Systems of Equations - Substitution and Elimination - Pairs – 2010

This activity is designed to help you master the difference between the substitution and elimination strategies for
solving a system of equations. Working with a partner, each of you will solve one of the systems. In each pair of
problems one problem must be solved by substitution and one must be solved by elimination. When you finish, both
systems should have the same answer.

1. 2.
x
y = 2x − 3 y− =4
4
3x + y = 17 2x + 3y = 23

3. 4.
2x 2
y= −
3 3
x + y = −9
3x 23
y=− −
2 2 −3x + 4y = −1

5. 6.
3x 2y
− =7
x − 8y = 41 5 5
2x 4y 2
2x + 7y = −10 + =
5 5 5
Reflect
Explain each of the following
• How to use elimination to solve a system of equations
• How to use substitution to solve a system of equations
• What kind of equations are most easily solved by substitution and which are more easily solved by elimination

Practice on your own

7. 8. 9.
2x
y= −4 x + 5y = 32
3 56x − 31y = 88
x+y =6 −4x + y = 19 41y − 61x = 367
Solutions
1. (4, 5)
2. (4, 5)
3. (−5, −4)
4. (−5, −4)
5. (9, −4)
6. (9, −4)
7. (6, 0)
8. (−3, 7)
9. (37, 64)