Big Ideas Math: Modeling Real Life, Grade 8
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3. Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Elimination
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Exercise 9 Page 216

The Elimination Method can be used to solve a system of linear equations if either of the variable terms would cancel out the corresponding variable term in the other equation when added together.

(2,1)

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To solve a system of linear equations using the Elimination Method, one of the variable terms needs to be eliminated when one equation is added to or subtracted from the other. This means that either the x- or the y-terms must cancel each other out. x+3 y=5 & (I) - x- y=-3 & (II) We can see that the x-terms will eliminate each other if we add Equation (I) to Equation (II).
x+3y=5 - x-y=-3
x+3y=5 - x-y+( x+3y)=-3+ 5
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(II):Solve for y
x+3y=5 - x-y+x+3y=-3+5
x+3y=5 2y=2
x+3y=5 2y/2=2/2
x+3y=5 2/2 * y=2/2
x+3y=5 1 * y=1
x+3y=5 y=1
Now we can solve for x by substituting the value of y into either equation and simplifying.
x+3y=5 y=1
x+3( 1)=5 y=1
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(I):Solve for x
x+3=5 y=1
x+3-3=5-3 y=1
x=2 y=1
The solution, or point of intersection, of the system of equations is (2,1). To check this solution, we will substitute it back into the given system and simplify. If doing so results in true statements for every equation in the system, our solution is correct.
x+3y=5 - x-y=-3

(I), (II): x= 2, y= 1

2+3( 1) ? = 5 - 2- 1 ? = -3
2+3 ? = 5 -2-1 ? = -3

(I), (II): Add and subtract terms

5 = 5 âś“ -3 = -3 âś“