two equations, two unknowns - ii - magoosh gmat

two equations, two unknowns - ii

lesson by mike mcgarry

magoosh expert

summary

the content provides an in-depth exploration of the elimination method as a strategy for solving systems of equations, highlighting its advantages over substitution, especially in more complex scenarios.

elimination is preferred when dealing with equations where coefficients are not +1 or -1, as it avoids unnecessary complexity introduced by fractions.
the method involves adding or subtracting equations to eliminate one variable, allowing for the straightforward solving of the remaining variable.
multiplying equations by certain factors can align coefficients to facilitate the elimination of a chosen variable.
choosing which variable to eliminate depends on the coefficients' relationship, with the goal of simplifying the equations as much as possible.
in some cases, solving for an expression's value directly is more efficient than finding individual variable values, indicating a strategic approach to problem-solving.

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