3-6 Solving Systems Using Matrices

Objectives

To represent a system of linear equations with a matrix

To solve a system of linear equations using matrices

Image Long Description

An array of numbers, such as each of those suggested by the tile arrangements in the Solve It, is a matrix.

Essential Understanding You can use a matrix to represent and solve a system of equations without writing the variables.

A matrix is a rectangular array of numbers. You usually display the array within brackets. The dimensions of a matrix are the numbers of rows and columns in the array.

Each number in a matrix is a matrix element. You can identify a matrix element by its row and column numbers. In matrix A, a 12 eh sub 12  is the element in row 1 and column 2. a 12 eh sub 12  is the element 4.

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