Section 1.

6
Applications of Linear
Systems

Network Flows
Arise when studying the flow of a material through
a network.
Has applications to:
Fluid flows
Traffic flows
Electrical currents
Distribution of products from wholesalers to
retailers

Network Flows: The Key Idea

Each network consists of a series of junctions

and branches.

The total flow into a network equals the total flow

out of the network.

The total flow into a junction equals the total flow

out of a junction.

Example from the Lay book

Solution

We will write equations that describe the flow.

Then the solution to the system of equations will

give us the answer that describes the system
flow.

Each junction yields an equation when we set

the flow in equal to the flow out.

Example

Intersection

Flow In

Flow Out

x1

100 + x2

50 + x2

x3

x3

120 + x4

150 + x4

x5

x5

80 + x6

100 + x6

x1

Example

x1

x1

x1

100 + x2

50 + x2

x3

x3

120 + x4

150 + x4

x5

x5

80 + x6

100 + x6

x1

x2
x2 + x3
+ x3 x4
x4 + x5
+ x5 x6
x6

= 100
= 50
= 120
= 150
= 80
= 100

Example
x1 x2

= 100

x2 + x3

= 50

+ x3 x4

= 120

x4 + x5

= 150

+ x5 x6
x1

x6

= 80
= 100

1 1 0 0 0 0 100
0 1 1 0 0 0 50

0 0 1 1 0 0 120

0
0
0
1
1
0
150

0 0 0 0 1 1 80

1 0 0 0 0 1 100

1
0

0
0

1 0
1 1

0
0

1 0

1 1

1
0

0
0

1
0

0
1

0
0

0
0

1
1

0
0

0
0

0
0

1
0

1
0

0
0

100
50
0 120

0 150
1 80

1 100
0
0

100
0
50

70
80

Solution
x1 = x6 + 100
x2 = x6

1
0

0
0

0 0 0 0 1 100
1 0 0 0 1 0
0 1 0 0 1 50

0 0 1 0 1 70
0 0 0 1 1 80

0 0 0 0 0
0

x3 = x6 + 50
x4 = x6 70
x5 = x6 + 80
x6

is free

x6

must be at least 70 to keep the variable x4 from being negative.