1.

5 Solution
Sets of
Systems

Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
1.5 Solution Sets of Systems
Systems

Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

AURAK

Spring 2017
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Table of contents
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

1 Homogeneous Linear Systems

2 Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems

 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Homogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

Definition: A system of linear equations is said to be homogeneous if it can be

written in the form Ax = 0, where A is an m × n matrix and 0 is the zero vector in
Rm
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Homogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

• Such a system Ax = 0 always has at least one solution, namely,

 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Homogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

• Such a system Ax = 0 always has at least one solution, namely,

x = 0 (the zero vector in Rn ).

 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Homogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

• The zero solution is usually called the trivial solution.

 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Homogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

• The homogeneous equation Ax = 0 has a nontrivial solution if and only if the

equation has at least one free variable.
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Homogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear Example 1:
Systems
Determine if the following homogeneous system has a nontrivial solution. Then
describe the solution set.

3x1 + 5x2 − 4x3 = 0

−3x1 − 2x2 + 4x3 = 0
6x1 + x2 − 8x3 = 0
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Homogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems Solution:
We denote by A the matrix of coefficients of the system and row reduce the
augmented matrix  
3 5 −4 0
[A | 0] =  −3 −2 4 0 
6 1 −8 0
to reduced echelon form:
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Homogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
Solution:
   
3 5 −4 0 3 5 −4 0
R2 +R1 →R2
 −3 −2 4 0  ∼  0 3 0 0 
6 1 −8 0 6 1 −8 0
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Homogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
Solution:
   
3 5 −4 0 3 5 −4 0
R3 −2R1 →R3
 0 3 0 0  ∼  0 3 0 0 
6 1 −8 0 0 −9 0 0
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Homogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
Solution:
   
3 5 −4 0 3 5 −4 0
R3 +3R2 →R3
 0 3 0 0  ∼  0 3 0 0 
0 −9 0 0 0 0 0 0
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Homogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
Solution:
   
3 5 −4 0 1
R →R2
3 5 −4 0
3 2
 0 3 0 0  ∼  0 1 0 0 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Homogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
Solution:
   
3 5 −4 0 3 0 −4 0
R1 −5R2 →R1
 0 1 0 0  ∼  0 1 0 0 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Homogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
Solution:

1 0 − 43
   
3 0 −4 0 1
R →R1
0
3 1
 0 1 0 0  ∼  0 1 0 0 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Homogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
Solution:
The matrix
1 0 − 43
 
0
 0 1 0 0 
0 0 0 0
is in reduced echelon form.
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Homogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

Solution: The corresponding system is:

x1 − 34 x3 = 0
x2 = 0
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Homogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
Solution: Solve for the basic variables x1 and x2 to obtain:
4
x1 = 3 x3
x2 = 0
x3 = free variable
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Homogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
Solution: As a vector, the general solution of Ax = 0 takes the form:
 4   4   4 
3 x3 3 3
x =  0  = x3  0  = x3 v, where v =  0  .
x3 1 1
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Homogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

• Here x3 is factored out of the expression for the general solution vector.
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Homogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

• This shows that every solution of Ax = 0 in this case is a scalar multiple of v.

 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Homogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

• The trivial solution is obtained by choosing x3 = 0.

 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Geometric Interpretation of the Solution Set
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems Geometrically, the solution set whose equation is in the form x = tv, (t in R )is a
Nonhomogeneous line through 0 and v in R3 :
Linear
Systems
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Parametric Vector Form
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

• The equation x = tv,(with t in R) ) is called a parametric vector equation of

the line through 0 and v.
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Parametric Vector Form
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

• The equation x = tu + sv, (s, t in R ) is called a parametric vector equation

of a plane through 0, u and v.
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Parametric Vector Form
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

• Whenever a solution set is described explicitly with vectors as in Example 1,

we say that the solution is in parametric vector form.
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

Definition: A system of linear equations is said to be nonhomogeneous if it can be

written in the form Ax = b, where A is an m × n matrix and b is a nonzero vector
in Rm .
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

• When a nonhomogeneous linear system Ax = b has many solutions, the

general solution can be written in parametric vector form as one vector plus an
arbitrary linear combination of vectors that satisfy the corresponding
homogeneous system Ax = 0.
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Solutions of Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems Example 2:
Describe all solutions of Ax = b, where
   
3 5 −4 7
A =  −3 −2 4  and b =  −1  .
6 1 −8 4
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Solutions of Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems Solution:
we denote by A the coefficients matrix of the system and row reduce the
augmented matrix  
3 5 −4 7
[A | b] =  −3 −2 4 −1 
6 1 −8 4
to reduced echelon form:
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Solutions of Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
Solution:
   
3 5 −4 7 3 5 −4 7
R2 +R1 →R2
 −3 −2 4 −1  ∼  0 3 0 6 
6 1 −8 −4 6 1 −8 −4
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Solutions of Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
Solution:
   
3 5 −4 7 3 5 −4 7
R3 −2R1 →R3
 0 3 0 6  ∼  0 3 0 6 
6 1 −8 −4 0 −9 0 −18
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Solutions of Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
Solution:
   
3 5 −4 7 3 5 −4 7
R3 +3R2 →R3
 0 3 0 6  ∼  0 3 0 6 
0 −9 0 −18 0 0 0 0
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Solutions of Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
Solution:
   
3 5 −4 7 1
R →R2
3 5 −4 7
3 2
 0 3 0 6  ∼  0 1 0 2 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Solutions of Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
Solution:
   
3 5 −4 7 3 0 −4 −3
R1 −5R2 →R1
 0 1 0 2  ∼  0 1 0 2 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Solutions of Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
Solution:

1 0 − 43
   
3 0 −4 −3 1
R →R1
−1
3 1
 0 1 0 2  ∼  0 1 0 2 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Solutions of Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
Solution:
The matrix
1 0 − 34
 
−1
 0 1 0 2 
0 0 0 0
is in reduced echelon form.
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Solutions of Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

Solution: The corresponding system is:

x1 − 43 x3 = −1
x2 = 2
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Solutions of Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
Solution: Solve for the basic variables x1 and x2 to obtain:

x1 = −1 + 34 x3
x2 = 2
x3 = free variable
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Solutions of Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
Solution: As a vector, the general solution of Ax = b takes the form:

−1 + 34 x3
     4 
−1 3 x3
x= 2 = 2 + 0 
x3 0 x3
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Solutions of Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
Solution: As a vector, the general solution of Ax = b is given by:

−1 + 34 x3 4
     
−1 3 x3
x= 2 = 2 + 0 
x3 0 x3
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Solutions of Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
Solution: As a vector, the general solution of Ax = b takes the form:
   4 
−1 3
x =  2  + x3  0 
0 1
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Solutions of Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear Solution: The general solution of Ax = b in vector form is given by:
Systems

x = p + x3 v,

where    4 
−1 3
p =  2  and v =  0  .
0 1
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Solutions of Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

• The equation x = p + x3 v, or, writing t in R as a general parameter,

x = p + tv, describes the solution set of Ax = b in parametric vector form.
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Solutions of Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

• Recall that the solution set of Ax = 0 in parametric vector form is given by

x = tv (t in R).
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Solutions of Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

• Thus the solutions of Ax = b are obtained by adding a solution of Ax = b (the

vector p) to the solutions of Ax = 0.
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Geometric Description of Solutions
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

• Given v and p in R2 or R3 , the effect of adding v to p is to move v in a

direction parallel to the line through p and 0.
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Geometric Description of Solutions
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

• Given v and p in R2 or R3 , the effect of adding v to p is to move v in a

direction parallel to the line through p and 0.
• We say that v is translated by p to p + v.
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Geometric Description of Solutions
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems
• v is translated by p to p + v.
Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Geometric Description of Solutions
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

• If each point on a line L in R2 or R3 is translated by a vector p, the result is a

line parallel to L.
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Geometric Description of Solutions
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems • If each point on a line L in R2 or R3 is translated by a vector p, the result is a
Nonhomogeneous
Linear
line parallel to L.
Systems
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Geometric Description of Solutions
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

• Suppose L is the line through 0 and v, described by equation x = tv (t in R).

 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Geometric Description of Solutions
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

• Suppose L is the line through 0 and v, described by equation x = tv (t in R).

• Adding p to each point on L produces the translated line described by
equation x = p + tv (t in R).
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Geometric Description of Solutions
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

• We call x = p + tv (t in R) the equation of the line through p parallel to v.

 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Geometric Description of Solutions
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems Thus the solution set of Ax = b is a line through p parallel to the solution set of
Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Ax = 0.
Systems
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Solutions of Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems
Homogeneous
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems

Theorem: Suppose the nonhomogeneous equation Ax = b is consistent for some

given b, and let p be a solution. Then the solution set of Ax = b is the set of all
vectors of the form x = p + vh , where vh is any solution of the homogeneous
equation Ax = 0.
 1.5 Solution
Sets of
Systems
Writing a Solution Set of a Linear System in
Homogeneous
Parametric form
Linear
Systems

Nonhomogeneous
Linear
Systems 1 Write the augmented matrix of the system.
2 Row reduce the augmented matrix to reduced echelon form.
3 Express each basic variable in terms of any free variables appearing in an
equation.
4 Write a typical solution x as a vector whose entries depend on the free
variables, if any.
5 Decompose x into a linear combination of vectors (with numeric entries) using
the free variables as parameters.