document.write( "Question 159260: I have a substitution problem that I would like help with, please (I have a test tomorrow).\r
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document.write( "x + y + z = 3
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document.write( "3x + 3y + 3z = 10
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document.write( "x - 3y + 4z = 6\r
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document.write( "I know that I could start by solving for x in the third equation:
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document.write( "x = 3y - 4z +6\r
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document.write( "I can also solve for y in the first equation: y = 3 - x - z
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document.write( "I could then substitute y in the second and third equation:
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document.write( "x + 3 - x - z + z = 3 but this makes all variables 0
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document.write( "x - 3(3 - x - z) + 4z = 6 x - 9 + 3x + 3z + 4z = 3 4x + 7z = 12\r
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document.write( "Now I'm stuck. Thank you! \n" );
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Algebra.Com's Answer #117400 by Alan3354(69443)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! I have a substitution problem that I would like help with, please (I have a test tomorrow). \n" ); document.write( "x + y + z = 3 \n" ); document.write( "3x + 3y + 3z = 10 \n" ); document.write( "x - 3y + 4z = 6 \n" ); document.write( "I know that I could start by solving for x in the third equation: \n" ); document.write( "x = 3y - 4z +6 \n" ); document.write( "I can also solve for y in the first equation: y = 3 - x - z \n" ); document.write( "I could then substitute y in the second and third equation: \n" ); document.write( "x + 3 - x - z + z = 3 but this makes all variables 0 \n" ); document.write( "x - 3(3 - x - z) + 4z = 6 x - 9 + 3x + 3z + 4z = 3 4x + 7z = 12 \n" ); document.write( "Now I'm stuck. Thank you! \n" ); document.write( "---------------- \n" ); document.write( "The best approach is to solve for one variable, then sub into the other 2 eqns. The result will be 2 eqns in 2 variables. Then sub for one of those. \n" ); document.write( "------------------ \n" ); document.write( "x + y + z = 3 \n" ); document.write( "3x + 3y + 3z = 10 \n" ); document.write( "x - 3y + 4z = 6 \n" ); document.write( "I know that I could start by solving for x in the third equation: \n" ); document.write( "x = 3y - 4z +6 \n" ); document.write( "-------------- \n" ); document.write( "Now sub for x in the other 2 eqns \n" ); document.write( "x + y + z = 3 \n" ); document.write( "3x + 3y + 3z = 10 \n" ); document.write( "--------------- \n" ); document.write( "3y-4z+6 + y + z = 3 \n" ); document.write( "3(3y-4z+6) +3y +3z = 10 \n" ); document.write( "Collect terms \n" ); document.write( "4y - 3z = -3 \n" ); document.write( "12y -9z = -8 \n" ); document.write( "Solve the 1st for y \n" ); document.write( "y = (-3+3z)/4 \n" ); document.write( "Sub into the 2nd \n" ); document.write( "12((-3+3z))/4 - 9z = -8 \n" ); document.write( "-9 + 9z - 9z = -8 \n" ); document.write( "-9 = -8 This means there's no solution. \n" ); document.write( "If you look at the 1st and 2nd original eqns, all 3 variables in the 2nd are 3 times in the 1st, so there are actually 2 eqns (with an inconsistency) in 3 unknowns. There is no one solution, there are an infinite number of solutions.\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " |