from each other, and eliminate one of the variables that way. If one of the variables is already opposite (Example: -2x on the first equation and 2x on the second) then all we have to do is solve. It is more common for there to not be an opposite, and then we must create one by using multiplication on both the first and second equation. Once you add or subtract your equations, you should find that one variable has cancelled out, leaving you free to solve for the numerical value of the other one. Once you have this numerical value, plug it in for that variable in any of your original equations to find the value of the other variable.