1.
6 - Systems of Equations and
Invertibility
Read 1.6 and try odd numbered
problems.
Theorem 1.6.1: Every system of
linear equations has either one
solution, no solutions or infinitely
many solutions.
Proof: We just need to show that if
the system has two solutions, then
it has infinitely many.
Suppose Ax  b had two solutions
x 1 and x 2 . Let x 0  x 1 " x 2 . Then
Ax 0  AŸx 1 " x 2    Ax 1 " Ax 2
 b " b  0.
Then for any scalar k,
1 2
Assume for each n • 1 matrix b, the
system Ax  b has exactly one
solution.
Then the system Ax  0 has only
the trivial solution. So A is
invertible.
Examples of linear systems with
the same coefficient matrix
3 4
AŸx 1  kx 0    Ax 1  AŸkx 0  
 Ax 1  kAx 0  b  k0  b.
So x 1  kx 0 is a solution for any k.
Theorem 1.6.2 A n•n is invertible if
and only if for each n • 1 matrix b,
the system Ax  b has exactly one
solution, namely x  A "1 b.
Proof.
Assume A is invertible. then:
Ax  b ® A "1 ŸAx    A "1 b
® x  A "1 b
Theorem 1.6.3 Let A be a square
matrix.
(a) If B is a square matrix and
BA  I, then B  A "1 .
(b) If C is a square matrix and
AC  I, then C  A "1 .
Proof:
® ®
(a)
Ax  0 BAx  B0  0 x  0,
so the system Ax  0 has only one
solution. Thus A is invertible.
So,
BA  I ® BAA "1  A "1 ® B  A "1
(b) similar
Theorem 1.6.4 If A is n • n, then Theorem 1.6.5. Let A and B be
the following are equivalent square n • n matrices. If AB is
1. A is invertible invertible, then A and B must also
2. Ax  0 has only the trivial be invertible.
solution Proof:
3. The rref of A is I Bx  0 must have only one
4. A is expressible as a product of solution. For otherwise, ABx  0
elementary matrices. would have more than one
5. Ax  b is consistent for each solution. So B is invertible.
n • 1 matrix b Let C be the inverse of AB. Then
6. Ax  b has exactly one solution I  ŸAB  C  AŸBC , so A "1  BC.
for every n • 1 matrix b
Proof
(1)® (6) ®
(6) (5) ®
(5) (1)

5 6

Fundamental Problem:
Let A be m • n. Find all m • 1
matrices b such that Ax  b is
consistent.

If A is invertible, we know the

answer. If A is either not square, or
square and not invertible, we don’t.

Examples: