SOLUTION: The problem is- Solve the system by using matrix elimination: 3a-2b=5 2a+7b=9 I know that its suppose to end up looking like this: 1 0 a 0 1 b but I dont know how t

Algebra ->  Matrices-and-determiminant -> SOLUTION: The problem is- Solve the system by using matrix elimination: 3a-2b=5 2a+7b=9 I know that its suppose to end up looking like this: 1 0 a 0 1 b but I dont know how t      Log On


   

Question 111583: The problem is- Solve the system by using matrix elimination:
3a-2b=5
2a+7b=9
I know that its suppose to end up looking like this:
1 0 a
0 1 b
but I dont know how to solve this because of the 3a and the 2a.
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Write the coefficients and the right side constants in an augmented matrix:


%28matrix%282%2C3%2C3%2C-2%2C5%2C2%2C7%2C9%29%29


Multiply Row 1 by 1%2F3 to make the pivot 1:

%28matrix%282%2C3%2C1%2C-2%2F3%2C5%2F3%2C2%2C7%2C9%29%29

Add -2*Row 1 to Row 2 to get the new Row 2

%28matrix%282%2C3%2C1%2C-2%2F3%2C5%2F3%2C0%2C25%2F3%2C17%2F3%29%29

Multiply Row 2 by 3%2F25 to make the pivot 1:

%28matrix%282%2C3%2C1%2C-2%2F3%2C5%2F3%2C0%2C1%2C17%2F25%29%29


Add 2/3*Row 2 to Row 1 to get the new row 1

%28matrix%282%2C3%2C1%2C0%2C53%2F25%2C0%2C1%2C17%2F25%29%29


The matrix is now in reduced row echelon form

If you need more help with row reduction, check out the Linear Algebra Toolkit