Course information Linear equations

10.004 Advanced Math 2

Class 1: Systems of Linear Equations

Term 2, 2016

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Applications

Outline

Course information
Applications

Linear equations

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Applications

Introduction

Carefully read the Syllabus on eDimension.

You will also find office hour information, 2D project information,
and course slides on eDimension. Check your SUTD email often.

These slides are not meant to be comprehensive.

For extra information, refer to the textbooks: Pooles Linear
Algebra and Simmons Calculus.
We will use MATLAB (a workshop will be provided).

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Applications

What is linear algebra?

Linear algebra was originally motivated by finding solutions to
simultaneous equations, more precisely, systems of linear equations.
It turns out that systems of linear equations can be efficiently
studied using vectors and matrices.
A good understanding of the general properties of matrices not
only gives further insight into systems of equations, but also many
other systems.
Matrices are a fundamental concept in engineering, and are taught
to all university level science and engineering students around the
world.
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Applications

Applications of linear algebra

Linear algebra is hidden in many non-obvious applications, even
highly practical ones such as robotics (where rotation matrices and
change of basis are used). Other applications include:
Physics (electromagnetism, quantum computing, fluid
mechanics and dynamics)
Computer science (machine learning, error detection and
correction)
Computer graphics (3D graphics, collision detection)
Signal/image processing (Fourier series and transform,
singular value decomposition)
Probability and statistics (Markov chains, trend lines)
This course teaches you the basic vocabulary and tools as a
stepping stone to understanding these applications (which will crop
up later in your degree). Along the way you will also learn precise
and correct reasoning (via proofs).
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Outline

Course information
Applications

Linear equations

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What you need to remember

For now, you need to recall how to solve a system of two linear
equations. Two main methods are involved: elimination and
substitution.
You need to remember how to sketch a line given its equation.
Also, you need to retain the knowledge you acquired from Math 1.
For example, recall that R denotes the set of all real numbers
(geometrically, it can be visualized as the real line).
R2 denotes the set of all ordered pairs of real numbers, (x, y) where
x, y R. Geometrically, R2 is represented as the Cartesian plane.
R3 denotes the set of all ordered triples of real numbers, and
models 3D space.
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Simple example
Consider the linear system of equations:
2x + y =

x 3y = 3
Solve for x and y.
There is a unique solution, given by (x, y) = (3, 2).
Geometrically, each equation represents a line. The solution
corresponds to their unique point of intersection.
Sketch the lines in R2 and locate the point of intersection.
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Geometric interpretation
y

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Activity 1 (10 minutes)

In the following simplified scenario, suppose taxi company A
charges a flag-down fare of $3.99 and subsequently $0.22 for every
400m traveled, while taxi company B charges a flag-down fare of
$3.00 and subsequently $0.33 for every 400m traveled.
(Note: if say only 300m is traveled, then company B would charge
$(3 + 300
400 0.33), and so on.)
(1) On the same set of axes, sketch the fare versus distance
traveled for both companies .
(2) For what distances is company A cheaper?

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Number of solutions
More generally, consider the system
a11 x1 + a12 x2 = b1
a21 x1 + a22 x2 = b2
Using the geometric interpretation, how many solutions can the
system have?
When the lines are parallel and do not overlap, there are no
solutions.
When the lines are not parallel, there is 1 solution.
When the lines are parallel and do overlap, there are infinitely
many solutions.
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System of linear equations

Definition: a linear system of m equations in n unknowns can be

written as
a11 x1 + a12 x2 + + a1n xn = b1
a21 x1 + a22 x2 + + a2n xn = b2
..
.
am1 x1 + am2 x2 + + amn xn = bm

Definition: a hyperplane in n dimensions is the set of all points

satisfying an equation of the form a1 x1 + a2 x2 + + an xn = b.

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Planes

For example, take n = 3. The equation 2x + 4y 3z = 5

represents a plane in R3 . (Why? We will explain this next class.)

A system of three linear equations in x, y and z represents three

planes, and a solution to the system is a point common to all three
planes.

Informally speaking, three planes usually intersect at a unique

point (think of two walls and the ceiling meeting at a point); but
in rare cases, other configurations can occur.

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Activity 2 (10 minutes)

Consider the equation 2x + 4y 3z = 5.

(1) Find one solution to this equation.

(2) Subtract 2 from the x value of your solution and add 1 to the
y value. Is the result still a solution?
(3) How many solutions are there to this equation?
(4) Can you find a way to write down all the solutions?

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Activity 3 (15 minutes)

Describe or sketch all the ways in which three planes can be

configured.

Hint: there are 8 ways; one of them, in which three planes

intersect at a point, has been already described to you.

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Types of linear systems

Definition: a linear system is either consistent (has at least one
solution), or inconsistent (has no solutions).
Definition: when a linear system has a unique solution, it is called
nonsingular. Otherwise it has either 0 or infinitely many solutions
(we will prove this next week), and is called singular.
Note that the word singular in this context means exceptional,
and does not mean single.
Definition: when there are more unknowns than equations, the
system is called underdetermined; when there are more equations
than unknowns, it is called overdetermined.
As we will see, all these notions are connected.
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Activity 4 (10 minutes)

For each of the 8 ways that planes can intersect in Activity 3,

decide whether the underlying linear system is consistent, and also
whether it is singular.

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Activity 5 (20 minutes)

Consider the following linear system in R3 :
u+ v+ w =2

(1)

u + 2v + 3w = 1

(2)

v + aw = 0

(3)

(I) Find all values of a such that the system is consistent. (Use
elimination and substitution.)
(II) Solve the system.
(Extension) Investigate the system if the 0 on the right hand side
of equation (3) is replaced by 1.
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Summary

We have covered:
Systems of linear equations; their geometric interpretation as
intersecting lines and planes; solving them using elimination
and substitution.
Consistent and inconsistent systems; singular and nonsingular
systems.

Textbook: read Section 2.1, then try some of Exercises 1124.

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