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To solve a system of linear equations, we can use substitution, elimination or something we call augmented matrices. To use matrices to solve a system of linear equations, we first enter the values associated with each of the variables and the answer. Once we put the information into a matrix (a rectangular array of numbers), we can use matrix operations to solve the equation.
Example of an Augmented Matrix
Video Courtesy of Mr. Green of Nutshell math.
Definitions:
- Elements: Each of the entries in the augmented matrix
- Rows: The numbers or variables that run across the matrix.
- Columns: The numbers or variables that run down the matrix.
- The diagonal of the matrix: The set of elements that starts at the top, left corner and runs diagonally down and to the right. (This diagonal: 2, -1 and 4.)
