Question 81531
First, subtract the first two equations, noticing that the L will subtract out:

M+L=10.6 
S+L=8.5 


M-S = 2.1

Next, you can add this equation to the third equation, and look what happens:

M-S= 2.1
S+M=6.1 


This gives you 2M = 8.2


Divide both sides by 2:
{{{2M=8.2}}}

{{{(2M)/2 = 8.2/2}}}
{{{M = 4.1}}}


Now, go back to the first equation, and substitute this value of M, in order to solve for L:

M+L=10.6 
4.1 + L = 10.6


Subtract 4.1 from each side:
L=10.6-4.1= 6.5


Finally, substitute L into the second equation:

S+L=8.5 
S + 6.5 = 8.5


Subtract 6.5 from each side:
S= 2.0.  


If you want to check this you can substitute the numbers into the third equation:


S+M=6.1+4.1 = 10.2


Did this check?  Yes!!


R^2 at SCC