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Elementary Linear Algebra

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Elementary Linear Algebra

Uploaded by

SOLOMON
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Section 1.

1 Introduction to Sy stems of Linear Equations 7

SOLUTION From Equation 3 you already know the value of z. To solve for y, substitute z  2 into
Equation 2 to obtain
y  32  5 Substitute z ⴝ 2.
y  1. Solve for y.

Finally, substitute y  1 and z  2 in Equation 1 to obtain


x  21  32  9 Substitute y ⴝ ⴚ1, z ⴝ 2.
x  1. Solve for x.

The solution is x  1, y  1, and z  2.

Two systems of linear equations are called equivalent if they have precisely the same
solution set. To solve a system that is not in row-echelon form, first change it to an
equivalent system that is in row-echelon form by using the operations listed below.

Operations That Lead to Each of the following operations on a system of linear equations produces an equivalent
Equivalent Systems of system.
Equations 1. Interchange two equations.
2. Multiply an equation by a nonzero constant.
3. Add a multiple of an equation to another equation.

Rewriting a system of linear equations in row-echelon form usually involves a chain


of equivalent systems, each of which is obtained by using one of the three basic operations.
This process is called Gaussian elimination, after the German mathematician Carl
Friedrich Gauss (1777–1855).

EXAMPLE 7 Using Elimination to Rewrite a System in Row-Echelon Form


Solve the system.
x  2y  3z  9
x  3y  4
2x  5y  5z  17
SOLUTION Although there are several ways to begin, you want to use a systematic procedure that can be
applied easily to large systems. Work from the upper left corner of the system, saving the x
in the upper left position and eliminating the other x’s from the first column.
x  2y  3z  9 Adding the first equation to
y  3z  5 the second equation produces
a new second equation.
2x  5y  5z  17
x  2y  3z  9 Adding ⴚ2 times the first
y  3z  5 equation to the third equation
y  z  1 produces a new third equation.
8 Chapter 1 Sy stems of Linear Equations

Now that everything but the first x has been eliminated from the first column, work on the
second column.
x  2y  3z  9
Adding the second equation to
y  3z  5 the third equation produces
2z  4 a new third equation.

x  2y  3z  9
Multiplying the third equation
y  3z  5 1
by 2 produces a new third
z2 equation.

This is the same system you solved in Example 6, and, as in that example, the solution is
x  1, y  1, z  2.

Each of the three equations in Example 7 is represented in a three-dimensional


coordinate system by a plane. Because the unique solution of the system is the point
x, y, z  1, 1, 2,
the three planes intersect at the point represented by these coordinates, as shown in Figure 1.2.

(1, −1, 2)

y
x

Figure 1.2

Technology Many graphing utilities and computer software programs can solve a system of m linear equations
in n variables. Try solving the system in Example 7 using the simultaneous equation solver feature
Note of your graphing utility or computer software program. Keystrokes and programming syntax for
these utilities/programs applicable to Example 7 are provided in the Online Technology Guide,
available at college.hmco.com /pic /larsonELA6e.

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