SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS

Linear Equation: Any straight line in the 𝑥𝑦-plane can be represented algebraically by an equation of the
form 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑐 where a, b and c are real constants and x, y are variables. An equation of this form is
called a linear equation in the variables x and y. More generally, we define a linear equation in the n
variables 𝑥1 , 𝑥2 , … … 𝑥𝑛 to be one that can be expressed in the form
𝑎1 𝑥1 + 𝑎2 𝑥2 + ⋯ + 𝑎𝑛 𝑥𝑛 = 𝑏,
where 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , … . , 𝑎𝑛 and b are real constant.

If 𝑏 = 0 then the equation is homogeneous linear equation if 𝑏 ≠ 0 then the equation is called a non
homogeneous linear equation.

A finite set of linear equations in the variables 𝑥1 , 𝑥2 , … … 𝑥𝑛 is called a system of linear equations or a
linear system.
A system of equations that has no solutions is said to be inconsistent; if there is at least one solution of
the system, it is called consistent.
y y
Real line /1D

x' x
x

xy plane/2D y'
z space/3D

Example: (i) 𝑦 − 𝑚𝑥 = 0 which is a homogeneous linear equation represent a straight line passing
through the origin.
(ii) 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 1 which is a non homogeneous linear equation represent a straight line not passing
through the origin.

(0,3)

𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥
2x+3y=1
x y
(2,0) + 1/3=1
1/2

(iii) 3x-2y=6 (2,0)

x y
− 3=1
2
x y
+ −3=1 (0,-3)
2

Md. Belal Hossen Linear Algebra & Fourier Transforms-(MATHM221)

Assistant Professor & Coordinator,
Dept. of CSE,
Uttara University 1
**If we consider the following two linear equation
𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑏1 𝑦 = 𝑐1
𝑎2 𝑥 + 𝑏2 𝑦 = 𝑐2
If we interpret x, y as a coordinates in the xy-plane. Then each of the above two linear equations
represents a straight line and (∝, β) is a solution if and only if the point with the coordinates ∝, β lies on
both lines. Hence there are three possible cases.

Case I: No solution if the lines are parallel.

Case II: One solution if they are intersect.
Case III: Many solution if they are coincide.

Example 01: The linear system 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 2

𝑥+𝑦 =0 x+2y=3; 2x+4y=0
has no solution. Since the two linear equation are parallel.

Example 02: The linear system 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 3

𝑥−𝑦 =1
has only one solution .Since the two linear equation are intersect at (2,1).

Example 03: The linear system 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 3

2𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 6
has many solution. Since the two linear equations are coincide.

Md. Belal Hossen Linear Algebra & Fourier Transforms-(MATHM221)

Assistant Professor & Coordinator,
Dept. of CSE,
Uttara University 2
Problem 01: Solve the following system of linear equations.

𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 7
2𝑥 + 𝑦 − 𝑧 = 1
𝑥 − 𝑦 − 𝑧 = −6
So𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Given that
𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 7
2𝑥 + 𝑦 − 𝑧 = 1 } … … . (1)
𝑥 − 𝑦 − 𝑧 = −6
Let us represent the linear equation of the system (1) by 𝑙1 , 𝑙2 and 𝑙3 respectively. Reduce the system
of linear equation in echelon form by the elementary operations. Eliminate 𝑥 from the second and third
equation by the following operation. Then we obtain the equivalent system.

𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 7
l´2 = l2 − 2l1
0 + 5𝑦 − 7𝑧 = −13} … … . (2) {
0 + 𝑦 − 4𝑧 = −13 l´3 = l3 − l1

𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 7
5𝑦 − 7𝑧 = −13 } … … . (3)
𝑦 − 4𝑧 = −13

Interchange second and third equation. then we have the equivalent system
𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 7
𝑦 − 4𝑧 = −13 } … … . (4)
5𝑦 − 7𝑧 = −13
Again, Eliminate 𝑦 from the third equation by the following operation.
𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 7
𝑦 − 4𝑧 = −13
0 + 0 − 13𝑧 = −52
∴𝑧=4

Md. Belal Hossen Linear Algebra & Fourier Transforms-(MATHM221)

Assistant Professor & Coordinator,
Dept. of CSE,
Uttara University 3
The above system is echelon form.
Substituting 𝑧 = 4 in the second equation then we get 𝑦 = 3. Again Substituting 𝑦 = 3 and 𝑧 = 4 in
first equation of (4) then we get 𝑥 = 1.Thus 𝑥 = 1, 𝑦 = 3 , z = 4, in other word 3-tuple (1,3,4) is the
unique solution the given system.

Problem 02: Prove that the following system of liner equation is inconsistent.

𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 3𝑧 = −1
5𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 4𝑧 = 2
3𝑥 − 𝑦 + 2𝑧 = 7

So𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Given that,

𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 3𝑧 = −1
5x + 3y − 4z = 2 } … … . (1)
3𝑥 − 𝑦 + 2𝑧 = 7

Let us represent the linear equation of the system (1) by 𝑙1 , 𝑙2 and 𝑙3 respectively. Reduce the system
of linear equation in echelon form by the elementary operations. Eliminate 𝑥 from the second and third
equation by the following operation. Then we obtain the equivalent system.

𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 3𝑧 = −1
l´ = l2 − 5l1
0 − 7𝑦 + 11z = 7} … … . (2) { 2
0 − 7y + 11z = 1 l´3 = l3 − 3l1

Again, Eliminate 𝑦 from the third equation by the following operation. Then we get the equivalent system
𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 3𝑧 = −1
0 − 7y + 11z = 7} … … . (3) {l´3 = l3 − l2
0+0+0=3

𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 3𝑧 = −1
Or, 0 − 7y + 11z = 7 } … … . (4)
0=3
The above system of linear equation is in echelon form. We see that, 0 = 3, which is not true.
Hence the given system is inconsistent so the system has no solution.

Problem 03: Solve the following system of linear equation

𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 𝑧 = 2
2𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 1
𝑥 + 5𝑦 − 4𝑧 = 5
Solution: Given that,

Md. Belal Hossen Linear Algebra & Fourier Transforms-(MATHM221)

Assistant Professor & Coordinator,
Dept. of CSE,
Uttara University 4
 𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 𝑧 = 2
2𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 1 } … … . (1)
𝑥 + 5𝑦 − 4𝑧 = 5

Let us represent the linear equation of the system (1) by 𝑙1 , 𝑙2 and 𝑙3 respectively. Reduce the system
of linear equation in echelon form by the elementary operations. Eliminate 𝑥 from the second and third
equation by the following operation. Then we obtain the equivalent system.
𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 𝑧 = 2
l´2 = l2 − 2l1
0 − 3𝑦 + 3𝑧 = −3} {
0 + 3𝑦 + 3𝑧 = −3 l´3 = l3 − l1

𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 𝑧 = 2
Or, 0 + 𝑦 − 𝑧 = 1 } … … . (2)
0+𝑦−𝑧 =1

Since the second and third equation of the system are identical, we can disregard any one of them.
Here we can simply write,
𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 𝑧 = 2
} … … . (3)
𝑦−𝑧 =1
This system (3) is echelon form and has two equation in three unknown and so it has 3-2=1 for variable
which is 𝑧 and it has many solution.
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑧 = 𝑎 𝑇ℎ𝑢𝑠 𝑦 = 1 + 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 2 + 𝑎 − 𝑑 − 2𝑎 = −𝑎
𝑇ℎ𝑢𝑠 𝑥 = −𝑎, 𝑦 = 1 + 𝑎, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑧 = 𝑎
𝐴𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑎 = 1, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = −1, 𝑦 = 1 + 1 = 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑧 = 1
in other words the 3-taple (-1,2,1)is a particular solution of the given system.

Problem 04: Solve the following system of linear equations.

𝑥+ 𝑦– 𝑧 = 1
2𝑥 + 3𝑦 + λ𝑧 = 3
𝑥 + λ 𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 2
Solution:
Let us represent the linear equation of the system (1) by 𝑙1 , 𝑙2 and 𝑙3 respectively. Reduce the system
of linear equation in echelon form by the elementary operations. Eliminate 𝑥 from the second and third
equation by the following operation. Then we obtain the equivalent system.

𝑥+ 𝑦– 𝑧 = 1
l´2 = l2 − 2l1
0 + 𝑦 + (λ + 2)𝑧 = 1 {
l´3 = l3 − l1
0 + (λ − 1) 𝑦 + 4𝑧 = 1
nd
We multiply 2 equation by (λ − 1) then subtract from the third equation. Then we obtain the equivalent
system.
𝑥+ 𝑦– 𝑧 = 1
0 + 𝑦 + (λ + 2)𝑧 = 3
0 + [4 − (λ − 1)(λ + 2)]𝑧 = 2 − λ

Md. Belal Hossen Linear Algebra & Fourier Transforms-(MATHM221)

Assistant Professor & Coordinator,
Dept. of CSE,
Uttara University 5
Or
𝑥+ 𝑦– 𝑧 = 1
0 + 𝑦 + (λ + 2)𝑧 = 3
0+ 0 + [6 − λ − λ2 ]𝑧 = 2 − λ
Or
𝑥+ 𝑦– 𝑧 = 1
0 + 𝑦 + (λ + 2)𝑧 = 3
0+ 0 + [(3 + λ)(2 − λ)]𝑧 = 2 − λ

This system is in echelon form. It has a unique solution if the coefficient of z in the third equation is non
zero. If λ ≠ 2 and λ ≠ −3. In case λ = 2 third equation is 0 = 0, which is true and the system has more
than one solution.
In case λ = −3 the third equation is 0 = 5 which is not true and hence the system has no solution.
In case if λ ≠ 2 and λ ≠ −3 without this value put any other value, let λ = 1, then it has one solution.

Problem: Solve the following system of linear equation in home works

i) 3x1 − x2 + x3 = −2
x1 + 5x2 + 2x3 = 6
2x1 + 3x2 + x3 = 0

ii) x1 + x2 + x3 = 1
2x1 + 2x2 + 2x3 = 1
3x1 + 3x2 + 3x3 = 2

iii) x + 2y − 3z = 6
2x − y + 4z = 2
4x + 3y − 2z = 14

iv) 2x1 + 2x2 + 3x3 = 0

3x1 − 2x2 + x3 = 0
x1 − 3x2 − 2x3 = 0

v) 𝑥+ 𝑦+𝑧 = 1
𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 4𝑧 = λ
𝑥 + 4 𝑦 + 10𝑧 = λ2

Md. Belal Hossen Linear Algebra & Fourier Transforms-(MATHM221)

Assistant Professor & Coordinator,
Dept. of CSE,
Uttara University 6