BBA101: Business Mathematics, Unit-II: Matrix Algebra

Unit II: Matrix Algebra- Definition, Matrix Operations- Addition, Subtraction,

and Multiplication of matrices, Types of matrices- Square, Diagonal, null,
Transpose of a matrix, Determinant of a Square matrix. Singular and nonsingular matrix, Co- factor matrix, ad-joint of a matrix, Inverse of a matrix,
Solution of simultaneous equation by using matrices.

Matrices

Consider the network below showing the roads connecting four towns (Say A, B, C & D) and the distances,
in km, along each road as shown below on left side.

The information above, on the left side, can be represented in an array as on the right side. The array of
such type is known as a matrix.
Consider another case of Food shopping: people go online to shop for items and have them delivered to
their homes. For example, cartons of eggs, bread, packets of vegetables, bags of rice, and packets of
fish were ordered online and the people left their address for delivery.
A selection of orders may look like the following array which is termed as matrix:
Order
Address

Carton of eggs

Bread

Vegetables Rice

Fish

10 Cross Road

15-A Park Road

17 High St

22 Ofar Rd.

MATRIX: An ordered arrangement of m.n-numbers in rectangular form using m horizontal rows & n
vertical columns as below is called a matrix of order (m x n) or m by n matrix.

A [ai , j ]mn

a1,1
a
2,1

a1,2

a2,2

M O

am ,1

am ,2 L

a1, n
a2, n
M

am ,n

The number aij is known as element of the matrix A belonging to ith row & jth column of matrix A.
PROPERTIES OF MATRICES
A matrix is a rectangular array of numbers.
In Mathematics, matrices are used to store information written in a rectangular arrangement of
rows and columns.
An mn (m by n) matrix has exactly m horizontal rows, and n vertical columns.
In a Matrix A=[aij]mxn the element a11, a22, a33..are called Principal diagonal elements of A.
Two matrices A and B are equal if they have the same number of rows, the same number of
columns, and all corresponding elements are equal. In standard notations, A=[aij]mxn & B[bij]pxq are
said to be equal if m=p, n=q and aij = bij for all (i,j) and we write A=B

BBA101: Business Mathematics, Unit-II: Matrix Algebra

Types of Matrices

Rectangular Matrix: A matrix in which number of rows is not equal to number of columns is known as a
rectangular matrix. Thus A=[aij]mxn , is Rectangular matrix if mn.
Example: A & B are Rectangular Matrix of order (2x3) and (4x3)
1 5 3

2
A
5

5
4

4
B
9

8
10
7

Square Matrix: A matrix in which number of rows is equal to number of columns is known as a square
matrix. Thus, A=[aij]mxn , is square matrix if m=n. Square matrix of order n means, there are n rows
& n-column in matrix.
Example: C is square matrix of order 3.
4 5 9

C 2 7 13
5 6
8

Row Matrix: A matrix in which there is only one row is known as a row matrix. Thus any (1 x n) matrix, is
called as a row matrix.
Example:A 5 2 is
6 a row matrix
Column Matrix: A matrix in which there is only one column is known as a column matrix. Thus, any (m x
1) matrix is called as a column matrix.

5

4 a column matrix
Example:
B is
3

8
&
Column Matrices often referred to as Vectors
Vectors: Row
Diagonal Matrix: A matrix in which all non-principle diagonal elements are zero is called a diagonal
matrix.

d ij
Thus, Matrix D = [dij]mxn diagonal
if: 0i j , i 1,2......m, j 1,2,......n
A diagonal matrix is usually a square matrix until unless specified as rectangular matrix in that case we
call it as rectangular diagonal matrix
4 0 0

2 0 0
C 0 7 0

A
0 0 8
0 4 0

Identity Matrix: The identity matrix of order n, In, is the square matrix of order-n with 1s along the
principle diagonal and 0s everywhere else.

1 if i
In
0 if i

1 0 0
0 1 0

0 0 1

I3 0
0

nxn

Null Matrix: A matrix with all its elements equal to zero, is called as null matrix. Thus, a matrix A=[aij]mxn
is null matrix of order (m x n) if
aij 0, i & j i 1,2......m, j 1,2,......n denoted by Om x n
A null matrix of order m x n is

O3*2 0
0

0
0

O3*3 0
0

0
0
0

0
0

BBA101: Business Mathematics, Unit-II: Matrix Algebra

Triangular Matrix: If every element of below are above the principle diagonal of a square matrix is zero,
then the matrix is called a triangular matrix.
Further, a square matrix is called lower triangular matrix if its entire element above the principle
diagonal are zero. (e.g. Matrix A)
And, a square matrix is called upper triangular matrix if its entire element below the principle diagonal
are zero. (e.g. Matrix B)
In standard notations, a matrix A=[aij]nxn is said to be lower triangular if ai,j=0 for every i<j And
upper triangular if ai,j=0 for every i>j

A 0
0

8
7
0

2
5

B 0
0

8
7
0

2
5

Transpose Matrix: The matrix obtained by interchanging rows & column of a matrix A is known as
transpose matrix of A & denoted by AT or by A. Thus, if A=[aij]mxn then AT = [bij]nxm ,where bi,j = aj,i
Note that (i,j)th element of AT is (j,i)th element of A and if A is of order (m x n) then order of A T is (n x m).

Symmetric & Skew-Symmetric Matrices: A matrix A

is called Symmetric if AT = A i.e. if aji
T
= aij for all i and j. And A is called Skew-symmetric if A = -A i.e. if aji = -aij for all i and j.

1 2 3
0 1 3

1 0 9 is Skew - symmetric.
A 2 4 5 is symmetric while B

3 5 6
3 9 0
Note that if A is Symmetric then A + AT must be symmetric and if A is Skew-symmetric then A - AT must be
skew-symmetric.
Orthogonal Matrix: A matrix A is called orthogonal if AAT = ATA = I.

1/ 3

1/ 6

A 1/ 3 2 / 6

1/ 3 1/ 6

1/ 2

0 is an orthogonal matrix.

1/ 2

The Inverse of a Matrix: For an nxn matrix A, there may be a matrix B such that AB = I = BA. Then B is
said to be inverse of A. Inverse of a matrix A is generally denoted by A -1. The inverse is analogous to
a reciprocal.
Singular & Non Singular Matrix:
A matrix which does not have an inverse is known as singular matrix. A matrix is singular if and only if
its determinant is zero. A matrix which is invertible i.e. it has an inverse is said to be nonsingular
matrix.

BBA101: Business Mathematics, Unit-II: Matrix Algebra

Matrix Algebra Operations

ADDITION & SUBTRACTION: Matrices of the same order can be added (or subtracted) by adding (or
subtracting) the corresponding entries.
Sum of Matrices: The sum of two matrices A=[aij]mxn and B =[bij]mxn is the matrix C=[cij]mxn , where ci,j =
(ai,j+bi,j).
A+B = [ai,j+bi,j]mxn

2
5

Let

1
B
0

8
2 8

2
3
4

2 1
50

Then A B

52
42

7 8

3

83
5

6 11

Subtract of Matrices: The Subtract of B=[bij]mxn from matrix A=[aij]mxn is the matrix C=[cij]mxn , where ci,j =
(ai,j-bi,j).
A-B = [ai,j-bi,j]mxn
2 5 7

A
5 4
8
2 1 5 ( 2 ) 7 8
1 7 15

Let
Then A B

42
83
5
1 2 8
50
5 2

B
2
3
0
Example: Find the sums A + B and B + C.

1
A 2
0

5
1
6

2 0 6

1 0 3

3 3 0
C
3 2 4

Solution:
A+B: A has order 3x2 and B has order 2x3. So they cannot be added.
B+C: C has order 2x3 which is of the same order as B thus can be added to B.

2 0 6

1 0 3

BC

3 3 0
5 3 6

3 2 4
2 2 1

Example: Find the differences A B and B C.

3 7

2 1

2 1
B
4 5

Solution:
A-B: A and B are both of order 2x2 and can be subtracted.

C
2

5 1
1 6

1 8
3 7 2 1

2 6
2 1 4 5

A B

B-C: Since B is of order 2x2 and C is of order 3x2, they cannot be subtracted.
PROPERTIES OF MATRICES ADDITION:
Closurety: If A & B are (mxn) matrices the A+B will also be (mxn) matrix.
Commutativity: If A & B are (mxn) matrices then A+B=B+A.
Associativity: If A, B and C are (mxn) matrices then (A+B)+C=A+(B+C).
Additive Identity: If A & O are (mxn) matrices, where O is null matrix, known to be Additive Identity, as
A+O=O+A=A
Additive Inverse: If A is (mxn) matrix then there exist some (-A) matrix of order (mxn), known to be
Additive Inverse, so that
A+(-A)=(-A)+A=O

BBA101: Business Mathematics, Unit-II: Matrix Algebra

COMMUTATIVITY: If A & B are (mxn) matrices then A+B=B+A.
Proof: If A=[aij]mxn and B =[bij]mxn
Then A+B =[aij]mxn+[bij]mxn
=[aij+bij]mxn
Further
B+A =[bij]mxn+[aij]mxn
=[bij+aij]mxn
But as (aij+bij)=(bij+aij)
commutative
Hence
A+B=B+A

By Definition of Addition
By Definition of Addition
Additions of real numbers
are

ASSOCIATIVITY: If A, B and C are (mxn) matrices then (A+B)+C=A+(B+C).

Proof: Let A=[aij]mxn , B =[bij]mxn & C=[cij]mxn
Then A+B =[aij+bij]mxn
By Definition of Addition
and (A+B)+C =[aij+bij]mxn+[cij]mxn =[(aij+bij)+cij]mxn
By Definition of Addition
Similarly,
A+(B+C)
=[aij+(bij+cij)]mxn
But as (aij+bij)+cij=aij+(bij+cij)
Additions of real numbers
associative.
Hence (A+B)+C=A+(B+C).

are

SCALAR MULTIPLICATION TO MATRIX: The scalar multiple of a matrix A=[aij]mxn by a scalar k is a matrix
of the same order B=[bij]mxn , where bi,j = kai,j
kA = [kai,j]mxn
Let

2
5

2*2
2*5

2 *5

then 2A

2*4

2 * (-7)

4 10

2 * 8 10 8

- 14

16

PROPERTIES OF SCALAR MULTIPLICATION

1. k(A+B)=kA+kB
2. (l+k)A=lA+kA
3. l(kA)=(lk)A=k(lA)
4. 0A=O

2 5 1
A 3 4 0
2 7 2

Example: Find 2A and 3A for

Solution:

2(2) 2(5) 2(1) 4 10

6 8
2 A 2(3) 2(4) 2(0)

2(2) 2(7) 2(2) 4 14

2
0

Example: Calculate the value of 3A 2B + C with

Solution:

2 1
A 3 5
4 2

3(2) 3(5) 3(1)

3 A 3(3) 3(4) 3(0)
3(2) 3(7) 3(2)

6 15
9 12

6 21

3
0

5 2
5 2

B
1 0 and C 1 0
3 1

3 1

5 2
6 3
2 1
5 2

3 A 2 B C 3 3 5 2 1 0 1 0 9 15
4 2
3 1
6
3 1
12

10
4 5 2
1
2 0 1 0 8

6 2 3 1
9

5
15
5

BBA101: Business Mathematics, Unit-II: Matrix Algebra

MATRIX MULTIPLICATION: Let A=[aij]mxk and B=[bij]kxn, be the two matrices (note that No. of column in
A= No. of rows in B) then product of A & B, denoted by AB is the matrix C=[c ij]mxn such that
k

ci , j ai ,l bl , j

(i, j )

l 1

i.e., element (i,j) of AB is given by the vector dot product of the ith row of A and the jth column of B
(considered as vectors).
Note: Matrix multiplication is not commutative!
Examples: Find out AB for following matrices

4 3
2 5
B
A 7 2

1 6
9 0
Solution:
4 3
R1C1
2
5

RC
AB 7 2
2 1

1
6
RC
9 0
3 1

R1C
4* 2 3*1 4*5 3*6
11
38
2

R2 C2 7 * 2 2*1 7 *5 2*6
16
47

R3 C3
9* 2 0*1 9*5 0*6
18
45

Note that BA is undefined

PROPERTES OF MATRIX MULTIPLICATION:
Not Commutative: If A & B are two matrices then ABBA.
Associative: If A, B and C are matrices then (AxB)xC=Ax(BxC).
Distributive: If A, B and C are matrices then A(B+C)=AB+AC.
Multiplicative Identity: If A & I are (mxm) matrices, where I is identity matrix of order m, known to be
Multiplicative Identity, as AI=IA=A
Multiplicative Inverse: If A is (mxm) matrix then there exist some (-A) matrix of order (mxm), known to
be Multiplicative Inverse, so that
AA-1=A-1A=I

BBA101: Business Mathematics, Unit-II: Matrix Algebra

Determinant
Determinant of a Matrix: The determinant is a number associated with any squared matrix. This value
can be computed from the entries of the matrix by a specific arithmetic expression.
If A is an nxn matrix, the determinant is denoted by |A| or det(A).
Determinants are used to characterize invertible matrices. A matrix is invertible (non-singular) if and only if
it has a non-zero determinant. That is, if |A|0 A is invertible.
Determinants are used to describe the solution to a system of linear equations with Cramer's rule.
Minor of a Matrix: Determinant of a sub-matrix obtained by removing ith row & jth column of a square
marix A is said to be minor of aij or (I,j)th minor of A. It is usually denoted by M ij
Cofactor of a Matrix: Cofactor of aij or (I,j)th Cofactor of A, usually denoted by Cij is defined as
i j

(1) Mwith
i, j
If i + j is an even number, the cofactor CijC
ofi , jaijcoincides
its minor, i.e. Cij=Mij
Otherwise, it is equal to the additive inverse of its minor, i.e. Cij=-Mij
Calculating Determinant:
Laplace formula
The determinant of a matrix of arbitrary size can be defined by the Leibniz formula or the Laplace formula.
The Laplace formula (or expansion) expresses the determinant |A| as a sum of n determinants of (n1) (n-1) sub-matrices of A. There are n2 such expressions, one for each row and column of A
1. Define the Mij as Minor of aij as the determinant of the (n-1) (n-1) matrix that results from deleting
the i-th row and the j-th column of A.
2. Define the Ci,j the cofactor of A as:

C i , j (1) i j M i , j

3. The cofactor matrix of A -denoted by C-, is defined as the nxn matrix whose (i,j) entry is the (i,j)
cofactor of A. The transpose of C is called the adjugate or adjoint of A -adj(A).
4. Determinant as a Laplace expansion: Suppose A = [a ij] is an nxn matrix and i,j= {1, 2, ...,n}. Then
the determinant

| A | ai1Ci1 ai 2Ci 2 ... ain Cin

aij Cij a2 j C2 j ... anj Cnj
Example:

ForA 9
7

2
1
4

5
6

C11

C12

1 2 3
9 1 5

7 4 6

1 2 3
9 1 5

7 4 6

C13

1 2 3
9 1 5

7 4 6

| A | 1xC11 2 xC12 3xC13

| A | 1 *

-1
4

5
9
2*
6
7

5
9
3*
6
7

1
1 * [(1) * 6 4 * 5] 2 * [9 * 6 7 * 5] 3[9 * 4 7 * ( 1)]
4

| A | 1 * ( 26) 2 *19 3 * 43 26 38 129 141

BBA101: Business Mathematics, Unit-II: Matrix Algebra

Sarrus Rule: Sum from left to right. Then, subtract from right to left. (Sum from top to bottom. Then,
subtract from bottom to top).
Note: N! Terms
a
d
g

b
e
h

c a
f d
i g

a b c
d e f aei bfg cdh afh bdi ceg
g h i

b
e
h

Example:

-224+10+162=-52

2 3 8
A 6 7 1
4 5 9

2 3 8 2 3
6 7 1 6 7
4 5 9 4 9

IAI=126-(-52)=178

-126+12+240=126

Properties of Determinates
1. |A|=|A'|.
2. If a row of A = 0, then |A|= 0.
3. If every value in a row is multiplied by k, then |A| = k|A|.
4. If two rows (or columns) are interchanged the sign, but not value, of |A| changes.
5. If two rows are identical, |A| = 0.
6. |A| remains unchanged if each element of a row or each element multiplied by a constant is added
to any other row.
7. Det of product = product of Det's |AB| = |A| |B|
8. Det of a diagonal matrix = product of the diagonal elements
The Inverse of a Matrix (A -1): For an nxn matrix A, there may be a matrix B such that AB = I = BA. Then
B is said to be inverse of A. Inverse of a matrix A is generally denoted by A -1. The inverse is analogous to a
reciprocal.
Inverse of a matrix A exists only if IAI0
Singular & Non Singular Matrix: A matrix which does not have an inverse is known as singular matrix.
A matrix is singular if and only if its determinant is zero. A matrix which is invertible i.e. it has an inverse is
said to be nonsingular matrix.
Finding Inverse of a Matrix:
1) By Gauss elimination method (Using row operations):
1. Form the augmented matrix A I n , where In is the multiplicative identity matrix of the same order
as the given matrix A.

2. Perform row operations on A I n to obtain a matrix of the form I n B .

3. Matrix B is A1
4. Verify the result by showing that AB = I and BA = I

2
1

Ex1: Use Row operation to find A-1 if A=

Solution
2

11

40

Augmented matrix will be

1
4

BBA101: Business Mathematics, Unit-II: Matrix Algebra

1 1
2 2
4 0

Apply & get New R1=Old R1/2 to get a11=1

1
0
2

1
1
2

1
0
2
2 1 2
1

7 4
4
1
0 7
7

1 1 2
7
7

Apply & get New R2= (2/7)*Old R2 to get a22=1

1
0

Apply & get New R2= Old R1Old R2 /2 to get a12=0

1
2
7
2

Apply & get New R2=Old R2 - Old R1 to get a21=0

Now given matrix A has been reduced to identity matrix using Row operations and thus augmented part
will represent A-1

Thus,

A1 7
1

1
7
2

7
1
0

Ex2: Find A if A = 1
4
-1

Solution:
Augment matrix
2 1
3 1

0
2 0
1
4
0
2 0

1
4

R1/2

1
2
0
0

1
2
1
2
0

R2-Old R1

3
2
2
2

3
2
7
2
2

3
2
2

A with I we will get

0 0

1 0
0 1

1
2
0
0

1
2
1
2
0

1
0

Applying New R1=Old

0
1
0

0 Applying New R2=Old

1
3 1
0 0
1
2
2 2

1
7 1 2 0 Applying New R2=2*Old
0

0
2
4 2 0 1

R2
Again, applying New R1=Old R1+Old R2/2 &New
R3=Old R3 /10 we will get

1
0

0
1
0

2 0
7 1
1

1
2
2

0
0
1

10

Now apply New R1=Old R1+2*Old R3 & New R2=Old

R2+7*Old R3 we will get new equivalent matrix

1
1 0 0
5

4
0 1 0 1
5

0
0
1
2

5
0

1
5
7

10
1
10
9

BBA101: Business Mathematics, Unit-II: Matrix Algebra

1
2
1
2
2

3
2
7
2
4

1
2
1
2
2

0 Applying New R3=Old

1
0

R3-4*Old R1

1
5
4
1
5
2
0
5

1
5
7

10
1
10

2) By Cofactor Method (Using determinant of the matrix)

The cofactor of the element aij of the matrix A = (aij) is defined by cij = (-1)i+j Mij where Mij is the minor
of aij.
1- Construct the matrix of cofactors of A, Cof (A) =( cij )
2- Construct the transposed matrix of cofactors called the adjoin of A
Adj (A) =Transpose of cofactor Matrix= [Cof (A)]T
1
3- Then A-1 =
Adj A
Det ( A)
4- To check your answer verify A.A-1 = I or A-1.A = I

Ex.: Use determinant to find A-1 where A =

1
Solution:
1
A 1
Adj ( A)
A
A

8 1 7 0

Thus, A-1 is defined

Cofactor of A
C11 = (-1)1+1 |4|
C12 = (-1)1+2 |1|
C21 = (-1)2+1 |1|
C22 = (-1)2+2 |2|

Cof(A) =
1

=
=
=
=

1 4 1

7 1 2

Solution:
2 1

A1

4
1

7
2

1
0

3
2

3
2 2 8 10 0
2

7
1

Ex2: Find A if A = 1
4
-1

4
-1
-1
2

4
Adj(A) =[Cof(A)]T =
1

A 1

1
4

2
0

cof ( A) 2
2

10
8
7

4
1

c11 0,

c12 (1)10 10,

c 21 (2) 2,
c 31 2,

c 22 8,

c 32 (1)( 7) 7,

c13 0,
c 23 4,
c 33 1

10

BBA101: Business Mathematics, Unit-II: Matrix Algebra

0

Adj(A) [cof A]t 10

0

2
8
4

7
1

1
1
5
5
4 7

1
5 10
2 1
0
5 10

2 2
0

AdjA 1
A
10 8 7
A
10

0 4 1
1

11

BBA101: Business Mathematics, Unit-II: Matrix Algebra

Solving a system of linear equations
Let A be a matrix, X a column vector, B a column vector then the system of linear equations is
denoted by AX=B.
The augmented matrix
A matrix gives us a shortened way of writing a system of equations. The first step in solving a system of linear equations
using matrices is to write the augmented matrix. An augmented matrix has a vertical bar separating the columns of the
matrix into tow groups. The coefficients of each variable are placed to the left of the vertical line and the constants are placed
to the right. If any variable is missing, its coefficient is 0:
The solution to a system of linear equations such as
x 2 y 5
3x y 6
Depends on the coefficients of x and y and the constants on the right-hand side of the equation. The
matrix of coefficients for this system is the 2 2 matrix

1
3

2
1

If we insert the constants from the right-hand side of the system into the matrix of coefficients, we
get the 2 3 matrix
1 2 5

1 6
3
We use a vertical line between the coefficients and the constants to represent the equal signs. This
matrix is the augmented matrix of the system also it can be written as:

1 2 x
5
3 1 y 6

Note:
Two systems of linear equations are equivalent if they have the same solution set. Two augmented
matrices are equivalent if the systems they represent are equivalent.
Ex.1:
Write the augmented matrix for each system of equations.

a)

x yz 5
2x z 3
2x y 4z 0

2
2

1 5

x y 1

b)

yz6
z0
1

0
0

1
1
0

0 1

1 6
1 5

We'll take two methods to solve the system AX=B

1) Cramer's rule
The solution to the system

12

BBA101: Business Mathematics, Unit-II: Matrix Algebra

a1 x b1 y c1
a2 x b2 y c2

Dy
Dx
, Provided that D 0
and y
D
D
a1 b1
c
b1
a
,
Dx 1
and
Dy 1
Where D
a2 b2
c2 b2
a2
Is given by x

c1
c2

Solution for the simultaneous linear equation with three variable x,y & Z will be given by
Dy
Dx
D
x
, y
, and z z
D
D
D
Notes:
1. Cramer's rule works on systems that have exactly one solution.
2. Cramer's rule gives us a precise formula for finding the solution to an independent system.
3. Note that D is the determinant made up of the original coefficients of x and y . D is used in the
denominator for both x and y . Dx is obtained by replacing the first (or x ) column of D by the
constants c1 and c 2 . D y is found by replacing the second (or y ) column of D by the constants

c1 and c 2 .
Ex.1: Use Cramer's rule to solve the system:
3x 2 y 4
2 x y 3
Sol.:
First find the determinants D, Dx , and D y :
D
Dx

2
3 ( 4) 7
1

3
2
4
3

2
4 - 6 -2 ,
1

Dy

3
2

4
-9 - 8 -17
3

By Cramer's rule, we have

Dx
2

D
7

and y

Dy
17

D
7

Check in the original equations. The solution set is (

2 17
, ) .
7
7

Ex.2: Solve the system:

3x 5 y 7
6 x 10 y 14
Sol.: Cramer's rule does not apply because
D

10

30 (30) 0

Multiply Eq.(1) by -2 and add it to Eq.(2)

6 x 10 y 14
6 x 10 y 14
00

Because the last statement is an identity, the equations are dependent. The solution set is

( x, y ) 3 x 5 y 7 .

13

BBA101: Business Mathematics, Unit-II: Matrix Algebra

Ex.3: Use Cramer's rule to solve the system:
2 x 3( y 1) 3
2 y 3x 5
Sol.: First write the equations in standard form, Ax By C
2x 3y 0
3 x 2 y 5
D
,
D
,
and
Dy :
Find
x
D
Dx

4 9 5

0 - 15 -15 ,

Dy

-10 - 0 -10

Using Cramer's rule, we get

Dx 15

3
D
5

and

Dy 10

2
D
5

Because (3,2) satisfies both of the original equations, the solution se is {(3,2)} .
2) The Gaussian Elimination method
When we solve a single equation, we write simpler and simpler equivalent equations to get an
equation whose solution is obvious. In the Gaussian elimination method we write simpler and simpler
equivalent augmented matrices until we get an augmented matrix in which the solution to the
corresponding system is obvious.
Because each row of an augmented matrix represents an equation, we can perform the row
operations on the augmented matrix.
Elementary Row Operation:
1. Construct the augmented matrix (A:B).
2. Interchange two rows (Ri Rj).
3. Multiply any row by a constant different from zero (Ri kRi)
4. Add a constant multiply of any row to another row (Ri Ri + kRj)
Ex.1:
Use Gaussian elimination method to solve the system (two equations in two variables):
x 3 y 11
2x y 1
Sol.:
Start with the augmented matrix:
1 3 11

1 1
2
1 3 11
R2 -2R 1 R 2

7 21
0

1 3 11

1 3

R2

1
7

R2

R1 3R 2 R

1
0 1 3
This augmented matrix represents the system x 2 and y 3 . So the solution set to the system
is 2,3 .

Ex.2: Use Gaussian elimination method to solve the system (three equations in three variables):

14

BBA101: Business Mathematics, Unit-II: Matrix Algebra

2 x y z 3
x yz 6
3x y z 4

Sol.:
2

1
3
R R
1
2

R2 -

2
3

1
3

1 6

R2

1 3

1 6
1 4

R -2R R
2
1
2

1 3
1 4

1
1

R -3R R
3
1
3

1 6

0
0

1 5
2 14

4
0

0
0

1 6

3 15

2 14

R -R
R
1
2
1
R 4R R
3
2
3

1 1

0 1

1 5

0
0
0

2 6

0 1

R2 R 3 R
0 1 0 2
1 5
2
2
0 0 1 3

0
1 3
This augmented matrix represents the system x 1 , y 2 and z 3 . So the solution set to the
system is 1,2,3 .
R3 -

R3

0
0

15