MODULE I
Linear Equation
Introduction
The theory of linear equations plays an important and motivating role in the
subject of Linear Algebra. In fact, many problems in linear algebra are equivalent to
studying of linear equations, e.g. finding kernel of a linear mapping and
characterizing the subspace spanned by a set of vectors. Thus the techniques
introduced in this module will applicable to the more abstract treatment given later.
On the other hand, some of the results of the abstract treatment will give us new
insights into the structure of ‘concrete’ system of linear equations.
For simplicity, we assume that all equations in this module are over the real
field R. We emphasize that the results and techniques also hold for equations over
the complex field C or over any arbitrary field K.
General Objective
At the end of this module, the students should be able to evaluate the system
of linear equations.
Specific Objectives
At the end of this module, the student should be able to:
1. Identify linear equation.
2. Classify the types of linear system.
3. Determine the solution of system of linear equations.
Module I
Linear Equation
DISCUSSION
When is an equation in n unknown, x 1, x 2, . . ., X n, said to be a linear?
When it has the following standard form:
A1 X 1 + A2 X 2 +…+ A N X N = B
Where the constant A k is called the coefficient of X k and B is called the constant of
the equation.
EXAMPLES OF LINEAR EQUATION
x + 2y +3z = 7
3 x1 + 5 x2 - 8 x3 = 0
3a – 9b + 11c = 0
Linear equation are first degree polynomial equations in one variable.
Is the equation 2a – 3b + 4cd = 5 linear?
No, since the product of cd of two unknowns is of the second degree.
Is the equation x + πy + ez = log 5 linear?
Yes, since π, e, and log 5 are constant.
SOLUTIONS OF LINEAR EQUATION
When the variable in a linear equation is replaced by a specific number, the
resulting statement may be either true or false. If it is true, then the number is called
a SOLUTION OF THE EQUATION. The set of all solutions is called the SOLUTION
OF THE EQUATION.
Is x=3, y=2, z=1, a solution of the (linear) equation
a) X +2y – 3z =4?
b) 2x – 4y + z = 2?
SOLUTION
Substituting in the given equation (a), for equation (b)
3 + 2(2) – 3(1) = 4 2(3) – 4(2) + 1 =2
3+4–3=4 6–8+1=2
4=4 -1≠2
Yes, it is a solution. No, it is not a solution.
SOLUTION OF LINEAR EQUATION
Consider the m linear equations in the n unknowns X 1 X 2 ,…, X n:
A11 X 1+¿ A12 X 2 + … + An X n = b 1
A21 X 1 +¿ A12 X 2 + … + An X n = b 2
.
.
.
Am 1 X 1 +¿ Am 2 X 2 + … + Amn X n = b n
The m linear equations are the system of linear equation.
HOMOGENEOUS AND NONHOMOGENEOUS SYSTEMS
A system of linear equation is homogeneous if all constant terms are equal
to zero.
Examples:
3x + 2y +4z = 0
5x – 4y + z = 0
X + 4y – z = 0
Are the following linear equations a homogeneous system?
X + 5y +8z = 1
X – 2y + z = 1
3x + y – 5z = 1
No, the homogeneous linear equations, all equations in the constant term is zero.
SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATION
INCONSISTENT CONSISTENT
NO SOLUTION
UNIQUE MORE THAN ONE SOL’N
In system of linear equation, exactly one of the following cases must occur:
i. Consistent
ii. Inconsistent
If the system of linear equation is inconsistent, then it has no solution.
When is the system of linear equations inconsistent?
If an equation 0 X 1 0 X 2 +…+ 0 X n=b , and b ≠ 0, then the system is inconsistent and
has no solution.
EXAMPLE: Consider the following linear equations.
2x + y – 2z + 3w = 1 L1
3x + 2y – z + 2w = 4 L2
3x + 3y + 3z – 3w = 5 L3
SOLUTION:
By method of elimination:
-3 L1 + 2 L2 L4 -3 L1 + 2 L3 L5
-6x – 3y + 6z – 9w = -3 -6x – 3y + 6z – 9w = -3
6x + 4y – 2z + 4w = 8 6x + 6y + 6z – 6w = 10
Y + 4z – 5w = 5 L4 3y + 12z – 15w = 7 L5
-3 L4 + L5 L6
-3y – 12z + 15w = -15
3y + 12z – 15w = 7
0y + 0z + 0w = -8 L6
0 ≠ -8
Therefore, the system is inconsistent and so has no solution.
When is the system of linear equations consistent?
If an equation 0 X 1 + 0 X 2 + … 0 X n = b, and 0, then the system is consistent and it has
a unique solution or many solutions.
EXAMPLE: Consider the following linear equations.
2x + y + 4z = 16 L1
x–y+z=2 L2
x + 2y + 3z = 14 L3
Solution
By method of elimination,
L1 + L2 L4 2 L2 + L3 L5
2x + y + 4z = 16 2x – 2y + 2z = 4
x–y+z=2 x + 2y + 3z = 14
3x + 5z = 18 L4 3x + 5z = 18
L5
Then, L4 - L5 L6
3x + 5z = 18
3x + 5z = 18
0x + 0z = 0
0=0
This shows that the given system of linear equations is consistent and has
solution(s).
When the system of linear equations has unique solution?
If it is consistent and the number of equations is equal to the number of unknown
variables, otherwise it consists more than one solution.
EXAMPLE: The system of linear equations below has a unique solution, since it is
consistent as example above and the number of equations is the same as the
number of unknown variables.
2x + y +4z = 16 L1
x–y+z=2 L2
x + 2y + 3z =14 L3
The unique solution is (x,y,z) = (1,2,3)
