Scribd
Upload
623 views

Chapter 4 4 - Matrices

The document discusses using matrices to solve systems of equations. It begins by defining what a matrix is - a rectangular array of numbers. It explains how a system of equations can be represented by a corresponding matrix, with the coefficients of the variables forming the matrix elements. Elementary row operations that can be performed on matrices are also row operations that can be done on the corresponding systems of equations. Several examples are worked through to demonstrate how to set up the matrix of a system and use row operations to put it in reduced row echelon form to solve for the variables. The key steps are to get 1s along the diagonal and 0s below the 1s.

Uploaded by

api-263209117
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
623 views

Chapter 4 4 - Matrices

The document discusses using matrices to solve systems of equations. It begins by defining what a matrix is - a rectangular array of numbers. It explains how a system of equations can be represented by a corresponding matrix, with the coefficients of the variables forming the matrix elements. Elementary row operations that can be performed on matrices are also row operations that can be done on the corresponding systems of equations. Several examples are worked through to demonstrate how to set up the matrix of a system and use row operations to put it in reduced row echelon form to solve for the variables. The key steps are to get 1s along the diagonal and 0s below the 1s.

Uploaded by

api-263209117
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 25

Chapter 4.

4
Solving Systems of Equations
by MATRICES

Objectives
Use matrices to solve a system of two
equations.
Use matrices to solve a system of three
equations.

What is a matrix?

A matrix (plural: matrices) is a rectangular


array of numbers. The following are
examples of matrices:
a11 a12

a
a
21 22

1 0

0
1

2 1 3

0 1 4

6
3
1

Matrices

The numbers aligned horizontally in a


matrix are in the same row. The numbers
aligned vertically are in the same column.
row 1

row 2

2 1 0
1 6 2

column column column


2
3
1

This matrix has 2


rows and 3 columns.
It is called a 2 X 3
(read two by three)
matrix.

How do equations and matrices


relate?
System of Equations
(in standard form)

2 x 3 y 6

x y0

Corresponding
Matrix

2
1

3 6

1 0

The rows of the matrix correspond to the equations in the system. The
Coefficients of each variable are placed to the left of the vertical dashed line.
Matrices are a shorthand notation for representing systems of equations.

Elementary Row Operations

Any two rows in a matrix may be interchanged.


The elements of any row may be multiplied (or
divided) by the same nonzero number.
The elements of any row may be multiplied (or
divided) by a nonzero number and added to their
corresponding elements in any other row.
Notice

that these row operations are the same


operations that we can perform on equations in a
system.

Solving a system of 2 equations by


matrices
Matrix
1 2

0 1

System of Equations
3

1x 2 y 3

0 x 1y 5

or

x 2 y 3

y 5

In the second equation, we have y = 5. Substituting this in


the first equation, we have x + 2(5) = -3 or x = - 13. The
solution of the system in ordered pair is ( -13, 5)

Example 1:

Use matrices to solve the system:


x 3y 5

2 x y 4

Step 1: Set up the corresponding matrix


1 3 5
2 1 4

Example 1: Continued

1 3 5
2 1 4

Step 2: Use elementary row operations to write an equivalent matrix that


looks like:

1
0

b
c

In the given matrix, the element in the first row is already 1, as desired.
Next we write an equivalent matrix with a 0 below the 1. To do this, we
multiply row 1 by -2 and add to row 2. We will change only row 2.

2(1) 2
Row 1
element

Row 2
element

3
2(3) 1

5
Simplifies to: 1 3

0 7 14
2(5) 4

Row 2
Row 1 Row 2 Row 1
element element element element

5
1 3
0 7 14

Example 1: Continued

Step 3: Now we change -7 to a 1 by use


of an elementary row operation. We dived
row 2 by -7
1

0
7

3
7
7

5
1

14 simplifies to
0

3
1

5
2

Example 1: Continued

1
0

3
1

5
2

The last matrix corresponds to the system:

x 3y 5

y 2

To find x, we let y = 2 in the first equation.


x + 3(2) = 5
x = -1

The ordered pair solution is (-1, 2). Check to see that this
ordered pair satisfies the equations.

Lets try another one!

x 2y 4

2 x 3 y 13

Use matrices to solve:


Step 1: Set up matrix

1 2 4
2 3 13

Simply take the coefficient


from each variable

1 a
0 1

b
c

Step 2: Write an equivalent matrix that looks like:


To do this, multiply the first row by -2 and add to row 2. Leave row 1 the
same!

2(1) 2

2
2(2) 3

1
simplifies to
0

2
7

2(4) 13
4
21

Lets try another one!

Step 3: Now change the -7 to 1 by using elementary row operation.


We divide row 2 by -7

1
2

0 7
7 7

21
7

1 2
simplifies to
0 1

4
3

Step 4: Write the system that corresponds to the matrix:

x 2y 4

y 3

Step 5: Substitute to find the unknown variable.


The ordered pair solution
x + 2y = -4
is (2, -3)
x + 2 (-3) = -4
x 6 = -4
x=2

Give it a try!

Use matrices to solve: x y 1

x 2 y 4

Solution: (2, -1)

Example 2:
2 x y 3
Use matrices to solve the system:

4 x 2 y 5

Step 1: Set up a corresponding matrix


2
4

3
5

Step 2: To get 1 in the row 1, column 1 position,


we divide the elements of row 1 by 2.
2

2
4

1
2
2

2 simplifies to

5
4

2
2

3
2

Example 2 Continued

Step 3: To get 0 under 1, we multiply the elements of


row 1 by -4 and add the new elements to the elements of
row 2.

4(1) 4

1
2
1
4( ) 2
2

3
4( ) 5
2

simplifies to
1
3

2
2

0 1
0

Step 4: Write a
corresponding
system:

1
3

x y
2
2

0 1

The equation 0 = -1 is false for all y or x values; hence the


system has no solution!

Concept Check:

Consider the system 2 x 3 y 8

What is wrong with the corresponding


matrix shown below?

x 5y 3

2
0

Answer bottom left on page 251

3
5

8
3

Give it a try!

Use matrices to solve: 3x y 0

6x 2 y 2

Solution: Null Set

Solving a system of three equation


in three variables using matrices

The matrix must be written in the following


form:

1
0

e
f

Example 3

Use matrices to solve the system:


x 2y z 2

2 x y 2 z 5
x 3y 2z 8

Step 1: Set up a corresponding matrix


2
1
2
1
2 1

2
5

1
3 2 8

Our goal is to write an equivalent matrix with 1s along the diagonalsee


the numbers in red and 0s below the 1s. The element in row 1, column 1
is already 1. Next we get 0s for each element in the rest of column 1. The
numbers in blue need to get changed to zeros.

Example 3: Continued

Step 2: Multiply the elements in row 1 by 2 and add the


new elements to row 2. Multiply the elements of row 1 by
-1 and add the new elements to the elements of row 3.
We do not change row 1!

Green =
Row 1
Pink = #
multiplied
by

2(1) 2
1(1) 1

2 2 1
1(2) 3

2(1) 2
1(1) 2

simplifies to
1 2 1
0 3 4

0 1 3

9
10

2(2) 5
1(2) 8

Example 3 Continued

Step 4: We continue down the diagonal and use


elementary row operations to get 1 where the element 3 is
now. To do this, we interchange rows 2 and 3.
1 2 1
0 3 4

0 1 3

2
9
10

is equivalent to

1 2 1
0 1 3

0 3 4

2
10
9

Example 3: Continued

Step 5: Next we want the new row 3, column 2 element to be 0. We


multiply the elements of row 2 by -3 and add the result to the
elements of row 3.

Green =
Row 2
Pink = #
multiplied
by

3 0 0

2
1

1
3

3(1) 3

3(3) 4

3(10) 9

simplifies to
1
0

2
1
0

3 10
13 39
1

2
10

Example 3: Continued

Step 6: Finally, we divide the elements of row 3 by 13 so


that the final diagonal element is 1.
1
0

13

1
2
3 10
13 39

13 13 13
2
1
0

simplifies to
2
1 2 1
0 1 3 10

0 0 1
3

Step 7: Write the system that corresponds


to the matrix.

x 2 y z 2

y 3 z 10

z 3

nd

Step 8: Substitute z = 3 into the 2 equation


y 3(3) = -10
y 9 = -10
y = -1
Step 9: Substitute z =3 and y = -1 into the 1st equation
x + 2(-1) + 3 = 2
x2+3=2
Ordered triple
x+1=2
solution:
x=1
(1, -1, 3)

Give it a try!

Use matrices to solve:

x 3y z 5

3 x y 3z 5
x 2 y 2z 9

Ordered triple solution: (1, 2, -2)

You might also like