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Chapter 4 2

The document provides an example of solving a system of three linear equations in three variables using the elimination method. It works through the following steps: (1) choosing two equations to eliminate a variable, (2) choosing another pair of equations to eliminate the same variable, (3) solving the resulting two equations for the two remaining variables, (4) substituting values into the third equation to find the third variable, and (5) checking the solution. The example solves the system 3x – y + z = -15, x + 2y – z = 1, 2x + 3y – 2z = 0, finding the solution (-4, 2, -1).

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
335 views24 pages

Chapter 4 2

The document provides an example of solving a system of three linear equations in three variables using the elimination method. It works through the following steps: (1) choosing two equations to eliminate a variable, (2) choosing another pair of equations to eliminate the same variable, (3) solving the resulting two equations for the two remaining variables, (4) substituting values into the third equation to find the third variable, and (5) checking the solution. The example solves the system 3x – y + z = -15, x + 2y – z = 1, 2x + 3y – 2z = 0, finding the solution (-4, 2, -1).

Uploaded by

api-263209117
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Chapter 4.

2
Solving Systems of Linear
Equations in Three Variables

Objective

Solve a system of three linear equations in


three variables.

Linear Equations in Three Variables

An example of a linear equation in three


variables is:
3x y + z = -15
A solution of this equation is an ordered triple (x,y,z)
that makes the equation a true statement.
The graph of this solution is a plane in threedimensional space.

Graphing equations in three variables

We will
NOT
be graphing
equations
in three
variables!

Example 1

Solve:

3 x y z 15

x 2y z 1
2 x 3 y 2 z 0

Equation 1
Equation 2
Equation 3

Step 1: Add equations 1 and 2 to eliminate z


3x y + z = -15
x + 2y z = 1
4 x + y = -14 Equation 4

Example 1: Continued

Step 2: Add two other equations and eliminate


z again. To do so, multiply both sides of
equation (1) by 2 and add this resulting
equation to equation (3)

2(3x y + z) = 2(-15)
2x + 3y -2z = 0

Simplifies
to

6x 2y + 2z = -30
2x + 3y - 2z = 0
8 x + y = -30 Equation 5

Step 3

Solve equations (4) and (5) for x and y. To


solve by elimination, multiply both sides of
equation by (4) by -1 and add the resulting
equation to equation (5).

-1(4x + y) = -1 (-14)
8 x + y = -30

Simplifies
to

-4x y = 14
8x + y = -30
4 x = -16
x = -4

Step 4: Replace x with -4 in equation


4 or 5
4 x + y = -14
4 (-4) + y = -14
-16 + y = -14
y=2

Equation 4
Let x = -4

Step 5: Replace x with 4 and y with


2 in the equation 1, 2 or 3
x + 2y z = 1
-4 + 2(2) z = 1
-4 + 4 z = 1
-z = 1
z = -1

Equation 2

Check Solution : x = -4, y = 2, and z = -1


in all three equations of the system
Equation 1
3x y + z = -15
3(-4) (2) + (-1) = -15
-12 2 + -1 = -15
-15 = -15
True

Equation 2

Equation 3

x + 2y z = 1
2x + 3y 2z = 0
(-4) +2(2) (-1) = 1 2(-4) +3(2) 2(-1) = 0
-4 + 4 + 1 = 1
-8 + 6 + 2 = 0
1= 1
0=0
True
True

Solve the system:

2 x y 3z 13 Equation 1

x y z 2 Equation 2
3x 2 y 2 z 13
Equation 3

Step 1: Add Equations 1 and 2 to


eliminate y
2x y + 3z = 13
x + y z = -2
3 x + 2z = 11
Equation 4

Step 2: Add two other equations to


eliminate y again
-2x - 2y + 2z = 4 Eq. 2 mult by -2
3x + 2y + 2z = 13 Equation 3
x + 4z = 17
Equation 5

Step 3: Solve equations 4 and 5 for


Step 4: Substitute 4 for z in
x and y
equation 4 or 5
3x + 2z = 11 Equation 4
3x + 2(4) = 11
-3x -12 z = -51 Equation 5 mult by -3
3x + 8 = 11
-10 z = -40
3x = 3
z=4
x=1
Step 5: Replace x with 1 and z with 4 into either equation 1, 2 or 3
x + y z = -2
(1) + y (4) = -2
y 3 = -2
Solution (1, 1,
y=1

4)

Example 2: Solve the System


2 x 4 y 8 z 2

x 3 y z 11
x 2 y 4z 0

Equation 1
Equation 2
Equation 3

Step 1: Add equations 2 and 3 to eliminate x, and the new equation is


Equation 4
-5y + 5 z = 11

Step 2: To eliminate x again, multiply both sides of


equation (2) by 2, and add the resulting equation to
equation (1)
2x 4y + 8z = 2
-2x 6y + 2z = 22
-10 y + 10 z = 24 Equation 5

Step 3: Solve for y and z using equations (4) and


(5). Multiply both sides of equations (4) by -2
and add the resulting equation to equation (5).
-2(-5y + 5z) = -2(11)
-10 y + 10z = 24

Simplifies
to

10 y -10 z = -22
-10 y + 10 z = 24
0=2
False

Since the statement is false, this system is inconsistent


and has no solution.
The solution is an empty set { } or

The elimination method for linear


equations in three variables.

Step 1: Write each equation in standard form


Ax + By + Cz = D.
Step 2: Choose a pair of equations and use the equations to
eliminate a variable.
Step 3: Choose any other pair of equations and eliminate the
same variable as in Step 2.
Step 4: Two equations in two variables should be obtained
from Step 2 and Step 3.
Step 5: To solve for the third variable, substitute the values
of the variables found in Step 4 into any of the original
equations containing the third variable.
Step 6: Check the ordered triple solution in all three original
equations.

Give it a try!

Solve the system: 2 x 4 y 2 z 3

x y z 6
x 2y z 1

Answer in sidebar on page 230

Concept Check

In the system

x y z 6

2 x y z 3
x 2 y 3z 14

Equations (1) and (2) are used to eliminate y. Which


action could be used to best finish solving? Why?
a.
Use (1) and (2) to eliminate z
b.
Use (2) and (3) to eliminate y
c.
Use (1) and (3) to eliminate x
Answer at bottom of page 231

STOP! Example 3: Solve the system


1
2 x 4 y

4z 1
4 x

y 4z 3

Step 1: Notice that equation (2) has no term containing the variable y. Eliminate
y using equations (1) and (3)
2x + 4y
=1
-4(y 4z ) = -4(-3)

Simplifies
to

2x + 4y
=1
-4y + 16 z = 12
2x + 16 z = 13
Equation 4

Step 2: Solve for z using equations (4) and (2). Multiply both sides of equation (4)
by 2 and add the resulting equation to equation (2).
-2(2x + 16 z) = -2(13)
-4x 32 z = -26
4x - 4z = -1
4x - 4z = -1
-36 z = -27
z=

Example 3: Continued
Step 3: Replace z with in equation (3) and solve for y.
y 4 () = -3
y 3 = -3
y=0
Step 4: Replace y with 0 in equation (1) and solve for x.
2x + 4(0) = 1
2x = 1
x=
Step 5: Substitute the solutions into all three equations in the
system. ( , 0, )

Example 4: Solve the system Everyone


breatheyou are about to see fractions!

x 5 y 2z 6

2 x 10 y 4 z 12
1
5
x y z 3
2
2

Step 1: Multiply both sides of equation (3)


by 2 to eliminate fractions

5
1

2 x y z 2 3
2
2

x 5 y 2z 6

Step 2: Multiply both sides of equation (2) All three equations are identical, and
by - so that the coefficient of x is 1.
Therefore, equations (1), (2), and (3) are
The resulting system is then:
All equivalent. There are infinitely many solutions

x 5 y 2z 6

x 5 y 2z 6
x 5 y 2z 6

Of this system. The equations are dependent.


The solution can be written as
{(x, y, z) / x 5y 2z = 6

Example 5: Solve the system


x 4 y 5 z 35

0
x 3y
y z 25

Notice in equations (2) and (3) that


a variable is missing. Also notice that
both equations contain the variable y.
Lets use the substitution method by
Solving equation (2) for x and equation
(3) for z and substituting the results
in equation (1).

Step 1: Solve equation 2 for x

Step 2: Solve equation 3 for z

x 3y = 0
x = 3y

-y + z = -25
z = y - 25

Step 3: Substitute 3y for x and y 25


for z in equation (1)
x 4 y 5 z 35

0
x 3y
y z 25

x 4y 5z = 35
(3y) 4y 5(y 25) = 35
3y 4y 5y + 125 = 35
-6y + 125 = 35
-6y = -90
y = 15
Step 4: Substitute y = -15 into equation (2) and solve for x
x 3(15) = 0
x - 45 = 0
x = 45
Step 5: Substitute y = 15 into equation (3) and solve for z
-(15) + z = -25
z = -10

Solution: (45, 15, -10)

Give it a try!

Solve the system:

2 x 5 y 3 z 30

3
x y
2 x
z 0

Solution: (-5, 2, -10)

Give it a try!

Solve the system:

2 x
1
x
2

3 y 4z 2
6 y 8z 4
3
y 2z 1
2

Solution: {(x,y,z) / x 3y + 4z = 2

Give it a try!

Solve the system:

1
3 x 2 y

2z 4
6 x

y 3z 2

Solution: (1/3, -1, -1)

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