Matrix Algebra Tutor -

Worksheet 8 –
Solving Systems of Equations
Using Matrix Inverses

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Matrix Algebra Tutor - Worksheet 8 – Solving Systems of Equations Using Matrix
Inverses

1. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses given the matrix inverse
below.
x+ y =4
2x + 3 y = 9

1 1 3 −1
The inverse of [ ] is [ ].
2 3 −2 1

2. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses given the matrix inverse
below.
3x + y = 0
x − 6 y = 38

6 1
3 1
The inverse of [ ] is [19
1
19
3 ].
1 −6 −
19 19

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3. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses.
3x − 4 y = 0
3x + 2 y = 36

4. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses.

2 x + 3 y = −4
3x − y = 5

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5. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses.
2x + 3 y = 7
3x − 4 y = 2

6. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses.

3x + 4 y = 7
4x − 3 y = 1

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7. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses given the matrix inverse
below.
x − 2 y + z = −9
2 y + 3z = 16
4y = 8
1 2
1 −
1 −2 1 3 3
1
The inverse of [0 2 3] is 0 0
4
.
0 4 0 1 1
[0 3
− ]
6

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8. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses given the matrix inverse
below.
x + y + z = −1
2x + y = 2
−3x = −9
1
0 0 −
1 1 1 3
2
The inverse of [ 2 1 0] is 0 1 3
.
−3 0 0 1
[1 −1 − ]
3

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9. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses.
2 x + 4 y − z = −3
y+z =4
2 y = −2

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10. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses given the inverse matrix
below.
x+ y+ z =0
2x + y − z = 2
2x + 2 y + z = 5

1 1 1 −1 3 1 −2
Given: [2 1 −1] = [−4 −1 3 ].
2 2 1 2 0 −1

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11. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses.
x + y + z = −1
2 x − y + z = 19
3x − 2 y − 4 z = 16

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12. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses.
2x − y + 4z = 7
x − 3 y + z = −2
3x − 2 y + 2 z = −2

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Answers – Matrix Algebra Tutor - Worksheet 8 – Solving Systems of Equations
Using Matrix Inverses

1. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses given the matrix inverse
below.
x+ y =4
2x + 3 y = 9

1 1 3 −1
The inverse of [ ] is [ ].
2 3 −2 1
Convert the system of equations into a matrix equation.
1 1 𝑥 4
[ ] ∙ [𝑦] = [ ]
2 3 9
Solve for the variable matrix using matrix inverses.

1 1 −1 1 1 𝑥 1 1 −1 4
[ ] ∙[ ] ∙ [𝑦] = [ ] ∙[ ]
2 3 2 3 2 3 9
1 0 𝑥 1 1 −1 4
[ ]∙[ ]=[ ] ∙[ ]
0 1 𝑦 2 3 9
𝑥 3 −1 4
[𝑦] = [ ]∙[ ]
−2 1 9
Multiply the matrices on the right.
𝑥 3 ∙ 4 + −1 ∙ 9 3
[𝑦 ] = [ ]=[ ]
−2 ∙ 4 + 1 ∙ 9 1
Answer: 𝑥 = 3, 𝑦 = 1

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2. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses given the matrix inverse
below.
3x + y = 0
x − 6 y = 38

6 1
3 1
The inverse of [ ] is [19
1
19
3 ].
1 −6 −
19 19

Convert the system of equations into a matrix equation.

3 1 𝑥 0
[ ] ∙ [𝑦 ] = [ ]
1 −6 38
Solve for the variable matrix using matrix inverses.

3 1 −1 3 1 𝑥 3 1 −1 0
[ ] ∙[ ] ∙ [𝑦 ] = [ ] ∙[ ]
1 −6 1 −6 1 −6 38
1 0 𝑥 3 1 −1 0
[ ]∙[ ]=[ ] ∙[ ]
0 1 𝑦 1 −6 38
6 1
𝑥 0
[𝑦] = [19 19 ] ∙ [ ]
1 3 38
−
19 19
Multiply the matrices on the right.
6 1
𝑥 ∙ 0 + ∙ 38
19 19 2
[𝑦] = [ ]=[ ]
1 3 −6
∙ 0 + − ∙ 38
19 19
Answer: 𝑥 = 2, 𝑦 = −6

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3. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses.
3x − 4 y = 0
3x + 2 y = 36

Convert the system of equations into a matrix equation.

3 −4 𝑥 0
[ ] ∙ [𝑦 ] = [ ]
3 2 36
Solve for the variable matrix using matrix inverses.

3 −4 −1 3 −4 𝑥 3 −4 −1 0
[ ] ∙[ ] ∙ [𝑦 ] = [ ] ∙[ ]
3 2 3 2 3 2 36
1 0 𝑥 3 −4 −1 0
[ ]∙[ ]=[ ] ∙[ ]
0 1 𝑦 3 2 36
3 −4 −1
Find [ ] :
3 2
1 2
−1 1 1
3 −4 2 4 2 4
[ ] = ∙[ ]= ∙[ ]=[ 9 9]
3 2 (3)(2) − (−4)(3) −3 3 18 −3 3 1 1
−
6 6
Include the inverse matrix in the calculations:
1 2
𝑥 9] ∙ [ 0 ]
[𝑦] = [ 9
1 1 36
−
6 6
Multiply the matrices on the right.
1 2
𝑥 ∙ 0 + ∙ 36
9 9 8
[𝑦] = [ ]=[ ]
1 1 6
− ∙ 0 + ∙ 36
6 6
Answer: 𝑥 = 8, 𝑦 = 6

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4. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses.
2 x + 3 y = −4
3x − y = 5

Convert the system of equations into a matrix equation.

2 3 𝑥 −4
[ ] ∙ [𝑦] = [ ]
3 −1 5
Solve for the variable matrix using matrix inverses.

2 3 −1 2 3 𝑥 2 3 −1 −4
[ ] ∙[ ]∙[ ]=[ ] ∙[ ]
3 −1 3 −1 𝑦 3 −1 5
1 0 𝑥 2 3 −1 −4
[ ]∙[ ]=[ ] ∙[ ]
0 1 𝑦 3 −1 5
2 3 −1
Find [ ] :
3 −1
1 3
−1 1 1 −1
2 3 −1 −3 −3
[ ] = ∙[ ]=− ∙[ ] = [11 11 ]
3 −1 (2)(−1) − (3)(3) −3 2 11 −3 2 3 2
−
11 11
Include the inverse matrix in the calculations:
1 3
𝑥 −4
[𝑦] = [11 11 ] ∙ [ ]
3 2 5
−
11 11
Multiply the matrices on the right.
1 3
𝑥 ∙ −4 + ∙5
11 11 1
[𝑦 ] = [ ]=[ ]
3 2 −2
∙ −4 + − ∙ 5
11 11
Answer: 𝑥 = 1, 𝑦 = −2

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5. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses.
2x + 3 y = 7
3x − 4 y = 2

Convert the system of equations into a matrix equation.

2 3 𝑥 7
[ ] ∙ [𝑦 ] = [ ]
3 −4 2
Solve for the variable matrix using matrix inverses.

2 3 −1 2 3 𝑥 2 3 −1 7
[ ] ∙[ ] ∙ [𝑦 ] = [ ] ∙[ ]
3 −4 3 −4 3 −4 2
1 0 𝑥 2 3 −1 7
[ ]∙[ ]=[ ] ∙[ ]
0 1 𝑦 3 −4 2
2 3 −1
Find [ ] :
3 −4
4 3
−1 1 1 −4
2 3 −4 −3 −3
[ ] = ∙[ ]=− ∙[ ] = [17 17 ]
3 −4 (2)(−4) − (3)(3) −3 2 17 −3 2 3 2
−
17 17
Include the inverse matrix in the calculations:
4 3
𝑥 7
[𝑦] = [17 17 ] ∙ [ ]
3 2 2
−
17 17
Multiply the matrices on the right.
4 3
𝑥 ∙ 7 + ∙2
17 17 2
[𝑦 ] = [ ]=[ ]
3 2 1
∙7+− ∙2
17 17
Answer: 𝑥 = 2, 𝑦 = 1

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6. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses.
3x + 4 y = 7
4x − 3 y = 1

Convert the system of equations into a matrix equation.

3 4 𝑥 7
[ ] ∙ [𝑦 ] = [ ]
4 −3 1
Solve for the variable matrix using matrix inverses.

3 4 −1 3 4 𝑥 3 4 −1 7
[ ] ∙[ ] ∙ [𝑦 ] = [ ] ∙[ ]
4 −3 4 −3 4 −3 1
1 0 𝑥 3 4 −1 7
[ ]∙[ ]=[ ] ∙[ ]
0 1 𝑦 4 −3 1
3 4 −1
Find [ ] :
4 −3
3 4
−1 1 1 −3
3 4 −3 −4 −4
[ ] = ∙[ ]=− ∙[ ] = [25 25 ]
4 −3 (3)(−3) − (4)(4) −4 3 25 −4 3 4 3
−
25 25
Include the inverse matrix in the calculations:
3 4
𝑥 7
[𝑦] = [25 25 ] ∙ [ ]
4 3 1
−
25 25
Multiply the matrices on the right.
3 4
𝑥 ∙ 7 + ∙1
25 25 1
[𝑦 ] = [ ]=[ ]
4 3 1
∙7+− ∙1
25 25
Answer: 𝑥 = 1, 𝑦 = 1

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7. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses given the matrix inverse
below.
x − 2 y + z = −9
2 y + 3z = 16
4y = 8
1 2
1 −
1 −2 1 3 3
1
The inverse of [0 2 3] is 0 0
4
.
0 4 0 1 1
[0 3
− ]
6

Convert the system of equations into a matrix equation.

1 −2 1 𝑥 −9
[0 2 3] ∙ [𝑦] = [ 16 ]
0 4 0 𝑧 8
Solve for the variable matrix using matrix inverses.

1 −2 1 −1 1 −2 1 𝑥 1 −2 1 −1 −9
[0 2 3] ∙ [0 2 3] ∙ [𝑦] = [0 2 3] ∙ [ 16 ]
0 4 0 0 4 0 𝑧 0 4 0 8
1 0 0 𝑥 1 −2 1 −1 −9
[0 1 0] ∙ [𝑦] = [0 2 3] ∙ [ 16 ]
0 0 1 𝑧 0 4 0 8
1 2
1 −
𝑥 3 3
1 −9
[𝑦 ] = 0 0 ∙ [ 16 ]
𝑧 4 8
1 1
[0 3
− ]
6
Multiply the matrices on the right.

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 1 2
1 ∙ −9 + − ∙ 16 + ∙ 8
𝑥 3 3
1 −9
[𝑦] = 0 ∙ −9 + 0 ∙ 16 + ∙ 8 = [ 2 ]
𝑧 4 4
1 1
[0 ∙ −9 + 3 ∙ 16 + − 6 ∙ 8]

Answer: 𝑥 = −9, 𝑦 = 2, 𝑧 = 4

8. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses given the matrix inverse
below.
x + y + z = −1
2x + y = 2
−3x = −9
1
0 0 −
1 1 1 3
2
The inverse of [ 2 1 0] is 0 1 3
.
−3 0 0 1
[1 −1 − ]
3

Convert the system of equations into a matrix equation.

1 1 1 𝑥 −1
[ 2 1 0 ] ∙ [𝑦 ] = [ 2 ]
−3 0 0 𝑧 −9
Solve for the variable matrix using matrix inverses.

1 1 1 −1 1 1 1 𝑥 1 1 1 −1 −1
[2 1 0 ] ∙ [ 2 1 0 ] ∙ [𝑦 ] = [ 2 1 0 ] ∙ [ 2 ]
−3 0 0 −3 0 0 𝑧 −3 0 0 −9
1 0 0 𝑥 1 1 1 −1 −1
[0 1 0 ] ∙ [𝑦 ] = [ 2 1 0] ∙ [ 2 ]
0 0 1 𝑧 −3 0 0 −9

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 1
0 0 −
𝑥 3
2 −1
[𝑦] = 0 1 ∙[ 2 ]
𝑧 3 −9
1
[1 −1 − 3]

Multiply the matrices on the right.

1
0 ∙ −1 + 0 ∙ 2 + − ∙ −9
𝑥 3
2 3
[𝑦] = 0 ∙ −1 + 1 ∙ 2 + ∙ −9 = [−4]
𝑧 3 0
1
[1 ∙ −1 + −1 ∙ 2 + − 3 ∙ −9]

Answer: 𝑥 = 3, 𝑦 = −4, 𝑧 = 0

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9. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses.
2 x + 4 y − z = −3
y+z =4
2 y = −2

Convert the system of equations into a matrix equation.

2 4 −1 𝑥 −3
[ 0 1 1 ] ∙ [𝑦 ] = [ 4 ]
0 2 0 𝑧 −2
Solve for the variable matrix using matrix inverses.

2 4 −1 −1 2 4 −1 𝑥 2 4 −1 −1 −3
[ 0 1 1 ] ∙ [ 0 1 1 ] ∙ [𝑦 ] = [ 0 1 1 ] ∙ [ 4 ]
0 2 0 0 2 0 𝑧 0 2 0 −2
1 0 0 𝑥 2 4 −1 −1 −3
[0 1 0] ∙ [𝑦] = [0 1 1 ] ∙[ 4 ]
0 0 1 𝑧 0 2 0 −2
2 4 −1 −1
Find [0 1 1 ] :
0 2 0

1
Multiply Row 1 by and put the results in Row 1.
2

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Subtract two times Row 2 from Row 1 and put the results in Row 1. Subtract two
times Row 2 from Row 3 and put the results in Row 3.

1
Multiply Row 3 by − and put the results in Row 3.
2

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 5
Multiply Row 3 by , add the results to Row 1 and put the results in Row 1.
2
Subtract Row 3 from Row 2 and put the results in Row 2.

1 1 5
−
2 2 4
2 4 −1 −1 1
[0 1 1] = 0 0
0 2 0 2
1
[ 0 1 −
2]
Put this inverse matrix into the matrix equation.

1 1 5
−
𝑥 2 2 4
1 −3
[𝑦 ] = 0 0 ∙[ 4 ]
𝑧 2 −2
1
[0 1 − 2 ]

Multiply the matrices on the right.

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 1 1 5
∙ −3 + ∙ 4 + − ∙ −2
𝑥 2 2 4
1 3
[𝑦] = 0 ∙ −3 + 0 ∙ 4 + ∙ −2 = [−1]
𝑧 2 5
1
[0 ∙ −3 + 1 ∙ 4 + − 2 ∙ −2]

Answer: 𝑥 = 3, 𝑦 = −1, 𝑧 = 5

10. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses given the inverse matrix
below.
x+ y+ z =0
2x + y − z = 2
2x + 2 y + z = 5

1 1 1 −1 3 1 −2
Given: [2 1 −1] = [−4 −1 3 ]
2 2 1 2 0 −1
Convert the system of equations into a matrix equation.
1 1 1 𝑥 0
[2 1 −1] ∙ [𝑦] = [2]
2 2 1 𝑧 5
Solve for the variable matrix using matrix inverses.

1 1 1 −1 1 1 1 𝑥 1 1 1 −1 0
[2 1 −1] ∙ [2 1 −1] ∙ [𝑦] = [2 1 −1] ∙ [2]
2 2 1 2 2 1 𝑧 2 2 1 5
1 0 0 𝑥 1 1 1 −1 0
[0 1 0] ∙ [𝑦] = [2 1 −1] ∙ [2]
0 0 1 𝑧 2 2 1 5
Put the inverse matrix into the matrix equation.

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 𝑥 3 1 −2 0
[𝑦] = [−4 −1 3 ] ∙ [2]
𝑧 2 0 −1 5
Multiply the matrices on the right.
𝑥 3 ∙ 0 + 1 ∙ 2 + −2 ∙ 5 −8
𝑦
[ ]=[ −4 ∙ 0 + −1 ∙ 2 + 3 ∙ 5 ] = [ 13 ]
𝑧 2 ∙ 0 + 0 ∙ 2 + −1 ∙ 5 −5
Answer: 𝑥 = −8, 𝑦 = 13, 𝑧 = −5

11. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses.

x + y + z = −1
2 x − y + z = 19
3x − 2 y − 4 z = 16

Convert the system of equations into a matrix equation.

1 1 1 𝑥 −1
𝑦
[2 −1 1 ] ∙ [ ] = [ 19 ]
3 −2 −4 𝑧 16
Solve for the variable matrix using matrix inverses.

1 1 1 −1 1 1 1 𝑥 1 1 1 −1 −1
[2 −1 1 ] ∙ [2 −1 1 ] ∙ [𝑦] = [2 −1 1 ] ∙ [ 19 ]
3 −2 −4 3 −2 −4 𝑧 3 −2 −4 16
1 0 0 𝑥 1 1 1 −1 −1
[0 1 0] ∙ [𝑦] = [2 −1 1 ] ∙ [ 19 ]
0 0 1 𝑧 3 −2 −4 16
1 1 1 −1
Find [2 −1 1] :
3 −2 −4

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Subtract two times Row 1 from Row 2 and put the results in Row 2. Then, subtract
three times Row 1 from Row 3 and put the results in Row 3.

1 1
Multiply Row 2 by − and put the results in Row 2. Then, multiply Row 3 by −
3 5
and put the results in Row 3.

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Subtract Row 2 from Row 1 and put the results in Row 1. Then, subtract Row 2
from Row 3 and put the results in Row 3.

15
Multiply Row 3 by and put the results in Row 3.
16

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 2
Multiply Row 3 by , subtract the results from Row 1, and put the results in Row
3
1
1. Then, multiply Row 3 by , subtract the results from Row 2, and put the results
3
in Row 2.

3 1 1
8 8 8
1 1 1 −1 11 7 1
[2 −1 1 ] = −
3 −2 −4 16 16 16
1 5 3
−
[ 16 16 −
16]
Put this inverse matrix into the matrix equation.
3 1 1
𝑥 8 8 8
11 7 1 −1
𝑦
[ ]= − ∙ [ 19 ]
𝑧 16 16 16 16
1 5 3
[− 16 16 − 16]
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Multiply the matrices on the right.
3 1 1
∙ −1 + ∙ 19 + ∙ 16
𝑥 8 8 8
11 7 1 4
[𝑦 ] = ∙ −1 + − ∙ 19 + ∙ 16 = [−8]
𝑧 16 16 16 3
1 5 3
[− 16 ∙ −1 + 16 ∙ 19 + − 16 ∙ 16]

Answer: 𝑥 = 4, 𝑦 = −8, 𝑧 = 3

12. Solve this system of equations using matrix inverses.

2x − y + 4z = 7
x − 3 y + z = −2
3x − 2 y + 2 z = −2

Convert the system of equations into a matrix equation.

2 −1 4 𝑥 7
[1 −3 1] ∙ [𝑦] = [−2]
3 −2 2 𝑧 −2
Solve for the variable matrix using matrix inverses.

2 −1 4 −1 2 −1 4 𝑥 2 −1 4 −1 7
[1 −3 𝑦
1] ∙ [1 −3 1] ∙ [ ] = [1 −3 1] ∙ [−2]
3 −2 2 3 −2 2 𝑧 3 −2 2 −2
1 0 0 𝑥 2 −1 4 −1 7
[0 1 0] ∙ [𝑦] = [1 −3 1] ∙ [−2]
0 0 1 𝑧 3 −2 2 −2
2 −1 4 −1
Find [1 −3 1] :
3 −2 2

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Subtract Row 2 from Row 1 and put the results in Row 1. Then, multiply Row 2 by
3, subtract the results from Row 3, and put the results in Row 2.

1
Multiply Row 2 by , and put the results in Row 2. Then, subtract three times Row
7
1 from Row 3, and put the results in Row 3.

Multiply Row 2 by 2 , subtract the results Row 1, and put the results in Row 1.
Then, multiply Row 2 by 8, add Row 3, and put the results in Row 3.

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 7
Multiply Row 3 by − , and put the results in Row 3.
57

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 23
Multiply Row 3 by − , subtract the results from Row 1, and put the results in
7
1
Row 1. Then, multiply Row 3 by , add the results to Row 2, and put the results in
7
Row 2.

4 6 11
−1 − −
2 −1 4 19 19 19
1 8 2
[1 −3 1] = −
19 19 19
3 −2 2 7 1 5
[ − ]
19 19 19

Put this inverse matrix into the matrix equation.

4 6 11
−−
𝑥 19 19 19
1 8 2 7
[𝑦] = − ∙ [−2]
𝑧 19 19 19 −2
7 1 5
[ 19 − ]
19 19
Multiply the matrices on the right.

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 4 6 11
− ∙ 7 + − ∙ −2 + ∙ −2
𝑥 19 19 19
1 8 2 −2
[𝑦 ] = ∙ 7 + − ∙ −2 + ∙ −2 = [ 1 ]
𝑧 19 19 19 3
7 1 5
[ 19 ∙ 7 + 19 ∙ −2 + − 19 ∙ −2 ]

Answer: 𝑥 = −2, 𝑦 = 1, 𝑧 = 3

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