Solve System of Equations Using Gaussian Elimination

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on solving a system of equations using Gaussian elimination. The equations provided are: 2x + y - 3z = 3, 4x - y + 2z = 25, and -3x + 2y + 4z = -9. Participants identify errors in arithmetic during the elimination process, particularly in the calculation of the pivot factors and the resulting equations. The use of the extended matrix form is recommended for clarity and accuracy in solving the system.

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  • Understanding of Gaussian elimination
  • Familiarity with matrix operations
  • Basic algebraic manipulation skills
  • Knowledge of pivoting techniques in linear algebra
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  • Study the process of row reduction to echelon form
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Bucky
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use gaussian elimination to solve the following system of equation:

2x + y - 3z = 3
4x - y + 2z = 25
-3x + 2y + 4z = -9

ok so first i rearranged them so the inital numbers were in decending order (for the pivot)

R1 -> 4x - y + 2z = 25
R2 -> -3x + 2y + 4z = -9
R3 -> 2x + y - 3z = 3

pivot factor r = -3/4 for R2
pivot factor r = 1/2 for R3

R1 = 4x - y + 2z = 25
R2 + (3/4)R1 = (-3x+(3/4)4x) + (2y + (-3/4y)) + (4z + (3/4)2z) = -9 + (3/4)25
= 0x + 1.25y + 5.5z = 9.75

R3 = (2x - 1/2x) + (y +1/2y) + (-3z-z) = 3 - 25/2
= 0x + 1.5y - 4z = -9.5

now solve for R2 and R3 to find Z

pivoting factor r = 1.25/1.5 = 5/6

R2 - 5/6R3 = (1.25y - 5/6(1.5y)) + (5.5z - 5/6(4z)) = 9.75 - 5/6(9.5)
= 0y + ((33/6)z - (20/6)z) = 58.5/6 - 47.5/6
= (13/6)z = 11/6
z = 11/13

and i know that's wrong...can anyone point out where I've went wrong?
 
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You probably made some arithmetic mistakes, but I didn't check it all.
Personally, when using Gaussian elimination, I'd use the extended matrix form and just work with the coëfficiënts.

Try to put the following matrix in row-reduced form (if you've seen that of course) and 'translate' back into equations.

[tex]\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}c}<br /> 2 & 1 & { - 3} &\vline & 3 \\<br /> 4 & { - 1} & 2 &\vline & {25} \\<br /> { - 3} & 2 & 4 &\vline & { - 9} \\<br /> <br /> \end{array} } \right)[/tex]
 
Bucky said:
use gaussian elimination to solve the following system of equation:
2x + y - 3z = 3
4x - y + 2z = 25
-3x + 2y + 4z = -9
ok so first i rearranged them so the inital numbers were in decending order (for the pivot)
R1 -> 4x - y + 2z = 25
R2 -> -3x + 2y + 4z = -9
R3 -> 2x + y - 3z = 3
pivot factor r = -3/4 for R2
pivot factor r = 1/2 for R3
R1 = 4x - y + 2z = 25
R2 + (3/4)R1 = (-3x+(3/4)4x) + (2y + (-3/4y)) + (4z + (3/4)2z) = -9 + (3/4)25
= 0x + 1.25y + 5.5z = 9.75
R3 = (2x - 1/2x) + (y +1/2y) + (-3z-z) = 3 - 25/2
= 0x + 1.5y - 4z = -9.5
presumably you meant here "R3- (1/2)R1" but the calculation is correct.

now solve for R2 and R3 to find Z
pivoting factor r = 1.25/1.5 = 5/6
R2 - 5/6R3 = (1.25y - 5/6(1.5y)) + (5.5z - 5/6(4z)) = 9.75 - 5/6(9.5)
Here's you're problem! Your signs are wrong on the last two terms.
R3 is 1.5- 4x= -9.5 so R2-(5/6)R3 is
(1.25y- (5/6)(1.5y))+ (5.5z-5/6(-4z))= 9.75- (5/6)(-9.5)
(5.5+ 20/3)z= 9.75+ 95/12.

= 0y + ((33/6)z - (20/6)z) = 58.5/6 - 47.5/6
= (13/6)z = 11/6
z = 11/13
and i know that's wrong...can anyone point out where I've went wrong?
 

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