Solve Matrix Equations: Ax=b | Help with A, b, x

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The discussion focuses on solving the matrix equation Ax=b, where A is a 3x3 matrix with a zero determinant, indicating infinite solutions. The user presents a parameterized solution derived from reduced row-echelon form, specifically x_3=t, x_2=5t/9, and x_1=t−1. However, the user encounters a discrepancy when the parameterized solution does not satisfy the original system of equations, leading to confusion about the equivalence of the original and reduced systems. The key takeaway is that while the parameterized solutions arise from Gaussian elimination, they must also satisfy the original equations, which is not the case here.

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skujesco2014
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Hi, all. I'm in desperate need of assistance with a matrix I can't get my head around of. I want to solve a system of equations of the type Ax=b, where

<br /> A=\begin{pmatrix}<br /> 2 &amp; 5 &amp; -3 \\<br /> 1 &amp; -2 &amp; 1 \\<br /> 7 &amp; 4 &amp; -3<br /> \end{pmatrix}<br />

and where

<br /> b=\begin{pmatrix}<br /> -2 \\<br /> -1 \\<br /> -7 <br /> \end{pmatrix}<br />



that is, b is the negative of the first column. Written as it is above, A has zero determinant and the determinant formed when thek^{th} column of A is substituted by the vector b is clearly zero as well. A theorem says that in this case the system has infinite solutions. If one reduces the system to reduced row-echelon form the solutions can be parameterized as, for example, x_3=t,x_2=5t/9,x_1=t−1. An immediate solution by inspection is x=(−1,0,0)^T which one obtains letting t=0.

But let's give another value of t, for example, t=1 which gives x=(0,5/9,1)^T. This is one of the parameterized solutions and yet it does not satisfy the original system. It does, however, satisfy the reduced system obtained from the original by gaussian elimination and should be equivalent, i.e.,

<br /> \begin{cases}<br /> x_1-x_3 &amp;=-1\\<br /> 9x_2-5x_3 &amp; = 0<br /> \end{cases}<br />


But shouldn't my parameterized solution satisfy both original and reduced systems, no matter what? Yet, the only satisfying solution for the original system seems to be x=(−1,0,0)^T. What am I not seeing here?

Thanks in advance.
 
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The vector

<br /> \left(\begin{array}{c}<br /> 1 \\ 5 \\ 9 \\<br /> \end{array}\right)<br />

is contained in the kernel of the mentioned matrix, and all other elements of the kernel can be obtained by scaling this. It seems you have attempted to scale this by a factor \frac{t}{9} with a real coefficient t, but you have made a mistake with the x_1 component.
 
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