2xl+4x2-10x3=-2 3xl+9x2-2lx3=0 1xl+5x2-12x3=1The idea is to end up with a matrix that looks like this: where there are numbers where the 's are Divide row 1 by 2 to get a 1 in the upper left corner Get a 0 under it by multiplying row 1 by -3 and adding it to row 2 getting Then replace row 2 by that Get a 0 in the lower left by multiplying row 1 by -1 and adding it to row 3 getting Then replace row 3 by that Get a 1 where the first 3 on the second row is by dividing the second row through by 3 Get a 0 where the 3 is on the bottom row by multiplying row 2 by -3 and adding it to row 3 getting Then replace row 3 by that Now divide the bottom row through by -1 to get a 1, and you have the final matrix: That means: 1x1 + 2x2 - 5x3 = -1 0x1 + 1x2 - 2x3 = 1 0x1 + 0x2 + 1x3 = 1 or simplifying, x1 + 2x2 - 5x3 = -1 x2 - 2x3 = 1 x3 = 1 Substitute 1 for x3 in the middle equation: x2 - 2x3 = 1 x2 - 2(1) = 1 x2 - 2 = 1 x2 = 3 Substitute 1 for x3 and 3 for x1 in the top equation: x1 + 2x2 - 5x3 = -1 x1 + 2(3) - 5(1) = -1 x1 + 6 - 5 = -1 x1 + 1 = -1 x1 = -2 Solution: (x1,x2,x3) = (-2,3,1) Edwin