document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=111728>Question 111728</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Use elimination to solve:  3x-y=15<BR>\n" );
document.write( "                           5x+y=9 </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #81513 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=jim_thompson5910><B>jim_thompson5910(35256)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=jim_thompson5910><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=81513\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <TABLE  BORDER=1>\n" );
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document.write( " <TR><TD  ALIGN=MIDDLE>Solved by <A  rel=nofollow HREF=http://wiki.algebra.com/index.php/Tutoring_-_pluggable_solvers>pluggable</A> solver: <A  rel=nofollow HREF=solving_linear_system_by_elimination.solver>Solving a System of Linear Equations by Elimination/Addition</A></TD></TR>\n" );
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document.write( "  Lets start with the given system of linear equations<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3%2Ax-1%2Ay=15 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2Ax-1%2Ay=15\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=5%2Ax%2B1%2Ay=9 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"5%2Ax%2B1%2Ay=9\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  In order to solve for one variable, we must eliminate the other variable. So if we wanted to solve for y, we would have to eliminate x (or vice versa).<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  So lets eliminate x. In order to do that, we need to have both x coefficients that are equal but have opposite signs (for instance 2 and -2 are equal but have opposite signs). This way they will add to zero.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  So to make the x coefficients equal but opposite, we need to multiply both x coefficients by some number to get them to an equal number. So if we wanted to get 3 and 5 to some equal number, we could try to get them to the LCM.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  Since the LCM of 3 and 5 is 15, we need to multiply both sides of the top equation by 5 and multiply both sides of the bottom equation by -3 like this:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=5%2A%283%2Ax-1%2Ay%29=%2815%29%2A5 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"5%2A%283%2Ax-1%2Ay%29=%2815%29%2A5\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Multiply the top equation (both sides) by 5<BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-3%2A%285%2Ax%2B1%2Ay%29=%289%29%2A-3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-3%2A%285%2Ax%2B1%2Ay%29=%289%29%2A-3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Multiply the bottom equation (both sides) by -3<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  So after multiplying we get this:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=15%2Ax-5%2Ay=75 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"15%2Ax-5%2Ay=75\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-15%2Ax-3%2Ay=-27 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-15%2Ax-3%2Ay=-27\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  Notice how 15 and -15 add to zero (ie <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=15%2B-15=0 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"15%2B-15=0\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  Now add the equations together. In order to add 2 equations, group like terms and combine them<BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%2815%2Ax-15%2Ax%29-5%2Ay-3%2Ay%29=75-27 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%2815%2Ax-15%2Ax%29-5%2Ay-3%2Ay%29=75-27\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%2815-15%29%2Ax-5-3%29y=75-27 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%2815-15%29%2Ax-5-3%29y=75-27\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=cross%2815%2B-15%29%2Ax%2B%28-5-3%29%2Ay=75-27 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"cross%2815%2B-15%29%2Ax%2B%28-5-3%29%2Ay=75-27\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Notice the x coefficients add to zero and cancel out. This means we've eliminated x altogether.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  So after adding and canceling out the x terms we're left with:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-8%2Ay=48 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-8%2Ay=48\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y=48%2F-8 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=48%2F-8\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Divide both sides by <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-8 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-8\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > to solve for y<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y=-6 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=-6\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Reduce<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  Now plug this answer into the top equation <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3%2Ax-1%2Ay=15 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2Ax-1%2Ay=15\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > to solve for x<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3%2Ax-1%28-6%29=15 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2Ax-1%28-6%29=15\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Plug in <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y=-6 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=-6\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3%2Ax%2B6=15 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2Ax%2B6=15\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Multiply<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3%2Ax=15-6 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2Ax=15-6\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Subtract <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=6 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"6\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > from both sides<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3%2Ax=9 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2Ax=9\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Combine the terms on the right side<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=cross%28%281%2F3%29%283%29%29%2Ax=%289%29%281%2F3%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"cross%28%281%2F3%29%283%29%29%2Ax=%289%29%281%2F3%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Multiply both sides by <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=1%2F3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"1%2F3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >. This will cancel out <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > on the left side.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Multiply the terms on the right side<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  So our answer is <BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x=3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y=-6 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=-6\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  which also looks like<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >, <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-6 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-6\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  Notice if we graph the equations (if you need help with graphing, check out this <a  rel=nofollow HREF=http://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/Linear-equations/graphing-linear-equations.solver>solver</a>)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3%2Ax-1%2Ay=15 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2Ax-1%2Ay=15\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=5%2Ax%2B1%2Ay=9 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"5%2Ax%2B1%2Ay=9\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  we get <BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%0D%0A++drawing%28+500%2C+600%2C+-13%2C+13%2C+-16%2C+16%2C%0D%0A++++graph%28+500%2C+600%2C+-13%2C+13%2C+-16%2C+16%2C+%2815-3%2Ax%29%2F-1%2C+%289-5%2Ax%29%2F1+%29%2C%0D%0A++++blue%28++circle%28+3%2C+-6%2C+0.173333333333333+%29+%29+%0D%0A++%29%0D%0A++ ALIGN=MIDDLE   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > graph of <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3%2Ax-1%2Ay=15 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2Ax-1%2Ay=15\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > (red) <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=5%2Ax%2B1%2Ay=9 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"5%2Ax%2B1%2Ay=9\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > (green) (hint: you may have to solve for y to graph these) and the intersection of the lines (blue circle).<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  and we can see that the two equations intersect at (<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-6 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-6\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >). This verifies our answer.</TD></TR>\n" );
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