Solving Systems of Equations: #14 & #15

In summary, the conversation discussed solving two separate matrix problems with the same goal. The first problem (#14) was solved, with the final equation being -2x1 + x2 = 5. The second problem (#15) was also solved, with the final equation being x + y = -13/22. The conversation also discussed the process of choosing a useful variable and the importance of not letting variables disappear when solving the equations.
  • #1
mr_coffee
1,629
1
Hello everyone
I started out with 2 matrices, which are 2 separate problems but both want the same thing. It says Solve the system.
Here are the 2 problems:
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/8382/matrix9ek.jpg #14 and #15, i got answers for, but I don't know how to put it in that form.
for #14 i got:
-2x1 + x2 = 5;
0x1 + 0x2 = 0;

#15.

z = 7/22;
x+y + 5z = 1;
x+y = -13/22;

thanks.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
For #14.

The equation you end up with is [itex] - 2x_1 + x_2 = 5 \Leftrightarrow x_2 = 5 + 2x_1 [/itex]

Let [itex]x_2 = s[/itex] then you have the set of solutions

[tex]V = \left\{ {\left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}c}
{5 + 2s} \\
s \\

\end{array} } \right]|s \in \mathbb{R}} \right\}
[/tex]

You can write this as

[tex]\left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}c}
{x_1 } \\
{x_2 } \\

\end{array} } \right] = \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}c}
5 \\
0 \\

\end{array} } \right] + \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}c}
2 \\
1 \\

\end{array} } \right]s[/tex]

#15 is very similar, try that one :smile:
 
  • #3
thank u so much, excellent explanation!
 
  • #4
For number 15, I did the following:
[itex] x_1 + x_2 +5x_2 = 1 [/itex]
[itex]x_3 = 7/22 [/itex]
[itex]x_1 + x_2 = -13/22[/itex]
[itex]x_1 = -13/22 - x_2[/itex]
[itex]x_2 = -13/22 - x_1[/itex]


[tex]V = \left\{ {\left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}c}
{-13/22 - s} \\
{-13/22 - s} \\
{ 0+ 7/22}\\

\end{array} } \right]|s \in \mathbb{R}} \right\}
[/tex]


[tex]\left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}c}
{x_1 } \\
{x_2 } \\
{x_3} \\

\end{array} } \right] = \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}c}
-13/22 \\
-13/22 \\
0\\

\end{array} } \right] + \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}c}
-1 \\
-1 \\
7/22\\

\end{array} } \right]s[/tex]

did i do that right or did i screw somthing up? Thanks.
 
  • #5
Sorry, I was away for a while :smile:

It seems half-right... So we have:

[tex]\left\{ \begin{gathered}
x + y + 5z = 1 \hfill \\
x + y = - 13/22 \hfill \\
z = 7/22 \hfill \\
\end{gathered} \right. \Leftrightarrow \left\{ \begin{gathered}
x + y = 1 - 5z = - 13/22 \hfill \\
x + y = - 13/22 \hfill \\
z = 7/22 \hfill \\
\end{gathered} \right[/tex]

Now you see that the first 2 equations are the same, so we get to choose 1 (useful) variable, here either x or y. I'll choose y, so let [itex]y = s[/itex].

[tex]\left\{ \begin{gathered}
x = - 13/22 - s \hfill \\
y = s \hfill \\
z = 7/22 \hfill \\
\end{gathered} \right[/tex]

So we have the following solutions set

[tex]V = \left\{ {\left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}c}
{ - 13/22 - s} \\
s \\
{7/22} \\

\end{array} } \right]|s \in \mathbb{R}} \right\}[/tex]

In parametric form this would give (watch where there is no s! z is indepedant of s!)

[tex]\left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}c}
x \\
y \\
z \\

\end{array} } \right] = \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}c}
{ - 13/22} \\
0 \\
{7/22} \\

\end{array} } \right] + \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}c}
{ - 1} \\
1 \\
0 \\

\end{array} } \right]s[/tex]
 
  • #6
Thanks alot! sorry I'm really bad with these and the professor didn't explain jack
 
  • #7
I hope it's more clear now, don't hesitate to ask for more details :smile:
 
  • #8
Shiza...I just submitted that answer and it was wrong, So i went back and row reduced and I think I messed up. I can't row reduce any further then this can I?
|1 1 5 1|
|5 4 -2 -3|
-5R1 + R2 -> R2
|1 1 5 1 |
|0 -1 -27 -8|

Anything i do now just tkaes out a 0 and puts back a number. On the orignal problem I then thought I could do R1+R2.

So I'm left with
x+y+5z = 1
-y - 27z = -8
How do you choose what variable you let s to equal?
THanks.
 
  • #9
Ah, I didn't check the original problems to see if your earlier work was correct.
So we have the initial problem:

[tex]\left\{ \begin{gathered}
x + y + 5z = 1 \hfill \\
5x + 4y - 2z = - 3 \hfill \\
\end{gathered} \right[/tex]

In matrix-form:

[tex]\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}c}
1 & 1 & 5 & 1 \\
5 & 4 & { - 2} & { - 3} \\
\end{array} } \right)[/tex]

Now, what you did is correct but it's not finished yet, you can reduce more.
Normally, after full row reduction, you should get:

[tex]\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}c}
1 & 0 & { - 22} & { - 7} \\
0 & 1 & {27} & 8 \\
\end{array} } \right)[/tex]

Can you take it from here?
 
  • #11
Well, almost :)

Somewhere in the middle, you let [itex]z = s[/itex], so you get:

[tex]\left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}c}
x \\
y \\
z \\

\end{array} } \right] = \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}c}
{ - 7} \\
8 \\
0 \\

\end{array} } \right] + \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}c}
{22} \\
{ - 27} \\
1 \\

\end{array} } \right]s[/tex]
 
  • #12
ahh so close, how did you get a 1 for z?
In the equations, i never solved for z, i just let z = s, and z always had l ike 20 or 27 as a coefficent, thanks for the help@
 
  • #13
Indeed, but because z = s, the coëfficiënt of s for z is 1, no? But there is no constant, hence the 0 is in the first column. It's not because you substitute z that it disappears...
 
  • #14
OHhh! :biggrin: Thank you for that explanation!
 
  • #15
No problem :smile:
 

1. What is a system of equations?

A system of equations is a set of two or more equations that are related to each other and have a common set of variables. The solution to a system of equations is a set of values that satisfy all of the given equations.

2. How many solutions can a system of equations have?

A system of equations can have one solution, no solutions, or infinitely many solutions. This depends on the equations and how they are related to each other.

3. How do you solve a system of equations using elimination?

To solve a system of equations using elimination, you must first choose a variable to eliminate by adding or subtracting the equations. Then, you can solve for the remaining variable and substitute that value into one of the original equations to find the value of the eliminated variable.

4. What is the difference between consistent and inconsistent systems of equations?

A consistent system of equations has at least one solution that satisfies all of the given equations, while an inconsistent system has no solutions that satisfy all of the equations. Inconsistent systems are often represented by parallel lines, while consistent systems have intersecting lines.

5. Can you use substitution to solve any system of equations?

Yes, substitution can be used to solve any system of equations, but it may not always be the most efficient method. It is important to determine which method (elimination, substitution, or graphing) is best suited for the given set of equations.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
851
  • General Math
Replies
7
Views
837
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
358
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
24
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
584
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
22
Views
3K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
892
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
2
Replies
40
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
2
Replies
35
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
1K
Back
Top