ASSAM UNIVERSITY,

SILCHAR

Assignment on
System of Linear Equations
Submitted By: Rahi Monsur Barbhuiya
Roll No.: 08
MSc Mathematics(1st Sem)
Assam University Silchar
Submitted To: Dr. Samira Behera
Department of Mathematics
Assam University Silchar

Date: January 9, 2025

Contents
1 Introduction 2

2 Methods for Solving a System 2

2.1 Substitution Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.2 Gaussian Elimination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.3 Matrix Inversion Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

3 Applications 4

4 Conclusion 4

5 Reference 5

1
1 Introduction
A system of linear equations is a collection of one or more linear equations involving the
same set of variables. The general form of a system of m equations in n variables is:

a11 x1 + a12 x2 + · · · + a1n xn = b1

a21 x1 + a22 x2 + · · · + a2n xn = b2
.. .. (1)
. .
am1 x1 + am2 x2 + · · · + amn xn = bm
where aij are the coefficients, xj are the variables, and bi are the constants.

2 Methods for Solving a System

Several methods exist for solving a system of linear equations:

2.1 Substitution Method

The substitution method involves solving one equation for a variable and substituting it
into the other equation(s).

Example 1. Solve the system using the substitution method:

x + 2y = 10
3x − y = 5

Solution: 1. Solve for x from the first equation:

x = 10 − 2y

2. Substitute into the second equation:

3(10 − 2y) − y = 5

30 − 6y − y = 5
−7y = −25
25
y=
7
25
3. Substitute y = 7
back into x = 10 − 2y:
 
25
x = 10 − 2
7
50 70 50 20
x = 10 − = − =
7 7 7 7
Final Answer:  
20 25
,
7 7

2
2.2 Gaussian Elimination
Gaussian elimination transforms the system into row echelon form.

Example 2. Solve the system using Gaussian elimination:

2x + 3y = 8
4x − y = 2

Solution: 1. Write the augmented matrix:

 
2 3 8
4 −1 2

2. Make the first pivot 1 by dividing row 1 by 2:

 
1 1.5 4
4 −1 2

3. Eliminate x from the second row:

R2 ← R2 − 4R1
 
1 1.5 4
0 −7 −14
4. Solve for y:
−7y = −14 ⇒ y = 2
5. Substitute y = 2 into the first equation:

2x + 3(2) = 8

2x + 6 = 8
2x = 2 ⇒ x = 1
Final Answer:
(1, 2)

2.3 Matrix Inversion Method

If the coefficient matrix A is invertible, the system Ax = b has a unique solution given
by:
x = A−1 b

Example 3. Solve the system using matrix inversion:

x + 2y = 5
3x + 4y = 6

Solution: 1. Write the system as Ax = b:

     
1 2 x 5
A= , x= , b=
3 4 y 6

3
2. Compute the inverse of A:
 
−1 1 d −b
A =
det(A) −c a

det(A) = (1)(4) − (2)(3) = 4 − 6 = −2

   
−1 1 4 −2 −2 1
A = =
−2 −3 1 1.5 −0.5
3. Compute x = A−1 b:   
−2 1 5
x=
1.5 −0.5 6
     
(−2)(5) + (1)(6) −10 + 6 −4
x= = =
(1.5)(5) + (−0.5)(6) 7.5 − 3 4.5
Final Answer:
(−4, 4.5)

3 Applications
Systems of linear equations are widely used in engineering, physics, economics, and data
science. Some common applications include:

• Electrical circuit analysis: Kirchhoff’s laws generate systems of linear equations

that help in analyzing electrical networks.

• Optimization Problems: Linear programming is used for cost minimization and

profit maximization in industries.

• Machine Learning: Linear regression, a fundamental ML technique, involves solving

systems of linear equations.

• Motion and Forces: Newton’s laws result in linear systems that determine object
movement in mechanics.

• Epidemiology: Linear models help in predicting disease spread and analyzing pop-
ulation growth.

4 Conclusion
The system of linear equations is a fundamental concept in linear algebra with numerous
applications. Various methods, such as Gaussian elimination, Substitution , and matrix
inversion, are used to find solutions.

4
5 Reference
Books

• Howard Anton and Chris Rorres, C. (2013). Elementary Linear Algebra with Ap-
plications (11th ed.). Wiley.

• Gilbert Strang. (2016). Introduction to Linear Algebra (5th ed.). Wellesley-

Cambridge Press

Research Paper

• Carl Friedrich Gauss. (1809). Theoria Motus Corporum Coelestium (Gaussian

Elimination Method).