Linear Algebra

Courese Objective
To master the basic theory and application, including the
system of linear equations, matrices, determinants, vector
linear correlation, eigenvalue and eigenvector, quadratic forms
and linear transformation.

Some concepts are “abstract”, an important goal of the

course is to foster the students’ ability of abstraction thinking
and logical thinking, to improve the students’ ability to solve
practical problems.
 Contents
Chapter 1 Linear Equations in Linear Algebra
Chapter 2 Matrix Algebra
Chapter 3 Determinants
Chapter 4 Vector Spaces
Chapter 5 Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors
Chapter 6 Symmetric Matrices and Quadratic Forms
Textbook:
Linear Algebra and Its Application ,5th Ed. Lay,D.C.
 How to Study Linear Algebra?

◆ Prepare for each class period .

◆Concentrate more on learning Definitions,
Conceptions and Examples.
◆ Master the Methods by Solving the Examples
and working on Exercises.
◆ Review frequently.
 Chapter 1
Linear Equations in Linear Algebra
§1.1 Systems of Linear Equations
§1.2 Row Reduction and Echelon Forms
§1.3 Vector Equation
§1.4 The Matrix Equation Ax = b
§1.5 Solution Sets of Linear Systems
§1.6 Linear Independence
 § 1.1 Systems of Linear Equations
What we will learn?

1. What is a linear equation?

2. Solving Systems of Linear Equations
3. Matrix Notation
4. Existence and Uniqueness Questions
How you should know?
1. How to Write the augmented matrix of the system?
2. How to Row reduce the augmented matrix to
reduced echlon form?
3. How to Find the general solution of the linear system ?
Definition ( in the high school textbook)
• An equation in the variables x1 and x2 that can be
written in the form ax1+bx2=c, where a, b, and c are
real (or complex) constants (a and b not both zero),
is called a linear equation.
• The graph of this equation is a straight line in the
x1~x2 plane.
• A pair of values of x1 and x2 that satisfy the equation
is called a solution .
 – x1 +2x2 = 3 x1 – 2 x2 = –1
– x1 +2x2 = 1

– x1 +3x2 = 3 x1 – 2x2 = –1

(l 2)
x1 – 2x2 = – 1

Figure 1.1 Figure 1.2 Figure 1.3

x1 – 2x2 = –1 x1 – 2x2 = –1 x1 – 2 x2 = –1
– x1 +3x2 = 3 – x1 +2x2 = 3 – x1 +2x2 = 1
Both equations have the
Lines intersect at (3, 2) Lines are parallel.
same graph. Any point on
Unique solution: No point of Intersection.
the graph is a solution.
x = 3, y = 2. No solutions.
Many solutions.
1. Linear Equation
a1 x1 + a2 x2 + + an xn = b
the unknowns(variables) of the linear equation :
x1,x2 ,x3 xn
the coefficients of the linear equation :
a1,a2 ,a3 an
the constant terms of the linear equation : b
Example1: 4 x1 -x2 +1 = 3x1  x1 -2 x2 = −1
Example2: x2 = 2( 6 − x1 )+ x3  2 x1 + x2 − x3 = 2 6
 2. Systems of Linear Equations
A system of linear equations(or linear system) is a collection
of one or more linear equations involving the same
unknowns(variables) x1, x2 …, xn
 a11 x1 + a12 x2 + + a1n xn = b1
 a x +a x + +a x =b We will refer to systems
 21 1 22 2 2n n 2 of the form (1) as m×n
 (1) linear systems.

am1 x1 + am 2 x2 + + amn xn = bm
the coefficients the constant terms :
a11 a12 a1n b1
a21 a22 a2 n b2

am1 am 2 amn b3
3. A solution of the System of Linear Equations

The values of x1, x2 …, xn that satisfy each equation

are called the solution of the System.

Definition
Inconsistent : A linear system has no solution.
Consistent : A linear system has at least one solution.
(one solution or infinitely many solutions)
Example:
(ⅰ) x1 + x2 = 2
No solution Inconsistent
x1 + x2 =1
Unique solution
(ⅱ) x1 + x2 = 2 x1 = 1
Consistent
x1 − x2 = 0 x2 = 1

(ⅲ) Many solutions

x1 + x2 = 2 x1 = 1 x1 = 0
−x1−x2 =-2 x2 = 1 x2 = 2
Consistent
x1 = 2 ……
x2 = 0

x1 = c
Solution set: x2 = 2-c
4. Solving a Linear System

Three Bacic Row Operations that can be used on

a system to simplify a linear system to an
equivalent system:

Ⅰ.
（Replacement）
Ⅱ. （Interchange）

Ⅲ.
（Scaling）
Definition
A system is said to be in strict triangular form if in the kth
equation the coefficients of the first k-1 variables are all
zero and the coefficient of xk is nonzero (k=1, …,n).
Example: The system the solution is:
 x1 − 2 x2 + x3 = 0
  x1 = 29
 x2 − 4 x3 = 4 
  x2 = 16
 x3 = 3
  x =3
 3
is in strict triangular form.
Method: Simplify a linear system to a strict
triangular form as the equivalent system.
 Example1 Solve the system

eq.1
eq.2
eq.3 （Replacement）

（Scaling）
is strict triangular form.
2   eq.2 +  eq.1
5. Matrix Notation

Row1 Row1
Row2 Row2
Row3 Row3
Column1 Col.2 Col.3 Col.1 Col.2 Col.3 Col.4

3 3 3 4
6. Elementary Row Operations:
Ⅰ.

Ⅱ.
Ⅲ.
Example1

4  Row1 + Row3

1
 Row2
2
 3  Row2 + Row3

4  Row3 + Row2

(−1)  Row3 + Row1

2   eq.2 +  eq.1
2  Row2 + Row1
 Row operations can be applied to any matrix, not merely to one
that arises as the augmented matrix of a linear system. Two
matrices are called row equivalent if there is a sequence of
elementary row operations that transforms one matrix into the other.
the original system

4  Row1 + Row3

4  Row3 + Row2
2  Row2 + Row1
(−1)  Row3 + Row1

The four matrices are row equivalent the associated linear system
The linear equation systems with these
four matrices as augmented matrices is
equivalent and have the same solution .
Check: Elementary row operations on an augmented matrix never
change the solution set of the associated linear system. √ (True)
Interpreting the solutions of an equation
from a geometric perspective.
7. Existence and Uniqueness Questions
Example2
Example3

Row1  Row2

5
−  Row1 + Row3 1
 Row2 + Row3
2 2
Example3
Exercise


x = −
107  x1 = 2
 1

2  x =7
 x2 = −16  2
 
 x =3  x3 = 1
 3 2  x4 = −2
 x =1
 4
 Consistent

 17
x
 1 = −
2

 1
  x2 =
 2
 x3 = 0



Inconsistent