Introduction to LINEAR ALGEBRA for Computing Sciences

JOEL B. BACAY, MAEd. – Mathematics

LECTURES IN MATH 111: LINEAR ALGEBRA

Lecture 1. The Inverse of a matrix
The inverse of a matrix plays a very significant role in solving certain system
of linear equations. There are 3 ways in finding the inverse of a matrix.
1. By definition of inverse of a matrix. If A is an n x n matrix, then the inverse of A
is the matrix A-1, such that
AA-1 = In or A-1A = In .
 If there exists a matrix A-1, then A is called nonsingular or invertible.
 If there exists no such matrix A-1, then A is called singular or noninvertible.

1. For any 2 x 2 matrix,

a b
A=
c d

its inverse can be determined by the formula

1 d -b
-1
A =
ad – bc -c a .

3. Gauss-Jordan Reduction for finding the inverse of a matrix.

Let A be an n x n matrix.
a. Adjoin the identity n x n matrix In to A to form the matrix [A : In].
b. Compute the reduced row echelon form of [A : In].
 If the reduced row echelon form is of type [In : A-1], then A-1 is the
inverse of A.
 If the reduced row echelon form is not of the type [In : A-1], in that the first
n x n submatrix is not In; then A has no inverse.

Properties of Matrix Inverse

Let A and B be invertible matrices and r be a nonzero scalar.
Then 1. (A-1)-1 =A
2. (rA)-1 = (1/r) A-1
3. (AB)-1 = B-1 A-1
n -1
4. (A ) = (A-1)n
5. (AT)-1 = (A-1)T

Note: Proofs of these properties will be left to students as exercises.

Example 1: Find the inverse of A, if

1 1
A =
3 4 .

Solution 1: By definition of inverse of a matrix, using either AA-1 = In or

A-1A = In .
a b
Let A-1 =
c d

1
 AA-1 = I2

1 1 a b 1 0
=
3 4 c d 0 1

1(a) + 1(c) 1(b) + 1(d) 1 0

=
3(a) + 4(c) 3(b) + 4(d) 0 1

a + c b + d 1 0
=
3a + 4c 3b + 4d 0 1

Equating Elements
a + c = 1 (1)
3a + 4c = 0 (2)
b + d = 0 (3)
3b + 4d = 1 (4)

Combine equations (1) and (2)

Multiply 3 to equation (1)

3a + 3c = 3
(-) 3a + 4c = 0
c =-3

Solve a using equation (1)

a + c = 1
a – 3 = 1
a = 1+3
a =4

Combine Equations (3) and (4)

Multiply 3 to equation (3)
3b + 3d = 0
(-) 3b + 4d = 1
-d = -1
d = 1

So lve b using Equation (3)

b + d = 0
b + 1 = 0
b=-1
 4 -1
 A -1

= -3 1

Solution 2: By using

1 d -b
-1
A =
ad – bc -c a .

a = 1
b = 1
c = 3
d = 4

1 4 -1
-1
A
1(4) – 1(3) -3 1
=

1 4 -1
=
4 – 3 -3 1

1 4 -1
=
1 -3 1

4 -1
= 1
-3 1

4 -1
A -1

-3 1 . Thus, matrix A is nonsingular or invertible.

=

Solution 3: By Gauss-Jordan Reduction

1 1 : 1 0

3 4 : 0 1

- 3R1 + R2 R2

1 1 : 1 0

0 1 : -3 1
- R2 + R1 R1
 1 0 : 4 -1

0 1 : -3 1

4 -1
 A-1
= -3 1

Example 2: What is the inverse of A, if

-1 -3
A =
3 9 ?

Solution 1: By definition of inverse of a matrix, using AA-1 = In .

a b
Let A-1
= c d

AA-1 = I2

-1 -3 a b 1 0
=
3 9 c d 0 1

-1(a) + (-3)(c) -1(b) + (-3)(d) 1 0

=
3(a) + 9(c) 3(b) + 9(d) 0
1

-a – 3c -b – 3d 1 0
=
3a + 9c 3b + 9d 0 1

Equating elements:
-a – 3c = 1 (1)
3a + 9c = 0 (2)
-b – 3d = 0 (3)
3b + 9d = 1 (4)

Combine equations (1) and (2)

Multiply 3 to equation (1)
- 3a – 9c = 3 (1)
(+) 3a + 9c = 0 (2)

0  3
Combine equations (3) and (4)
Multiply 3 to equation (3)
- 3b – 9d = 0 (3)
(+) 3b + 9d = 1 (4)

0  1

These linear systems have no solutions, so A has no inverse. Thus, A is a singular

matrix or noninvertible.

Solution 2: By using

1 d -b
-1
A =
ad – bc -c a .

a = -1
b = -3
c = 3
d = 9

1 9 3
-1
A
(-1)(9) – (-3)(3) -3 -1
=

1 9 3
=
-9 + -3 -1
9

1 9 3
=
0 -3 -1

 A-1 is undefined. Hence, A is a singular matrix or noninvertible.

Solution 3: By Gauss-Jordan Reduction

-1 -3 : 1 0

3 9 : 0 1

- R1 R1

1 3 : -1 0

3 9 : 0 1
- 3R1 + R2 R2
 1 3 : -1 0

0 0 : 3 1

The reduced row echelon form cannot be of the form [In : A-1]. Then A-1 does not
exist. Hence, A is a singular matrix or noninvertible.

Example 3: Find the inverse of A,

1 0 5
A = 1 1 1
0 1 -4 .

Solution: By definition of inverse of a matrix, using AA-1 = In .

a b c
Let A-1 = d e f
g h i

AA-1 = I3

1 0 5 a b c 1 0 0
1 1 1 d e f = 0 1 0
0 1 -4 g h i 0 0 1

1(a) + 0(d) + 5(g) 1(b) + 0(e) + 5(h) 1(c) + 0(f) + 5(i)

1(a) + 1(d) + 1(g) 1(b) + 1(e) + 1(h) 1(c) + 1(f) + 1(i)
0(a) + 1(d) + (-4)(g) 0(b) + 1(e) + (-4)(h) 0(c) + 1(f)+ (-4)(i)

1 0 0
= 0 1 0
0 0 1

a + 5g b + 5h c + 5i 1 0 0
a+d+g b + e+ h c+f+i = 0 1 0
d – 4g e – 4h f – 4i 0 0 1

Equating Elements
a + 5g = 1 (1) b + 5h = 0 (4)
a +d+g = 0 (2) b + e + h = 1 (5)
d – 4g = 0 (3) , e – 4h = 0 (6), and
c + 5i = 0 (7)
c + f + i = 0 (8)
f – 4i = 1 (9).

Combine equations (1) and (2)

a + 5g = 1 (1)
(-) a + d + g = 0 (2)

-d + 4g = 1 (10)
Combine equations (3) and (10)
d – 4g = 0 (3)
(+) - d + 4g = 1 (10)

0  1

Combine equations (4) and (5)

b + 5h = 0 (4)
(-) b +e+h = 1 (5)

-e + 4h = -1 (11)

Combine equations (6) and (11)

e – 4h = 0 (6)
(+) - e + 4h = -1 (11)

0  -1

Combine equations (7) and (8)

c + 5i = 0 (7)
(-) c + f + i = 0 (8)

-f + 4i = 0 (12)

Combine equations (9) and (12)

f – 4i = 1 (9)
(+) - f + 4i = 0 (12)

0  1

These linear systems have no solutions, so A has no inverse. Thus, A is a singular

matrix or noninvertible.
Name: Year & Section:

Exercise 1: The Inverse of a Matrix

1. Use the appropriate method or solution to find the inverse of each of the matrix
listed below.

1 -1 3
A = 3 0 2
4 1 0

1 2
B =
3 1

1 1 2
C = 5 3 1
1 1 1
2. If 2 1
-1
A =
3 3 , then find A.

3. If -3 -2
-1
A =
-10 , then find A.
½
6
4. Find x such that 2x 7 -1
2 -7
=
1 2 -1 4 .

5. Find A such that 2 3

T -1
(4A ) =
-4 -4 .
Lecture 2. Applications of Inverse of a Matrix to Cryptography
The process of coding and decoding messages is called Cryptography. This is
derived from the Greek word kryptos, meaning “hidden”. The technique used in
Cryptography can be traced back to the ancient Greeks. Today, it uses sophisticated
methods of coding and decoding messages to provide secrecy and integrity of data.
One type of code, which is extremely difficult to break, makes use of a large matrix to
encode a message. Thus, the receiver of the message decodes it using the inverse of a
matrix. The first matrix is the encoding matrix and its inverse is the decoding matrix.

Example 1. Encode the message COME WITH ME using the encoding matrix

1 2 3
A= 2 -1 4
0 -1 1 .

Solution:
 Assign a number to each letter in the English alphabet.
 For convenience, let us associate each letter with its position in the
alphabet: A is 1; B is 2; and so on.
 Let a space in between words be denoted by the number 27. Thus, the
message becomes:
C O M E W I T H M E
3 15 13 5 27 23 9 20 8 27 13 5 .
 Using a 3x3 matrix to encode the message, break the enumerated message
up into a sequence of 3x1 column matrices as follows:
3 5 9 27
15 27 20 13
13 , 23 , 8 , and 5 .
 Putting the message into code, multiply each of the above column
matrices by the encoding matrix. Conveniently, this can be done by
writing the above column matrices as column matrix and pre-multiplying
that matrix by the encoding matrix.

1 2 3 3 5 9 27
2 -1 4 15 27 20 13
0 -1 1 13 23 8 5

1(3) + 2(15) + 3(13) 1(5) + 2(27) + 3(23)

= 2(3) + -1(15) + 4(13) 2(5) + -1(27) + 4(23)
0(3) + -1(15) + 1(13) 0(5) + -1(27) + 1(23)

1(9) + 2(20) + 3(8) 1(27) + 2(13) + 3(5)

2(9) + -1(20) + 4(8) 2(27) + -1(13) + 4(5)
0(9) + -1(20) + 1(8) 0(27) + -1(13) + 1(5)

3 + 30 + 39 5 + 54 + 69 9 + 40 + 24 27 +26 + 15
= 6 – 15 + 52 10 – 27 + 92 18 – 20 + 32 54 – 13 + 20
0 – 15 + 13 0 – 27 + 23 0 – 20 + 8 0 – 13 + 5
 72 128 73 68
= 43 75 30 61
-2 -4 -12 -8

 The columns of this matrix give the encoded message.

 The message is transmitted in the following linear form: 72 , 43 , - 2 , 128 , 75 , - 4 ,
73 , 30 , -12 , 68 , 61 , - 8.

Example 2. Decode the message 72 , 43 , - 2 , 128 , 75 , - 4 , 73 , 30 , -12 , 68 , 61 , - 8,

which was encoded using the matrix in example 1.
Solution:
 Get the inverse of this encoding matrix.
 The inverse of this encoding matrix is the decoding matrix A-

-3/7 5/7 -11/7

1
= 2/7 -1/7 -2/7
2/7 -1/7 5/7 .
 To decode the message, multiply the inverse of this encoding matrix by the decoding
matrix in column form.

-3/7 5/7 -11/7 72 128 73 68

2/7 -1/7 -2/7 43 75 30 61
2/7 -1/7 5/7 -2 -4 -12 -8

(-3/7)(72) + (5/7)(43) + (-11/7)(-2) (-3/7)(128) + (5/7)(75) + (-11/7)(- 4)

= (2/7)(72) + (-1/7)(43) + (-2/7)(-2) (2/7)(128) + (-1/7)(75) + (-2/7)(- 4)
(2/7)(72) + (-1/7)(43) + (5/7)(-2) (2/7)(128) + (-1/7)(75) + (5/7)(- 4)

(-3/7)(73) + (5/7)(30) + (-11/7)(-12) (-3/7)(68) + (5/7)(61) + (-11/7)(- 8)

(2/7)(73) + (-1/7)(30) + (-2/7)(-12) (2/7)(68) + (-1/7)(61) + (-2/7)(- 8)
(2/7)(73) + (-1/7)(30) + (5/7)(-12) (2/7)(68) + (-1/7)(61) + (5/7)(- 8)

(-216/7) + (215/7) + (22/7) (-384/7) + (375/7) + (44/7)

= (144/7) – (43/7) + (4/7) (256/7) – (75/7) + (8/7)
(144/7) – (43/7) – (10/7) (256/7) – (75/7) – (20/7)

(-219/7)(73) + (150/7) + (132/7) (-204/7) + (305/7)+ (887)

(146/7) – (30/7) + (24/7) (136/7) – (61/7) + (16/7)
(146/7) – (-30/7) – (60/7) (136/7) – (61/7) – (40/7)

21/7 35/7 63/7 189/7

= 105/7 189/7 140/7 91/7
91/7 161/7 35/7 35/7

3 5 9 27
= 15 27 20 13
13 23 5 5
 The columns of this matrix, written in linear form, give the original
message.
3 15 13 5 27 23 9 20 5 27 13 5
C O M E W I T H M E
Name: Year & Section:

Exercise 2: Applications of Inverse of a Matrix to Cryptography

In numbers 1 to 5, associate each letter with its position in the English alphabet and
consider a space between words be denoted by the number 27.
1. Encode the message DEVELOPMENT using the matrix

4 3
-3 -2 .
2. Encode the message I WILL SURVIVE using the matrix

1 -1 -2
2 -3 -5
-1 3 5 .
Introduction to LINEAR ALGEBRA for Computing Sciences
JOEL B. BACAY, MAEd. – Mathematics

3. Encode the message WORK AS A TEAM using the matrix

1 2 -1
2 3 0
1 1 1 .

16
Introduction to LINEAR ALGEBRA for Computing Sciences
JOEL B. BACAY, MAEd. – Mathematics

4. Decode the message 49 , 38 , -5 , -3 , -61 , -39 , which was encoded using the
matrix in problem number 1.

17
Introduction to LINEAR ALGEBRA for Computing Sciences
JOEL B. BACAY, MAEd. – Mathematics

5. Decode the message 71 , 100 , -1 , 28 , 43 , -5 , 84 , 122 , -11 , 63 , 98 , -27 , 69 ,

102 , -12 , 88 , 126 , -3 , which was encoded using the matrix in problem number 2.

18
Lecture 3. Definition and Properties of Determinants
Determinant is a number associated with every square matrix. It is a tool used
in many branches of mathematics, science, and engineering.
The determinant of an n x n matrix A is denoted by A  and is given by

a11 a12 … a1n

a21 a22 … a2n
A  = . . . .
. . . .
. . . .
an1 an2 … ann .

This is a determinant of order n with n rows and n columns of elements. It is the

compact algebraic sum of all the possible products, each of which has n factors.

The order 2 determinant is a determinant of a 2 x 2 matrix A, defined by A  and

is given by
a11 a12
A  = a11 a22 – a12 a21 .
a21 a22
=

As observed, the determinant of a 2 x 2 matrix A is given by the difference of the

products of the two diagonals of the matrix.

Example 1: Find the determinant of the matrix

1 4
A=
-3 2 .

Solution: By applying the above definition.

1 4
A 
-3 2
=

= (1)(2) – (4)(-3)
= 2 + 12
 A  = 14 .

For order 3 determinant,

a11 a12 a13
A  = a21 a22 a23
a31 a32 a33

a22 a23 a32 a21 a31 a33

= a11 – a12
 a21 a22
+ a13
a31 a32
 = a11( a22 a33 – a23 a32) – a12( a21 a33 – a23 a31)
+ a13 ( a21 a32 – a22 a31)

= a11 a22 a33 – a11 a23 a32 – a12 a21 a33 + a12 a23 a31
+ a13 a21 a32 – a13 a22 a31 .

Example 2: Find the determinant of the matrix

-1 -2 -1
A = 3 2 2
4 0 1 .

Solution: By applying the definition of order 3 determinant.

-1 -2 -1
A  = 3 2 2
4 0 1

2 2 3 2 3 2
= -1 – (-2) + (-1)
0 1 4 4 0

= -1[(2)(1) – (2)(0)] + 2[(3)(1) – (2)(4)] – 1[(3)(0) – (2)(4)]

= -1(2 – 0) + 2(3 – 8) – 1(0 – 8)
= -1(2) + 2(-5) – 1(-8)
= -2 – 10 + 8
 A  = -4 .

Properties of Determinants
1. Let A be a square matrix and r be a nonzero scalar.
a) If a matrix B is obtained from A by multiplying the elements of a row or
column by r, then B  = r A .
b) If a matrix B is obtained from A by interchanging two rows or columns, then
B  = - A .
c) If a matrix B is obtained from A by adding a multiple of one row or column to
another row or column, then B  = A .
2. Let A be a square matrix. A is singular whose A = 0 if
a) all the elements of row or column are zero.
b) two rows or columns are equal.
c) two rows or columns are proportional.
3. Let A and B be n x n matrices and r be a nonzero scalar.
a) Determinant of a scalar multiple
rA  = rn A  .
b) Determinant of a product
AB  = A B .
c) Determinant of a transpose
AT  = A  .
 d) Determinant of an inverse
1
A-1  =
A  for A-1 exists.

Note: Proofs of properties will be left to students as exercises.

Name: Year & Section:

Exercise 3: Definition and Properties of Determinants

1. Evaluate the following determinants.
a) 2 1

4 3

b) -1 2 1
3 3 2
4 5 3
2. If 3 4 2
A = 2 5 0
3 0 1 , then show that AT  = A  .

3. If A and B are 3 x 3 matrices and A  = -3, B  = -2, then use the properties of
determinants to compute the following.

a) 3A2B 

b) (A2B-1)T 
4. If a b
= 5, then evaluate
c d

a) a+ 2c b + 2d

c d

b) a b

c + 3a d + 3b .

5. Prove that if A, B, and C are square matrices of the same size, then
ABC  = A B C .
 Lecture 4. Cofactor Expansions
Let A be a square matrix. The minor of an element aij with a determinant of
order n is denoted by Mij . It is the determinant of order n - 1 that retains after
omitting the ith row and the jth column of A.

The cofactor of an element aij is denoted by Aij . It is given by

Aij = (-1)i + j Mij  .

Note: The minor and the cofactor differ only in sign, i.e.,
Aij =  Mij  .

Example 1: Determine the minors and the cofactors of elements a12 and a33 of the
matrix A.
2 -1 3
A = 4 2 1
0 3 2

Solution: By applying the definition,

Minor of a12 :
4 1
M12  =
0 2

= (4)(2) – (1)(0)
= 8–0
 M12  = 8

Cofactor of a12 :
A12 = (-1)1+2 M12 
= (-1)3 (8)
= -1(8)
 A12 = -8

Minor of a33 :
2 -1
M33  =
4 2

= (2)(2) – (-1)(4)
= 4+4
 M33  = 8

Cofactor of a33 :
A33 = (-1)3+3 M33
= 
(-1)6 (8)
= 1(8)
 A33 = 8
Note: The determinant of a square matrix is the sum of the products of the elements
of any row or column and their cofactors.
For ith row expansion,
A  = ai1 Ai1 + ai2 Ai2 + … + ain Ain.

For jth column expansion,

A  = a1j A1j + a2j A2j + …. + anj Anj .
The useful rule that can be used to give the sign part of the cofactor expansions is (-
1)i+j . In symbol, the rule is summarized in an array form as follows:

+ - + - …
- + - + …
+ - + - …
. . . . …
. . . . …
. . . . … .

Let A be an n x n matrix and Aij be the cofactor of aij. The matrix whose (i , j)th
element is Aij is called the matrix cofactors of A. The transpose of this matrix is called
the adjoint of A and is denoted by adj(A).

In symbol, the matrix cofactors is

A11 A12 … A1n
A21 A22 … A2n
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
An1 An2 … Ann

while the adjoint matrix is

A11 A21 … An1

A12 A22 … An2
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
A1n A2n … Ann .

Example 2: Find the determinant of

1 2 -1
A= 3 0 1
2 1 1 using the second row.

Solution: The determinant of A in terms of second row is

A  = a21 A21 + a22 A22 + a23 A23
 2 -1 1 -1 1 2
= -3 + 0 – 1
1 1 2 1 2 1

= -3 [(2)(1) – (-1)(1)] + 0[(1)(1) – (-1)(2)] – 1 [(1)(1) – (2)(2)]

= -3(2 + 1) + 0(1 + 2) – 1(1 – 4)

= -3(3) + 0(3) – 1(-3)

= -9 + 0 + 3

 A  = -6 .

Example 3: What is the matrix cofactors and the adjoint matrix of the matrix A ?
0 3 2
A = 1 -2 -1
2 5 1

Solution: The cofactors of A are as follows.

-2 -1
A11 = (-1) 1+1
= (1)(-2 – -5) = 3
5 1

3 2
A21 = (-1)2+1 = (-1)(3 – 10) = 7
5 1

3 2
A31 = (-1)3+1 = (1)(-3 – -4) = 1
-2 -1

1 -1
A12 = (-1)1+2 = (-1)(1 – -2) = - 3
2 1

0 2
A22 = (-1)2+2 = (1)(0 – 4) = -4
2 1

0 2
A32 = (-1) 3+2
= (-1)(0 – 2) = 2
1 -1

1 -2
A13 = (-1)1+3 = (1)(5 – -4) = 9
2 5
 0 3
A23 = (- = (-1)(0 – 6) = 6
1)2+3 2 5

0 3
= (1)(0 – 3) = -3 .
A33 = (- 1 -2
1)3+3

Thus, the matrix cofactors of A is

3 -3 9
7 -4 6
1 2 -3

and the adjoint of A is the transpose of the matrix cofactors of A, i.e.,

3 7 1
adj(A) = -3 -4 2
9 6 -3 .

Let A be a square matrix with A   0, A is invertible with inverse of a matrix

1
A-1 = adj(A) .
A 

Example 4: Determine the inverse of a matrix

0 3 2
A = 1 -2 -1
2 5 1

by using
1
A-1 = adj(A).
A 

Solution:
-2 -1 1 -1 1 -2
A  = 0 – 3 + 2
5 2 1 2 5

= 0(-2 + 5) – 3(1 + 2) + 2(5 + 4)

= 0(3) – 3(3) + 2(9)
= 0 – 9 + 18
 A  = 9
The 3 7 1
adj(A) = -3 -4 2
9 6 -3 from the previous example.
 Then 1
-1
A = adj(A)
A 

1 3 7 1
A = -1 -3 -4 2
9 9 6 -3

3/9 7/9 1/9

= -3/9 -4/9 2/9
9/9 6/9 -3/9

1/3 7/9 1/9

 A-1 = -1/3 -4/9 2/9
1 2/3 -1/3 .
Name: Year & Section:

Exercise 4: Cofactor Expansions

Do what is indicated in each situation.

1. Obtain the minors and the cofactors of elements a13 and a31 of the matrix
1 2 6
A = 2 4 3
7 3 -1 .

2. What is the determinant of

-3 -2 -5
B = 3 4 1
1 1 3 in terms of third row ?
3. Determine the matrix cofactors and the adjoint matrix of the matrix

1 5 2
Q = 0 2 3
4 1 3 .

.
4. Find the inverse of a matrix A below using its adjoint.

0 3 3
A = 1 2 3
1 4 6
5. Prove that (adj A)-1 = adj(A-1).
 Lecture 5. Cramer’s Rule
Cramer’s rule is another method used in obtaining the values of the unknowns
for a given system of n linear equations. Let AX = B be a system of n linear equations
in n variables such that A   0.
The system has a unique solution given by
A1  A2  An 
x1 = , x2 = , … , xn =
A  A  A 
where Ai is the matrix obtained by replacing ith column by the constants b 1,
b2, … , bn .

Example 1: Solve the following system of equations using Cramer’s rule.

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

Solution:
Let 1 2 3
A = B =
-1 5 4

A  = (1)(5) – (2)(-1)
= 5+2

 A  = 7 .

3 2 1 3
A1 = A2
4 5 -1 4
=

A1  = (3)(5) – (2)(4) A2  = (1)(4) – (3)(-1)

= 15 – 8 = 4+3

 A1  = 7  A2  = 7

Thus, the solutions for x and y are as follow:

A1  A2 
x = y =
A  A 

= 7/7 = 7/7

x = 1 y = 1

Example 2: Find the solutions of the following system of linear equations by using
Cramer’s Rule.
x + 3y + z = -2
2x + 5y + z = -5
x + 2y + 3z = 6
Solution:
Let
1 3 1 -2
A = 2 5 1 B = -5
1 2 3 6

5 1 2 1 2 5
A  = 1 – 3 + 1
2 3 1 3 1 2

= 1(15 – 2) – 3(6 – 1) + 1(4 – 5)

= 1(13) – 3(5) + 1(-1)
= 13 – 15 – 1
 A  = -3

-2 3 1 1 -2 1
A1 = -5 5 1 A2 = 2 -5 1
6 2 3 , 1 6 3 ,

1 3 -2
and A3 = 2 5 -5
1 2 6 .

Solve for A1 ,

5 1 -5 1 -5 5
A1  = -2 – 3 + 1
2 6 3 6 2

= -2(15 – 2) – 3(-15 – 6) + 1(-10 – 30)

= -2(13) – 3(-21) + 1(-40)
= -26 + 63 – 40
 A1  = -3

Solve for A2 ,

5 1 2 1 2 -5
A2  = 1 – (-2) + 1
6 1 3 1 6

= 1(-15 – 6) + 2(6 – 1) + 1(12 + 5)

= 1(-21) + 2(5) + 1(17)
= -21 + 10 + 17
 A2  = 6
Solve for A3 ,
5 -5 2 -5 2 5
A3  = 1 – 3 + (-2)
2 1 6 1 2

6
 = 1(30 + 10) – 3(12 + 5) – 2(4 – 5)
= 1(40) – 3(17) – 2(-1)
= 40 – 51 + 2
 A3  = -9

Thus, the solutions for x, y, and z are as follow:

A1  A2  A3 
x = y = z =
A  A  A 

= -3/-3 = 6/-3 = -9/-3

x = 1 y = -2 z = 3

The unique solution is x = 1

y = -2
z = 3.

Example 3: Determine values of m for which the following system of equations has
nontrivial solutions. Find the solutions for each value of m.
(m +2)x + (m + 4)y = 0
2x + (m +1) y = 0

Solution:
m+2 m+4
= 0
2 m+1

(m + 2)(m + 1) – (m + 4)(2) = 0
2
m + 3m + 2 – 2m – 8 = 0
m2 + m – 6 = 0
(m + 3)(m – 2) = 0
Equating each factor to zero:
m+3 = 0 m–2 = 0
m = -3 m = 2
when m = -3, the system of equations becomes
-x + y = 0
2x – 2y = 0
Thus, the system of equations has many solutions, i.e.,
x = r
y = r .
when m = 2, the system of equations becomes
4x + 6y = 0
2x + 3y = 0
Thus, the system of equations has many solutions, i.e.,
y = r
x = - 3r/2 .
Name: Year & Section:

Exercise 5: Cramer’s Rule

Use Cramer’s rule to find the solution of the following systems.
1. x + 3y = -1
3x + 2y = 2

2. 5x + 2y + z = 8
x + 2y + 3z = 7
3x + 4y – 5z = 3
3. 2x + z = 36
3x – 4y = 2
2y + 5z = 9

4. Determine the values of r for which the following system of equations has
nontrivial solution. Find the solutions for each value of r.
(r + 4)x + (r – 2)y = 0
4x + (r -3) y = 0
5. Determine the values of t for which the following system of equations has
nontrivial solutions. Find the solutions for each value of t.
(5 – t)x + 4y + 2z = 0
4x + (5 – t)y + 2z = 0
2x + 2y + (2 – t)z = 0
Lecture 6. Applications of Determinants
A. Lines in rectangular coordinates system (R2)
Any 2 distinct points P1(x1, y1) and P2 (x2, y2) in R2 (Figure 2.4.1) determine a
straight line whose equation is
ax + by + c = 0
where a, b, and c are real numbers, and a and b are not both zero.


P2(x2, y2)

P1(x1, y1)
0

Figure 2.4.1
Since P1 and P2 lie on the line, their coordinates satisfy the equation of a straight
line:
ax1 + by1 + c = 0
ax2 + by2 + c = 0.
Thus, a linear system in the unknowns a, b, and c is obtained by
xa + yb + c = 0
x1a + y1b + c = 0
x2a + y2b + c = 0.
The system is a homogenous. It has nontrivial solution if and only if the determinant of
the coefficient matrix is zero, i.e.,
x y 1
x1 y1 1 = 0.
x2 y2 1

Example 1: Find the equation of the line determined by the points P1(2 , -1) and
P2(12 , 5).

Solution: By applying determinants,

x y 1
2 -1 1 = 0
12 5 1

x(-1 – 5) – y(2 – 12) + 1(10 + 12) = 0

-6x + 10y + 22 = 0

or -3x + 5y + 11 = 0 .
B. Planes in 3-dimensional spaces (R3)
An equation of the plane through non-collinear points P1(x1, y1, z1), P2(x2, y2,
z2), and P3(x3, y3, z3)
is given by

x y z 1
x1 y1 z1 1 = 0.
x2 y2 z2 1
x3 y3 z3 1

Example 1: Fin the equation of a plane passing through the points

d
P1(1, 1, 1), P2(2, 3, 4), and P3(-5, 3, 2).

Solution: By applying determinants,

x y z 1
1 1 1 1 = 0
2 3 4 1
-5 3 2 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
x 3 4 1 –y 2 4 1 + z 2 3 1 –1 2 3 4 =0
3 2 1 -5 2 1 -5 3 1 -5 3 2

4 1 3 1 3 4
x 1 – 1 + 1
2 1 3 1 3 2

4 1 2 1 2 4
– y 1 – 1 + 1
2 -5 1 -5 2
1

3 2 1 2 3
– 1 +
1 1 -5 3
+ z 1 -5 1
3

3 2 2 3
+ 1 = 0
4 4 -5 3
– 1 1 – 1
3 2 -5 2

x[1(4 – 2) – 1(3 – 3) + 1(6 – 12)] – y[1(4 – 2) – 1(2 + 5) + 1(4 + 20)]

+ z[1(3 – 3) – 1(2 + 5) + 1(6 + 15)] – 1[1(6 – 12) – 1(4 + 20) + 1(6 +15)] = 0

x[1(2) – 1(0) + 1(-6)] – y[1(2) – 1(7) + 1(24)] + z[1(0) – 1(7) + 1(21)]

– 1[1(-6) – 1(24) + 1(21)] = 0

x(2 – 0 – 6) – y(2 – 7 + 24) + z(0 – 7 + 21) – 1(-6 – 24 + 21) = 0

x (-4) – y(19) + z(14) – 1(-9) = 0

 - 4x – 19y + 14z + 9 = 0

or 4x + 19y – 14z – 9 = 0.
Name: Year & Section:

Exercise 6: Applications of Determinants

Determine the equation of a line or a plane passing through the given points.
1. (-3 , 4) and (3 , -2).

2. (1 , 2) and (3 , 6).
3. (4 , 3 , -2) , (1 , 0 , 2) , and (5 , -2 , 3).

4. (3 , 4 , -5) , (-2 , -3 , 1) , and (2 , -3 , 1).

5. (-1 , -2 , 3) , (-5 , 3 , 2) , and (-3 , -2 , -2).