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2.3.4 Homogeneous Linear • All homogeneous systems are

Systems consistent, since
x1 = x2 = · · · = xn = 0
Homogeneous Systems
is always a solution.
A homogeneous linear system is of the
form
• x = 0 is known as the trivial solution.
Ax = 0
• x ̸= 0 is a non-trivial solution.

Possible solutions to the homogeneous

system:
(a) The trivial solution.

(b) Infinitely-many solutions

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Example

Solve the linear system of equations

x1 − x2 + x3 = 0

3x1 − x2 − x3 = 0

2x1 + x2 − 3x3 = 0
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Example

Solve the linear system of equations

x1 − x2 − x3 + 3x4 = 0

x1 + x2 − 2x3 + x4 = 0

4x1 − 2x2 + 4x3 + x4 = 0

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Inhomogeneous Systems

An inhomogeneous linear system is of the

form

Ax = b
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Example

Solve the linear system of equations

x1 − x2 − x3 + 3x4 = 1

x1 + x2 − 2x3 + x4 = −1

4x1 − 2x2 + 4x3 + x4 = 11

By substitution confirm that

(3 )
s0 = 2 , − 1
2 , 1, 0

is a particular solution to
the inhomogeneous system
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Example

Determine the solution to the following

linear equation

x1 − 2x2 + 3x3 = −1