SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS — MATRICES & DETERMINANTS
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CORE CONCEPT
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A system of linear equations is a group of two or more equations with the same set of unknowns (like x, y, z). We want to find values of x, y, z that satisfy ALL equations at the same time. Using matrices, we can solve these systems quickly and systematically.
The standard form of 3 equations in 3 unknowns:
a1x + b1y + c1z = d1
a2x + b2y + c2z = d2
a3x + b3y + c3z = d3
This is written in matrix form as: AX = B
Where A is the coefficient matrix, X is the column matrix of unknowns, and B is the column matrix of constants.
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KEY RULES — CONSISTENCY OF THE SYSTEM
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The most tested concept is whether the system is CONSISTENT (has solution) or INCONSISTENT (no solution).
Case 1 — det(A) ≠ 0:
The system has a UNIQUE solution.
Use Cramer's Rule or inverse matrix method.
Case 2 — det(A) = 0 AND the augmented matrix [A|B] has the same rank as A:
The system has INFINITELY MANY solutions (dependent equations).
Case 3 — det(A) = 0 AND rank of [A|B] > rank of A:
The system has NO solution (inconsistent).
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FORMULA BLOCK — CRAMER'S RULE
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For AX = B, if D = det(A) ≠ 0:
x = D1/D, y = D2/D, z = D3/D
D1 = Replace column 1 of A with B, then find determinant.
D2 = Replace column 2 of A with B, then find determinant.
D3 = Replace column 3 of A with B, then find determinant.
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EXAM PATTERNS
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NDA most commonly asks:
1. Is the given system consistent or inconsistent?
2. Find the solution using Cramer's Rule.
3.
For what value of k does the system have no solution or infinite solutions?
4. Homogeneous systems — does it have only trivial solution or non-trivial?
For HOMOGENEOUS system (B = 0): AX = 0
— If det(A) ≠ 0 → Only trivial solution (x=y=z=0)
— If det(A) = 0 → Non-trivial (infinite) solutions exist
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SHORTCUT / TRICK
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TRICK 1 — The Determinant Shortcut:
Always calculate det(A) FIRST. If det(A) ≠ 0, directly write 'unique solution exists' and use Cramer's Rule.
Do not waste time checking rank.
TRICK 2 — For 'value of k' type questions:
Set det(A) = 0 and solve for k. This gives you the critical value. Then check one equation from the system to decide if it's infinite solutions or no solution.
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WORKED EXAMPLE
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Solve using Cramer's Rule:
2x + y = 5
x + 3y = 10
Step 1: Write coefficient matrix A:
A = |2 1|
|1 3|
Step 2: Find D = det(A)
D = (2×3) − (1×1) = 6 − 1 = 5
Step 3: Find D1 (replace column 1 with B = [5, 10])
D1 = |5 1|
|10 3|
D1 = (5×3) − (1×10) = 15 − 10 = 5
Step 4: Find D2 (replace column 2 with B)
D2 = |2 5|
|1 10|
D2 = (2×10) − (5×1) = 20 − 5 = 15
Step 5: Apply Cramer's Rule
x = D1/D = 5/5 = 1
y = D2/D = 15/5 = 3
Answer: x = 1, y = 3
Verification: 2(1) + 3 = 5 ✓ and 1 + 3(3) = 10 ✓
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COMMON MISTAKE
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Students confuse det(A) = 0 with 'no solution'.
Remember — det(A) = 0 means EITHER no solution OR infinite solutions. You MUST check the augmented matrix [A|B] to decide which one. This distinction is heavily tested in NDA.