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| Question 55821:  2a-5b+c=5
 3a+2b-c=17
 4a+3b+2c=17
 Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! 2a - 5b + c = 5 3a + 2b - c = 17
 4a + 3b + 2c = 17
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 If we mult the 1st eq by -1 we can eliminate c from all three equation:
 -2a + 5b - c = -5
 3a + 2b - c = 17
 4a + 3b + 2c = 17
 ---------------------add
 5a + 10b = 29
 :
 Adding the 1st and 2nd equations eliminates c also:
 2a - 5b + c = 5
 3a + 2b - c = 17
 -------------------add
 5a - 3b = 22
 :
 WE have two equations with two unknowns a & b
 5a + 10b = 29
 5a -  3b = 22
 --------------- subtract
 13b = 7
 b = 7/13
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 Find a using the equation 5a - 10b = 29, substitute 5/13 for b
 5a + 10(7/13) = 29
 5a +  70/13 = 29
 5a = 377/13 - 70/13, (converted 29 to 13th)
 5a = 307/13
 a = (307/13) / 5
 a = 307/65
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 Find c using the 1st equation, 2a - 5b + c = 5, substitute for a & b
 2(307/65) - 5(7/13) + c = 5
 :
 614/65 - 5(35/65) + c = 5; convert 7/13 to 65th
 :
 614/65 - 175/65 + c = 5
 :
 439/65 + c = 5
 :
 c = 325/65 - 439/65; converted 5 to 65th
 :
 c = -114/65
 :
 So we end up with these nasty fractions (the guy who dreamed this up must be a sadist)
 a = 307/65; b = 7/13; c = -114/65
 :
 Because of the tremendous opportunity for error here, I check these solutions using the matrix feature on the TI*83 and got the decimal equivalent for each one of these fractions.
 
 
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