MENU

• Home

• Math Forum/Help

• Problem Solver

• Practice

• Worksheets

• Tests

• Algebra

• Geometry

• College Math

• History

• Games

Calculator
Home / Algebra / Matrices / Systems of Equations
Multiplication,
Division

Roman
- Solving Systems of Linear Equations
Numerals
By Catalin David
Maths in
General The general form is:

Conversion ⎧a1,1 ⋅ x1 + a1,2 ⋅ x2 + a1,3 ⋅ x3 + ⋯ a1,n ⋅ xn = b1

Factors a2,1 ⋅ x1 + a2,2 ⋅ x2 + a2,3 ⋅ x3 + ⋯ + a2,n ⋅ xn = b2
Divisibility
⎨a3,1 ⋅ x1 + a3,2 ⋅ x2 + a3,3 ⋅ x3 + ⋯ + a3,n ⋅ xn = b3
⋯
Fractions ⎩a ⋅ x + a ⋅ x + a ⋅ x + ⋯ + a
m,1 1 m,2 2 m,3 3 m,n ⋅ xn = bn
Fractions
⎛ a1,1 a1,2 a1,3 . . a1,n ⎞
Percents a2,1 a2,2 a2,3 . . a2,n
Polynomial A = a3,1 a3,2 a3,3 . . a3,n is the matrix associated to the
⋯
Identities ⎝am,1 am,2 am,3 . . am,n ⎠
Ratio and system and b1 , b2 , b3 ⋯ bn are the constant terms of the system.
Proportion
If the constant terms are 0, the system is homogeneous
Rational
Expressions

Equations

Linear
Inequalities

Absolute Values

Word Problems

Exponent
 Radical

Quadratic

Equations

Quadratic

Inequalities

Polynomial,

Rational

Inequalities

Cubic and

Quartic Equations

Systems of

Equations The Associated Matrix is Square (m=n)

Progressions
We calculate the determinant of the associated matrix.
Logarithms
∣ a1,1 a1,2 a1,3 . . a1,n ∣
Functions and a2,1 a2,2 a2,3 . . a2,n
Graphs Δ = a3,1 a3,2 a3,3 . . a3,n
⋯
Lim
∣an,1 an,2 an,3 . . an,n ∣
Trigonometry
The Determinant of the Associated Matrix is not 0
First Derivative
The system is called a consistent system with a single solution. To
Combination &
Probability determine the solution of the system we use Cramer's rule.

Matrices
We calculate Δx1 , the determinant obtained by replacing the column
Multiplication
containing the coefficients of the respective variable x1 with the column of
Determinant constant terms.
Rank ∣ b1 a1,2 a1,3 . . a1,n ∣
b2 a2,2 a2,3 . . a2,n
Inverse Matrix
Δx1 = b3 a3,2 a3,3 . . a3,n
Matrix Equations ⋯
∣ bn an,2 an,3 . . an,n ∣
Systems of
Δx1
Equations We get x1 =
Δ
Matrix Calculators
We calculate Δx2 , the determinant obtained by replacing the column
Matrices - 2x2
containing the coefficients of the respective variable x2 with the column of
Numbers
constant terms.
Systems of ∣ a1,1 b1 a1,3 . . a1,n ∣
Counting a2,1 b2 a2,3 . . a2,n
Δx2 = a3,1 b3 a3,3 . . a3,n
Inequalities for
⋯
Contests . .
∣an,1 bn an,3 an,n ∣
Δx2
We get x2 =
Δ

We calculate Δx3 , the determinant obtained by replacing the column

containing the coefficients of the respective variable x3 with the column of
constant terms.
 ∣ a1,1 a1,2 b1 . . a1,n ∣
a2,1 a2,2 b2 . . a2,n
Δx3 = a3,1 a3,2 b3 . . a3,n
⋯
∣an,1 an,2 an . . an,n ∣
Δx3
We get x3 =
Δ

We keep doing this for the other variables until the last one and then we

write down the solution of the system.

Δxn
xn =
Δ

Example 53
⎧2 ⋅ x + 3 ⋅ y − 5 ⋅ z = −7
⎨−3 ⋅ x + 2 ⋅ y + z = −9
⎩
4 ⋅ x − y + 2 ⋅ z = 17

The matrix associated to the system is

⎛2 3 −5⎞
−3 2 1
⎝4 −1 2⎠

We calculate the determinant of the matrix and we get Δ = 8 − 15 + 12 +

40 + 2 + 18 = 65
∣−7 3 −5∣
We calculate Δx = −9 2 1 = −28 − 45 + 51 + 170 − 7 + 54 = 195
∣ 17 −1 2∣
∣2 −7 −5∣
We calculate Δy = −3 −9 1 = −36 + 255 − 28 − 180 − 34 − 42 =
∣4 17 2∣
−65
∣2 3 −7∣
We calculate Δz = −3 2 −9 = 68 − 21 − 108 + 56 − 18 + 153 =
∣4 −1 17 ∣
130

The solution of the system is:

Δx 195
x= = =3
Δ 65
Δy 65
y= =− = −1
Δ 65
Δz 130
z= = =2
Δ 65
S = {3; −1; 2}

Example 54
⎧4 ⋅ x + 5 ⋅ y − 2 ⋅ z = 3
⎨−2 ⋅ x + 3 ⋅ y − z = −3
⎩
−1 ⋅ x − 2 ⋅ y + 3 ⋅ z = −5

⎛4 5 −2⎞
The matrix associated to the system is −2 3 −1
⎝−1 −2 3⎠

We calculate the determinant of the matrix and we get Δ = 36 − 8 + 5 −

6 − 8 + 30 = 49
∣3 5 −2∣
We calculate Δx = −3 3 −1 = 27 − 12 + 25 − 30 − 6 + 45 = 49
∣−5 −2 3∣
∣4 3 −2∣
We calculate Δy = −2 −3 −1 = −36 − 20 + 3 + 6 − 20 + 18 = −49
∣−1 −5 3∣
∣4 5 3∣
We calculate Δz = −2 3 −3 = −60 + 12 + 15 + 9 − 24 − 50 = −98
∣−1 −2 −5∣

The solution of the system is:

Δx 49
x= = =1
Δ 49
Δy −49
y= =− = −1
Δ 49
Δz −98
z= = = −2
Δ 4
S = {1; −1; −2}

If the system is homogeneous, its solution is {0;0;0} because in

determinants Δx ,Δy and Δz there are columns of 0, so they are also equal
to 0.

Example 55
⎧2 ⋅ x + 3 ⋅ y − 5 ⋅ z = 0
⎨−3 ⋅ x + 2 ⋅ y + z = 0
⎩
4⋅x−y+2⋅z =0

The matrix associated to the system is

⎛2 3 −5⎞
−3 2 1
⎝4 −1 2⎠

We calculate the determinant of the matrix and we get Δ = 8 − 15 + 12 +

40 + 2 + 18 = 65
∣0 3 −5∣
Δx = 0 2 1 =0
∣0 −1 2∣
∣2 0 −5∣
Δy = −3 0 1 =0
∣4 0 2∣
∣2 3 0∣
Δz = −3 2 0 =0
∣4 −1 0∣

The solution of the system is:

Δx 0
x= = =0
Δ 65
Δy 0
y= =− =0
Δ 65
Δz 0
z= = =0
Δ 65
S = {0; 0; 0}

The Determinant of the Associated Matrix is 0.

We calculate the rank of the matrix associated to the system and the rank

of the augmented matrix (the initial matrix to which we add the column of

constant terms).

We have the following situations:

• If the ranks of the two matrices are different, then the system

has no solution. It is an inconsistent system.

• If the ranks are equal, then the system is consistent with an

infinitude of solutions.

To solve the system, we follow these steps:

The minor corresponding to the rank becomes the primary

minor.

The variables having coefficients in the primary minor become

the main variables. The other variables become secondary, are

noted using other letters and are moved to the other side of the

equation.

The equations containing the primary minor become primary

equations.

We solve the system formed only by the primary equations and

we determine the solution of the system depending on the

secondary variables.

We write down the solution.

Exemplu 56
⎧2 ⋅ x + 3 ⋅ y + 2 ⋅ z = 5
⎨−3 ⋅ x + 2 ⋅ y − 3 ⋅ z = −1
⎩
4⋅x−y+4⋅z =3

The matrix associated to the system is:

⎛2 3 2⎞
−3 2 −3
⎝4 −1 4⎠

We determine the rank of the matrix.

2=
0
∣2 3∣
= 4 + 9 = 13 =
0
∣−3 2∣
∣2 3 2∣
−3 2 −3 = 0 (because it has two equal columns; consequently, the
∣4 −1 4∣
rank is 2)
The augmented matrix is:

⎛2 3 2 5⎞
−3 2 −3 −1
⎝4 −1 4 3⎠

We determine the rank of the augmented matrix.

2=
0
∣2 3∣
= 4 + 9 = 13 =
0
∣−3 2∣
∣2 3 2∣
−3 2 −3 = 0
∣4 −1 4∣
∣2 3 5∣
−3 2 −1 = 0 (because it has two equal columns; the rank is also 2)
∣4 −1 3∣

Since the ranks are equal, the system is consistent with an

infinitude of solutions. The minor corresponding to the rank becomes the

primary minor.
∣2 3∣
Δp =
∣−3 2∣

The variables x and y having coefficients in the primary minor become

primary variables and z becomes a secondary variable. Let z = α. The first

two equations in which we find the primary minor become primary

equations. We solve the system formed by the primary equations.

{ ={
2⋅x+3⋅y+2⋅α=5 2⋅x+3⋅y =5−2⋅α
−3 ⋅ x + 2 ⋅ y − 3 ⋅ α = −1 −3 ⋅ x + 2 ⋅ y = −1 + 3 ⋅ α

We multiply the first equation by 3 and the second one by 2.

{
6 ⋅ x + 9 ⋅ y = 15 − 6 ⋅ α
−6 ⋅ x + 4 ⋅ y = −2 + 6 ⋅ α

We add up the two equations and we get:

13
13 ⋅ y = 13 ⇒ y = =1
13

We multiply the first equation by -2 and the second one by 3.

{
−4 ⋅ x − 6 ⋅ y = −10 + 4 ⋅ α
−9 ⋅ x + 6 ⋅ y = −3 + 9 ⋅ α

We add up the two equations and we get:

13 ⋅ α − 13
−13 ⋅ x = 13 ⇒ y = =α−1
13
The solution of the system is {α − 1; 1; α}

Example 57
⎧2 ⋅ x + y + 5 ⋅ z = 3
⎨3 ⋅ x + 2 ⋅ y + 2 ⋅ z = 1
⎩
7 ⋅ x + y + 12 ⋅ z = 2

The matrix associated to the system is:

⎛2 1 5⎞
3 2 2
⎝7 4 12⎠

We determine the rank of the matrix.

2=0
∣2 1∣
=4−3=1=
0
∣3 2∣
∣2 1 5∣
3 2 2 = 48 + 60 + 14 − 70 − 16 − 36 = 0 (consequently, the rank is
∣7 4 12∣
2)

The augmented matrix is:

⎛2 1 5 3⎞
3 2 2 1
⎝7 4 12 2⎠

We determine the rank of the augmented matrix.

2=0
∣2 1∣
=4−3=1=
0
∣3 2∣
∣2 1 5∣
3 2 2 =0
∣7 4 12∣
∣2 1 3∣
3 2 1 = 8 + 36 + 7 − 42 − 8 − 6 = −5 =
0
∣7 4 2∣

The rank of the augmented matrix is 3.

Since the ranks of the two matrices are different, the system has no

solutions. It's an inconsistent system. A homogeneous system will

always be consistent with an infinitude of solutions, because the

augmented matrix containing a column of zeroes will have the same rank

as the matrix associated to the system.

Example 58
⎧2 ⋅ x + 3 ⋅ y + 2 ⋅ z = 0
⎨−3 ⋅ x + 2 ⋅ y − 3 ⋅ z = 0
⎩
4⋅x−y+4⋅z =0

The matrix associated to the system is:

⎛2 3 2⎞
−3 2 −3
⎝4 −1 4⎠

We determine the rank of the matrix.

2=0
∣ 2 3∣
= 4 + 9 = 13 =
0
∣−3 2∣
∣2 3 2∣
−3 2 −3 = 0 (because it has two equal columns. consequently, the
∣4 −1 4∣
rank is 2)

The augmented matrix is:

⎛2 3 2 0⎞
−3 2 −3 0
⎝4 −1 4 0⎠

We determine the rank of the augmented matrix.

2=0
∣ 2 3∣
= 4 + 9 = 13 =
0
∣−3 2∣
∣2 3 2∣
−3 2 −3 = 0
∣4 −1 4∣
∣2 3 0∣
−3 2 0 = 0 (because it has a column of zeroes; consequently, the
∣4 −1 0∣
rank is also 2)

Since the ranks are equal, the system is consistent with an

infinitude of solutions. The minor corresponding to the rank becomes the

primary minor.
∣2 3∣
Δp =
∣−3 2∣

The variables x and y having coefficients in the primary minor become

primary variables and z becomes a secondary variable. Let z = α. The first

two equations in which we find the primary minor become primary

equations. We solve the system formed by the primary equations.

{ ={
2⋅x+3⋅y+2⋅α=0 2 ⋅ x + 3 ⋅ y = −2 ⋅ α
−3 ⋅ x + 2 ⋅ y − 3 ⋅ α = 0 −3 ⋅ x + 2 ⋅ y = 3 ⋅ α

We multiply the first equation by 3 and the second one by 2.

{
6 ⋅ x + 9 ⋅ y = −6 ⋅ α
−6 ⋅ x + 4 ⋅ y = 6 ⋅ α

We add up the two equations and we get:

0
13 ⋅ y = 0 ⇒ y = =0
13
We do the same thing to find x. We multiply the first equation by -2 and

the second one by 3.

{
−4 ⋅ x − 6 ⋅ y = 4 ⋅ α
−9 ⋅ x + 6 ⋅ y = 9 ⋅ α

We add up the two equations and we get:

13 ⋅ α
−13 ⋅ x = 13 ⇒ y = = −α
−13
The solution of the system is{−α; 0; α}
The Associated Matrix is not Square (m =
 n)
We calculate the rank of the matrix associated to the system and the rank

of the augmented matrix (the initial matrix to which we add the column of

constant terms).

We have the following situations:

• If the ranks of the two matrices are different, then the system

has no solution. It is an inconsistent system.

• If the ranks are equal, then the system is consistent with an

infinitude of solutions.

To solve the system, we follow these steps:

The minor corresponding to the rank becomes the primary

minor.

The variables having coefficients in the primary minor become

the main variables. The other variables become secondary, are

noted using other letters and are moved to the other side of the

equation.

The equations containing the primary minor become primary

equations.

We solve the system formed only by the primary equations and

we determine the solution of the system depending on the

secondary variables.

We write down the solution.

Example 59

{
2⋅x+3⋅y+2⋅z =5
−3 ⋅ x + 2 ⋅ y − 3 ⋅ z = −1

The matrix associated to the system is:

2 3 2
( )
−3 2 −3

We determine the rank of the matrix.

2=0
∣ 2 3∣
= 4 + 9 = 13 =
 0 (the rank is 2)
∣−3 2∣

The augmented matrix is:

2 3 2 5
( )
−3 2 −3 −1

We determine the rank of the augmented matrix.

2=0
∣ 2 3∣
= 4 + 9 = 13 =
 0 (the rank is also 2)
∣−3 2∣

Since the ranks are equal, the system is consistent with an

infinitude of solutions. The minor corresponding to the rank becomes the

primary minor.

∣2 3∣
Δp =
∣−3 2∣

The variables x and y having coefficients in the primary minor become

primary variables and z becomes a secondary variable. Let z = α. The first

two equations in which we find the primary minor become primary

equations. We solve the system formed by the primary equations.

{ ={
2⋅x+3⋅y+2⋅α=5 2⋅x+3⋅y =5−2⋅α
−3 ⋅ x + 2 ⋅ y − 3 ⋅ α = −1 −3 ⋅ x + 2 ⋅ y = −1 + 3 ⋅ α

We multiply the first equation by 3 and the second one by 2.

{
6 ⋅ x + 9 ⋅ y = 15 − 6 ⋅ α
−6 ⋅ x + 4 ⋅ y = −2 + 6 ⋅ α

We add up the two equations and we get:

13
13 ⋅ y = 13 ⇒ y = =1
13
We do the same thing to find x. We multiply the first equation by -2 and

the second one by 3.

{
−4 ⋅ x − 6 ⋅ y = −10 + 4 ⋅ α
−9 ⋅ x + 6 ⋅ y = −3 + 9 ⋅ α

We add up the two equations and we get:

13 ⋅ α − 13
−13 ⋅ x = 13 ⇒ y = =α−1
13
The solution of the system is {α − 1; 1; α}

Example 60
⎧2 ⋅ x + 3 ⋅ y = 5
⎨−3 ⋅ x + 2 ⋅ y = −1
⎩
4⋅x−y =3

The matrix associated to the system is:

⎛2 3⎞
−3 2
⎝4 −1⎠

We determine the rank of the matrix.

2=0
∣ 2 3∣
= 4 + 9 = 13 =
 0 (the rank is 2)
∣−3 2∣

The augmented matrix is:

⎛2 3 5⎞
−3 2 −1
⎝4 −1 3⎠

We determine the rank of the augmented matrix.

2=
0
∣2 3∣
= 4 + 9 = 13 =
0
∣−3 2∣
∣2 3 5∣
−3 2 −1 = 0 (because it has two equal columns; consequently, the
∣4 −1 3 ∣
rank is 2)

Since the ranks are equal, the system is consistent with an

infinitude of solutions. The minor corresponding to the rank becomes the

primary minor.
∣2 3∣
Δp =
∣−3 2∣

The variables x and y having coefficients in the primary minor become

primary variables and z becomes a secondary variable. There are no

secondary variables. The first two equations in which we find the primary

minor become primary equations. We solve the system formed by the

primary equations.

{
2⋅x+3⋅y =5
−3 ⋅ x + 2 ⋅ y = −1

We multiply the first equation by 3 and the second one by 2.

{
6 ⋅ x + 9 ⋅ y = 15
−6 ⋅ x + 4 ⋅ y = −2

We add up the two equations and we get:

13
13 ⋅ y = 13 ⇒ y = =1
13
We do the same thing to find x. We multiply the first equation by -2 and

the second one by 3.

{
−4 ⋅ x − 6 ⋅ y = −10
−9 ⋅ x + 6 ⋅ y = −3

We add up the two equations and we get:

−13
−13 ⋅ x = −13 ⇒ y = =1
−13
We check if the results are valid solutions of the secondary equation.

4⋅1−1⋅1=3
The solution of the system is {1; 1}

Matrices

Matrix multiplication

Determinants

Rank of matrices

Inverse matrices

Matrix equations

Matrix calculators
Matrices & determinants - problems with solutions

Feedback Contact email:

Follow us on Twitter Facebook

Copyright © 2005 - 2023