Question

Give two systems of equations that would be easier to solve by substitution than by elimination. Then give two systems that would be easier to solve with elimination. Finally, explain how you decide whether to use elimination or substitution to solve a system.

Answer 1

These techniques for elimination are preferred for 3rd order systems and higher. They use "Row-Reduction" techniques/pivoting and many subtle math tricks to reduce a matrix to either a solvable form or perhaps provide an inverse of a matrix (A-1)of linear equation AX=b. Solving systems of linear equations (n>2) by elimination is a topic unto itself and is the preferred method. As the system of equations increases, the "condition" of a matrix becomes extremely important. Some of this may sound completely alien to you. Don't worry about these topics until Linear Algebra when systems of linear equations (Rank 'n') become larger than 2.