How to Solve a AU=B System when Determinant of A=0

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Let $$A=\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 5 & -1\\ -2 & -10 & 5\\ -2 & -10 & -1\end{pmatrix}$$

and $$B=\begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 15 \\ -15\end{pmatrix}.$$

To find a vector $U$ such that $A$ maps $U$ to $B$ then you must solve the system $AU = B$.

Isolating for U yields $U = A^{-1}B$

However, when attempting to solve the inverse of $A$ produces all $0$'s in the bottom row during matrix inversion algorithm, otherwise known as a determinant of $0$.

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There are 3 best solutions below

3
On

Yes, it is true that $\det(A)=0$. So $A^{-1}$ is meaningless. Nevertheless we can solve $Ax=b$ with $b=(0,15,-15)^T$ by, say, $x=(1,4/5,5)$. For this, we write $x=(x_1,x_2,x_3)$ and obtain three linear equations, namely $$ x_1+5x_2-x_3= - 2x_1 - 10x_2 + 5x_3 - 15= - 2x_1 - 10x_2 - x_3 + 15=0. $$ If we substitute $x_3$ from the last equation, we obtain $- x_1 - 5x_2 + 5=0$. With $x_1=5-5x_2$ all equations are satisfied.

6
On

After Gaussian elimination we get a system in echelon form,

$$\begin{pmatrix}1&5&-1\\0&0&3\\0&0&0\end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix}x\\y\\z\end{pmatrix}=\begin{pmatrix}0\\15\\0\end{pmatrix}.$$

So by the second equation, $z=5$ and by the first $x+5y=5$. This is all you can say.

9
On

The most general solution of a square linear system $AX=B$ can be written

$$X=X_0+X_1$$

where :

  • 1) $X_0$ is a particular solution of system $AX=B$.

  • 2) $X_1$ is the general solution of the associated homogeneous system $AX=0$ (in more abstract terms : the generic element of the kernel of $A$).

In the case at hand,

1) has solution (see explanations below): $$X_0=\begin{pmatrix}5\\0\\5\end{pmatrix}.$$

2) has solution $$X_1=k\begin{pmatrix}-5\\1\\0\end{pmatrix} \ \text{for any real} \ k.$$

Thus the general solution is

$$X_0+X_1=\begin{pmatrix}5-5k\\k\\5\end{pmatrix} \ \text{for any real} \ k.$$

Remark : this formulation "particular solution of... + general solution of ..." is the same for linear differential equations.


Explanation for (1) : There are in fact many solutions ; here is a way to obtain one :

In system

$$\begin{cases}x&+&5y&-&z&=&0& \ \ (a)\\-2x&-&10y&+&5z&=&15& \ \ (b)\\-2x&-&10y&-&z&=&-15& \ \ (c)\end{cases}$$

Substracting (c) from (b), one gets $z=5$. Plugging this value in (a),(b) or (c) gives the same equation $x+5y=5$. It suffices then to take $x=5$ and $y=0$.

Explanation for (2) :

In homogeneous system

$$\begin{cases}x&+&5y&-&z&=&0& \ \ (a)\\-2x&-&10y&+&5z&=&0& \ \ (b)\\-2x&-&10y&-&z&=&0& \ \ (c)\end{cases}$$

Substracting (c) from (b), one gets this time $z=0$. Plugging this value in (a),(b) or (c) gives the same equation $x+5y=0$. It suffices then to take $x=-5y$.

Thus the general solution of the homogeneous equation is :

$$\begin{pmatrix}x\\y\\z\end{pmatrix}=\begin{pmatrix}-5y\\y\\0\end{pmatrix}=y\begin{pmatrix}-5\\1\\0\end{pmatrix}.$$

Please note that, in fact, arbitrary constant $k$ is ordinate $y$.