How do you solve -2x - 4y + 2z = -8, -x - 5y +12z = 5, 3x + 5y - z = 10?

1 Answer

x=-9 and y=8 and z=3

Explanation:

From the given equations
-2x-4y+2z=-8" " "first equation
-x-5y+12z=5" " "second equation
3x+5y-z=10" " "third equation

We eliminate the variable x first

multiply the terms of the second equation by 2 then subtract it from the first equation

-2x-4y+2z=-8" " "first equation
-2x-10y+24z=10" " "second equation
after subtraction
6y-22z=-18 fourth equation

multiply the original second equation by 3 then add to the third equation

-3x-15y+36z=15" " "second equation
3x+5y-z=10" " "third equation

after addition
-10y+35z=25" " " fifth equation reducible to
-2y+7z=5larrreduced fifth equation
Multiply this fifth equation by 3 then add to the fourth equation

-6y+21z=15" " "fifth equation
6y-22z=-18 fourth equation

the result is
-z=-3
and
z=3

Using the reduced fifth equation -2y+7z=5 and z=3 solve for y

-2y+7z=5
-2y+7(3)=5
-2y+21=5
-2y=-16
y=8

Using the original second equation -x-5y+12z=5" "and y=8 and z=3 solve for x

-x-5y+12z=5" "
-x-5(8)+12(3)=5" "
-x-40+36=5
-x=9
x=-9

the solution is x=-9 and y=8 and z=3

God bless...I hope the explanation is useful..