Since y is already eliminated from the middle equation, eliminate y from the first and third equations by multiplying the third one by 3, and adding term by term: 2x - 3y - 9z = -24 -9x + 3y - 12z = -18 -------------------- -7x - 21z = -42 Let's divide that through by -7 x + 3z = 6 That's the same as the 2nd equation, so it is a dependent system. Solve that for x: x = 6 - 3z Substitute that in either of the other two original equations. I'll pick the first one: -3x + y - 4z = -6 -3(6 - 3z) + y - 4z = -6 -18 + 9z + y - 4z = -6 -18 + 5z + y = -6 y = 12 - 5z Solution: (x, y, z) = (6 - 3z, 12 - 5z, z) Edwin