2x - 2y - 4z = -2 3x - 3y - 6z = -3 -2x + 3y + z = 7 It is true that if you try to eliminate any variable in 1&2 everything cancels out. This means there are infinitely many solutions, but we can still find the general solution. So try to eliminate a letter using 2&3. Notice that the y's will cancel if you add 2&3 as they are: 3x - 3y - 6z = -3 -2x + 3y + z = 7 ------------------ x - 5z = 4 So solve for x: x = 4 + 5z Substitute 4 + 5z for x in either 1 or 2. I'll pick 1 2x - 2y - 4z = -2 2(4+5z) - 2y - 4z = -2 8 + 10z - 2y - 4z = -2 8 + 6z - 2y = -2 Solve for y: -2y = -10 - 6z y =- y = 5 + 3z So the general solution is x = 4 + 5z, y = 5 + 3z, z = z often written as a 3D point: (x, y, z) = (4+5z, 5+3z, z) There are infinitely many solutions. To get some of them, substitute arbitrary values for z: Substitute, say, 1 for z: (x, y, z) = (4+5z, 5+3z, z) = (4+5·1, 5+3·1, z) = (9, 8, 1) Substitute, say, -2 for z: (x, y, z) = (4+5z, 5+3z, z) = (4+5·-2, 5+3·-2, z) = (4-10, 5-6, -2) = (-6, -1, -2) You can get as many different solutions as you like just by substituting arbitrary values for z. Edwin