I'll do the second one only: 10X + Y + Z = 603 8X + 2Y + Z = 603 20X - 10Y - 2Z = -6 Pick any two equations and a letter to eliminate from them. I could pick any two equations and any letter, but you might as well pick the easiest letter to eliminate and the two easiest equations to eliminate it from. So I will pick the first two equations and eliminate Z from them by multiplying the first one by -1 and adding it to the second equations: 10X + Y + Z = 603 -8X - 2Y - Z = -603 ------------------- 2X - Y = 0 Now use one of those equations with the third equation and eliminate the same letter, Z. I'll multiply the first original equation by 2 and add it to the third equation to make the Z's cancel 16X + 4Y + 2Z = 1206 20X - 10Y - 2Z = -6 --------------------- 36X - 6Y = 1200 and we can divide that through by 6 to make it easier: 6X - Y = 200 Next we put those two resulting equations together: 2X - Y = 0 6X - Y = 200 Multiply the first one of those by -1 so the Y's will cancel: -2X + Y = 0 6X - Y = 200 ------------- 4X = 200 X = 50 Substitute X = 50 into either one of those equations. I'll pick the first one: -2X + Y = 0 -2(50) + Y = 0 -100 + Y = 0 Y = 100 Now you have two of the unknowns, so you pick any one of the original three equations and substitute those two values. I'll pick the second original equation: 8X + 2Y + Z = 603 8(50) + 2(100) + Z = 603 400 + 200 + Z = 603 600 + Z = 603 Z = 3 (X,Y,Z,) = (50,100,3) Edwin