Notes on Basic Linear Algebra

In this module, we will study Linear Algebra, which will be needed in solving problems created in a
later module. We begin by discussing the building blocks of linear algebra: matrices and vectors.
Then, we use our knowledge of matrices to develop a systematic procedure (General Elimination/
Gaussian Elimination with Back Substitution and Gauss Jordan method) premised on elementary row
operations (ERO) for solving linear equations, which we then use to invert matrices.

Matrix Operations

Matrix is a rectangular array of numbers. Various mathematical operations that could be carried out
on matrices include: (i) Scalar Multiplication of Matrix, (ii) Tranposing a matrix, (iii) Addition and
Subtraction of Matrices and (iv) Multiplication of matrices

Scalar Multiplication of Matrix

Example 1

If A = [−11 20 ] , Determine 3A.

Solution

3A = 3 [−11 20 ]
3A = [−33 60]
Tutorial Questions

If A = [−53 28] 2
, Determine (i) 5A, (ii) A
5

Tranpose of a matrix

Example 1

If A = [ 14 2 3
5 6 ]
, Determine AT .

Solution

[ ]
1 4
T
A = 2 5
3 6
Tutorial Questions

1) If A = [ 25 4 3
7 8 ]
, Determine AT

[ ]
2 4 3
2) If A = 3 6 8 , Determine AT
5 9 12

Addition and Subtraction of Matrices

Example 1

If A = [ 10 2 3
−1 1 ]
and B =
−1 −2 −3
2 1 −1 [ ]
, Determine (i) A + B, (ii) 3A + 5B, (iii) 3A – 2B

Solution

(i) A + B = [ 10 2 3
−1 1
+
2 ][
−1 −2 −3
1 −1 ]
A+B= [ 1−1 2−2
0+2 −1+1
3−3
1−1 ]
A+B= [ 02 00 00 ]
ii) 3A + 5B = 3 [ 10 2 3
−1 1
+5
2 ] [
−1 −2 −3
1 −1 ]
3A + 5B = [ 3 6
0 −3 3 ] [ 10
9 −5
+
−10
5 −5 ]
−15

3A + 5B = [ 0+10 −3+5 3−5 ]

3−5 6−10 9−15

3A + 5B = [−210 −42 −6 −2 ]

iii) 3A - 2B = 3 [ 10 −12 31] [−12 −21 −3

−1 ]
-2

3A – 2B = [ 30 −36 93] [−24 −42 −6

-
−2 ]
3A – 2B =
[ 3−(−2) 6−(−4) 9−(−6)
0−4 −3−2 3−(−2) ]
3A – 2B = [−45 10 15
−5 5 ]
Tutorial Questions

[ ] [ ]
1 3 2 1 4 5
If A = 2 4 5 , and B = 5 6 −9 , Determine (i) A + B, (ii) 3A + 2B, (iii) 5A – 3B
4 6 9 9 11 3

Multiplication of matrices

Example 1

Compute C = AB for:

[ ]
1 1
A= [ 1 1 2
2 1 3 ]
and B = 2 3
1 2

][ ]
1 1
C= [
1 1 2
2 1 3
. 2 3
1 2

Example 2: Application of matrices in a particular case scenario

Suppose an oil company manufactures three types of gasoline: premium unleaded, regular
unleaded, and regular leaded. These gasolines are produced by mixing two types of crude oil: crude
oil 1 and crude oil 2. The number of gallons of crude oil required to manufacture 1 gallon of gasoline
is given in Table 1.
If the company wants to produce 10 gallons of premium unleaded, 6 gallons of regular unleaded,
and 5 gallons of regular leaded, then the company’s crude oil requirements would be:

Solution:

Using numerical computation approach, we have:

Crude Oil Requirement Matrix per gallon of each Gasoline Category.

[ ]
3 2 1
4 3 4
.
1 1 3
4 3 4

Gasoline Demand Matrix

[]
10
6
5
Using matrix computation approach, we have:

[ ][ ]
3 2 1

[ ]
Cr1 10
4 3 4
= . 6
Cr2 1 1 3
5
4 3 4

[ ]
Cr1
Cr2
=
[ ( 34 ×10)+( 23 ×6)+( 14 ×5)
( 14 ×10)+( 13 ×6)+( 34 ×5) ]
[ ] [ ]
Cr1
Cr2
=
12.75
8.25
Therefore, crude 1 and crude 2 required are 12.75 gallons and 8.25 gallons.

Tutorial Questions

Solving Systems of Linear Equations using General Elimination Principle (GEP)

The matrix operations that are deployed in formulating the elementary row operations used in
solving systems of linear equations via either the GEP or the Gauss Jordan method are the: (i) scalar
multiplication of matrix, (ii) addition and subtraction of matrices and (iii) row matrices swap.

Example 1

Solve the system of linear equations given below using the GEP.

Solution

The augmented matrix representation is:

Step 1: The values in the marked triangle, should be converted to zero through various elementary
operations.

ERO 1 = Row 1 (R1) – Row 2 (R2)

( |)
2 2 1 9
A/b = 0 3 −1 3
1 −1 2 5

ERO 2 = Row 1 (R1) – 2Row 3 (2R3)

( |)
2 2 1 9
A/b = 0 3 −1 3
0 4 −3 −1

ERO3 = 4Row 2 (4R2) – 3Row 3 (3R3)

( |)
2 2 1 9
A/b = 0 3 −1 3
0 0 5 15

Step 2: Convert the augmented matrix back to systems of linear equations, and thereafter solve
these equations in a backward format to determine the value of x 1, x 2 and x 3.

We have:

2 x1 + 2 x 2 + x 3 = 9 (1)

3 x2 - x3 = 3 (2)

5 x 3 = 15 (3)

From equation (3), we have:

5 x 3 = 15

x 3 = 15/5 = 3

Substitute x 3 = 3 into equation (2), we have:

3 x2 - x3 = 3

3 x2 - 3 = 3

3 x2 = 3 + 3

3 x2 = 6

x 2 = 6/3

x2 = 2
Substitute x 2 = 2 and x 3 = 3 into equation (1), we have:

2 x1 + 2 x 2 + x 3 = 9

2 x1 + 2(2) + 3 = 9

2 x1 = 9 – 7

2 x1 = 2

x 1 = 2/2 = 1

:., x 1 = 1, x 2 = 2 and x 3 = 3

Solving Systems of Linear Equations using Gauss Jordan Method

Solve the system of linear equations given below using the GEP.

Solution

The augmented matrix representation is:

We need to convert the left hand side of the augmented matrix to a 3 by 3 unit matrix (i.e.

[ ]
1 0 0
0 1 0)
0 0 1

1 1
Step 1: Multiply row 1 by . (i.e. ERO 1 = R 1),we have:
2 2
Step 2: ERO 2 = R 2 – 2R1, we have:

Step 3: ERO 3 = R 3 – R1, we have:

−1
Step 4: ERO 4 = R 2, we have:
3

Step 5: ERO 5 = R 1−R 2, we have:

Step 6: ERO 6 =2 R 2+ R 3 , we have:

6
Step 7: ERO 7 = R 3, we have:
5
 1

5
Step 8: ERO 8 = R 1− R 3, we have:
6

1
Step 9: ERO 9 = R 2+ R 3, we have:
3

Tutorial Questions

Solve the system of linear equations given below using the GEP and Gauss Jordan method.

1) -3x + 2y – 6z = 6

5x + 7y – 5z = 6

x + 4y -2z = 8

2) x + y – z = 7

x – y + 2z = 3

2x + y + z = 9

3) x + y + z = 5

2x – z = 4
 3y + z = 2

4) 2x - 3y + z = -5

3x + 2y – z = 7

x + 4y -5z = 3

5) 3x + 4y + z = 6

2x - y + 2z = -5

x + 3y -z = 9

6) w + 2x – y + z = 6

-w + x + 2y - z = 3

2w - x + 2y + 2z = 14

w + x – y + 2z = 8

Another approach to solve systems of linear equation, is to first determine the inverse of a Matrix,
using the Gauss Jordan method and thereafter use the matric operation rule: A. A−1x = b. A−1, to
obtain the unknown variables.

Example 1

a) Determine the inverse of the matrix given below:

b) Based on your result in question (a), solve the following system of linear equations.

Solution
a) Obtain an augmented matrix:

1
Step 1: ERO1 = R 1, we have:
2

Step 2: R2 – R1, we have:

Step 3: 2R2

5
Step 4: ERO1 = R 1− R 2, we have:
2
Because A has been transformed into I2, I2 will have been transformed into A−1. Hence,

Therefore, the inverse of the matrix is:

b) A. A−1x = b. A−1

Therefore x 1 and x 2 are 1 and 1 respectively.

Tutorial Questions

a) Determine the inverse of the matrix given below:

b) Based on your result in question (a), solve the following system of linear equations.

2 x1 - x 3 = 10

3 x 1 + x 2 +2 x 3 = 15

−x 1 + x 3 = 8

c) Determine the inverse of the matrix given below:

d) Based on your result in question (c), solve the following system of linear equations.