Problem in setting homogenous parameters

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on converting the equations x + z = 0 and y - z + 2w = 0 into matrix form to identify the nullspace of matrix A. The solution involves expressing variables z and w in terms of x and y, leading to the representation of the vector x = (x, y, z, w) as a linear combination of two basis vectors. The derived relationships are z = -x and w = -0.5x - 0.5y, which clarify the structure of the nullspace.

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Homework Statement



how to put x+z=0, and y-z+2w=0 into matrices in terms of two parameters?


Homework Equations


AX=0, looking for x


The Attempt at a Solution



x=-z
y=z-2w

(-1, 1, 1, 0)z, no idea what the other matrix is :S

thanks advance guys!
 
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Your question is somewhat misleading. I don't think you want to put the equations into matrices, but rather find two vectors that are a basis for the nullspace (or kernel) of your matrix A.

You can write z and w in terms of x and y, like so:
z = -x
w= -.5x -.5y
In the latter equation, I substituted -x for z in the equation y -z + 2w=0.


x=1x+0y
y=0x+1y
z=-1x+0y
w=-.5x-.5y

So in the equations above, a vector x = (x, y, z, w) can be written as a linear combination of two other vectors.
 

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