AMOUD UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF COMPUTING & INFORMATICS

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Linear Algebra

LECTURE NOTES

CHAPTER ONE

System of Linear Equations

CLASS: Sophomore IT

FIRST SEMESTER

ACADEMIC YEAR: September, 2021 – July, 2022

 SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS
 A system of linear equations is just a set of two or more linear equations.
 A System of Linear Equations is when we have two or more linear equations working
together.

 In two variables (x  and  y) , the graph of a system of two equations is a pair of lines in the
plane. There are three possibilities:
 The lines intersect at zero points. (The lines are parallel) no solution.
 The lines intersect at exactly one point. (Most cases) one solution.
 The lines intersect at infinitely many points. (The two equations represent the same line)
infinitely many solution.

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Note: Algebra Vs Graphs
 We can both algebraic method and graphic method for two variables.
 But more than two variables can’t be solved by a simple graph. So Algebra comes to the
rescue with two popular methods:
 Solving By Substitution
 Solving By Elimination

Linear Equations in One Variable

What is an equation?
 A statement of equality of two algebraic expressions in or more variables is called an
equation.
For example;
i. x+1=2 and
ii. 2y + 3 = 5
In i) above, x + 1 is an algebraic expression in the variable x. we read it as , “ x plus 1 is equal to
2”. x is some number, called variable.
In ii) above, 2y + 3 is an algebraic expression in the variable y, we read it as, “2 times y plus 3
is equal to 5 ”. y is some number, called variable.

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The three components of an equation
Every equation has a Left hand side, the equality sign ‘=’ and the Right hand side. the three
components in the equation x + 1 = 2 are:

Solution/Root of an Equation
 The value x of , i.e. some number for x, which makes the equation a true statement is called
solution or root of the equation.
 In simple words, if the L.H.S. and R.H.S become equal for some number plugged in for ,
then the number, also called value, is the solution or root of the equation.
 In x +1 = 2, what should be plugged in for x so that L.H.S. becomes equal to R.H.S?
It is 1, i.e. if 1 is plugged in for x, the two sides become equal. This number or value 1 for x
is called root or solution of the equation.

Types of Equations
1. Conditional equation. A conditional is an equation with one variable that has one solution
only as a solution (one solution).
2. Contradiction. A contradiction is an equation with one variable that has no solution.
3. Identity. An identity is an equation with one variable that has all real numbers as a solution
(many solutions).

Example (1)
Determine whether the given number is satisfied by the equation;
a) 2x + 6 = 4x – 2 ; 4
b) 2(y – 4) = 5y – 10 ; -3

Addition and Subtraction properties of equality

1. If a = b then a + c = b + c
2. If a = b then a – c = b - c

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Example (2)
Solve for the variable.
a) x – 5 = 2
b) y + 4 = -7

Multiplication and Division properties of equality

3. If a = b then a(c) = b(c)

4. If a = b then a/c = b/c where c is not equal to 0

Example (3)
Solve for the variable
a) =5

b) 5 = 7
c) 10 – 3x = 7
d) 2(x + 5) – 7 = 3(x – 2)

Example (4)
Determine whether the equation is an identity, conditional or contradiction and solve if solution
exists.

a) x+ = 2x -

b) 4 − 1 = 4( + 3)
c) 5 + 10 = 8 + 17 – 3x – 7

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 System of Linear Equations in Two Variables
 A system of equations refers to "n" unknowns for "n" equations.
3 − = 12
 For example;
2 + = 13
 Solutions to a system of equations is an ordered pair (x, y) in which when you substitute the

values for x and y into both equations it yields a true statement for both equations.

 System of linear equation in two variables can be solved either by:

1. Graphically

2. Substation

3. Elimination

 Solution of system of linear equation can be:

1. Consistent (one solution)

2. Consistent (many solution)

3. Inconsistent (no solution)

Example (1)
Is (1, 2) a solution of the system, y - x =1 and 2x + y = 4?
substitute (1, 2) into y - x = 1: 2 - 1 = 1
1=1 true statement
substitute (1, 2) into 2x + y = 4: 2(1) + 2 = 4
4=4 true statement
Therefore, (1,2) is a solution to the system.

There are many different methods to solve systems of equations. Three methods will be
demonstrated.

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Solving the System of Linear Equation Graphically

When solving system of linear equations graphically, consider the steps below:
Step 1: Graph the first equation
Step 2: Graph the second equation on the same coordinate system as the first
Step 3: Find the solution.
 If the two lines intersect at one place, then the point of intersection is the solution to the
system.
 If the two lines are parallel, then they never intersect, so there is no solution.
Step 4: Check the proposed ordered pair solution in both equations.
 You can plug in the proposed solution in both equations. If it makes both equations true then
you have your solution to the system.
 If it makes at least one of them false, you need to go back and redo the problem.

Note: When graphing an equation, several methods are possible. The simplest one is to use
slope-intercept form. y = mx + b

Example (2)
Solve the system of equations by graphing.
+ =3
− =1

Example (3)
Solve graphically
3 +4 =8
− 3 = −6

Solving the System of Linear Equation by Substitution

To solve the system of linear equations in two variables by substitution, do the steps below:
Step 1: Simplify if needed.
Step 2: Solve one equation for either variable.
Step 3: Substitute what you get for step 2 into the other equation.
Step 4: Solve for the remaining variable.
Step 5: Solve for second variable.

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Example (4)
Solve the system of equations by the substation method.
3 − 5 = 15
2 − = −4

Example (5)
Solve by substitution
− =
2 + = 9

Solving the System of Linear Equation by Elimination

 This method is also known as addition method or elimination by addition method.

 To solve a system of linear equations in two variables by elimination method, follow the
steps below;
Step 1: Simplify and put both equations in the form Ax + Bx = C if needed.
Step 2: Multiply one or both equations by a number that will create opposite coefficients for
either x or y if needed.
Step 3: Add equations.
Step 4: Solve for remaining variable.
Step 5: Solve for second variable.
Step 6: Check the proposed ordered pair solution in both original equations.

Example (6)
Solve the system of equations by elimination.
+ =8
− = −6

Example (7)
Solve the system of equations by elimination.
3 + =9
5 + 4 = 22

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 System of Linear Equations in Three Variables
 A system of equations in three variables is any system that essentially contains three
unknown quantities. The variables x, y, and z are usually used to represent these unknown
values.
 Needless to say, a system of linear equations in three variables is a system that meets both
conditions listed above. While a system of equations can contain any number of equations,
ones with three unknown quantities usually require three equations (special cases might
require only two, and additional conditions might require more than three). For the purposes
of this lesson, all systems can be written in the general form.
 a1 x  b1 y  c1 z  d1

a2 x  b2 y  c2 z  d 2 ,
a x  b y  c z  d
 3 3 3 3

where an, bn, cn, and dn are any real number.

 To solve such a system means to find the coordinate triple (x, y, z) that makes all three
equations a true statement.

Example (1)
Solve the system using substitution.
3 + 4 + 2 = 11
2 +3 − = 4
5 + 5 − 3 = −1

Example (2)
Solve the system using addition method.
−2 +3 =7
2 + + = 4
−3 + 2 − 2 = −10

Example (3)
Solve the system
−2 + =4
+ + = 2
3 + 3 + 3 = 14

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TRY IT!!!
Solve the system
+ + =2
a) + − = 2
2 +2 + =4
2 − 4 + 5 = −33
b) 4 − = −5
−2 + 2 − 3 = 19

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