Higher Concepts of Mathematics
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS
Solution:
4
2
1
3
x =
1
2
1
3
1
4
1
1
y =
1
2
1
3
solving each 2 x 2 for its determinant,
x
[(4 3)
(1 2)]
[(1 3)
( 1 2)]
12
2
3
2
10
5
2
y
[(1 1)
( 1 4)]
[(1 3)
( 1 2)]
1
4
3
2
5
5
1
x
2
and
y
1
A 3 x 3 is solved by using the same logic, except each 3 x 3 must be expanded by minors to
solve for the determinant.
Example:
Given the following three equations, solve for the three unknowns.
2x + 3y - z = 2
x - 2y + 2z = -10
3x + y - 2z = 1
Rev. 0
Page 27
MA-05
