(1) x + y - z = 3 (2) x - 3y + 2z = -2 (3) 3x + y - 3z = -1 1. Pick 2 equations and a letter to eliminate from them I will pick (1) and (2) and the letter y to eliminate from them. (1) x + y - z = 3 (2) x - 3y + 2z = -2 I will multiply (1) by 3 to make the term +y into +3y so it will cancel with the -3y in (2) whe we add them term by term vertically: 3x + 3y - 3z = 9 (2) x - 3y + 2z = -2 (4) 4x - z = 7 2. Pick a different pair of equations and eliminate the same letter from them that you elimenated before. I will pick (1) and (3) this time and eliminate y from them: (1) x + y - z = 3 (3) 3x + y - 3z = -1 I will multiply (1) by -1 to make the term +y into -y so it will cancel with the -y in (3) whe we add them term by term vertically -x - y + z = -3 (3) 3x + y - 3z = -1 (5) 2x - 2z = -4 Now take (4) and (5) together: (4) 4x - z = 7 (5) 2x - 2z = -4 I will multiply (5) by -2 to make the term 2x into -4x so it will cancel with the 4x in (4) when we add them term by term vertically (4) 4x - z = 7 -4x + 4z = 8 3z = 15 z = 5 Substitute 5 for z in (4) 4x - (5) = 7 4x = 12 x = 3 Substitute 3 for x and 5 for z in (1): (1) x + y - z = 3 3 + y - 5 = 3 y - 2 = 3 y = 5 Solution (x,y,z) = (3,5,5) Edwin