document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=120417>Question 120417</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> How can I solve  3a + 5b = 31    <BR>\n" );
document.write( "                 7a + 5b = 59   \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Using elimination? (or linear combination method)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Thanks!<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #88251 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=88251\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> note: I'm going to use x and y instead of a and b\r<BR>\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%2B5%2Ay=31 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2Ax%2B5%2Ay=31\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=7%2Ax%2B5%2Ay=59 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"7%2Ax%2B5%2Ay=59\"   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 7 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 7 is 21, we need to multiply both sides of the top equation by 7 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=7%2A%283%2Ax%2B5%2Ay%29=%2831%29%2A7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"7%2A%283%2Ax%2B5%2Ay%29=%2831%29%2A7\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Multiply the top equation (both sides) by 7<BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-3%2A%287%2Ax%2B5%2Ay%29=%2859%29%2A-3 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-3%2A%287%2Ax%2B5%2Ay%29=%2859%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=21%2Ax%2B35%2Ay=217 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"21%2Ax%2B35%2Ay=217\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-21%2Ax-15%2Ay=-177 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-21%2Ax-15%2Ay=-177\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  Notice how 21 and -21 add to zero (ie <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=21%2B-21=0 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"21%2B-21=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=%2821%2Ax-21%2Ax%29%2B%2835%2Ay-15%2Ay%29=217-177 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%2821%2Ax-21%2Ax%29%2B%2835%2Ay-15%2Ay%29=217-177\"   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=%2821-21%29%2Ax%2B%2835-15%29y=217-177 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%2821-21%29%2Ax%2B%2835-15%29y=217-177\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=cross%2821%2B-21%29%2Ax%2B%2835-15%29%2Ay=217-177 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"cross%2821%2B-21%29%2Ax%2B%2835-15%29%2Ay=217-177\"   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=20%2Ay=40 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"20%2Ay=40\"   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=40%2F20 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=40%2F20\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Divide both sides by <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=20 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"20\"   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=2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=2\"   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%2B5%2Ay=31 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2Ax%2B5%2Ay=31\"   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%2B5%282%29=31 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2Ax%2B5%282%29=31\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Plug in <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y=2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=2\"   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%2B10=31 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2Ax%2B10=31\"   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=31-10 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2Ax=31-10\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > Subtract <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=10 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"10\"   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=21 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2Ax=21\"   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=%2821%29%281%2F3%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"cross%28%281%2F3%29%283%29%29%2Ax=%2821%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=7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=7\"   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=7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x=7\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=y=2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"y=2\"   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=7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"7\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >, <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"2\"   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%2B5%2Ay=31 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2Ax%2B5%2Ay=31\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "  <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=7%2Ax%2B5%2Ay=59 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"7%2Ax%2B5%2Ay=59\"   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+-17%2C+17%2C+-12%2C+12%2C%0D%0A++++graph%28+500%2C+600%2C+-17%2C+17%2C+-12%2C+12%2C+%2831-3%2Ax%29%2F5%2C+%2859-7%2Ax%29%2F5+%29%2C%0D%0A++++blue%28++circle%28+7%2C+2%2C+0.226666666666667+%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%2B5%2Ay=31 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2Ax%2B5%2Ay=31\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > (red) <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=7%2Ax%2B5%2Ay=59 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"7%2Ax%2B5%2Ay=59\"   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=7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"7\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >,<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >). This verifies our answer.</TD></TR>\n" );
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