In Exercises 43–44, (a) Write each linear system as a matrix equation in the form AX = B (b) Solve the system using the inverse that is given for the coefficient matrix.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the linear system of equations provided in the problem. A linear system typically consists of two or more equations with variables (e.g., x and y). Write the system in standard form, where each equation is written as Ax + By = C.
2. Step 2: Write the system of equations as a matrix equation in the form AX = B. Here, A is the coefficient matrix (a matrix containing the coefficients of the variables), X is the column matrix of variables (e.g., [x, y]^T), and B is the column matrix of constants (e.g., [C1, C2]^T).
3. Step 3: Use the given inverse of the coefficient matrix (A^(-1)) to solve the system. Recall that if AX = B, then X = A^(-1)B. Multiply the inverse matrix A^(-1) by the constant matrix B to find the solution matrix X.
4. Step 4: Perform the matrix multiplication A^(-1)B. Ensure that you follow the rules of matrix multiplication: multiply corresponding elements and sum them to compute each entry in the resulting matrix.
5. Step 5: Interpret the resulting solution matrix X. The entries in X correspond to the values of the variables in the original system of equations. Write the solution in the form of ordered pairs or as individual variable values.

Key Concepts

Matrix Representation of Linear Systems

A linear system can be expressed in matrix form as AX = B, where A is the coefficient matrix containing the coefficients of the variables, X is the column matrix of the variables, and B is the column matrix of constants. This representation simplifies the process of solving systems of equations, allowing for the use of matrix operations.

Matrix Inverse

The inverse of a matrix A, denoted as A⁻¹, is a matrix that, when multiplied by A, yields the identity matrix. For a system of equations represented as AX = B, if A is invertible, the solution can be found using X = A⁻¹B. This concept is crucial for solving linear systems efficiently.

Solving Linear Systems

To solve a linear system, one can use various methods, including substitution, elimination, and matrix operations. When using the matrix approach, the solution involves finding the inverse of the coefficient matrix and multiplying it by the constants matrix. Understanding these methods is essential for effectively solving linear equations.