Linear Algebra : Linear Equations

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Linear Algebra

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Example Questions

Example Question #91 : Linear Equations

Consider the system of linear equations:

Which of the following expresses the solution set in parametric form?

Possible Answers:

None of the other choices gives the correct response.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, write the matrix of coefficients for the system, seen below:

 

It is necessary to convert this matrix to reduced row-echelon form as follows:

The first step is usually to get a leading "1" in the first row; however, one is already there. 

The next step is to get a "0" in the first position of the second row by multiplying the first row by the additive inverse of the number already there, and adding it to that row. Therefore, perform the operation

:

 

or

 

The next step is usually to get a leading "1" in the second row; however, one is already there. 

The next step is to get a "0" in the second position of the first row by multiplying the first row by the additive inverse of the number already there, and adding it to that row. Therefore, perform the operation:

 

 

The matrix is now in reduced row-echelon form - all leading nonzero elements are "1", and go from upper-left to lower-right, and there are no zero rows. This matrix translates as the linear equations

To state the solution set parametrically, rewrite:

Set ; the parametric form of the solution set is

.

Example Question #91 : Linear Equations

Consider the system of linear equations:

Which of the following gives its complete solution set (in parametric form, if applicable) or its only solution?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, write the matrix of coefficients for the system, seen below:

 

It is necessary to convert this matrix to reduced row-echelon form as follows:

The first step is usually to get a leading "1" in the first row; however, one is already there. 

The next two steps, which can be performed simultaneously, is to get a "0" in the first position of the second and third rows by multiplying the first row by the additive inverse of the number already there, and adding it to that row. Therefore, perform the operations

 

and

 

 

The next step is to get a leading "1" in the second rowby multiplying each entry in that row by the multiplicative inverse of the number already there; therefore, perform the operation

 

 

The next two steps, which can be performed simultaneously, is to get a "0" in the second position of the first and third rows by multiplying the first row by the additive inverse of the number already there, and adding it to that row. Therefore, perform the operations

and

 

 

The matrix is now in reduced row-echelon form - all leading nonzero elements are "1", and go from upper-left to lower-right, and there are no zero rows. This matrix translates as the linear equations

To state the solution set parametrically, rewrite:

Set ; the parametric form of the solution set is 

.

Example Question #92 : Linear Equations

Solve the following system by reducing its corresponding matrix.

Possible Answers:

None of these

 and  is a free variable. 

 and  is a free variable. 

 and   is a free variable. 

Correct answer:

 and   is a free variable. 

Explanation:

The corresponding matrix is

We add  times row one to row two.

This yields the solution

or

 and  is a free variable. 

Example Question #1 : Non Homogeneous Cases

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Correct answer:

Explanation:

Example Question #2 : Non Homogeneous Cases

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Correct answer:

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Example Question #1 : Non Homogeneous Cases

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Correct answer:

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Example Question #4 : Non Homogeneous Cases

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Correct answer:

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Example Question #5 : Non Homogeneous Cases

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Correct answer:

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Example Question #2 : Non Homogeneous Cases

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

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Example Question #7 : Non Homogeneous Cases

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

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