Given the following system of three equations, write as an augmented matrix. 3x - 2y + z = 4 2x + y = 3 x + 2y - 3z = 5 Line up the like variables on the left, the equal signs and the constant terms on the right like this: 3x - 2y + z = 4 2x + y = 3 x + 2y - 3z = 5 Put 1 coefficients where they are understood: 3x - 2y + 1z = 4 2x + 1y = 3 1x + 2y - 3z = 5 There is no z term in the 2nd equation. So fill that space in with " + 0z " 3x - 2y + 1z = 4 2x + 1y + 0z = 3 1x + 2y - 3z = 5 Now erase all the variables 3 - 2 + 1 = 4 2 + 1 + 0 = 3 1 + 2 - 3 = 5 Place the signs close to the numbers. 3 -2 +1 = 4 2 +1 +0 = 3 1 +2 -3 = 5 Erase the + signs: 3 -2 1 = 4 2 1 0 = 3 1 2 -3 = 5 Replace the equal signs with a dotted line: 3 -2 1 | 4 2 1 0 | 3 1 2 -3 | 5 Now place brackets around the whole thing: æ3 -2 1 | 4ö ç2 1 0 | 3÷ è1 2 -3 | 5ø That's the augmented matrix. Edwin