UNIT II

MATRIX ALGEBRA AND ITS APPLICATIONS

Definition of a Matrix
A matrix is a rectangular array of numbers, parameters, or variables each of which has a carefully ordered
place within the matrix. The numbers (parameters or variables) are referred to as elements of the matrix. The
numbers in the horizontal like are called rows; the numbers in a vertical line are called columns. It is
customary to enclose the elements of a matrix in parentheses, brackets, or braces to signify that they must be
considered as a whole and not individually.

A matrix is any rectangular form of numbers arranged in rows and columns. Rows of a matrix are
numbered from top to the bottom & Columns of a matrix are numbered from left to right. A matrix is
often denoted by a single letter in bold face type. The first subscript in a matrix refers to the row and the
second subscript refers to the column. A general matrix of order m x n is written as:
X= x11 x12 x1n
x 21 x22 x2n

xm1 xm2 xmn (mxn)

If a matrix has m rows and n columns thus, m by n is called order (dimension) of a matrix. In matrix X, the
subscript numbers represents the row and the column on which an entry (member) is located. On the matrix
X, from the above example; x11 means, ‘x’ is located on the first row and first column of matrix X, x21
means, ‘x’ is located on the second row and first column of matrix X, xmn means ‘x’ is located on the mth
row and nth column.
Example:

A= a11 a12 a13

a 21 a22 a 23
a 31 a 32 a33 3x3

Here A is a general matrix composed of 3x3=9 elements, arranged in three rows and three columns. The
elements all have double subscripts which give the address or placement of the element in the matrix; the
first subscript identifies the row in which the element appears and the second identifies the column. For
instance, a23 is the element which appears in the second row and the third column and a32 is the element
which appears in the third row and the second column.
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Dimensions and Types of Matrices
Dimension of a matrix is defined as the number of rows and columns.
Based on their dimension (order), matrices are classified into the following types:
A. A row matrix: is a matrix that has only one row and can have many columns.
E .g. A= 2 5 7 is a row matrix of order 1x3.
B. A column matrix: is a matrix with one column and can have many rows.
E.g. B = 1
2
6 is a column matrix of dimensions 3x1.
 Vector Matrix: - Matrices with only one row or one column. These matrices can also be referred to
as row and column matrices.
C. A square matrix: is a matrix with equal number of rows and columns.
1 4 3
E.g. C = 6 ; D= 2 6 2 2 5
3 8 ; E= 8 6 9
D. A diagonal matrix: is a square matrix where its all non- diagonal elements are zero.
E.g. x = 2 0 0
0 6 0 is a diagonal matrix of order 3x3.
0 0 11

E. A scalar matrix: a square matrix is called a scalar matrix if all its non-diagonal elements are zero and
all diagonal elements are equal.
E.g. Y = 2 0 Z= 6 0 0
0 6 0
0 2 0 0 6

F. A unit matrix (Identity matrix): is a type of diagonal matrix where its main diagonal elements are
equal to one.
1 0 0
E.g. B = 0 1 0
0 0 1

G. A null matrix (zero matrix): a matrix is called a null matrix if all its elements are zero.

0 0 0
E.g. A= 0 0 0
0 0 0

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H. A symmetric matrix: a matrix is said to be symmetric if A = At.
E.g. A = 8 2 1
2 3 4
1 4 5

I. Idempotent matrix: this is a matrix having the property that A2 =A.

2 1 2 1
E.g. If A= ; then AA= A2 =
3 3 3 3
2 1 2 1
3 3 3 3
J. Equal Matrix: two matrices are equal, if and only if, they have the same order and each entry in one
matrix is identical with the corresponding entry of the other matrix. For two matrices to be equal, they
must be of the same size and have all the same entries in the same places.
E.g. Y = 1 2 Z= 1 2
3 4 3 4

 It is seen above that every scalar matrix is a diagonal matrix; whereas a diagonal matrix need not be
a scalar matrix. Every unit matrix is a scalar matrix; whereas a scalar matrix need not be a unit
matrix.

Matrix Operations and Properties

1. Matrix equality: two matrices are said to be equal if and only if they have the same dimension and
corresponding elements of each matrix are equal.
3 0 3 -4 3 0
E.g. A= B= C=
1 -4 1 0 1 -4
 A ≠ B; A = C; B ≠ C.
2. Transpose of a matrix: If the rows and columns of a matrix are interchanged the new matrix is known as
the transpose of the original matrix. If the original matrix is denoted by A, the transpose is denoted by
A  or At. Transposition means interchanging the rows or columns of a given matrix. That is, the rows
become columns and the columns become rows.
E.g B= 3 5 6 9
0 11 13 8
6 8 3 4
The transpose of matrix B, denoted by B ' or Bt is given as:
3 0 6
Bt = 5 11 8
6 13 3
9 8 4
3
 The dimension of B is changed from 3x4 to 4x3.
A= 1 3 A = 1 0 2
0 4 3 4 8
2 8 (2x3)
(3x2)
Properties of the transpose
The following properties are held for the transpose of a matrix:
 Property 1: (At)t =A
 Property 2: (aA)t = aAt, where (a) is a scalar (at = a)
 Property 3: (A+B)t = At + Bt
 Property 4: (AB)t = BtAt
3. Addison and subtraction of matrices: Two matrices A and B can be added or subtracted if and only if
they have the same order, which is the same number of rows and columns. That is, the number of
columns of matrix A is equal to the number of columns of matrix B, and the number of rows of matrix A
is equal to the number of rows of matrix B. Two matrices of the same order are said to be conformable
for addition and subtraction. The sum and subtraction of two matrices of the same order is obtained by
adding together or subtracting corresponding elements of the two matrices.

If A= (aij) and B= (bij), then C = A+B is the matrix having a general element of the form; Cij = aij + bij.
D = A-B → Dij = aij - bij .
Example:
A= 2 0 B= 3 6
-5 6 4 1

Then;
2+3 0+6 5 6

A+B = -5+4 6+1 = -1 7

1 5 10 2
If A= 6 7 B=
8 9 8 6

 A+B is not defined, since orders of A and B is not the same.

Properties of matrix addition

a. Commutative law: A+B = B+A
b. Associative law: (A + B) + C = A + (B + C)
c. Existence of identity: A+ 0 = 0 + A = A.

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NB: The subtraction (difference) of two matrices of the same order is obtained by subtracting corresponding
elements.

 A-B ≠ B-A, thus matrix subtraction is not commutative.

 (A-B) –C ≠ A- (B-C); matrix subtraction is not associative.

4. Matrix Multiplication
Two matrices A and B can be multiplied together to get AB if the number of columns in A is equal to the
number of rows in B.
A B

n x s
mxn

Inner dimension

Outer dimension

 If two matrices have the same inner dimension, then we can get the product of the matrices. The
resulting matrix will have a dimension equal to the outer dimensions of the two matrices. There are
two types of matrix multiplication: multiplication by a scalar and multiplication by a matrix.

i. Scalar multiplication: in this type of multiplication, we multiply the scalar by each element of
the given matrix.
3 4 0
E.g. If B = 1 2 5
3 4 1

3 4 0 15 20 0
(5)*B = (5) =
1 2 5 5 10 25

3 4 1 15 20 5

ii. Multiplication by a matrix: multiplication by a matrix can be performed if the number of

columns in the first matrix is equal to the number of rows in the second matrix. In this type of
multiplication, we always multiply each row of the first matrix by each column of the second
matrix and sum the resulting outcome.
E.g. 1 2 2 1 4
A= 3 4 B=
0 1 (3x2) 3 0 5 (2x3)

5
 Then, A x B = (1x2) + (2x3) (1x1) + (2x0) (1x4) + (2x5)

(3x2) + (4x3) (3x1) + (4x0) (3x4) + (4x5)

(0x2) + (1x3) (0x1) + (1x0) (0x4) + (1x5)

8 1 14
AxB =
18 3 32

3 0 5 (3x3)

Properties of matrix multiplication

Property 1: The distributive law is valid in matrix multiplications.
A (B+C) = AB + AC
(B+C) A = BA + CA
Property 2: The associative law is valid in matrix multiplication.
(AB)C = A(BC) = ABC
Property 3: If I is an identity matrix, then;
AI = IA =A
In general, as long as the order of the matrix is maintained, matrix multiplication is associative, but matrix
multiplication is not commutative except for:
a) The multiplication of a matrix with an identity matrix;
i.e. A.I = I. A =A
b) The multiplication of a matrix with its inverse;
i.e., A.A-1 = A-1.A = I
Example
1. Interest at the rates of 0.06, 0.07 and 0.08 is earned on respective investments of $3,000, $2,000 and
$4,000.
Required:
a) Express the total amount of interest earned as the product of a row vector by a column vector.
b) Compute the total interest by matrix multiplication.
Solution:
Given: Let the interest rate matrix be I and investment matrix be B.
a) I = 0.06 0.07 0.08 3,000
(1x3);
B= 2,000

4,000 (3x1)

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  Total interest = (Interest rate matrix)*(Investment matrix) = I.B.
3,000
I.B = 0.06 0.07 0.08 .
2,000

4,000

= (0.06x3,000) + (0.07x2,000) + (0.08x4,000)

Total interest = 640 (1x1)

= $ 640
2. Finfine Furniture Factory (3F) produces three types of executive chairs namely A, B and C. The
following matrix shows the sale of executive chairs in two different cities.
Executive chairs
A B C
C1 400 300 200
Cities
C2 300 200 100 (2x3)

If the cost of each chair (A, B and C) is Birr 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 respectively, and the selling price is
Birr 1,500, 3,000 and 4,000 respectively;
a) Find the total cost of the factory for the total sale made.
b) Find the total profit of the factory.
Solution:
Given: Let the quantity matrix be q
Let the price matrix be p
Let the unit cost matrix be v;
a) 400 300 200 1,500 1,000
q= p= V=
3,000 2,000
300 200 100
4,000 3,000

 Total cost = (unit cost) (Quantity)

= 400 300 200 1,000 1,600,000

. 2,000 = 1,000,000
300 200 100
3,000

 Total cost = Birr 1,600,000 + Birr 1,000,000 = Birr 2,600,000

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 b) Total profit = Total Revenue - Total Cost

Total Revenue = (price) (quantity)

400 300 200 1,500

= .
3,000
300 200 100
2,300,000 4,000
=
1,450,000

 Total Revenue = Birr 2,300,000 + Birr 1,450,000 = Birr 3,750,000

 Profit = Birr 3,750,000 – Birr 2, 600,000 = Birr 1,150,000

Determinant of a matrix
Definition: the determinant is a single number or scalar and is found only for square matrices.
i. Let A = a11 (1x1), then the determinant of A denoted by A or det A is a11.

i.e det A= A = /a11/

ii. Let A = a11 a12

a21 a22 ( 2x2)

A = a11 a12

a21 a22
Is known as a determinant of order two and its value is given as: A = a11a22 - a12a21.

E.g. A= 6 4 A = 6 4 = 6(9) - 7(4) = 26

7 9 ; 7 9
iii. Let A = a11 a12 a13
a21 a22 a23
a31 a32 a33

A = a11 a12 a13

a21 a22 a23 is called a third order determinant

a31 a32 a33

a22 a23 a21 a23 a21 a22

A = +a11 a32 a33 - a12 a31 a33 +a13 a31 a32

= a11 (a22 a33 - a32 a23) – a12 (a21 a33-a31a23) + a13 (a21a32-a31a22)

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E.g. Let A= 1 2 4
0 -1 0
-2 0 3 ; Find A .

A = 1 2 4 -1 0 0 0 0 -1
0 -1 0 = +1 -2 +4
-2 0 3 0 3 -2 3 -2 0

= 1 (-1x3 – 0x0) -2 (0x3- (-2x0)) + 4 (0x0 – (-2x-1))

= -3 – 0 - 8
= -11
Minors and Cofactors: The element of a matrix remaining after the deletion process from a sub-determinant
of the matrix is called a minor. Thus the minor Mij is the determinant of the sub-matrix formed by deleting
the ith row and jth column of the matrix.
Given : A = a 11 a12 a13
a 21 a22 a23
a 31 a32 a33
Here, /m11/ is the Minor of a11, /m12 / the minor of a12 and /m13/ the minor of a13.
/m11/ = a22 a23
= a22 a33- a32 a23
a32 a33

/m12/ = a21 a23

= a21 a33 – a31a23
a31 a33

/m13/ = a21 a22

= a21 a32 - a31 a22
a31 a32

a11 a12
Given : A =
a 21 a22

/m11/ = / a22/ = a22 ; /m21/ = /a12/ = a12

/m12/ = / a21 / = a21 ; /m22/ = /a11/ = a11

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Example: If A = 2 1
0 4 ; then,
The minor of a11, /m11/, the element in the first row and first column is; /m11/ = /4/ = 4
The minor of a12, /m12/ = 0
The minor of a21, /m21/ =1
The minor of a22, /m22/ = 2

 The cofactor (Cij) of the element aij of the matrix A is the minor of aij multiplied by (-1)i+j; so that if i+j
is even, the cofactor and the minor are equal, and if i+j is odd, the cofactor is the negative of the minor.
 The adjoint of A is the transpose of the cofactor matrix of A.

Taking the above example, the cofactors are computed as follows:

C11 = cofactor of a11 (the element in the first row and first column)
= /m11/. (-1)1+1
= 4(-1)2 = 4
C12 = /m12/. (-1)1+2
= 0(-1)3 = 0
C21= /m21/. (-1)2+1
= (1). (-1)3= -1
C22 = /m22/. (-1)2+2
= 2(-1)4 = 2

The cofactor matrix denoted by C, is given by:

c11 c12 4 0
C= =
c21 c22 -1 2

Adjoint of (A), which is the transpose of the cofactor matrix (ct ) is given by :
Adjoint (A) = ct = 4 -1

0 2

Inverse of a Matrix
In scalar algebra, the inverse of a number is that number which, when multiplied by the original number,
gives a product of 1. Hence, the inverse of x is simply 1/x; or in slightly different notation, x-1. In matrix
algebra, the inverse of a matrix is that which, when multiplied by the original matrix, gives an identity
matrix. The inverse of a matrix is denoted by the superscript “-1”. Hence, AA-1 = A-1A = I.

10
 Note that: A matrix must be square to have an inverse, but not all square matrices have an inverse. The
necessary and sufficient condition for a square matrix to possess its inverse is that /A/ ≠ 0.

Finding the inverse of a matrix requires the concept of row operations to be performed. The row operations
are the following:
a. Multiply or divide a row by a non- zero constant;
b. Add a multiple of one row to another row;
c. Interchanging of rows;

The most important methods to find inverse of a given matrix include the following:
1. Gauss- Jordan Inversion method
2. The zero-first method
3. The cofactor technique

I. Gauss- Jordan Inversion Method

The Gauss- Jordan inversion method starts by writing the given matrix at the left and the
corresponding identity matrix next to it, at the right. Then, apply row operations that will convert
the given matrix into an identity matrix and apply the same operations to the matrix at the right
simultaneously. When the left or the given matrix becomes an identity matrix, the matrix at the
right will be the desired inverse matrix.
i.e. A/I Apply Elementary Row Operation (ERO) I/A-1

Example: Find the inverse of the following matrix using the Gauss- Jordan method.
3 2
A= 1 1

Solution
Steps:
1st: write the given matrix at the left and the corresponding identity matrix at the right;
3 2 1 0
A/I =
1 1 0 1
N.B: corresponding identity matrix for 2x2 matrix is of dimension 2x2.
2nd : Interchange R1 and R2;

3 2 1 0 1 1 0 1
1 1 0 1 3 2 1 0

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3rd: Multiply R1 by -3 and add the result to R2;
-3 R1 = -3 -3 0 -3
+
R2 = 3 2 1 0
New R2 0 -1 1 -3
The resulting matrix is given by:
1 1 0 1

0 -1 1 -3

4th: Simply add R2 entries to R1 entries;

R2 = 0 -1 1 -3
+
R1 = 1 1 0 1
New R1 1 0 1 -2
The resulting matrix is given by:
1 0 1 -2
0 -1 1 -3

5th: Multiply R2 by -1;

(-1) (R2) = 0 1 -1 3
The resulting matrix is given by;
1 0 1 -2

0 1 -1 3

Thus; the inverse matrix A, denoted by A-1 is given as:

A-1 = 1 -2
-1 3
Check! A.A-1 = A-1. A = I
= 3 2 1 -2 1 0
. = 
1 1 -1 3 0 1

Exercise
1.Find the inverse of matrix B (B-1) using Gauss- Jordan Inversion method: B = 2 2 3
0 1 1
4 0 3

12
The Zero – first method
In using this method, first find zeros in the off-diagonal followed by ones in the main diagonal.
Example:
If C = 2 3
4 7 ; Find C-1 using zero –first method.

Solution:
1st → Write the augmented matrix; (C/I)
2 3 1 0
4 7 0 1

2nd → To translate the off- diagonal element in the second row and first column (i.e., 4) into zero; the
elementary row operation is; -2R1 + R2;
-2R1 = -4 -6 -2 0
+
R2 = 4 7 0 1
New R2 0 1 -2 1

The resultant matrix is; 2 3 1 0

0 1 -2 1

3rd →To translate the remaining off – diagonal element (i.e., 3) into zero; the elementary row operation is;
-3R2 + R1;
-3R2 = 0 -3 6 -3
+
R1 = 2 3 1 0
New R1 2 0 7 -3
2 0 7 -3
The resultant matrix is;
0 1 -2 1
4th → To translate the main- diagonal entry (i.e., 2) into one; the elementary row operation is; R1/2;
R1/2 = 1 0 7/2 -3/2
The final resultant matrix is given by:
1 0 7/2 -3/2
0 1 -2 1

Thus; C-1 = 7/2 -3/2

-2 1

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Check: C.C-1 = C-1 = I
2 3 7/2 -3/2 1 0 

4 7 -2 1 0 1

Example 2: Find the inverse of the following matrix by using the zero – first method.
0 -1 1
D= -1 1 2
1 0 -2
Solution:
1st →Write the augmented matrix;
0 -1 1 1 0 0
-1 1 2 0 1 0
1 0 -2 0 0 1

N.B: the corresponding identity matrix for a 3x3 matrix is of dimension 3x3.
2nd →Interchange R1 and R3;
The resultant matrix is given by; 1 0 -2 0 0 1
-1 1 2 0 1 0
0 -1 1 1 0 0
3rd → Add R1 to R2;
R1 = 1 0 -2 0 0 1
+
R2 = -1 1 2 0 1 0
New R2 0 1 0 0 1 1
The resultant matrix is given by:
1 0 -2 0 0 1
0 1 0 0 1 1
0 -1 1 1 0 0
4th → Add R2 to R3;
R2 = 0 1 0 0 1 1
+
R3 = 0 -1 1 1 0 0
New R3 0 0 1 1 1 1
The resultant matrix is given by:
1 0 -2 0 0 1
0 1 0 0 1 1
0 0 1 1 1 1
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5th →2R3 + R1 ;
2R3 = 0 0 2 2 2 2
+
R1 = 1 0 -2 0 0 1
New R1 1 0 0 2 2 3

The resultant matrix is given by: 1 0 0 2 2 3

0 1 0 0 1 1
0 0 1 1 1 1

Thus; D-1 = 2 2 3
0 1 1
1 1 1

Check: D.D-1 = D-1.D = I

0 -1 1 2 2 3 1 0 0

-1 1 2 . 0 1 1 = 0 1 0
1 0 -2 1 1 1 0 0 1

Exercise
1. Find the inverse of the following using the zero –first method;
3 2 3 3
C= D=
1 5 4 4

III. The Cofactor Technique

This method involves computation of minors, cofactors and the adjoint matrix in order to find the inverse of
a given matrix. Formula wise; the inverse of a given matrix A is given by:
A-1 = 1/ A *(Adj. A) = (Adj (A))
A
1 -2 3
Example; If A = 2 3 -1
-3 1 2 ; Find its inverse using the above formulae.
Solution:
a11 = 1 and its cofactor c11 = (-1)1+1 3 -1 =7
1 2

a12= -2 and its cofactor c12 = (-1)1+2 2 -1 = -1

-3 2

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 2 3
a13 = 3 and its cofactor c13 = (-1)1+3 = 11
-3 1
Similarly; C21= 7; C22= 11; C23= 5, C31= -7; C32= 7 and C33=7.
Adjoint of matrix A, Adj. (A) = the transpose of the cofactor matrix (Ct).

Cofactor matrix; c11 c12 c13 7 -1 11

C= c21 c22 c23 = 7 11 5
c31 c32 c33 -7 7 7

7 7 -7
Adj. (A) = Ct = -1 11 7
11 5 7

Determinant of matrix A; det (A) = (1x7) – (-2x1) + (3x11)

= 42
-1
Then, A = (Adj (A))
A

7 7 -7 7/42 7/42 -7/42

= 1/42 -1 11 7 = -1/42 11/42 7/42
11 5 7 11/42 5/42 7/42
Exercise
1. Find the inverse of the following using the cofactor technique;
a) 1 1 1 b)
C= 2 -1 2 x= 1 -1
1 0 -1 1 1

16
 Matrix Applications
Solving System of Linear Equations
A system of linear equations can be solved by the following three methods using matrix
algebra:
a) Cramer’s rule ( the determinant method)
b) The inverse method
c) The Gauss- Jordan method

Let us see each of the three methods one by one.

a) Cramer’s Rule:
This method sometimes called the determinant method; works according to this formula:
Xi = /Ai/; where xi = indicates the variables we want to solve for.
/A/ /Ai/= is the determinant obtained by putting the right-hand side of
the system in place of the column of coefficients of the variable
whose solution is needed; and
/A/ = is the determinant of the system.

Given a system of equations:

i) a11x+a12y = b1 → algebraic form
a21x+a22y= b2
The above system of equations can also be rewritten in expanded matrix form as follows:
a11 a12 x b1
. =
a21 a22 y b2
Matrix of coefficients column vector of column vector of
denoted by A variables (X) constants (B)

Using Cramer’s rule, the solution is given by:

b1 a12 a11 b1
X=
b2 a22 ; and Y= a21 b2
A A

Example: x- y = 1 = 1 -1 x 1 → matrix expression

x+ y =2 . =
1 1 y 2
Then, x= 1 -1
2 1
A
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 = 1 -1
2 1
= 3/2
1 -1
1 1

y= 1 1 1 1
= 1/2
1 2 1 2
A 1 -1

1 1
ii) Given a system of equations:
a11x+ a12y+ a13z = b1
a21x+ a22y+ a23z = b2
a31 x+a32y+ a33z = b3

Expanded form:
a11 a12 a13 x b1
a21 a22 a23 . y = b2
a31 a32 a33 z b3
A X B
Then; the value of x is given by:
b1 a12 a13 a11 b1 a13
b2 a22 a23 a21 b2 a23
x= b3 a32 a33 ;y= a31 b3 a33
a11 a12 a13 a11 a12 a13
a21 a22 a23 a21 a22 a23
a31 a32 a33 a31 a32 a33

z= a11 a12 b1
a21 a22 b2
a31 a32 b3
a11 a22 a13
a21 a22 a23
a31 a32 a33
Exercise
1. Solve using Cramer’s rule:
2x + y – z = 0
x+y+z=0
y–z=1

18
b) The Inverse Method:
It is used to find the solution of linear equations when the number of equations is equal
to the number of variables (i.e. for square matrices only).
 Consider the following system of linear equations:
a11x1+ a12x2+ a13x3 = b1
a21x1+ a22x2+ a23x3 = b2
a31x1 + a32x2+ a33x3 = b3
These equations can be expanded as:
a11 a12 a13 x1 b1
a21 a22 a23 . x2 = b2
a31 a32 a33 x3 b3
Matrix of coefficient column vector of column vector of
(A) Variables (x) constants (B)

Therefore, AX = B
If we multiply the above equation by A-1, we get (A-1A) (x) = A-1B
IX = A-1B, but A-1A = I; therefore; IX =X
Thus, X = A-1B

In general, in using the inverse method to find the solution of linear equations:
1st Find the inverse of the coefficient matrix.
2nd Multiply the inverse with the column vector of constants.

Example: Solve the following equation using the inverse method.

a) 2x1 + 3x2 = 17
x1 + 2x2 =10
Solution :
a) 1st Write the expanded form;
2 3 X1 = 17
1 2 X2 10
2nd Find the inverse of the coefficient matrix;
2 3 1 0
1 2 0 1

 Interchange R1 and R2;

1 2 0 1
2 3 1 0

19
 -2R1 + R2;
-2 R = -2 -4 0 -2
+
R2 = 2 3 1 0
New R2 0 -1 1 -2

The resultant matrix is given by:

1 2 0 1
0 -1 1 -2

Multiply R2 by -1;

-1(R2) = 0 1 -1 2
The resultant matrix is given by:
1 2 0 1
0 1 -1 2
 -2R2 + R1;
-2R2 = 0 -2 2 -4
+
R1 = 1 2 0 1
New R1 1 0 2 -3

1 0 2 -3
0 1 -1 2

Thus, the inverse of the coefficient matrix is:

2 -3
-1 2
3rd Multiply the inverse by the constant matrix;
X= A-1B
X1 = 2 -3 . 17 = 4
X2 -1 2 10 3

Therefore, X1 = 4 and X2 = 3.

Exercise

1. Solve the following equation using the inverse method.

x+2y-3Z =11
3x+2y+Z = 1
2x+y -5Z=11
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c) The Gauss-Jordan Method:
This method works through several operations to reduce a given matrix of coefficients of
a system equation into an identity matrix. It is used to find the solution of linear
equations:
i) When the number of equations (m) is equal to the number of variables (n); i.e. m = n.
ii) When the number of equations (m) is greater than the number of variables (n); i.e., m>n.
iii) When the number of equations (m) is less than the number of variables (n); i.e., m<n.

It applies the concept of row operations both on the coefficient matrix (A) and the column
vector of constants (B) in order to convert them to an identity matrix (I) and the solution
matrix (S) respectively.
That is, (A/B) row operations (I/S)

i. Number of equations (m) equals number of variables (n)

The intention to convert (A/B) to (I/S) when the number of equations (m) equals the
number of variables (n) will result in:
1. Unique solution if the coefficient matrix has an inverse.
2. An infinite solution if the elements in the last row are all zeros including the constants’
column.
3. No solution if there is a row that is all zeros except in the constants’ column.

ii. Number of equations (m) greater than number of variables (n)

The intention to convert  A / B → I / S , when m >n, will result in:
1. Unique solution, if the elements in the last row are all zeros including the constants’
column. .
2. No solution, if there is a row that is all zeros except in the constants’ column.
3. An unlimited solution, if there is a matrix in a form different from (1) and (2).

iii. Number of equations (m) less than number of variables (n)

The attempt to convert matrix (A/B)  (I/S), when m <n, will result either in:
1. A row which is all zeros except in the constant column, indicating that there are no
solutions.
2. A matrix in a form different from (1), indicating that there are unlimited number of
solutions.

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Solving Word Problems
Steps:
1. Represent the unknown quantities by letters.
2. Translate the quantities from the statement of the problem and form an algebraic
expression; then, set up an equation.
3. Solve the equations for the unknowns.
4. Check the findings as per the statement in the problem.

Example-1
A manufacturer produces two products p and q. Each unit of product p requires in its
production 20 units of raw material A and 10 units of raw material B whereas each unit
of product q requires 30 units of raw material A and 50 units of raw material B. There is
a limited supply of only 1200 units of raw material A and 950 units of raw material B.
How many units of P and q can be produced if the manufacturer is to exhaust the
supply of raw materials (to operate at full capacity).

Solution:

Given: Raw materials Type of Products Availability

P q
A 20 30 1200
B 10 50 950

Step-1: Let x and y represent the number of units of product P and q to be produced
respectively at full capacity.
Step 2: Formulate the equations:
Raw material A: 20x+30y =1200  2x+3y =120
Raw material B: 10x+50y = 950  x+5y = 95
Step 3: Solve the equations:
Let us apply the Gaussian method;

Expanded form:

2 3 x = 120
1 5 . y 95

(A/B) (I/S)

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2 3 120

1 5 95

 Interchange R1and R2;

1 5 95

2 3 120

 -2R1+R2;

1 5 95

0 -7 -70

 R2/-7;

1 5 95

0 1 10

 -5R2+R1;

1 0 45

0 1 10

x = 45  x = 45 units

y 10 y = 10 units

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Step -4: Cross- Checking

 20x+30y =1200
20(45)+30(10) =1200
1200 =1200


 10x+50y = 950
10(45)+50(10)=950
950 = 950 

Example -2
Attendance records indicated that 1600 people attended a football game and the total
ticket receipt was 2800 birr. The admission price was 1.50 birr for students and 2.50
birr for others. Determine the number of students and non-students who attended
the game.
Solution:
Given: Attendants Total
Students Non-students receipt
Admission price ……. 1.50 birr 2.50 birr 2800 birr
Number of People - - 1600

Step -1: Let S and N represent the number of students and non – students who
attended the same respectively.
Step- 2: Develop the equations;
Number of people: S+N = 1600
Receipt : 1.50 S+ 2.50 N = 2800

Step- 3: Apply the Gaussian method;

1 1 . S = 1600
1.5 2.5 N 2800

  A / B → I / S 
1 1 1600

1.5 2.5 2800

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 -1.5 R1 + R2 ;

1 1 1600
0 1 400

 -R2 + R1 ;

1 0 1200
0 1 400

S = 1200
N 400  Number of students(S) = 1200.
Number of non-students (N) = 400
Total = 1600

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