1

Linear Equations
in Linear Algebra

1.1

SYSTEMS OF
LINEAR EQUATIONS

© 20 12 P earso n Ed ucation, Inc.

What are they?

• Simply 2 equations
– With 2 unknowns
– Usually x and y
• To SOLVE the equations means we find values of
x and y that
– Satisfy BOTH equations [work in]
– At same time [simultaneously]
LINEAR EQUATION

▪ A linear equation in the variables is an equation that can be written in the form

a1 x1 + a2 x2 + ... + an xn = b
a1 ,…,an

x1 ,..., xn

where b and the coefficients are real or complex numbers that are usually known in advance.

▪ A system of linear equations (or a linear system) is a collection of one or more linear
equations involving the same variables — say, x1,…., xn.

© 20 12 P earso n Ed ucation, Inc. Slide 1.1- 3

LINEAR EQUATION

▪ A solution of the system is a list (s1, s2,…, sn) of

numbers that makes each equation a true statement
when the values s1,…, sn are substituted for x1,…,
xn, respectively.

▪ The set of all possible solutions is called the

solution set of the linear system.

▪ Two linear systems are called equivalent if they

have the same solution set.

© 20 12 P earso n Ed ucation, Inc. Slide 1.1- 4

LINEAR EQUATION

▪ A system of linear equations has

1. no solution, or
2. exactly one solution, or
3. infinitely many solutions.
▪ A system of linear equations is said to be
consistent if it has either one solution or infinitely
many solutions.
▪ A system of linear equation is said to be
inconsistent if it has no solution.

© 20 12 P earso n Ed ucation, Inc. Slide 1.1- 5

Basic steps

• Look at equations
• Same number of x’s or y’s?
• If the sign is different, ADD the equations
otherwise subtract tem
• Then have ONE equation
• Solve this
• Substitute answer to get the other
• CHECK by substitution of BOTH answers
Simultaneous • 2𝑥 + 2𝑦 =
By substitution

Equations:
25………………(1) • 2𝑥 + 2𝑦 =
25……………….(1)
• −5𝑥 + 𝑦 = 15
………………(2) • −5𝑥 + 𝑦 = 15
……………...(2)
By elimination:
Solve for 𝑥 or 𝑦 in one of
Multiply (2) by 2 the equations
2𝑥 + 2𝑦 = −5𝑥 + 𝑦 = 15
25………………(1)
𝑦 = 15 + 5𝑥……….(3)
−10𝑥 + 2𝑦 =
30….………..(2.1)
(1) – (2.1) Substitute 𝑦 in equation 1
• 12𝑥 = −5 2𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 25
5
∴𝑥=− 2𝑥 + 2 15 + 5𝑥 = 25
12
2𝑥 + 30 + 10𝑥 = 25
Substitute 𝑥 in one of 2𝑥 + 10𝑥 = 25 −
the original equations 30
5 12𝑥 = −5
2 − + 2𝑦 = 25
12 5
10 ∴𝑥=−
− + 2𝑦 = 25 12
12 Substitute 𝑥 in (3) to solve
5
2𝑦 = 25 + for 𝑦
6
2𝑦 =
155 𝑦 = 15 + 5𝑥
6 5
155 𝑦 = 15 + 5 −
∴𝑦= ÷2 12
6 25
155 1 = 15 −
𝑦= × 12
155 6 2 180−25 155
= = =
12 12 12
Elimination Method

We have the same

A 2x – y = 1 number of y’s in each

B 3x + y = 9
+
If we ADD the equations, the y’s disappear

5x = 10 Divide both sides by 5

x =2
2x2–y=1 Substitute x = 2 in equation A

4–y=1 Answer
y=3 x = 2, y = 3
Elimination Method

We have the same

A 4x - 3y = 14 number of y’s in each
+
B 2x + 3y = 16 If we ADD the equations,
the y’s disappear
6x = 30 Divide both sides by 6

x =5
20 – 3y = 14 Substitute x = 5 in equation A

3y = 6 Answer
y=2 x = 5, y = 2
What if NOT same number of x’s or y’s?

A 3x + y = 10 If we multiply A by 2 we
get 2y in each
B 5x + 2y = 17
A 6x + 2y = 20 -
B 5x + 2y = 17
x =3
In B 5 x 3 + 2y = 17
15 + 2y = 17 Answer
x = 3, y = 1
y=1
What if NOT same number of x’s or y’s?
A 4x - 2y = 8
If we multiply A by 3 we
B 3x + 6y = 21 get 6y in each

A 12x - 6y = 24
B 3x + 6y = 21 +
15x = 45
x=3
In B 3 x 3 + 6y = 21 Answer
6y = 12 x = 3, y = 2
y=2
…if multiplying 1 equation doesn’t help?

A 3x + 7y = 26
Multiply A by 5 & B by 3,
B 5x + 2y = 24 we get 15x in each
A 15x + 35y = 130
B 15x + 6y = 72 - Could multiply A by 2 & B
29y = 58 by 7 to get 14y in each
y=2
In B 5x + 2 x 2 = 24 Answer
5x = 20 x = 4, y = 2
x=4
…if multiplying 1 equation doesn’t help?

A 3x - 2y = 7
Multiply A by 3 & B by 2,
B 5x + 3y = 37 we get +6y & -6y
A 9x – 6y = 21
B 10x + 6y = 74 + Could multiply A by 5 & B
19x = 95 by 3 to get 15x in each
x=5
In B 5 x 5 + 3y = 37 Answer
3y = 12 x = 5, y = 4
y=4