Here is a system of equations in standard form:
2x + 3y = 4
x + 2y = 1
Standard form means Ax + By= C
in the first equation A is 2, B is 3 and C is 4
in the second equation A is 1, B is 2 and C is 1
to do elinination our objective is to get the the number that is A or B to be the same number on top and bottom but one of them have the opposite sign so that when we add the two equations, that variable will drop out. This will leave an equation with only one variable that can now be solved for an actual value. Then we will place that value into either of the two originakl equations and solve for the other variable. Thus we will achieve a value for both x and y which will be the point where the two lines cross. Thus we will have the solution for the system of equations which will be a point (x,y)
If we multiply the entire second equation by -2 we will have
-2(x + 2y = 1)
which becomes: -2x -4y = -2 now we add this to the first equation:
2x + 3y = 4
+ -2x -4y = -2
_____________
-y = 2 Therefore y=-2
substitute this into eithe of the two original equations and:
2x + 3(-2) = 4
2x – 6 = 4
+6 +6
____________
2x = 10
2x/2 = 10/2
x = 5
So the point that satisfies both equations is (5,-2) which is the poind where both lines cross.
