MA1002 : Mathematics II
Dr. Hiranmoy Pal1
1 Department of Mathematics
National Institute of Technology Rourkela
March 9, 2023
Outline
System of Linear Equations
An Example for Motivation
Solution of a System of Linear Equations
The Matrix Form
The Augmented Matrix of Ax = b
The Solution Set
System of Linear Equations
I A linear system of m equations in n unknowns
a11 x1 + · · · + a1n xn = b1
a21 x1 + · · · + a2n xn = b2
··· ··· ··· ···
am1 x1 + · · · + amn xn = bm
I The variables: x1 , x2 , . . . xn .
I The coefficients: a11 , a12 , . . . amn .
I If the constants b1 , b2 , . . . bm are all zero, then it is called a
Homogeneous system.
I Otherwise, called a non-homogeneous system.
An Example for Motivation
Example. Solve the simultaneous linear equations:
x − y − z = 2, 3x − 3y + 2z = 16, 2x − y + z = 9.
Step 1: Represent the given equations in a rectangular array
x − y − z = 2 1 −1 −1 2
3x − 3y + 2z = 16 3 −3 2 16
2x − y + z = 9 2 −1 1 9
Step 2: Subtract 3 times the 1st equation from the 2nd equation;
Subtract 3 times the 1st row from the 2nd row.
x − y − z = 2 1 −1 −1 2
5z = 10 0 0 5 10
2x − y + z = 9 2 −1 1 9
Step 3: Subtract 2 times the 1st equation from the 3rd equation;
Subtract 2 times the 1st row from the 3rd row.
x − y − z = 2 1 −1 −1 2
5z = 10 0 0 5 10
y + 3z = 5 0 1 3 5
Step 4: Interchange the 2nd and 3rd equation; Interchange the
2nd and 3rd row.
x − y − z = 2 1 −1 −1 2
y + 3z = 5 0 1 3 5
5z = 10 0 0 5 10
By backward substitution, we find z = 2, y = −1, x = 3 is a
solution of the given system of equations.
Solution of a System of Linear Equations
I Recall the linear system
a11 x1 + · · · + a1n xn = b1
a21 x1 + · · · + a2n xn = b2
··· ··· ··· ···
am1 x1 + · · · + amn xn = bm
I A solution of the linear system is a set of values of
x1 , x2 , . . . xn that satisfies all the m equations.
I A linear system is called consistent if it has a solution,
otherwise it is called inconsistent.
I A Homogeneous system always has the trivial solution
x1 = 0, x2 = 0, . . . xn = 0.
The Matrix Form
I The system of linear equations has the compact form
Ax = b
I The Coefficient matrix is
a11 a12 ··· a1n
a21 a22 ··· a2n
A= ··· ···
··· ···
am1 am2 ··· amn
I The vectors x and b represents
x1 b1
x2 b2
x= · · · b = · · ·
xn bm
The Augmented Matrix of Ax = b
I The Augmented matrix associated to Ax = b is
a11 a12 · · · a1n b1
a21 a22 · · · a2n b2
B= ···
··· ··· ··· ···
am1 am2 · · · amn bm
I The Augmented matrix completely determines a system of
linear equations.
I We apply Gaussian Elimination Method on the associated
augmented matrix of a system of linear equations to obtain all
its solutions.
The Solution Set
Example. Solve the simultaneous linear equations:
2x − y = −3, 2x − y = 5.
−2
−2 −1 0 1 2 3 4 5
• There is no solution.
Example. Solve the simultaneous linear equations:
2x − y = −3, x + y = 2.
−2
−2 −1 0 1 2 3 4 5
• The solution is unique.
Example. Solve the simultaneous linear equations:
2x − y = −3, 4x − 2y + 6 = 0.
−2
−2 −1 0 1 2 3 4 5
• There are infinitely many solutions.
Some Problems
Problem. How to find the solution set for a system of linear
equations?
Problem. Can you find a system of linear equations where there
are more than one but finitely many solutions?
Problem. Write the augmented matrix and solve:
1. x − y − z = 2, 3x − 3y + 3z = 16, 2x − y + z = 9.
2. x − y − z = 2, 3x − y + 2z = 21, 2x − 2y + 5z = 7.
