BMAT 2108 LINEAR ALGEBRA I (42 HOURS)

Pre-requisite: BMAT 1101 BASIC MATHEMATICS

1.0 Systems of Linear Equations
A Linear Equation is an equation for a line. For example the line graph of y=3.5-0.5x is plotted
below (0,3.5), (7,0)

It can also be like y = 0.5 (7 − x)

Or like y + 0.5x = 3.5
Or like y + 0.5x − 3.5 = 0 and more.

A System of Linear Equations is when we have two or more linear equations working
together.

Example: Here are two linear equations:

2x + y = 5
−x + y = 2

In a race you can run 0.2 km every minute. The Horse can run 0.5 km every minute. But it takes
6 minutes to saddle the horse. How far can you get before the horse catches you
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We can make two equations (d=distance in km, t=time in minutes)

 You run at 0.2km every minute, so d = 0.2t

 The horse runs at 0.5 km per minute, but we take 6 off its time: d = 0.5(t−6)

So we have a system of equations (that are linear):

 d = 0.2t
 d = 0.5(t−6)

We can solve it on a graph:

d= 0.2t points to plot (0,0), (5,1), (10,2)

d=0.5(t-6) points to plot (0,-3), (5,-0.5), (10,2)

Do you see how the horse starts at 6 minutes, but then runs faster?

It seems you get caught after 10 minutes ... you only got 2 km away.

Run faster next time.

Only simple variables are allowed in linear equations. No x2, y3, √x, etc:

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Linear 2x+y-z = 4 vs non-linear 2x+y2 – z=4

1.1 Dimensions

A Linear Equation can be in 2 dimensions (such as the two lines plotted above)

3 dimensions

4 dimensions or more

1.2 Common Variables

For the equations to "work together" they share one or more variables:

A System of Equations has two or more equations in one or more variables

1.3 Many Variables

So a System of Equations could have many equations and many variables.

Example: 3 equations in 3 variables

2x + y − 2z = 3

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 x − y − z = 0
x + y + 3z = 12

There can be any combination:

 2 equations in 3 variables,
 6 equations in 4 variables,
 9,000 equations in 567 variables,
 etc.

When the number of equations is the same as the number of variables there is likely to be a
solution. Not guaranteed, but likely.

In fact there are only three possible cases:

 No solution
 One solution
 Infinitely many solutions

When there is no solution the equations are called "inconsistent". One or infinitely many
solutions are called "consistent"

1.4 Independent
"Independent" means that each equation gives new information.
Otherwise they are "Dependent".
Also called "Linear Independence" and "Linear Dependence"
For example given the two equations below:

 x+y=3
 2x + 2y = 6

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Those equations are "Dependent", because they are really the same equation, just multiplied
by 2. So the second equation gave no new information.

Where the Equations are True

The trick is to find where all equations are true at the same time.

True? What does that mean?

Example: You versus Horse

The "you" line is true all along its length (but nowhere else).

Anywhere on that line d is equal to 0.2t

 at t=5 and d=1, the equation is true (Is d = 0.2t? Yes, as 1 = 0.2×5 is true)
 at t=5 and d=3, the equation is not true (Is d = 0.2t? No, as 3 = 0.2×5 is not true)

Likewise the "horse" line is also true all along its length (but nowhere else).

But only at the point where they cross (at t=10, d=2) are they both true.

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So they have to be true simultaneously that is why some people call them "Simultaneous
Linear Equations"
Solve Using Algebra

It is common to use Algebra to solve them.

Here is the "Horse" example solved using Algebra:

Example: You versus Horse

The system of equations is:

 d = 0.2t
 d = 0.5(t−6)

In this case it seems easiest to set them equal to each other:

d = 0.2t = 0.5(t−6)

Start with: 0.2t = 0.5(t − 6)

Expand 0.5(t−6): 0.2t = 0.5t − 3
Subtract 0.5t from both sides:−0.3t = −3
Divide both sides by −0.3:t = −3/−0.3 = 10 minutes

Now we know when you get caught!

Knowing t we can calculate d:d = 0.2t = 0.2×10 = 2 km

And our solution is: t = 10 minutes and d = 2 km

Algebra vs Graphs

Why use Algebra when graphs are so easy? Because:

More than 2 variables can't be solved by a simple graph.

So Algebra comes to the rescue with two popular methods:

 Solving By Substitution

Solving By Substitution

These are the steps:

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Write one of the equations so it is in the style "variable = ..."

Replace (i.e. substitute) that variable in the other equation(s).

Solve the other equation(s)

(Repeat as necessary)

We can start with any equation and any variable.

Let's use the second equation and the variable "y" (it looks the simplest equation).

Write one of the equations so it is in the style "variable = ...":

We can subtract x from both sides of x + y = 8 to get y = 8 − x. Now our equations look like this:

 3x + 2y = 19
 y=8−x

Now replace "y" with "8 − x" in the other equation:

 3x + 2(8 − x) = 19
 y=8−x

Solve using the usual algebra methods:

Expand 2(8−x):

 3x + 16 − 2x = 19
 y=8−x

Then 3x−2x = x:

 x + 16 = 19
 y=8−x

And lastly 19−16=3

 x=3
 y=8−x

Now we know what x is, we can put it in the y = 8 − x equation:

 x=3
 y=8−3=5

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And the answer is:

x=3
y=5

Note: because there is a solution the equations are "consistent"

Check: why don't you check to see if x = 3 and y = 5 works in both equations?

Example:

 x+z=6
 z − 3y = 7
 2x + y + 3z = 15

We should line up the variables neatly, or we may lose track of what we are doing:

x + z = 6
− 3y + z = 7
2x + y + 3z = 15

WeI can start with any equation and any variable. Let's use the first equation and the variable
"x".

Write one of the equations so it is in the style "variable = ...":

x = 6−z
− 3y + z = 7
2x + y + 3z = 15

Now replace "x" with "6 − z" in the other equations:

(Luckily there is only one other equation with x in it)

x = 6−z
− 3y + z = 7

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 2(6−z) + y + 3z = 15

Solve using the usual algebra methods:

2(6−z) + y + 3z = 15 simplifies to y + z = 3:

x = 6−z
− 3y + z = 7
y + z = 3

Good. We have made some progress, but not there yet.

Now repeat the process, but just for the last 2 equations.

Write one of the equations so it is in the style "variable = ...":

Let's choose the last equation and the variable z:

x = 6−z
− 3y + z = 7
z = 3−y

Now replace "z" with "3 − y" in the other equation:

x = 6−z
− 3y + 3−y = 7
z = 3−y

Solve using the usual algebra methods:

−3y + (3−y) = 7 simplifies to −4y = 4, or in other words y = −1

x = 6−z
y = −1
z = 3−y

Almost Done!

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Knowing that y = −1 we can calculate that z = 3−y = 4:

x = 6−z
y = −1
z = 4

And knowing that z = 4 we can calculate that x = 6−z = 2:

x = 2
y = −1
z = 4

And the answer is:

x=2
y = −1
z=4

Check: please check this yourself.

We can use this method for 4 or more equations and variables... just do the same steps again and
again until it is solved. Conclusion: Substitution works nicely, but does take a long time to
calculate.

Solving By Elimination

‘Eliminate ’ means to remove: This method works by removing variables until there is just one
left
Example:

 3x + 2y = 19
 x+y=8

Very important to keep things neat:

3x + 2y = 19
x + y = 8

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Now ... our aim is to eliminate a variable from an equation.

First we see there is a "2y" and a "y", so let's work on that.

Multiply the second equation by 2:

3x + 2y = 19
2x + 2y = 16

Subtract the second equation from the first equation:

x = 3
2x + 2y = 16

Next we see the 2nd equation has "2x", so let's halve it, and then subtract "x":

Multiply the second equation by ½ (i.e. divide by 2):

x = 3
x + y = 8

Subtract the first equation from the second equation:

x = 3
y = 5

And the answer is:

x = 3 and y = 5

Assignment: Solve the following linear equations

i) 2x − y = 4

6x − 3y = 3

ii) 2x − y = 4

6x − 3y = 12

Example:

 x+y+z=6
 2y + 5z = −4

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  2x + 5y − z = 27

Written neatly:

x + y + z = 6
2y + 5z = −4
2x + 5y − z = 27

First, eliminate x from 2nd and 3rd equation.

There is no x in the 2nd equation ... move on to the 3rd equation:

Subtract 2 times the 1st equation from the 3rd equation (just do this in your head or on
scratch paper):

And we get:

x + y + z = 6
2y + 5z = −4
3y − 3z = 15

Next, eliminate y from 3rd equation.

We could subtract 1½ times the 2nd equation from the 3rd equation (because 1½ times 2 is 3) ...

... but we can avoid fractions if we:

 multiply the 3rd equation by 2 and

 multiply the 2nd equation by 3

and then do the subtraction ... like this:

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And we end up with:

x + y + z = 6
2y + 5z = −4
z = −2

We now have that "triangle shape"!

Now go back up again "back-substituting":

We know z, so 2y+5z=−4 becomes 2y−10=−4, then 2y=6, so y=3:

x + y + z = 6
y = 3
z = −2

Then x+y+z=6 becomes x+3−2=6, so x=6−3+2=5

x = 5
y = 3
z = −2

And the answer is:

x=5
y=3
z = −2

Check: please check for yourself.

Continued Assignment Find a solution to the following system of equations in three variables

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iii) x+y+z =2
6x-4y+5z =31
5x+2y+2z =13

iv) x-2y+3z =9
-x+3y-z =-6
2x-5y+5x =17

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