MATRIX ALGEBRA

SIMULTANEOUS LINEAR EQUATIONS

 In this session we answer the following questions

• What is a Linear equation ?

• What is a system of Linear Equations ?

• Where do we apply ?

• What are the different methods to solve these Equations ?

Linear Equation

A linear equation is an equation which is of the form a1x1+ a2x2+…+

anxn = b, where x1, x2,…,xn are called the variables (which are in first
degree) and a1, a2,… ,an are called the coefficients and b is a constant.

Example:1. x + 2 = 0, is a linear equation with one variable

Example:2. 4x +y=4, is a linear equation with two variables

Example:2. 4x +y-2z=1, is a linear equation with three variables

System of Linear Equations

System of linear equations is a collection of two or more linear

equations involving the same set of variables

A system of linear equations or (linear system).

system of linear equations in n variables is of the form

a1x1+ a2x2+……..+ anxn = k1

b1x1+ b2x2+……..+ bnxn = k2
. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
c1x1+ c2x2+……..+ cnxn = kn

Where x1, x2……..xn are called the variables and a1, a2…….. an , b1, b2…….. bn c1,
c2…….. cn called the coefficients and are k1 k2 ……………kn constants.
Example:1.
x+2y=1
2x-y=4, this is a system of linear equations with
two variables.

Example:2.
5x+2y-2z=1
x-3y+z=4,
2x-3y+3z=4 this is a system of linear equations
with three variables.
 Applications of system of linear equations in Real life

• To find the current flow in an electrical circuits

containing two or more branches.
• In a diet mixing problems to determine the amount of
each diet to be taken, so as to satisfy the daily
requirement of Proteins, Minerals and Vitamins.
Calculating medicine doses based on patients' weights.
• Utilization of the available resource to find the
production level.
• Crop mixing problems to maximize the revenue from
the product.
Example: 1
The cost of a ticket to the circus is $25.00 for children and $50.00 for adults. On a
certain day, attendance at the circus is 2,000 and the total gate revenue is
$70,000.Write mathematical formulation of the problem, to determine the number
of children and adults attended circus on that day.
Solution:
Let c be the number of children and a be the number of adults attend the
circus. Number of people attend is c+a
Since 2,000 people attended on a certain day.
c+a=2,000----(1)
The revenue from all children tickets can be found by multiplying $25.00 by
the number of children, i.e, 25c.
The revenue from all adult tickets can be found by multiplying $50.00 by
the number of adults, i.e, 50a.
So the total revenue generated from the sale of tickets is 25c+50a.
Given that the total gate revenue is $70,000.

We can use this to write an equation for the revenue.

25c+50a=70,000-------(2)

Solving equations (1) and (2), we get the number of children and

adults attended the circus.

Example: 2
A firm can produce three types of cloths A, B and C. Three kinds of wool are
required for it, say red, green and blue wool. One unit of type ‘A’ cloth needs 2
yards of red wool, 8 yards of green and one yard of blue wool; one unit length of
type ‘B’ cloth needs one yard of red, 3 yards of green and 5 yards of blue wool;
one unit length of type ‘C’ cloth needs 6 yards red, 2 yards of green and one yard
of blue wool. The firm has only a stock of 9 yards red, 13 yards green and 7 yards
of blue wool. If total stock is used, then write mathematical formulation of the
problem, to determine the number of units of the three types cloth A, B and C to
be produced.
Solution:

Let x be the number of units of type A cloth, y be the number of units of type B
cloth and z be the number of units of type C cloth to be produced.
We can construct a table from the given data as follows

Type/wool Red Green Blue No.of Units

Type A 2 8 1 X
Type B 1 3 5 Y
Type C 6 2 1 z
9 13 7
One unit of type-A cloth needs 2 yards of red wool required, so x units of type-A cloth needs
2x yards of red wool
One unit of type-B cloth needs 1 yard of red wool required, so y units of type-B cloth needs
1 y yards of red wool
One unit of type-C cloth needs 6 yard of red wool required, so z units of type-c cloth needs
6z yards of red wool
The total available red wool is 9 yards
But the total requirement of the red wool must be equal to the availability of red wool. The
equation satisfying the condition is 2x + y +6z = 9
Similarly
the total requirement of the green wool must be equal to the availability of green wool. The
equation satisfying the condition is 8 x +3 y +2 z = 13
the total requirement of the blue wool must be equal to the availability of blue wool. The
equation satisfying the condition is x + 5 y +z = 7
Thus, we get the following system of three linear equations in three variables
2x + y +6z = 9
8 x +3 y +2 z = 13
x + 5 y +z = 7
Practice Problems:

1. Ace Novelty wishes to produce three types of souvenirs: types A, B, and C. To

manufacture a type-A souvenir requires 1 minutes on machine I, 2 minute on
machine II, and 3 minutes on machine III. A type-B souvenir requires 2 minute
on machine I, 3 minutes on machine II, and 4 minute on machine III. A type-C
souvenir requires 3 minute on machine I and 4 minutes on machines II and 1
minute on machine III. There are 14 min available on machine I, 20 min
available on machine II, and 14 min available on machine III for processing the
order. Write mathematical formulation of the problem, to determine the number
souvenirs of each type should Ace Novelty make in order if use all of the
available time.
2. Ram, Raj, and Ravi go to a restaurant for lunch and order three different items.

Ram orders 2 plates of fried rice, 3 plates of chicken pieces and 1-plate of curd

rice. Raj orders 1 plate of fried rice, 2 plates of chicken pieces and 3 plates of curd

rice. Ravi orders 3 plates of fried rice, 1 plate of chicken pieces and 2 plates of curd

rice. Ram’s bill costs $9, Raj’s costs $6, and Ravi’s costs $8. Write mathematical

formulation of the problem, to determine plate cost of each item.

3. The Johnson Farm has 500 acres of land allotted for cultivating corn
and wheat. The cost of cultivating corn and wheat (including seeds
and labor) is $42 and $30 per acre, respectively. Jacob Johnson has
$18,600 available for cultivating these crops. If he wishes to use all
the allotted land and his entire budget for cultivating these two crops,
then write mathematical formulation of the problem, to determine
the number acres of each crop should he plant?