Methods for Solving Linear Systems

We have two methods for solving linear systems:

Substitution and Elimination.

Substitution Method:
In this method we solve one equation for one of the variables and substitute the result into the other equation. See Examples 1 and 2 in http://www.sparknotes.com/math/algebra1/systemsofequations/section2.rhtml.

Elimination, or Addition and Subtraction, Method:
In this method we find equivalent equations which can be combined to make one variable temporarily drop out. See http://www.sparknotes.com/math/algebra1/systemsofequations/section3.rhtml, where this method is called the Addition and Subtraction Method.