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1. (a) (8 marks) Find the general solution of the following system of linear equ

ID: 3138637 • Letter: 1

Question

1. (a) (8 marks) Find the general solution of the following system of linear equations using elementary row operations on the augmented matrix 2r 572 6x3 + 2x4 = 3r 4r2 8x3 4 (b) (6 marks) Determine whether the following system of linear equations is consis- tent: x2 + 2x3 = 1 2x1 + 2x2 + x3 = 3 3r1 + x2 + 3x3 = 5 (c) (6 marks) For each of the following statements, declare whether it is true or false (i) A system of 3 linear equations with 4 variables always has infinitely many (ii) Every matrix can be converted to a row echelon matrix by a sequence of (iii) Elementary row operations on an augmented matrix may change the solution solutions elementary row operations set of the associated system of linear equations

Explanation / Answer

1(a). The augmented matrix of the given linear system is A =

2

5

-6

2

3

1

2

-3

-1

2

3

4

-8

-2

-1

To solve the given linear system, we will reduce A to its RREF as under:

Multiply the 1st row by ½

Add -1 times the 1st row to the 2nd row

Add -3 times the 1st row to the 3rd row

Multiply the 2nd row by -2

Add 7/2 times the 2nd row to the 3rd row

Add 3 times the 3rd row to the 1st row

Add -5/2 times the 2nd row to the 1st row

Then the RREF of A is

1

0

0

18

-23

0

1

0

4

-1

0

0

1

9

-9

Thus, the given linear system is equivalent to x1+18x4 = -23 or, x1= -23-18x4, x2+4x4= -1 or, x2 = -1-4x4 and x3+9x4=-9 or,x3=-9-9x4.Now,let x4= t. Then (x1,x2,x3,x4) =(-23-18t,-1-4t,-9-9t,t) = (-23,-1,-9,0) +t(-18,-4,-9,1) where t is an arbitrary real number.

(b). The augmented matrix of the given linear system is A =

1

-1

2

1

2

2

1

3

3

1

3

5

The RREF of A is

1

0

5/4

0

0

1

-3/4

0

0

0

0

1

Since 0 cannot be equal to 1, hence the given linear system is inconsistent.

(c ).(i). False. The 4 linear equations in 3 variables should, additionally, be linearly independent.

(ii). True. Every matrix can be converted into row echelon form ( not matrix) by elementary row operations.

(iii). False.

2

5

-6

2

3

1

2

-3

-1

2

3

4

-8

-2

-1