SOLUTION: Hey, I need help to solve x + y = 5 using matrices. 2x – y = 1

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Question 433150: Hey, I need help to solve x + y = 5 using matrices.
2x – y = 1
Answer by ewatrrr(24785) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Hi

using matrices.

x + y = 5 

2x – y = 1




 
Solved by pluggable solver: Using Cramer's Rule to Solve Systems with 2 variables




  

  

  system%281%2Ax%2B1%2Ay=5%2C2%2Ax%2B-1%2Ay=1%29

  

  

  

  First let A=%28matrix%282%2C2%2C1%2C1%2C2%2C-1%29%29. This is the matrix formed by the coefficients of the given system of equations.

  

  

  Take note that the right hand values of the system are 5 and 1 which are highlighted here: 

  system%281%2Ax%2B1%2Ay=highlight%285%29%2C2%2Ax%2B-1%2Ay=highlight%281%29%29

  

  

  

  These values are important as they will be used to replace the columns of the matrix A.

  

  

  

  

  Now let's calculate the the determinant of the matrix A to get abs%28A%29=%281%29%28-1%29-%281%29%282%29=-3. Remember that the determinant of the 2x2 matrix A=%28matrix%282%2C2%2Ca%2Cb%2Cc%2Cd%29%29 is abs%28A%29=ad-bc. If you need help with calculating the determinant of any two by two matrices, then check out this solver.

  

  

  

  Notation note: abs%28A%29 denotes the determinant of the matrix A.

  

  

  

  ---------------------------------------------------------

  

  

  

  Now replace the first column of A (that corresponds to the variable 'x') with the values that form the right hand side of the system of equations. We will denote this new matrix A%5Bx%5D (since we're replacing the 'x' column so to speak).

  

  

  A%5Bx%5D=%28matrix%282%2C2%2Chighlight%285%29%2C1%2Chighlight%281%29%2C-1%29%29

  

  

  

  Now compute the determinant of A%5Bx%5D to get abs%28A%5Bx%5D%29=%285%29%28-1%29-%281%29%281%29=-6. Once again, remember that the determinant of the 2x2 matrix A=%28matrix%282%2C2%2Ca%2Cb%2Cc%2Cd%29%29 is abs%28A%29=ad-bc

  

  

  

  To find the first solution, simply divide the determinant of A%5Bx%5D by the determinant of A to get: x=%28abs%28A%5Bx%5D%29%29%2F%28abs%28A%29%29=%28-6%29%2F%28-3%29=2

  

  

  

  So the first solution is x=2

  

  

  

  

  ---------------------------------------------------------

  

  

  We'll follow the same basic idea to find the other solution. Let's reset by letting A=%28matrix%282%2C2%2C1%2C1%2C2%2C-1%29%29 again (this is the coefficient matrix).

  

  

  

  

  Now replace the second column of A (that corresponds to the variable 'y') with the values that form the right hand side of the system of equations. We will denote this new matrix A%5By%5D (since we're replacing the 'y' column in a way).

  

  

  A%5Bx%5D=%28matrix%282%2C2%2C1%2Chighlight%285%29%2C2%2Chighlight%281%29%29%29

  

  

  

  Now compute the determinant of A%5By%5D to get abs%28A%5By%5D%29=%281%29%281%29-%285%29%282%29=-9.

  

  

  

  To find the second solution, divide the determinant of A%5By%5D by the determinant of A to get: y=%28abs%28A%5By%5D%29%29%2F%28abs%28A%29%29=%28-9%29%2F%28-3%29=3

  

  

  

  So the second solution is y=3

  

  

  

  

  ====================================================================================

  

  Final Answer:

  

  

  

  

  So the solutions are x=2 and y=3 giving the ordered pair (2, 3)

  

  

  

  

  Once again, Cramer's Rule is dependent on determinants. Take a look at this 2x2 Determinant Solver if you need more practice with determinants.