Line up the equations like this: 2u - 3v = 13 3v + w = -3 4u - w = 2 Eliminate w by adding the second and 3rd equations: 3v + w = -3 4u - w = 2 ----------------- 4u + 3v = -1 Solve the system consisting of this equation and the first original equation: 4u + 3v = -1 2u - 3v = 13 Eliminate v by adding these equations: 4u + 3v = -1 2u - 3v = 13 ------------ 6u = 12 u = 2 Substitute that in 2u - 3v = 13 2(2) - 3v = 13 4 - 3v = 13 -3v = 9 v = -3 Substitute that in 3v + w = -3 3(-3) + w = -3 -9 + w = -3 w = 6 (u, v, w) = (2, -3, 6) Edwin