Chapter 01: System of Linear Equations

Matrix Algebra
PMAT11232

NGA Karunathialake
gamage@kln.ac.lk
Chapter 02

Solutions of a System of linear equations

For a system of linear equations in n variables, precisely one of the following is

true.
1. The system has no solutions. (inconsistent system)
2. The system has exactly one solution. (consistent system)
3. The system has an infinite number of solutions (consistent system).
 Chapter 02
01. Inconsistent systems: No solutions
When the augmented matrix corresponding to a system of inconsistent
equations is converted to a row echelon form, there will be at least one row
where all entries left of the partition are zero and there is a non-zero entry to
the left of the partition.

To put it another way, the row echelon form of an inconsistent linear system
will have a row of type
[0 0 0 …... 0| *]

where * is some non-zero number.

Moreover, the test is diagnostic: if no such row exists then the equation
system must have solutions.
Example:
In the third row of the last matrix, left hand partition is zero and the right hand
partition is nonzero. It corresponds to the equation 0 = −2. As this system has no
solution, the system is inconsistent.
Chapter 02

02. Consistent systems: Unique solutions

If the row echelon form of an augmented matrix of a linear system of n
variable has n non zero rows then, then the linear system has a unique
solution.
That means, if the number of non-zero rows in the row-echelon form of the
augmented matrix is equal to the number of variables in the linear system,
then the system has a unique solution.
Chapter 02
Number of variable n = 4.
Number of non-zero rows = 4 = n. System has a unique solution.
Chapter 02: Sytem of Linear Equations 9
Consistent systems: Infinitely many solutions

If the number of non-zero rows of a row-echelon form of an augment matrix of

a consistent linear system is less than the number of variables, then the system
has infinitely many solution.

If the row-echelon form of an augment matrix 𝑛 × 𝑛 corresponding contains

only r (< n) number of non-zero rows then the corresponding infinitely many
solutions can be obtained by using (𝑛 − 𝑟) parameters.
Chapter 02: Sytem of Linear Equations 10
 0 1 −1 0 1 0 −3 −1
1 0 −3 −1 𝑅1 ↔ 𝑅2 0 1 −1 0
−1 3 0 1 −1 3 0 1
𝑅1 + 𝑅3 → 𝑅3
1 0 −3 −1 1 0 −3 −1
0 1 −1 0 −3𝑅2 + 𝑅3 → 𝑅3 0 1 −1 0
0 0 0 0 0 3 −3 0

Number of nonzero rows r = 2 ( < 3). System has infinitely many solutions.
Solutions can be written 𝑛 − 𝑟 = 3 − 2 = 1 parameter.
Chapter 02: Sytem of Linear Equations 11
 𝑥1 − 3𝑥3 = −1
𝑥2 − 𝑥3 = 0

Let 𝑥3 = 𝑡 (a parameter)

Chapter 02: Sytem of Linear Equations 12

Question 01
For what values of a, b and c the following system has a solution ?
𝑥 + 2z = 𝑎
2𝑥 + 𝑦 + 5𝑧 = 𝑏
𝑥−𝑦+𝑧 = 𝑐

1 0 2 𝑎
0 1 1 𝑏 − 2𝑎
0 −1 −1 𝑐−𝑎

For a consistent linear system, right hand

partition of the third row should be zero.

Chapter 02: Sytem of Linear Equations

Question 02
For what values of λ will the following equations fail to have a unique
solution?

1 1 1 1 𝑅2 − 𝑅1 → 𝑅2 1 1 1 1
1 2 4 𝜆 𝑅3 − 𝑅1 → 𝑅3 0 1 3 𝜆−1
1 4 10 𝜆2 0 3 9 𝜆2 − 1

Chapter 02: Sytem of Linear Equations 14

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0 1 3 𝜆−1 𝑅3 − 3𝑅2 → 𝑅3 0 1 3 𝜆−1
0 3 9 𝜆2 − 1 0 0 0 𝜆2 − 3𝜆 − 4

Since the left hand partition of the third row is zero, for a consistent
linear system, right hand partition of the third row also should be zero.

𝜆2 − 3𝜆 − 4 = 0 ⇒ 𝜆 = 4 𝑜𝑟 𝜆 = 1

Then the system has infinitely many solutions. Hence for any other values
of 𝜆 the system does not have a unique solution.
Chapter 02: Sytem of Linear Equations 15
Question 03:
Consider the system of equations,

Use the Gaussian elimination method to find the values of λ and µ for which
this system has
(i) no solution
(ii) infinitely many solutions
(iii) a unique solution.
Chapter 02: Sytem of Linear Equations 16
 2 −3 5 12 1 −7 8 17
3 1 𝜆 𝜇 𝑅1 ↔ 𝑅3 3 1 𝜆 𝜇
1 −7 8 17 2 −3 5 12
𝑅2 − 3𝑅1 → 𝑅2
𝑅3 − 2𝑅1 → 𝑅3

1 −7 8 17 1 −7 8 17
1
0 22 𝜆 − 24 𝜇 − 51 𝑅3 → 𝑅3 0 22 𝜆 − 24 𝜇 − 51
11
0 1 −1 −2 0 11 −11 −22

Chapter 02: Sytem of Linear Equations 17

 1 −7 8 17 1 −7 8 17
0 22 𝜆 − 24 𝜇 − 51 𝑅2 ↔ 𝑅3 0 1 −1 −2
0 1 −1 −2 0 22 𝜆 − 24 𝜇 − 51

𝑅3 − 22𝑅1 → 𝑅3

1 −7 8 17
0 1 −1 −2
0 0 𝜆−2 𝜇−7
(a) For inconsistent system (no solution) left hand partition of the third row
should be zero and right hand partition should be non-zero.
𝜆−2=0 and 𝜇 − 7 ≠ 0
𝜆 = 2 and 𝜇 ≠ 7 18
 1 −7 8 17
0 1 −1 −2
0 0 𝜆−2 𝜇−7

For infinitely many solution, third row should be zero.

𝜆 − 2 = 0 and 𝜇 − 7 = 0
𝜆 = 2 and 𝜇 = 7

For a unique solution left hand side of the third row should be nonzero.

𝜆≠2

Chapter 02: Sytem of Linear Equations 19

For more details

 Elementary Linear Algebra, 6th Edition by Ron Larson and David Falvo,
Houghton Mifflin Harcout Publishing Company, 2009

 Introduction to linear algebra, 1st Edition by James DeFranza and

Daniel Gagliardi, Mcgrawhill, 2008.

 Elementary Linear Algebra Applications Version, 11th Edition, by Howard

Anton and Chrisror Rorers, Wiley Plus, 2014

gamage@kln.ac.lk
0714458399
Chapter 02: Sytem of Linear Equations 21