What is the purpose of using the elimination method?

1 Answer
Dec 11, 2014

The elimination method reduces the problem to solving a one variable equation.

For example, look at the following system of two variables:

#2x+3y=1#
#-2x+y=7#

It is relatively difficult to determine the values of #x# and #y# without manipulating the equations. If one adds the two equations together, the #x#s cancel out; the #x# is eliminated from the problem. Hence it is called the "elimination method."

One ends up with:

#4y=8#

From there, it is trivial to find #y#, and one can simply plug the value of #y# back into either equation to find #x#.