Problem 1

Solve the system by using an augmented matrix.

5x + y = 1
3x - 2y = 24

Solution

1. Augment the matrix coefficients, and you’ll get

5 1 1 R1
[ ⋮
3 −2 24 ] R2

2. You have to transform the augmented matrix into it’s identity

[ 53 1 ⋮ 1 → 1 0⋮ x
−2 24 ] [0 1 y ]
(i) 2R1 + R2
13 0 26
[ 3 −2 24
⋮ ]
(ii) R1 /13
1 0 ⋮2
[3 −2 24 ]
(iii) R2 – 3R1
1 0 2
[0 −2 18
⋮ ]
(iv) R2 / -2
1 0⋮ 2
[0 1 −9 ]
Thus, you get
x = 2 and y = -9

Check your answers by substituting the x and y value back into the equation.
5x + y = 1
5(2) – 9 = 1
Problem 2

4x + y - z = 7
-2x + 2y + 5z = 37x - 3y - 9z = -4

The augmented matrix:

R1
4 1 −1 7
R2
−2 2 5 ⋮ 3
7 −3 −9 −4 R3

to be transformed to it’s identity:

1 0 0 x
0 1 0⋮ y
0 0 1 z

(i) 2R1 – R2
10 0 −7 11
−2 2 5 ⋮ 3
7 −3 −9 −4

(ii) 5R2 + R1
10 0 −7 11
0 10 18 ⋮ 26
7 −3 −9 −4

(iii) R2 /10
10 0 −7 11
0 1 1.8 ⋮ 2.6
7 −3 −9 −4

(iv) R3 +3R2
10 0 −7 11
0 1 1.8 ⋮ 2.6
7 0 −3.6 3.8

(v) R1 / 10
 1 0 −0.7 1 . 1
0 1 1.8 ⋮ 2.6
7 0 −3.6 3.8

(vi) R3 – 7R1
1 0 −0.7 1. 1
0 1 1.8 ⋮ 2.6
0 0 1.3 −3.9

1 0 −0.7 1 . 1
(vii) R3 /1.30 1 1.8 ⋮ 2.6
0 0 1 −3

(viii) R2 – 1.8R3
1 0 −0.7 1 . 1
0 1 0 ⋮ 8
0 0 1 −3

(ix) R1 + 0.7R3
1 0 0 −1
0 1 0⋮ 9
0 0 1 −3

Thus you get

x = -1
y=8
z = -3

Check the answers

4x + y - z = 7
4(-1) + 8 – (-3) = 7