text: algebra problem? solve the system of equations: 2x-y+z=-2 x+2y-z=6 3x+y-2z=0 (by determininates only) d[ ] dx[ ] dy[ ]? set this up as an the following: ax = b  a = [2 -1 1;1 2 -1;3 1 -2] b = [-2; 6; 0]  using gaussian elimination you can get the solution x = 0, y = 4, and z = 2.  the determinant of a is 10, but i don't see where that gets you.  there is a process for calculating the determinant that is close to gaussian elimination, but if you are going to use that process you won't need the value of the determinant anyway.