BIC 10303 ALGEBRA

CHAPTER 6: SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATION

LEARNING OUTCOME
At the end of this topic, students are able to:
i. understand the system of linear equation consisting two or more variables.
ii. use the suitable method in solving the system of linear equation.
iii. perform calculation either using substitution, elimination or matrices method.
INTRODUCTION:

A system of linear equations is simply two or more linear equations using the same variables.

If the system of linear equations is going to have a solution, then the solution will be an ordered pair ( , )
where and make both equations true at the same time.
NOTES:
INTRODUCTION OF SYSTEM LINEAR EQUATION:

Linear equations are equations of the form

+
+ +
= , where , ,
are constants called
coefficients,
, , are variables, and b is the constant term.

This equation is a linear equation in variables.

The variables are also often seen as , , , etc.

The following equations are linear:
The following equations are not linear
2 +3 = 7
3 =
3 +4 =1
+
=1
( + )=
=

The Variables
Linear equations are functions which have two variables; independent and dependent variable.
Independent variables are variables that you put into the equations
Dependent variables are variables that you solve for.
Example:
= 2 4

is independent variable

has to be the dependent variable

A Linear Algebraic Equation (one equation in n unknowns) is defined as any equation of the form:
+
+ +
=
Where , , , ,
and denote known constants whereas, , , , , denote unknowns

A Linear Algebraic Equation (

A SOLUTION for
equations.

equation in unknowns) is defined as any equation of the form:

+
+
+ +
=
+
+
++
=

+
+
+ +
=

is any set of values for x1, x2, , xn that simultaneously satisfies all of the

SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS OF TWO VARIABLES:

Deciding whether an ordered pair is a solution of a linear system. The solution set of a linear system of equations
contains all ordered pairs that satisfy all the equations at the same time.
+
=
+

System of Linear Equations in two variables can be solved by using 3 method:

1) Graphing Method:
To solve the set of a linear system of equations with two variables by graphical method is by identifying where is
the graphs intersect.
There are 4 steps to a solving a linear system using a graph

BIC 10303 ALGEBRA

Step 1: Put both equations in slope intercept form

Solve both equation for and

Step 2: Graph both equations on the same coordinate plane
Step 3: Estimate where the graphs intercept

Label the solution

Step 4: Check to make sure your solution makes both equations true

Substitute and into both equations to verify the points is a solution to

both equations
Example: Solve the system of equations by graphical method

= 5 and 2

=4

Check:
= 3, = 2;
3 + 2 = 5 (true), 2(3) 2 = 4 (true). Therefore, solution for the system of linear equation is

= 3, = 2.

There are 3 possible solutions to a system of linear equations in two variables that have been graphed:
1. One solution
2. No solution

When the two lines intercept at a single point,

When the lines are parallel, there will be no

there will be one solution.
solutions.

In this case, the solution is consistent and the

The graphs are parallel lines. (Slopes are

equations are independent.
equal) In this case the system is inconsistent
and the solution set is 0 or null.

3. Infinite number of solutions

If the lines are the same, there will be an infinite number of solutions.

The graphs are the same line. (Slopes and y-intercepts are the same) In this case, the equations are
dependent and the solution set is an infinite set of ordered pairs.

BIC 10303 ALGEBRA

2) Method of Elimination:
There are 6 steps to a solving a linear system using a elimination method
The Step
Step 1:

Write both equations in standard form

Step 2:

Step 3:

Make the coefficients of one pair of variable

terms opposite
(Multiply one or both equations by appropriate
numbers so that the sum of the coefficients of
either x or y will be zero.)
Add the new equations to eliminate a variable

Step 4:

Solve the equation formed in Step 3

Step 5:

Substitute the result of Step 4 into either of the

original equations and solve for the other
value.

Step 6:

Check the solution and write the solution set.

Example:
Solve the system: 2 + 3 = 19 and 3 7 = 6
2 + 3 = 19
3 7 = 6
Multiply the top equation by 3, the bottom equation
by -2
3[2 + 3 = 19]
6 + 9 = 57
2[3 7 = 6] 6 + 14 = 12
Add the new equations to eliminate a variable
0 + 23 = 69
69
=
23
= 3
Substitute into top equation and solve for
2 + 3(3) = 19
2 = 10
= 5
Solution Set: {(5,3)}
Check the solution and write the solution set.
2(5) + 3(3) = 19 (True)
3(5) 7(3) = 6 (True)

3) Method of Substitution:
There are 5 steps to a solving a linear system using a substitute method
The Step
Step 1:

Solve one of the equations for either variable

Step 2:

Substitute for that variable in the other

equation
(The result should be an equation with just
one variable)
Solve the equation from Step 2

Step 3:
Step 4:

Substitute the result of Step 3 into either of the

original equations and solve for the other
value.

Step 5:

Check the solution and write the solution set.

Example:
Solve the system: 4 + = 5 and 2 3 = 13
Choose the variable to solve for in the top
equation:
= 4 + 5
Substitute this variable into the bottom equation
2 3(4 + 5) = 13
2 + 12 15 = 13 14 = 28
14 = 28
=2
Substitute into original equations and solve for the
other value
4(2) + = 5
= 3
Solution Set: {(2, 3)}
Check the solution and write the solution set.
4(2) 3 = 5 (True)
2(2) 3(3) = 13 (True)

BIC 10303 ALGEBRA

SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS OF MULTIPLE VARIABLES:
System of linear equations of multiple variable involving more than 2 variables. In this module we were focus on
three equations containing three variables.
+
+
=
+

System of linear equations in three variables can be solved by using 2 method:

1) Method of Elimination:
There are 6 steps to a solving a linear system
using a elimination method

Step 1:

Rewrite the system as two smaller

systems, each containing two of the
three equations.

Step 2:

Eliminate THE SAME variable in each

of the two smaller systems.
(Multiply one or both equations by
appropriate numbers so that the sum of
the coefficients of either , or will be
zero.)

Step 3:

Write the resulting equations in two

variables together as a system of
equations.
Then, solve the system for the two
remaining variables.

Example:
Solve the system by using elimination method
3 + + 2 = 11
2 + 2 = 1
+3 +2 =5
First and second equation:
First and third equation:
3 + + 2 = 11
3 + + 2 = 11
+3 +2 =5
2 + 2 = 1
Let say we want to eliminate :
3 + + 2 = 11 (Multiply to -2)
2 + 2 = 1

3 + + 2 = 11 (Multiply to -3)
+3 +2 =5

6 2 4 = 22
2 + 2 = 1

9 3 6 = 33
+3 +2 = 5

Sum up
4 5 = 23

8 4 = 28

4 5 = 23 (Multiply to 4)
8 4 = 28 (Multiply to -5)
16 20 = 92
40 + 20 = 140
Sum up:
24 = 48
=2
Substitute = 2 into any of equation with two variable
4(2) 5 = 23
8 5 = 23
5 = 23 + 8
5 = 15
=3

Step 4:

Substitute the value of the variables

from the system of two equations in one
of the ORIGINAL equations with three
variables.

Substitute = 2 and = 3 into any of equation with three variable

3(2) + + 2(3) = 11
6 + + 6 = 11
= 11 6 6
= 1
Solution Set: {(2, 1,3)}

Step 5:

Check the solution and write the

solution set.

3(2) 1 + 2(3) = 11 (True)

2(2) + 2(1) 3 = 1 (True)
2 + 3(1) + 2(3) = 5 (True)

BIC 10303 ALGEBRA

2) Method of Substitution
There are 5 steps to a solving a linear system using a
substitute method

Step 1:

Solve one of the equations for either variable

Step 2:

Substitute for that variable in the other

equation

Example:
Solve the system by using substitution method
+ 2 3 = 5
2 3 + = 4
3 + 4 2 = 8
We choose for the most simple equation to be solve
First equation:
+ 2 3 = 5
= 5 2 + 3
Substitute

into second and third equation

Second equation:
2(5 2 + 3 ) 3 + = 4
10 4 + 6 3 + = 4
7 + 7 = 14
+ =2
Third equation:
3(5 2 + 3 ) + 4 2 = 8
15 + 6 9 + 4 2 = 8
10 11 = 23
Step 3:

Solve by using elimination method

+ = 2 (Multiply to 10)
10 11 = 23
10 + 10 = 20
10 11 = 23
Sum up:
= 3
=3

Step 4:

Substitute the result of Step 3 into equation

with two variable.
Then, substitute the variable into ORIGINAL
equation with three variable.

Substitute = 3 into any of equation with two variable

+3 =2
=1
Substitute = 3 and = 1 into any of equation with
three variable
+ 2(1) 3(3) = 5
=2
Solution Set: {(2,1,3)}

Step 5:

Check the solution and write the solution set.

2 + 2(1) 3(3) = 5 (True)

2(2) 3(1) + 3 = 4 (True)
3(2) + 4(1) 2(3) = 8 (True)

BIC 10303 ALGEBRA

6.4 MATRICES METHOD: INVERSE MATRIX

Consider the following system of equations:
+

The system can be represented in matrix form as :

The equations have a unique solution provided that A is a non-singular matrix, i.e. provided that det A 0. The equation
can be solved by :
X

A-1 B

Example:
By using Inverse Matrix, solve the following system:
The Step
4 +8 4 =4
3 + 8 + 5 = 11
2 + + 12 = 17
Step 1:

4 8 4
3 8 5
2 1 12

Write the three equations in the matrix form,

=

A
Step 2:

4
11
17

= B

Compute the determinant of matrix A, | |

=

| |=4

4 8 4
3 8 5
2 1 12

8 5
3
5
3 8
8
+ (4)
1 12
2 12
2 1
| | = 80

Step 3:

8 5
+ 1 12

8 4
=
1 12

8 4
+

8 5

Find the cofactor of matrix A.

Step 4:

Determine the adjoint of matrix A,

( ).
=

( )=

3
8
4
+
8
4

5
12
4
12
4
5

3
8
4

8
4
+
3
+

91
46 19
100 40 20
72
32
8
91 100 72
46
40
32
19
20
8

8
1
8
1
8
8

BIC 10303 ALGEBRA

Step 5:

Calculate the inverse of matrix A,

=|

Step 6:

.
=

( )

Solve the system and determine the value ,

and .

1
80

1
80

91 100 72
46
40
32
19
20
8

91 100 72
46
40
32
19
20
8

=
=

4
11
17

3
1
2

Solution Set: {(-3,1,-2)}

Step 7:

Check the solution and write the solution set.

Check the solution and write the solution set.

4(3) + 8(1) 4(2) = 4
(TRUE)
3(3) + 8(1) + 5(2) = 11 (TRUE)
2(3) + (1) + 12(2) = 17 (TRUE)

BIC 10303 ALGEBRA

6.5 MATRICES METHOD : ELIMINATION
Elimination with matrices is the technique most commonly used by computer software to solve systems of linear
equations. It nds a solution X to AX= B whenever the matrix A is invertible (det A 0). Two types of elimination
method with matrices:
a.
b.
a.

Gaussian Elimination Method

Gauss-Jordan Elimination Method.

GAUSSIAN ELIMINATION METHOD.

The basic concept in solving a system using Gaussian Elimination Method:

Augmented matrix - Write the augmented matrix of the system.

Row-echelon form - Use elementary row operations to change the augmented matrix to row-echelon
form.
Back-substitution method - Write the new system of equations corresponds to the row-echelon form
of the augmented matrix and solve by back-substitution method.
Example: Solve the system by using Gaussian
Elimination Method:
The Step
4 +8 4 =4
3 + 8 + 5 = 11
2 + + 12 = 17

Step 1:

Write into augmented matrix form.

Step 2:

Reduce the augmented matrix to reduced

row echelon form.

Note: Use elementary row operations to

change the augmented matrix to rowechelon form.

4 8 4
3 8 5
2 1 12

Write the new system of equations that

corresponds to the row-echelon form of the
augmented matrix.

4 1
11 4
17

1 2 1
3 8 5
2 1 12

1
11
17

1
0
0

1 2 1
0 1 4
0 5 10

2 1
2 8
5 10

3
+2

1
7
15
1
7
20

1 2 1
0 1 4
0 0 1

1
7
2

1
1
8
2
110

1 2 1
~ 0 1
4
0 0 10
~
Step 3:

4 8 4
3 8 5
2 1 12

4
11
17

1 2 1
0 1 4
0 0 1

1
7
2

1
10

+
4

+2 = 1
+ 4 = 7
= 2

BIC 10303 ALGEBRA

Step 4:

Solve the new system by using backsubstitution method.

+ 2 = 1 (1)
+ 4 = 7 (2)
= 2 (3)
Substitute = 2 into equation (2),
+ 4 = 7
+ 4(2) = 7
=1
Substitute = 2 and = 1 into equation (1)
+2 =1
+ 2(1) (2) = 1
= 3
Solution Set: {(-3,1,-2)}

Step 5:

b.

Check the solution and write the solution set.

4(3) + 8(1) 4(2) = 4

(TRUE)
3(3) + 8(1) + 5(2) = 11 (TRUE)
2(3) + (1) + 12(2) = 17 (TRUE

GAUSS-JORDAN ELIMINATION METHOD.

The basic concept in solving a system using Gauss-Jordan Elimination Method:

Augmented matrix - Write the augmented matrix of the system.

Reduced Row-echelon form - Use elementary row operations to change the augmented matrix to rowechelon form and further reduce to reduced row echelon form.

No need back-substitution method - Write the new system of equations corresponds to the reduced
row-echelon form of the augmented matrix and solve directly.
Example:
The Step

Solve the system

Elimination Method:

by

using

Gauss-Jordan

4 +8 4 =4
3 + 8 + 5 = 11
2 + + 12 = 17
Step 1:

Convert into augmented matrix form.

4 8 4
3 8 5
2 1 12

Step 2:

Reduce the augmented matrix to reduced row

echelon form.
Note : Use elementary row operations to
change the augmented matrix to rowechelon form (Gaussian Elimination) and
further reduce to reduced row echelon form.

4 8 4
3 8 5
2 1 12
1
3
2
1
~ 0
0
1
~ 0
0
~

2
8
1
2
2
5
2
1
5

1
5
12
1
8
10
1
4
10

4 1
11 4
17

4
11
17

1
3
11
+2
17
1
1

8
2
110
1
7
5
15

BIC 10303 ALGEBRA

1 2 1
~ 0 1
4
0 0 10
~

~
Step 3:

Write the new system of equations that

corresponds to the reduced row-echelon form
of the augmented matrix. Directly, solve the
system.

1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0

2
1
0
2
1
0
0
1
0

1
4
1
0
0
1
0
0
1

1
7
20

1
7
2
1
1
2
3
1
2

1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 1

10
+

4
2

3
1
2

= 3
=1
= 2

Solution Set: {(-3,1,-2)}

Step 4:

Check the solution and write the solution set.

4(3) + 8(1) 4(2) = 4

(TRUE)
3(3) + 8(1) + 5(2) = 11 (TRUE)
2(3) + (1) + 12(2) = 17 (TRUE)

BIC 10303 ALGEBRA

6.6 MATRICES METHOD: CRAMERS RULE
Cramers Rule for solving a system of three linear equations with three unknowns:
+

The system above be represented in the matrix form as:

By substituting matrix B into each column in matrix A:

The solution for this system is given by:

| |

| |

| |

The equations have a unique solution provided that A is a non-singular matrix, i.e. provided that | | 0.
Example:

The Step

Step 1:

By using Cramers Rule,

system:
4 +8 4
3 +8 +5
2 + + 12

Substitute matrix B into 1st column of matrix A.

Calculate .
=

Step 3:

=4
= 11
= 17

4 8 4
3 8 5
8 1 12

Write the three equations in the matrix form,

=

A
Step 2:

solve the following

Substitute matrix B into 2nd column of matrix

A. Calculate .
=

8 4

8 5

1 12
4 8 4
3 8 5
8 1 12
4
4
3
5
8
12
4 8 4
3 8 5
8 1 12

4
11
17

240
= 3
80

80
=1
80

BIC 10303 ALGEBRA

Step 4:

Substitute matrix B into 3rd column of matrix

A. Calculate z.
=

4
3
8
4
3
8

8
8
1
8 4
8 5
1 12

160
= 2
80

Solution Set: {(-3,1,-2)}

Step 5:

Check the solution and write the solution set.

Check the solution and write the solution set.

4(3) + 8(1) 4(2) = 4
(TRUE)
3(3) + 8(1) + 5(2) = 11 (TRUE)
2(3) + (1) + 12(2) = 17 (TRUE)