Systems of Linear Equations

Online Lecture 1
Rebecca V. Calderon
 linear equation
The equation
which expresses the real or complex quantity b in terms of the
unknowns , x1, x2….xn and the real or complex constants a1, a2, …an
A solution to a Iinear equation is a sequence of n numbers s1.,s2.. .,sn.
which has the property that the linear equation is satisfied when x1 =
s1,x2 = s2, . .. ,xn= sn are substituted in the linear equation.
system of m linear equations in n unknowns, x1, x2, x3….xn or a linear
system, is a set of m linear equations each in n unknowns.
Solution of System of Linear Equation

If the linear system has no solution, it is said to be inconsistent: if it

has a solution. it is called consistent.
If b 1 = b2 = ….= bn, = 0, then the system is called a homogeneous
system.

Note that x1= x2= xn= 0 is always a solution to a homogeneous

system; it is called the trivial solution. A solution to a homogeneous
system in which not all of x1,x2 ... Xn are zero is called a
nontrivial solution.
Two system of linear equations are equivalent if they both have exactly
the same solutions.
Example:
Finding the Solution Set of SLE

METHOD OF ELIMINATION: that is, we eliminate some variables by

adding a multiple of one equation to another equation. Elimination
merely amounts to the development of a new linear system that is
equivalent to the original system, but is much simpler to solve.
Example :
1.

2.

3.