System of Linear Equations

A system of linear equations in variables is of the form

Consistent: A system of linear equations is called consistent if it has at least one solution.
Inconsistent: A system of linear equations is called inconsistent if it has no solution.

 A system of linear equations has a unique solution if in echelon form:

The number of equations = the number of variables
 A system of linear equations has more than one solution if in echelon form:
The number of equations the number of variables
 A system of linear equations has no solution if in echelon form:
At least one equation will appear of the form

Example1: Solve the following system of equations by echelon matrix:

Solution: The augmented matrix of the given equations is

( )

( )

( )

Corresponding system of equations:

By using the back substitution we get the solution

Example2: Solve the following system of equations by echelon matrix:

Solution: The augmented matrix of the given equations is

( )

( )

( )

Corresponding system of equations:

 Or,

By using the back substitution we get the solution

Example3: Solve the following system of equations by echelon matrix:

Solution: The augmented matrix of the given equations is

( )

( )

Corresponding system of equations:

Or,

In the echelon form, the system has two equations in four variables. So the system has more than
one solution.
There are 2 free variables and and let and
Then the above equations give

and

( )
or,

Therefore the solution is

Where, and are any arbitrary number.
Example4: For what values of the following system of linear equations has: (i) a unique solution; (ii)
more than one solution; (iii) no solution.

Solution: The augmented matrix of the given equations is

( )

( )

( )

Corresponding system of equations:

We observe that
(i) If or, if , the system of equations has a unique
solution.
(ii) If , the system of equations has more than one solution.
(iii) If , the system of equations has no solution.

Exercises:
1. Solve the following system of linear equation by echelon matrix:
(i)

(ii)

(iii)
 (iv)

2. For what values of and the following system of linear equations has: (i) a unique solution; (ii)
more than one solution; (iii) no solution:

3. For what values of the following system of linear equations has: (i) a unique solution; (ii) more
than one solution; (iii) no solution: