SURNAME: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . INITIALS: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

STUDENT NO: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TUTORIAL GROUP: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

APPLIED MATHEMATICS 1A: TEST 1

16 March 2023 Time: 60 minutes Total Marks: 35

• Non–programmable calculators may be used. They are however not necessary.

• Clearly indicate the row operation used, when appropriate.

• Marks will be deducted for poor presentation of solutions.

1. Are the following statements true or false? Justify your answer in each case.

(a) A homogeneous system may be inconsistent.

(b) An underdetermined system, i.e. a system with fewer equations than unknowns, can
have a unique solution. (3)

2. Let v1 , v2 , v3 and v4 be vectors in Rn . Show that v3 ∈ Span {v1 , v2 , v3 , v4 }. (1)

   
−12 −9 15 21
   
3. Let A =  −4 −3 5  and b =  7 .
8 6 −10 −14

(a) Express the solution set of the equation Ax = b in parametric vector form. (3)
(b) Hence identify a particular solution to Ax = b and the solution set of the associated
homogeneous system Ax = 0. (1)
(c) Give geometric descriptions of the solution sets for Ax = 0 and Ax = b. (2)

4. Consider the linear system

4x1 − 13x2 + (4c − 11)x3 = −1

x1 − 2x2 + x3 = c
−3x1 + 11x2 + c2 x3 = 3 .

For what value(s) of c will the system have

(a) a unique solution?

(b) no solution? (5)

1
      
1 2 α
5. Let u =  −2 
 , v = 
 −7 
 and w = 
 12 
. Find the value(s) of α for which w is a
5 6 −7
linear combination of u and v. (3)

       
a d g 0
6. Given that 8  b  − 9  e  + 5  h  =  0 
      
. Obtain x1 and x2 values that satisfy the
c f i 0
equation    
g d [ ] a
  x1
 h e  = 
 b  . (3)
x2
i f c

   
−4 1 −9 b1
   
7. Let A =  5 −3 12  and b =  b2 .
1 −1 4 b3

(a) Transform the augmented matrix of the system Ax = b to row echelon form.
(b) Use this to determine whether Ax = b is consistent for all possible b1 , b2 and b3 (i.e.
whether the columns of A span R3 ). Give a clear explanation. (5)

 
  5
−1 0 7 −2  
 −1
8. Consider the matrix B =  −7 −5 4 1  
 and vector y = 

.
 2 
−2 11 5 4
−6

(a) Calculate the product By. Clearly indicate how you obtain your answer. (3)
 
−3

(b) Hence show that the vector  4 
 is in Span {b1 , b2 , b3 , b4 }, where b1 , b2 , b3 and
5
b4 are the columns of B. (2)

       
5 −1 9 −6
       
9. Do the lines x =  −4  + s  3  and y =  −6  + t  10  intersect? If so, what
−10 −2 −7 −8
is the point of intersection? (4)

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Test 1 (16 March)*