10 ACADEMIC MATH

Day 8 The Method of Elimination 2

LESSON NOTES

THE METHOD OF ELIMINATION 2

Sometimes we have to change both equations in order to eliminate a
variable.
Example
Solve the linear system. (Meaning find the values of a and b)
j 3a + 2b = 3
k 2a 5b = -36
Solution
Neither a nor b has the same coefficient. You can pick any
variable you like, yet picking the variable with the smaller coefficient
might be easier.
The least common multiple of 3a and 2a is 6a. (2 x 3 = 6). Multiply
equation j by 2, and equation k by 3.
j 2(3a + 2b) = 2(3)
k 3(2a 5b) = 3(-36)

Multiply both sides by 2

Apply distributive property

j 6a + 4b = 6
k 6a -15b = -108
therefore, j - k

The coefficients have the same sign;

j
6a + 4b = 6
k - 6a -15b = -108
6a 6a + 4b +15b = 6 + 108
19b = 114
b = 6
The value of b can now be substituted into either of the original
equations to find the value of a. Lets pick equation j since you deal
with smaller numbers.
j 3a + 2b = 3
3a + 2(6) = 3
3a + 12 = 3
3a = 3 12
3a = -9
a = -3
Therefore the solution (x,y) is (-3, 6)
Check (-3, 6)
j 3a + 2b = 3
k 2a 5b = -36

LS: 3(-3) + 2(6) = -9 + 12 = 3

LS: 2(-3) 5(6) = -6 30 = -36

RS: 3
RS: -36

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10 ACADEMIC MATH
Day 8 The Method of Elimination 2

LESSON NOTES

Example (Involving fractions)

Solve the linear system.
j 2x + 3y = 3
k 4x 15y = -9
Solution
Multiply the equation j by 5 so that the coefficients of y will be
equal in both equations.
j 5(2x + 3y) = 5(3)
k 4x 15y = -9
Add equations j and k to eliminate y variable.
j 10x + 15y = 15
k + 4x 15y = -91
14x = 6
x = 6/14
x = 3/7
Sub 3/7 for x into either of the original equations. Lets go with the
first one because its easier to work with smaller numbers.
j 2x + 3y = 3
2(3/7) + 3y = 3
6/7 + 3y = 3
3y = 3 6/7
3y = 15/7
y = 5/7
Therefore, the solution is (x, y) = (3/7, 5/7)

Check (3/7, 5/7)

j 2x + 3y = 3
LS: 2(3/7) + 3(5/7) = 6/7 +15/7 = 21/7 = 3

RS: 3

k 4x 15y = -9
LS: 4(3/7) 15(5/7) = 12/7 75/7 = -63/7 = -9

RS: -9

Work on p.40 #7d, 8-10, 13, 15, and 17.

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