ELIMINATION METHOD

Elimination Method :

In this section, we will learn, how to solve system of equations using elimination method. 

Elimination Method - Steps

In the given linear equations we can eliminate any one of the variables.

The flow chart given below represents, what are the steps to be done in this method.

Elimination Method - Examples

Example 1 :

Solve by elimination method. 

3x + 4y  =  -25

2x - 3y  =  6

Solution :

3x + 4y  =  -25 ---- (1)

2x - 3y  =  6  ---- (2)

Both x terms and y terms have different coefficients in the above system of equations.

Let's try to make the coefficients of y terms equal.

To make the coefficients of y terms equal, we have to find the least common multiple 4 and 3.

The least common multiple of 4 and 3 is 12.

Multiply the first equation by 3 in order to make the coefficient of y as 12 and multiply the second equation by 4 in order to make the coefficient of y as -12. 

(1) ⋅ 3 ---->  9x + 12y  =  -75

(2) ⋅ 4 ---->  8x - 12y  =  24

Now, we can add the two equations and eliminate y as shown below. 

Divide each side by 17. 

x  =  -3

Substitute -3 for x in (1). 

(1)---->  3(-3) + 4y  =  -25

-9 + 4y  =  -25

Add 9 to each side.

4y  =  -16

Divide each side by 4.

y  =  -4

So, the values of x and y are -3 and -4 respectively.

Example 2 :

Solve by elimination method

2x + 3y  =  5

3x + 4y  =  7

Solution :

2x + 3y  =  5  ----(1)

3x + 4y  =  7  ----(2)

Both x terms and y terms have different coefficients in the above system of equations.

Let's try to make the coefficients of x terms equal.

To make the coefficients of y terms equal, we have to find the least common multiple 2 and 3.

The least common multiple of 2 and 3 is 6.

Multiply the first equation by 3 in order to make the coefficient of x as 6 and multiply the second equation by -2 in order to make the coefficient of x as -6. 

(1) ⋅ 3 ---->  6x + 9y  =  15

(2) ⋅ -2 ----> -6x - 8y  =  -14

Now, we can add the two equations and eliminate x as shown below. 

Substitute 1 for y in (1). 

(1)---->  2x + 3(1)  =  5

2x + 3  =  5

Subtract 3 from each side. 

2x  =  2

Divide each side by 2.

x  =  1

So, the values of x and y are 1 and 1 respectively.

Example 3 : 

A park charges $10 for adults and $5 for kids. How many many adults tickets and kids tickets were sold, if a total of 548 tickets were sold for a total of $3750 ? 

Solution : 

Step 1 :

Let "x" be the number of adults tickets and "y" be the number of kids tickets.

No. of adults tickets + No. of kids tickets  =  Total

x + y  =  548 ----(1)

Step 2 : 

Write an equation which represents the total cost.

Cost of "x" no. adults tickets  =  10x

Cost of "y" no. of kids tickets  =  5y

Total cost  =  $3750

Then, we have 

10x + 5y  =  3750

 Divide both sides by 5.

2x + y  =  750 ----(2)

Step 3 :

Solve (1) and (2) using elimination method. 

x + y  =  548 ----(1)

2x + y  =  750 ----(2)

In the above two equations, y is having the same coefficient, that is 1. 

Multiply the first equation by -1 to get the coefficient of -1. And keep the second equation as it is. 

Then, we have 

-x - y  =  - 548

2x + y  =  750

We can add the above two equations and eliminate y. 

Then, we have

x  =  202

Step 4 : 

Substitute 202 for x in the first equation.

(1)---->  202 + y  =  548

Subtract 202 from each side.

y  =  306

So, the number of adults tickets sold is 202 and the number of kids tickets sold is 346.

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