MAT1503

October/November 2017
Memorandum

QUESTION 1
(a) (i) No solution: The 𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑓 matrix has a row with nonzero number
(leading entry) in the last (augmented) column of [𝐴|𝑏] and 0′𝑠 in
all of the rows of the coefficient part.
(ii) Infinitely many solutions: The number of variables in the
coefficient part of [𝐴|𝑏] is more than the number of nonzero rows
in the last (augmented) column of [𝐴|𝑏].
(iii) Unique solution: The number of variables in the coefficient part
of [𝐴|𝑏 is equal to the number of nonzero rows equal to the in the
last (augmented) column of [𝐴|𝑏].

(b) (i) To be discussed, note this for now: A determinant is calculated

only for square matrices (n x n). In essence 𝑑𝑒𝑡(𝐸) ≠ 0, since it
cannot be calculated.
(ii) A 2 𝑥 2 matrix is not invertible 𝑖𝑓𝑓 𝑎𝑑 − 𝑏𝑐 = 0.
𝑎+𝑏−1 0
𝐴=[ ] ⟹ det(𝐴) 𝑜𝑟 |𝐴| = 0
0 3

⟹ (𝑎 + 𝑏 − 1)(3) − (0)(0) = 0
3−3𝑏 3−3𝑎
3𝑎 + 3𝑏 − 3 = 0 ∴ 𝑎 = 3
𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏= 3
𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐴 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒.

5 0
𝐵=[ ] ⟹ det(𝐴) 𝑜𝑟 |𝐴| = 0
0 2𝑎 − 3𝑏 − 7
⟹ (5)(2𝑎 − 3𝑏 − 7) − (0)(0) = 0
10𝑎 − 15𝑏 − 35 = 0
15𝑏+35 10𝑎−35
∴𝑎= 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐵 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒.
10 15

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 2 1 𝑥 𝑦
(c) 𝐴=[ ] and B = [𝑦 𝑧 ] 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑧 = 7𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 7𝑦 + 𝑧
1 −5
2 1 7𝑦 + 𝑧 𝑦 (2)(7𝑦 + 𝑧) + (1)(𝑦) (2)(𝑦) + (1). (𝑧)
⟹ AB = [ ][ ]=[ ]
1 −5 𝑦 𝑧 (1)(7𝑦 + 𝑧) + (−5)(𝑦) (1)(𝑦 ) + (−5)(𝑧)
15𝑦 + 2𝑧 2𝑦 + 𝑧
=[ ]
2𝑦 + 𝑧 𝑦 − 5𝑧
2 1 𝑥 𝑦
𝐴=[ ] and B = [𝑦 𝑧 ] 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑧 = 7𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 7𝑦 + 𝑧
1 −5
7𝑦 + 𝑧 𝑦 2 1 (7𝑦 + 𝑧)(2) + (𝑦)(1) (7𝑦 + 𝑧)(1) + (𝑦)(−5)
⟹ BA = [ ][ ]=[ ]
𝑦 𝑧 1 −5 (𝑦)(2) + (𝑧)(1) (𝑦 )(1) + (𝑧)(−5)
15𝑦 + 2𝑧 2𝑦 + 𝑧
=[ ]
2𝑦 + 𝑧 𝑦 − 5𝑧
∴ 𝐴𝐵 = 𝐵𝐴 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑧 = 7𝑦∎

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 QUESTION 2
2 4 6
5 6 4 6 4 5
(a) (i) |4 5 6| = 2 | | − 4| |+ 6| |
8 9 7 9 7 8
7 8 9
= 2(45 − 58) − 4(36 − 42) + 6(32 − 35)

= 2(−3) − 4(−6) + 6(−3)

= −6 + 24 − 18 = 0
Cramer’s rule is inapplicable - the determinant of the
coefficient matrix = zero (0).
2 4 6 0
(ii) [4 5 6 3] 2𝑅1 − 𝑅2 → 𝑅2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 7𝑅1 − 2𝑅3 → 𝑅3
7 8 9 6
2 4 6 0 1 1 1
[0 3 6 −3] 𝑅1 → 𝑅1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅2 → 𝑅2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅 → 𝑅3
2 3 12 3
0 12 24 12
1 2 3 0
[0 1 2 −1] 𝑅2 − 𝑅3 → 𝑅3
0 1 2 1
1 2 3 0
[0 1 2 −1]
0 0 0 0
Omit last row since it imposes no restrictions on 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑧. Thus
the corresponding system of equations is:

𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 0
𝑦 + 2𝑧 = −1
Solving for leading variables we obtain:

𝑥 = −2𝑦 − 3𝑧
𝑦 = −1 − 2𝑧
Let 𝑧 = 𝑡 (z is a free variable and can be treated as a parameter
and assigned an arbitrary value t), hence 𝒙 = 𝒕 + 𝟐, 𝒚 = −𝟐𝒕 −
𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒛 = 𝒕 is the general solution.

(iii) No, a matrix is only invertible 𝑖𝑓𝑓 its determinant is

nonzero.

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 1 2 3
(b) 𝐴 = [2 5 2]
1 0 8

Using Row Operations to find 𝐴−1 :

1 2 3 1 0 0
[2 5 2 0 1 0] − 2𝑅1 + 𝑅2 → 𝑅2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 − 𝑅1 + 𝑅3 → 𝑅3
1 0 8 0 0 1

1 2 3 1 0 0
[0 1 −4 −2 1 0] 2𝑅2 + 𝑅3 → 𝑅3
0 −2 5 −1 0 1

1 2 3 1 0 0
−1
[0 1 −4 −2 1 0] 3 𝑅3 → 𝑅3
0 0 −3 −5 2 1

(Warning: Try to create the fractions as far down the line as

possible to avoid being bogged down by crazy fractions in the
middle of your operations like I did here).

1 2 3 1 0 0
0 1 −4 −2 1 0
[ 5 −2 −1] 4𝑅3 + 𝑅2 → 𝑅2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 − 3𝑅3 + 𝑅1 → 𝑅1
0 0 1
3 3 3

1 2 0 −4 2 1
14 −5 −4
0 1 0
3 3 3 − 2𝑅2 + 𝑅1 → 𝑅1
5 −2 −1
[0 0 1
3 3 3]

−40 16 5
1 0 0
3 3 3
14 −5 −4
0 1 0
3 3 3
5 −2 −1
[0 0 1
3 3 3]

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 1 2 3 0
(c) [ 2 5 2 0] − 2𝑅2 + 𝑅1 → 𝑅2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅1 + 𝑅3 → 𝑅3
−1 0 −8 0

1 2 3 0
[0 1 −4 0] − 2𝑅2 + 𝑅1 → 𝑅1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 −2𝑅1 + 𝑅3 → 𝑅3
0 2 −5 0

1 0 11 0 1
[0 1 −4 0] 𝑅3 → 𝑅3
3
0 0 3 0

1 0 11 0
[0 1 −4 0] − 11𝑅3 + 𝑅1 → 𝑅1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 4𝑅1 + 𝑅3 → 𝑅3
0 0 1 0

1 0 0 0
[0 1 0 0] ∴ 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑧 = 0
0 0 1 0
Alternatively:
Prove first if the coefficient matrix is invertible. If
invertible, then 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑧 = 0. (A homogeneous linear
system has only the trivial solution 𝒊𝒇𝒇 if its coefficient
matrix is invertible.)

QUESTION 3

Let 𝑢 = (2,0,1), 𝑣 = (2,3,0)𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤 = (0,2,2)

(a) 3𝑣 − 2𝑢 = 3(2,3,0) − 2(2,0,1)

= (6,9,0) − (4,0,2)
= (6,9,0) + (−4,0, −2)
= (2,9, −2)

(b) 𝑢 + 𝑣 + 𝑤 = (2,0,1) + (2,3,0) + (0,2,2) = (4,5,3)

⟹ ||𝑢 + 𝑣 + 𝑤|| = √42 + 52 + 32 = √16 + 25 + 9 = √50 units.

-
(c) −3𝑢 = −3(2,0,1) = (−6,0, −3) and 𝑣 = (2,3,0) and 5𝑤 = 5(0,2,2) = (0,10,10)

−3𝑢 + 𝑣 + 5𝑤 = 𝑣 + 5𝑤 − (−3𝑢 ) = 𝑣 + 5𝑤 + 3𝑢 (To subtract a vector, change its

direction, maintain size and add as usual.)
= (2,3,0) + (0,10,10) + (−6,0, −3)

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 = (−4,13,7)

⟹ || 𝑣 + 5𝑤 + 3𝑢|| = √(−4)2 + 132 + 72 = √16 + 169 + 49 = √234 units.

𝑣.𝑤
(d) 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑗𝑤 𝑣 = ||𝑤||2 𝑤

𝑣. 𝑤 = (2,3,0). (0,2,2) = 2.0 + 3.2 + 0.2 = 0 + 6 + 0 = 6

||𝑤|| = √02 + 22 + 22 = √8

6 3
∴ 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑗𝑤 𝑣 = (0,2,2) = (0,2,2)
8 4
(e) 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚 =
||𝑢 𝑥 𝑣||, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑢 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑣 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ||𝑢 𝑥 𝑣|| 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 (𝒐𝒓 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉) 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑢 𝑥 𝑣.

Now
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝑢 𝑥 𝑣 = |2 0 1| = (0.0 − 3.1)𝑖 − (2.0 − 2.1)𝑗 + (2.3 − 2.0)𝑘 = −3𝑖 + 2𝑗 + 6𝑘 = (−3,2, −6)
2 3 0

2 2 2
Hence, ||𝑢 𝑥 𝑣|| = √(−3) + (2) + (−6) = √49 = 7 square units

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(f) The equation of a plane in 3D space is defined with normal vector
(perpendicular to the plane) and a known point on the plane (Point-Normal
Equation).

Find the dot product of the normal vector and a known point on the
plane.

This dot product becomes the equation of the plane and is calculated as
follows:

(𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐). (𝑥 − 𝑥1 )(𝑦 − 𝑦1 )(𝑧 − 𝑧1 ) = 0

𝑎𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥1 + 𝑏𝑦 − 𝑏𝑦1 + 𝑐𝑧 − 𝑐𝑧1 = 0

𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐𝑧 − (𝑎𝑥1 + 𝑏𝑦1 + 𝑐𝑧1 ) = 0

Constant −(𝑎𝑥1 + 𝑏𝑦1 + 𝑐𝑧1 ) is generally denoted by letter 𝑑 to give:

𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐𝑧 + 𝑑 = 0

Now 𝑢. 𝑣 𝑥 𝑤 is the normal of the plane.

𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝑣 𝑥 𝑤 = |2 3 0| = (3.2 − 2.0)𝑖 − (2.2 − 0.0)𝑗 + (2.2 − 0.3)𝑘 = 6𝑖 − 4𝑗 + 4𝑘 = (6, −4,4)
0 2 2
So (6, −4,4). (𝑥 − 2, 𝑦 − 0, 𝑧 − 1) = 0
⟹ 6(x − 2) + −4(y) + 4(z − 1)

⟹ 6𝑥 − 12 − 4𝑦 + 4𝑧 − 4
⟹ 6x − 4y + 4z − 16

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 QUESTION 4

(a) Let 𝑧1 = 1 + √2𝑖 and 𝑧2 = 1 − √2𝑖

(i) Let 𝑧1 = ||𝑧1 ||[cos 𝜃 + isin 𝜃], where ||𝑧1 || = 𝑟1 = √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2

𝑟1 = √12 + (√2)2 = √1 + 2 = √3

𝑏
𝑎 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 and 𝑏 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃 and 𝜃 = tan−1 (𝑎)

√2
𝑎 1 𝑏 √2 sin 𝜃 √3
cos 𝜃 = = and sin 𝜃 = = √3 and tan 𝜃 = cos 𝜃 = 1 = √2
𝑟 √3 𝑟
√3

𝜃 = tan−1 √2

Thus 𝑧1 = √3[cos(tan−1 √2) + 𝑖 sin(tan−1 √2)]

(ii) Let 𝑧2 = ||𝑧2 ||[cos ∅ + isin ∅], where ||𝑧2 || = 𝑟2 = √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2

𝑟2 = √12 + (−√2)2 = √1 + 2 = √3

√2
1 √2 sin ∅ −
√3
cos ∅ = and isin ∅ =−
√3
and tan ∅ = = 1 = −√2
√3 cos ∅
√3

∅ = tan−1 (−√2)

Thus 𝑧2 = √3[cos(tan−1 (− √2)) + 𝑖 sin(tan−1 (−√2))]

(iii) Note: When multiplying complex numbers, we multiply the product

of their moduli and the sum of their arguments.
𝑧1 . 𝑧2 = 𝑟1 𝑟2 [cos(𝜃 + ∅) + 𝑖 sin(𝜃 + ∅)]

= √3. √3[cos(tan−1 √2) + tan−1 (− √2))] + [sin(tan−1 √2) + tan−1 (− √2))]

= 3.1 = 3

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 (iv) Note: When dividing complex numbers, we divide their moduli and
subtract their arguments.

𝑧1 𝑟
𝑧2
= 𝑟1 [cos(𝜃 − ∅) + 𝑖 sin(𝜃 − ∅)]
2

(Since 𝜃 = −∅ 𝑜𝑟 − ∅ = 𝜃 ⟹ cos(𝜃 − ∅) = cos(𝜃 − (−∅)) = cos 2𝜃 and

sin(𝜃 − ∅) = sin 2𝜃

𝑧1 𝑟
𝑧2
= 𝑟1 [cos(𝜃 − ∅) + 𝑖 sin(𝜃 − ∅)]
2
Using double angle identities
√3
= [cos 2𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 2𝜃] cos 2𝜃 = 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 − 1 sin 2𝜃 = 2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
√3

= cos 2𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 2𝜃

= 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 − 1 + 𝑖2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃

1 2 √2 1
= 2 ( ) − 1 + 2𝑖 .
√3 √3 √3

2 √2
= − 1 + 2𝑖
3 3

−1 2
= + √2𝑖
3 3

(b) First rewrite -8 as a complex number.

= 𝑧 = −8 + 0𝑖 (Rectangular form)

= 𝑧 = −8(cos 𝜋 + 𝑖 sin 𝜋) ≡ −8(cos(2𝑘𝜋) + 𝑖 sin(2𝑘𝜋)) (Trigonometric form)

Hence fourth roots of -8 are:

1 1 𝑘𝜋 𝑘𝜋
= 𝑧 4 = −84 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( ) + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( ))
2 2
1 1 1
For 𝑘 = 0: 𝑧 4 = −84 (𝑐𝑜𝑠(0) + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛(0)) = −84
1 1 1
𝜋 𝜋
For 𝑘 = 1: 𝑧 4 = −84 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( 2 ) + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( 2 )) = −84 𝑖

1 1 1
For 𝑘 = 2: 𝑧 4 = −84 (𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜋) + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜋)) = 84
1 1 1
3𝜋 3𝜋
For 𝑘 = 3: 𝑧 4 = −84 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( 2 ) + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( 2 )) = 84 𝑖
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 OR

𝑛 𝜃 + 2𝜋𝑘 +2𝜋𝑘
𝑍𝑘 = √𝑟 [cos ( ) + 𝑖 sin ( )] , for 𝑘 = 0,1,2,3 … , 𝑛 − 1
𝑛 𝑛
First rewrite -8 as a complex number.

= 𝑧 = −8 + 0𝑖 (Rectangular form)

= 𝑧 = −8(cos 0 + 𝑖 sin 0)(Polar form)

4 𝜃+2𝜋𝑘 𝜃+2𝜋𝑘
Now 𝑍𝑘 = √−8 [cos ( 4
)+ 𝑖 sin ( 4
)]

4 0 + 2𝜋(0) 0 + 2𝜋(0) 4
𝑍0 = √−8 [cos ( ) + 𝑖 sin ( )] = √−8
4 4
4 0 + 2𝜋(1) 0 + 2𝜋(1) 4
𝑍1 = √−8 [cos ( ) + 𝑖 sin ( )] = √−8𝑖
4 4
4 0 + 2𝜋(2) 0 + 2𝜋(2) 4
𝑍2 = √−8 [cos ( ) + 𝑖 sin ( )] = √8𝑖
4 4
4 0 + 2𝜋(3) 0 + 2𝜋(3) 4
𝑍3 = √−8 [cos ( ) + 𝑖 sin ( )] = √8𝑖
4 4

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