Applications of matrix and determinants

Determinants and matrices can be used to solve systems of linear

equations in a variety of ways. We will be concentrating on the
three widely used techniques in this unit. These are the
Gaussian-Jordan Method, Cramer's Rule, and Matrix Inversion.

1. Gaussian-Jordan Method
The gaussian elimination method is also called the row
reduction method, a linear algebraic algorithm or method for
resolving a set of linear equations. The reduced row echelon
form concept is used in this technique. Systems of linear
equations are solved in matrix form.
The goal of this method is to turn the matrix into a
row-reduced echelon form.

[
1 a b d
0 1 c ¿ e ¿¿
0 0 1 f
Once in this form, we can say that 𝑧 = 𝑓 and use
substitution method to solve for x and y.

For example:

a) Determine the solution set of the given system of

linear equations using the Gaussian method.
x+ y + 5z = 8
-x- 2y + z = 0
3x+ 2y – 5z = 6
STEP 1: Write the coefficients in matrix form.

[
1 1 5 8
−1 −2 1 ¿ 0 ¿ ¿
3 2 −5 6
STEP 2: Perform row operations.

[
1 1 5 8
−1 −2 1 ¿ 0 ¿ ¿ Perform ( R1 + R2 ¿ and (−3 R1 + R3 ¿
3 2 −5 6

[
1 1 5 8
0 −1 6 ¿ 8 ¿ ¿ Perform (- R2 ¿
0 −1 −20 −18
 [
1 1 5 8
0 1 −6 ¿ −8 ¿ ¿ Perform ( R2 + R3 ¿
0 −1 −20 −18

[
1 1 5 8
−1
0 1 −6 ¿ −8 ¿ ¿ Perform ( R ¿
26 3
0 0 −26 −26

[
1 1 5 8
0 1 −6 ¿ −8 ¿ ¿
0 0 1 1
STEP 3: Return the coefficients into linear equations to solve
for the missing variables.

x + y + 5z = 8 (Eq. 1)
y – 6z = -8 (Eq. 2)
z = 1 (Eq. 3)

To solve for y, let z = 1 in eq. 2.

y – 6z = -8
y – 6(1)= -8
y – 6 = -8
y – 6 + 6 = -8 + 6
y = -2

To solve for x, let y = -2 and z = 1 in eq. 1.

x + y + 5z = 8
x + (-2) + 5(1) = 8
x -2 + 5 = 8
x + 3 = 8
 x + 3 – 3 = 8 – 3
x = 5
Therefore, the solution set is {5, -2, 1}.

b) Determine the solution of the given system of linear

equation using the Gaussian method.

x + 2y + 3z = 6
2x + 3y +5z = 3
2y + z = 4
STEP 1: Write the coefficients in matrix form.

[
1 2 3 6
2 3 5 ¿3¿¿
0 2 1 4
STEP 2: Perform row operations.

[
1 2 3 6
2 3 5 ¿ 3 ¿ ¿ Perform (-2 R1+ R 2)
0 2 1 4

[
1 2 3 6
0 −1 −1 ¿ −9 ¿¿ Perform (−R2)
0 2 1 4

[
1 2 3 6
0 1 1 ¿ 9 ¿ ¿ Perform ( R2 R 3)
0 2 1 4

[
1 2 3 6
1
0 2 1 ¿ 4 ¿ ¿ Perform ( R2)
2
0 1 1 9

[
1 2 3
6
1
0 1 ¿ 2 ¿ ¿ Perform (−R2 + R3 )
2
9
0 1 1
 [
1 2 3
1 6
0 1
2 ¿ 2 ¿ ¿ Perform (−2 R3)
−1 7
0 0
2

[
1 2 3
6
1
0 1 ¿ 2 ¿¿
2
−1 4
0 0 1

STEP 3: Return the coefficients into linear equations to solve

for the missing variables.
x + 2y + 3z = 6 (Eq. 1)
1
y + z = 2 (Eq. 2)
2
z = -14 (Eq. 3)
To solve for y, let z = -18 in eq. 2
1
y + z = 2
2
1
y + (−1 4) = 2
2
y – 7 = 2
y – 7 + 7 = 2 + 7
y = 9
To solve for x, let y = 11 and z = -18 in eq. 1
x + 2y + 3z = 6
x + 2(9) + 3(-14) = 6
x + 18 - 42 = 6
x - 24 = 6
x – 24 + 24 = 6 + 24
 x = 30
Therefore, the solution set is {30, 9, -14}.

2. Cramer’s rule
Cramer's rule is a particular formula used in linear algebra
to solve a system of linear equations with as many equations
as unknowns, and it is efficient whenever the system of
equations has a unique solution. It is one of the most
essential approaches for solving a system of equations. The
values of the system's variables are to be computed using
determinants of matrices in this technique. As a result,
Cramer's rule is frequently referred to as the determinant
method. Cramer's Rule says that we can find the value of a
given variable by dividing that variable's determinant by
the regular coefficient-determinant's value.

Cramer’s Limitations
 This rule will not give the solution for the system of
equations with infinite solutions and no solution.
 When D = 0, Cramer’s rule will not give the values of
unknowns.
 It provides the results only when D ≠ 0.

Cramer’s rule in 2x2 matrix

Cramer’s rule for the 2×2 matrix is applied to solve the

system of equations in two variables.

a. ) Solve the following systems of linear equation

using determinant method.

3x – 4y = 10
-2x + 6y = 8
STEP 1: Write in the form of AX = B
Where:
A = coefficient matrix
X = variable matrix
B = constant matrix
 [−23 −46 ][ xy]=[108 ]
STEP 2: Get the determinant of A.

A=
[−23 −46 ]
| A|=ad −bc
| A|=( 3 ) ( 6 ) −(−4 )(−6 )
| A|=18−24
| A|=−6
STEP 3: Interchange x-column with the constant matrix to form A x
and get | A x|.

[
| A x|.= 10
8
−4
6 ]
| A x|=ad−bc
| A x|=(10)(6)−(−4)( 8)
| A x|=60−(−32 )
| A x|=92
STEP 4: Interchange y-column with the constant matrix to form A y
and get | A y| .

[
3
|A y|.= −2 10
8 ]
|A y|=ad −bc
| A y|=( 3)(8)−(10)(−2)
| A y|=24−(−20 )
| A y|=44
STEP 5: Solve for the value of x and y.
 | A x| | A y|
x= y=
| A| | A|

92 44
x= y=
−6 −6
−46 −22
x= y=
3 3
−46 −22
Therefore, the solution set is { , }
3 3
Cramer’s rule in 3x3 matrix
Cramer’s rule for the 3×3 matrix is applied to solve the
system of equations in three variables.

i) Solve the following systems of linear equation using

determinant method.

x – y + 3z = 12
-x + 2y + z = -8
-3x + 6y + z = 6
STEP 1: Write in the form of AX = B
Where:
A = coefficient matrix
X = variable matrix
B = constant matrix

[ ][ ] [ ]
1 −1 3 x 12
−1 2 1 y = −8
−3 6 1 z 6
STEP 2: Get the determinant of A.

[ ]
1 −1 3
A= −1 2 1
−3 6 1
 ( | )
1
−1 3 1 −1
| A|= −1 2 1 −1 2
−3 6 1 −3 6

| A|=( 2+3−18 )−(−18+6+1)

| A|=−13+11
| A|=−2
STEP 3: Interchange x-column with the constant matrix to form A x
and get | A x|.

( | )
12 −1 3 12 −1
| A x|.= −8 2 1 −8 2
6 6 1 6 6

|A x|=( 24−6−144 )−( 36+72+8)

| A x|=−126−116
| A x|=−242

STEP 4: Interchange y-column with the constant matrix to form A y

and get | A y| .

( | )
1 12 3 1 12
|A y|.= −1 −8 1 −1 −8
−3 6 1 −3 6

|A y|=(−8−36−18 )−(72+ 6−12)

| A y|=−62−66
| A y|=−128
STEP 5: Interchange y-column with the constant matrix to form A z
and get | A z|.

( | )
1 −1 12 1 −1
| z| −1 2 −8 −1 2
A .=
−3 6 6 −3 6

| A z|=( 12−24−72 )−(−36−48+6)

 | A z|=−84+ 114
| A z|=30

STEP 6: Solve for the value of x, y, and z.

| A x| | A y| |A z|
x= y= z=
| A| | A| | A|
−242 −128 30
x= y= z=
−2 −2 −2
x=121 y=64 z =−15

Therefore, the solution set is {121, 64, -15}

References:
https://www.craftonhills.edu/current-students/tutoring-center/
mathematics-tutoring/matrices-gauss-jordan.pdf

https://math.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Applied_Mathematics/
Applied_Finite_Mathematics_(Sekhon_and_Bloom)/02%3A_Matrices/
2.02%3A_Systems_of_Linear_Equations_and_the_Gauss-Jordan_Method

https://byjus.com/maths/cramers-rule/

https://www.studypug.com/algebra-help/solving-linear-systems-
using-cramers-rule