Skip to ContentGo to accessibility pageKeyboard shortcuts menu
OpenStax Logo
Algebra 1

2.6.4 Building Equivalent Systems

Algebra 12.6.4 Building Equivalent Systems

Search for key terms or text.

Cool Down

Here is a system of equations:

{12a+5b=158a+b=11{12a+5b=158a+b=11

To solve this system, Diego wrote these equivalent systems for his first two steps.

Step 1

{12a+5b=1540a+5b=55{12a+5b=1540a+5b=55

Step 2

{12a+5b=1528a=70{12a+5b=1528a=70

1.

Describe the move that Diego made between the original system and step 1.

2.

How do you know the system of equations in step 1 is equivalent to the original system?

3.

Describe the move that Diego made between step 1 and step 2.

4.

How do you know the system of equations in step 2 is equivalent to the ones in step 1 (and to the original system)

5.

Write another set of equivalent systems (different from Diego's first two steps) that will allow one variable to be eliminated and enable you to solve the original system. Be prepared to describe the moves you make to create each new system and to explain why each one has the same solution as the original system.

6.

Use your equivalent systems to solve the original system. Then, check your solution by substituting the pair of values into the original system.

Citation/Attribution

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/algebra-1/pages/about-this-course

  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a digital format, then you must include on every digital page view the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/algebra-1/pages/about-this-course

Citation information

© May 21, 2025 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.