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Australia
Year 10

2.09 The elimination method

Lesson

Introduction

In order to solve two equations with multiple variables simultaneously, we need a way to combine the information in both equations into a single equation with only one variable.

The  substitution method  achieves this by setting the values of the variables to be equal across both equations and then substituting the value of one variable into the other.

Another way to achieve this is using the elimination method, which takes a combination of the two equations such that all but one variable is eliminated.

Elimination method

Combining equations relies on the fact that the left and right-hand sides of any given equation are equal. Because they are equal, we can make expressions out of the two equations that still hold true.

For example: if we know that:

  • Equation 1: a=b

  • Equation 2: c=d

Then we can combine these two equations to also know that:

  • Equation 1 \,+\, Equation 2: a+c=b+d

  • Equation 1 \,-\, Equation 2: a-c=b-d

We made these two new equations by adding or subtracting one equation from the other.

We can also take multiples of equations before combining them. As such, these equations must also hold true:

  • 3\, \times Equation 1\,-\, 4\, \times Equation 2: 3a-4c=3b-4d

  • \dfrac{1}{2}\, \times Equation 1 \,+ \,3\, \times Equation 2: \dfrac{1}{2}a+3c=\dfrac{1}{2}b+3d

To solve equations simultaneously, we want to combine equations such that the new equation only has one variable.

Examples

Example 1

For two numbers, x and y:

  • two times the first number is added to the second number to get 27, and

  • the difference between five times the first number and the second number is 43.

We want to find the values of these two numbers.

a

Set up two equations by letting x and y be the two numbers. Use x as the first of the two numbers.

Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Write the mathematical phrases as equations.

Apply the idea

From the first statement we get:

\displaystyle 2x+y\displaystyle =\displaystyle 27Equation 1

From the second statement we get:

\displaystyle 5x-y\displaystyle =\displaystyle 43Equation 2
b

Solve for x by eliminating the y-terms.

Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Add the equations to eliminate y.

Apply the idea
\displaystyle 2x+y\displaystyle =\displaystyle 27Equation 1
\displaystyle 5x-y\displaystyle =\displaystyle 43Equation 2
\displaystyle 7x\displaystyle =\displaystyle 70Add the equations
\displaystyle x\displaystyle =\displaystyle 10Divide both sides by 7
c

Solve for y.

Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Substitute x=10 into Equation 1.

Apply the idea
\displaystyle 2\times 10+y\displaystyle =\displaystyle 27Substitute x=10 into Equation 1
\displaystyle 20+y\displaystyle =\displaystyle 27Evaluate the multiplication
\displaystyle y\displaystyle =\displaystyle 7Subtract 20 from both sides
Idea summary

To solve equations simultaneously, we want to combine equations such that the new equation only has one variable.

If the coefficient of the variable we want to eliminate in both equations has the same value but different sign, we can add the equations to eliminate the variable.

If the coefficients of the variable we want to eliminate in both equations had the same value and the same sign, we can subtract the equations to eliminate the variable.

Elimination with multiplication

However, not every pair of equations will have coefficients that nicely match up for easy elimination of variables. In some cases, we will need to also multiply the equations before combining them.

Examples

Example 2

Given the following equations, we want to solve for x and y using the elimination method.

Equation 112x+3y=-30
Equation 210x-6y=-76
a

Notice that Equation 1 has a 3y term and Equation 2 has a -6y term. How can we combine the equations to eliminate the y-terms?

A
Equation 1 -2\, \times Equation 2
B
2\,\times Equation 1 - Equation 2
C
2\,\times Equation 1 + Equation 2
D
Equation 1 + Equation 2
Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Find a linear combination of 3y and -6y which is equal to zero.

Apply the idea

In Equation 1, the coefficient of y is 3.

In Equation 2, the coefficient of y is -6.

Since -6 is two times the negative of 3, we can add Equation 2 to two times Equation 1 to eliminate the y-terms. So the correct answer is C.

b

Solve for x by adding Equation 2 to 2 times Equation 1.

Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Our new left-hand-side will be equal to 2 times the left-hand-side of Equation 1 plus the left-hand-side of Equation 2. We can find the right-hand-side of our new equation in the same way.

Apply the idea

The left-hand-side of the new equation will be 2\left(12x+3y\right)+10x-6y.

The right-hand-side of the new equation will be -2\times 30-76.

\displaystyle 2\left(12x+3y\right)+10x-6y\displaystyle =\displaystyle -2\times 30-76Write both equations
\displaystyle 24x+6y+10x-6y\displaystyle =\displaystyle -60-76Perform the multiplication
\displaystyle 34x\displaystyle =\displaystyle -136Combine like terms
\displaystyle x\displaystyle =\displaystyle -4Divide both sides by 34
c

Substitute x=-4 into either of the equations and solve for y.

Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Substitute x=-4 into Equation 1.

Apply the idea
\displaystyle 12(-4)+3y\displaystyle =\displaystyle -30Substitute x=-4
\displaystyle -48+3y\displaystyle =\displaystyle -30Perform the multiplication
\displaystyle 3y\displaystyle =\displaystyle 18Add 48 to both sides
\displaystyle y\displaystyle =\displaystyle 6Divide both sides by 3
Idea summary

In some cases, we will need to multiply one or both equations before combining them to eliminate one of the variables.

Outcomes

ACMNA237

Solve linear simultaneous equations, using algebraic and graphical techniques, including using digital technology

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