3/29/2020 Representing linear systems with matrices (article) | Khan Academy

Math Algebra (all Math · Algebra (all content) · Matrices

content) Matrices Representing linear systems of equations with
·
Representing linear augmented matrices
systems of equations with
augmented matrices Representing linear
Representing linear
systems of equations with
systems with matrices
augmented matrices Learn how systems of linear equations can be represented by
augmented matrices.

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Practice: Represent linear
systems with matrices

A matrix is a rectangular arrangement of numbers

into rows and columns.

3 columns

−2 5 6
A=[ ] 2 rows
5 2 7

Matrices can be used to solve systems of

equations. But first, we must learn how to
represent systems with matrices.

Representing a linear system with

matrices

A system of equations can be represented by an

augmented matrix.

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3/29/2020 Representing linear systems with matrices (article) | Khan Academy

System of equations:   2x + 5y = 10

3x + 4y = 24

Augmented matrix: 2 5 10 Eq. 1

[ ]
3 4 24 Eq. 2

x y constants

In an augmented matrix, each row represents one

equation in the system and each column
represents a variable or the constant terms.

In this way, we can see that augmented matrices

are a shorthand way of writing systems of
equations. The organization of the numbers into
the matrix makes it unnecessary to write various
symbols like x, y , and = , yet all of the information
is still there!

Check your understanding

1) Which matrix represents the system?

2x + 3y = 8
5x + 2y = 2

Choose 1 answer:

2 3 8
A [ ]
2 5 2

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3/29/2020 Representing linear systems with matrices (article) | Khan Academy

B 2 3 8
[ ]
5 2 2

Check

[I need help!]

2) Write the following system of equations as

an augmented matrix.

7x + 4y = 3
6x + 3y = 5

Check

[I need help!]

Let's look at another example

Now that we have the basics, let's take a look at a
slightly more complicated example.

Example
Write the following system of equations as an
augmented matrix.

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3x − 2y = 4
x + 5z = −3
−4x − y + 3z = 0

Solution
To make things easier, let's rewrite the system to
show each of the coefficients clearly. If a variable
term is not written in an equation, it means that the
coefficient is 0.

3x + (−2)y + 0z = 4
1x + 0y + 5z = −3
−4x + (−1)y + 3z = 0

This corresponds to the following augmented

matrix.

Eq. 1
⎡ 3 −2 0 4 ⎤
Eq. 2
⎢ 1 0 5 −3 ⎥
⎣ −4 −1 3 0 ⎦ Eq. 3

x y z constants

Again, notice how each column corresponds to a

variable (x, y , z ) or the constants. Also notice that
the numbers in each row correspond to the
coefficients in the same equation.

In general, before converting a system into an

augmented matrix, be sure that the variables
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appear in the same order in each equation, and

that the constant terms are isolated on one side.

Check your understanding

3) Which matrix represents the system?

3w − 2x + y + 5z = 10
w + 2y − 4z = 5

Choose 1 answer:

3 −2 1 5 10
A [ ]
1 0 2 −4 5

3 −2 1 5 10
B [ ]
0 1 2 −4 5

Check

[I need help!]

4) Write the following system of equations as

an augmented matrix.

−a + b − 2c = 12
3a + b = −8

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3/29/2020 Representing linear systems with matrices (article) | Khan Academy

Check

[I need help!]

Challenge problems
5*) Which system is represented by the
augmented matrix?

⎡ 0 −3 −5 8 ⎤
⎢ 4 1 1 2 ⎥
⎣ 5 2 −1 0 ⎦

Choose 1 answer:

−3x − 5y = 8
A 4x + y + z = 2
5x + 2y − z = 0

−3y − 5z = 8
B 4x + y + z = 2
5x + 2y − z = 0

Check

[I need help!]

6*) Which matrix represents the system?

3x + 2 = 12y
−8y = 2x + 15

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Choose 1 answer:

3 2 12
A A=[ ]
−8 2 15

3 12 2
B B=[ ]
2 −8 15

3 −12 −2
C C=[ ]
−2 −8 15

3 −12 −2
D D=[ ]
−8 −2 15

Check

[I need help!]

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ana k 4 years ago

more

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Is there a reason the vertical line representing =

is not used in this instance?
4 (61
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comments votes)

3 years
m…
darwoma.kateh ago

no,we don't have to use it.

(2
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See 1 more reply

Gigi Greene 4 years ago

more

Why does the + sign turn into - when put into

standard form?
4 (11
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comments votes)

Shreya 4 years ago

more

Say you have the equation

3x+2y+8=0.
Then to get this equation in the
standard form you will subtract both
sides of the equation by 8. And you'll
get 3x+2y=-8. So that's how you get
the negative sign.
But that doesn't happen always. If you
have 3x+2y-8=0, then you'll get
3x+2y=8.
Hope that helps. :)
(49
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talal.waseem3 a year ago

more

So when there is a variable in one of the

equations but not in the other the number 0 is

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like a placeholder correct?

1 (5
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comment votes)

Joshua Kim a year ago

more

Yes, you are right.

(2
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Amn Ashhad 2 years ago

more

Do the matrix have to be in alphabetical order?

1 (2
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comment votes)

Ian Foreman 2 years ago

more

When Sal writes letters in the

matrices, they are just variables; they
can be anything they want. So, no,
they don't have to be in alphabetical
order. It just makes it more simple to
see and read.
(6
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Tiffanie L. 3 years ago

more

Why are system of equations represented in

matrix format if it's harder to simplify? How do
you solve a matrix system of equations?
(1
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kubleeka 3 years ago

more

There are things called matrix row

operations that let you rearrange the
entries of a matrix while leaving the
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underlying system of equations "the

same". Each row operation
corresponds to a valid operation on
the system of equations, like adding
two equations together, writing them
in a different order, or multiplying by a
constant.

You can perform these matrix

operations in a rote, mechanical way
to find the solution set to any system
of equations (if one exists). The goal
of representing systems of equations
like this is to remove the creative
element from solving systems and
provide an algorithm for solving them.
(4
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2 months
m…
mukukacaiphasbwalya ago

How to find a determinant and an inverse of a

given matrix
(2
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Kim Seidel 2 months ago

more

Use the search bar on any KA

screens to find those lessons.
(2
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Prime_Time 3 years ago

more

I was wondering what 'w' is used in many

different terms. For example, in this case, it is
used as another variable. Does it usually go in
front of x,y, and z?
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Surag R 3 years ago

more

as it is a variable, its ok with anything.

you may also go for variables like a,
a', a'' and so one (the apostrophe
means "dash")
(2
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goldstar&phoenix 4 years ago more

Can we represent the augmented matrix of a

set of equations with the variables jumbled up
in any manner if the equations consist of (x,y,z)
and constants
eg. 4x + 6y - 5z = 12
12x - 3y + 4z = 5
can we represent the augmented matrix as the
following;
[4 -5 6 12]
[12 4 -3 5]
switching the (y) with (z) or should it be in the
same order as it is given in the equation/ the
alphabetical order??
(2
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4 years
m…
Justin Woodward ago

the equation itself can be jumbled up

and has been in the final example on
the page. However when putting it
back into a matrix it needs to be x,y,z
then the answer. in their respective
rows.
1 (1
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Domenick Mitchell 2 years ago

more

Why do numbers 5 and 6 have asterisks in the

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question? There isn't any little footnote or footer

or whatever you want to call it there. Here is #5
as follows, 5*) Which system is represented by
the augmented matrix?, and also #6 as follows,
6*) Which matrix represents the system?
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Evan Lewis 2 years ago

more

Those are the Challenge problems, so

I believe the asterisks are used to
indicate they are harder problems.
(0
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guylawley93 4 years ago

more

Can anyone give me some type of link so i can

understand standard form better?
(1
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h.reeves 4 years ago

more

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/pr
e-algebra/pre-algebra-arith-prop/pre-
algebra-place-value/v/place-value-2
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