Day 3: Three Variable Systems Notes Name: __________________________________

Algebra 2 Advanced

1.) Solve the following three variable system using substitution.

2𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 4𝑧 = − 16
2𝑦 + 𝑧 = − 1
3𝑥 − 4𝑧 = − 9

FINAL SOLUTION: (___________, ____________, ____________)

Steps for solving a three variable system- SUBSTITUTION

1. Solve ONE equation for ONE variable
2. Substitute the expression from step one for the variable in the other TWO equations.
3. Use the two new two variable equations and solve for one of the variables remaining.
4. Substitute the value from number three into ONE of the two variable equations to
solve for the second variable.
5. Substitute both of those values in for two variables in the three variable equation to
solve for the third variable.
6. Write your answer as a point (x, y, z)
2.) Find the solution to the system of equations using elimination.
𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 𝑧 = 4
3𝑥 − 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 5
2𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 2𝑧 = 7

FINAL SOLUTION: (___________, ____________, ____________)

Steps for solving a three variable system- ELIMINATION

1. Take two of the equations and eliminate ONE of the variables
2. Take the third equation and one of the first two equations and eliminate the SAME
variable as you did in number one.
3. Use the two new two variable equations and solve for one of the variables remaining.
4. Substitute the value from number three into ONE of the two variable equations to
solve for the second variable.
5. Substitute both of those values in for two variables in the three variable equation to
solve for the third variable.
6. Write your answer as a point (x, y, z)
Substitution Elimination
3. − 2𝑥 + 𝑦 + 2𝑧 = − 3 4. − 𝑥 − 5𝑦 + 3𝑧 = − 3
− 3𝑥 − 𝑦 + 2𝑧 = − 11 3𝑥 − 3𝑦 + 3𝑧 = − 15
2𝑥 + 𝑦 − 𝑧 = 8 − 𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 13

Josh and his friends bought pastels, brushes and canvases at an art supply store. Josh
bought 3 pastels, 4 brushes, and 5 canvases and spent $22. Robin spent $23 and purchased
2 pastels, 5 brushes, and 7 canvases. Andrew bought 4 pastels, 3 brushes, and 6 canvases
for a total of $24. What is the price of each item?