Solving for 3 Variables in a Matrix

How to avoid doing Gauss Jordon by learning

to choose the correct multiple choice when
given questions represented by reduced
augmented matrix form.
Section 5.2

k Here
Clic

Student Learning
© Veronica Afonso Ph.D.
& Transitions
 NEED MORE SUPPORT?
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

15 MINUTE 60 MINUTE
Appointment Appointment
in the next Skill Development
24 hours. Wait times vary.

Student Learning 2
& Transitions
Visit: www.nipissingu.ca/slt © Veronica Afonso Ph.D.
UNDERSTAND A MATRIX IS A SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS

Augmenting a System of Equations into a Matrix Unaugmenting a Matrix into a System of Equations

Matrix
System of
Equations

System of
Matrix Equations

k Here
Clic

Student Learning
© Veronica Afonso Ph.D.
& Transitions
3 POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS WHEN MATRIXING
Linear system can have exactly (1) no solution, (2) infinite solution, or (3) one number of solutions.

No Solution Infinite Solutions One Solution

If even one row

doesn’t end in a
zero, we have no End in a zero
solution.

When you have a row of zeros that DOES When you have a row of zeros that ends with a When you have no row of
NOT end with a zero—no solution zero—infinite solutions zeros—exactly one solution

When unaugmenting
this row of zeros that When unaugmenting
ends in a value…We this row of zeros…We
could put in ANY value could put in ANY
for x, y, and z and it value for x, y, and z
would never = -3 and always = 0

k Here
Clic

Student Learning
© Veronica Afonso Ph.D.
& Transitions
3 POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS WHEN MATRIXING

No Solution Infinite Solutions One Solution

If even one row

doesn’t end in a
zero, we have no End in a zero
solution.

When you have a row of zeros that DOES When you have a row of zeros that ends with a When you have no row of
NOT end with a zero—no solution zero—infinite solutions zeros—exactly one solution

Choose the multiple choice that says: Choose the multiple choice that has: Choose the multiple
NO SOLUTION choice that has:
x = #; y = #; z = #

k Here
Clic

Student Learning
© Veronica Afonso Ph.D.
& Transitions
3 POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS WHEN MATRIXING

Infinite Solutions

No Solution
Must be one of these answers!

But how do I choose when there are Must be one of these answers!
TWO possible answers in the
multiple choice? →see next slides
One Solution
k Here
Clic

Student Learning
© Veronica Afonso Ph.D.
& Transitions
 No Solution

When you have a

row of zeros that
DOSE NOT end with a
zero—no solution

Unaugmenting the equation in the 3rd row

0x + 0y + 0z = 7
This is impossible

We can put in any number in for x, y z and it will always = 0

0(23) + 0(44) + 0(19) = 0
0(3) + 0(4) + 0(9) = 0

k Here
Clic

Student Learning
© Veronica Afonso Ph.D.
& Transitions
 Infinite Solutions

This can be remove as

Must be one of these
answers. there is no y in this
equation

Unaugment equation in the 1st row

1x + 0y + 3z = 2

Accept the fact that z = t

x + 3t = 2 Replace z for “t”

x = 2 – 3t Isolate x
Row of ALL zeros =
infinite solutions =
k Here Answer must have x = 2 – 3t
Clic Answer must have t 𝜺 R

Student Learning
© Veronica Afonso Ph.D.
& Transitions
 Infinite Solutions
Unaugment equation
1x + 0y + -1z = 3
x–z=3
x – t = 3 Replace z for “t”
x = 3 + t Isolate x
Unaugment equation
0x + 1y + 5z = -2
y + 5z = -2
y + 5t = -2 Replace z for “t”
y = -2 – 5t Isolate y

When you have a

row of zeros that
ends with a zero—
infinite solutions

k Here
Clic

Student Learning
© Veronica Afonso Ph.D.
& Transitions
 One Solution NO Row of Zeros = Single Solution
Unaugment one of the equations
2x + 1y + 0z = 5
Here I used the 1st Equation, but you
can use any of the 3 equations

Take one of the equations and from the multiple choice answers
substitute values that have a single solution (ie, a and b)
Must be one of these,
values for x, y, and z. Try
them in one of your
augmented equations
2x + 1y + 0z = 5 2x + 1y + 0z = 5
2(2) + 1(1) + 0(0) = 5 2(5) + 1(3) + 0(2) = 5
5 =5 13 = 5
Answer supplied in
Answer supplied in Multiple Choice B does
Multiple Choice A do not work in the equation
WORK in the equation

k Here
Clic

Student Learning
© Veronica Afonso Ph.D.
& Transitions