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9 votes
9 votes
A-2b + c = -6
a = -5c-12
-a + 6b+ 4c = 3

User Cheska
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1 Answer

16 votes
16 votes

a - 2b + c = -6 (1)

a = -5c - 12 (2)

-a + 6b + 4c = 3 (3)

Putting (2) into (1) & (3) gives

(-5c -12) - 2b + c = -6 (5)

-(-5c - 12) + 6b +4c =3 (6)

Neatening it up gives

-2b - 4c = 6 (7)

6b + 9c = -9 (8)

Using simulataenous equations, we want to cancel out either b or c. b in this case is easier. Multiplying (7) makes that possible

(7) * 3

gives

-6b - 12c = 18 (9)

Adding (8) & (9) gives

-3c = 9

c = -3

Now we know c we can use that to calculate b in one of the previous equations.

Using (7)

-2b -4(-3) = 6

-2b = -6

b = 3

Now, b & c are known, we can use these in any equation with a to get the final unknown.

Using (1)

a - 2(3) + (-3) = -6

a = 3

Plugging a,b&c back into each (1) (2) & (3) to check you get the right answer is also a good sanity check that you've not made any mistakes in your previous working!