In this section we offer one more example of how to solve system of linear algebraic equations using Gaussian elimination method. This example clearly shows that while doing Gaussian elimination you ought to notice when it’s convenient to swap rows in order to save time and reduce calculations.
We have the following system of linear algebraic equations to solve:
\left\{ \begin{aligned}-2x+y+2z=2\\x+3y-z=0\\3x+2y+4z=3 \end{aligned}\right.
First of all, note that we can swap any two equations in the system as we like, solution obviously won’t change. We see that x has coefficient 1 in the second equation, so we can transform our system as following
\left\{ \begin{aligned}x+3y-z=0\\-2x+y+2z=2\\3x+2y+4z=3 \end{aligned}\right.
Here’s video version of this example:
Now we can eliminate x from the second equation. For that let’s add the first equation multiplied by 2 to the second one:
\left\{ \begin{aligned}x+3y-z=0\\7y=2\\3x+2y+4z=3 \end{aligned}\right.
Also we eliminate x from the third equation: subtract the first equation multiplied by 3 from the third one:
\left\{ \begin{aligned}x+3y-z=0\\7y=2\\-7y+7z=3 \end{aligned}\right.
After that, we could proceed according to our algorithm. But there’s no need to do that, as we see that we have the second equation containing only one unknown y, and also the third equation containing two unknowns. So we can rearrange our system as following:
\left\{ \begin{aligned}x+3y-z=0\\-7y+7z=3 \\7y=2\end{aligned}\right.
This is triangular form; we can get y from the third equation immediately:
\left\{ \begin{aligned}x+3y-z=0\\-7y+7z=3 \\y=\frac{2}{7}\end{aligned}\right.
Next we substitute it into the second equation and obtain value of z:
\left\{ \begin{aligned}x+3y-z=0\\z=\frac{5}{7} \\y=\frac{2}{7}\end{aligned}\right.
Then substitute values of y, z into the first equation to obtain x:
\left\{ \begin{aligned}x=-\frac{1}{7} \\z=\frac{5}{7} \\y=\frac{2}{7}\end{aligned}\right.
and that’s the answer.
As you can see, the given system has one solution. This solution is unique. Keep in mind that in general there are three possible cases: a system of linear algebraic equations either has unique solution, or infinitely many solutions, or no solution at all. While solving your linear algebra homework you can face any of these cases. Don’t forget to check your answer afterwards. Simply substitute it into the initial system. Also you can use online systems solver. Put in your system and compare the result with your answer.
Check detailed explanations of Gauss elimination method in one of our previous tutorials for better understanding. Remember that practice is a crucial point in studying math. Wanna do better at math? Do more math!
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