Solving a System Using an Inverse

Learning Outcomes

Solve a 2×2 system using an inverse.
Solve a 3×3 systems using an inverse.
Solve a system with a calculator.

Solving a system of linear equations using the inverse of a matrix requires the definition of two new matrices: [latex]X[/latex] is the matrix representing the variables of the system, and [latex]B[/latex] is the matrix representing the constants. Using matrix multiplication, we may define a system of equations with the same number of equations as variables as [latex]AX=B[/latex]

To solve a system of linear equations using an inverse matrix, let [latex]A[/latex] be the coefficient matrix, let [latex]X[/latex] be the variable matrix, and let [latex]B[/latex] be the constant matrix. Thus, we want to solve a system [latex]AX=B[/latex]. For example, look at the following system of equations.

[latex]\begin{array}{c}{a}_{1}x+{b}_{1}y={c}_{1}\\ {a}_{2}x+{b}_{2}y={c}_{2}\end{array}[/latex]

From this system, the coefficient matrix is

[latex]A=\left[\begin{array}{cc}{a}_{1}& {b}_{1}\\ {a}_{2}& {b}_{2}\end{array}\right][/latex]

The variable matrix is

[latex]X=\left[\begin{array}{c}x\\ y\end{array}\right][/latex]

And the constant matrix is

[latex]B=\left[\begin{array}{c}{c}_{1}\\ {c}_{2}\end{array}\right][/latex]

Then [latex]AX=B[/latex] looks like

[latex]\left[\begin{array}{cc}{a}_{1}& {b}_{1}\\ {a}_{2}& {b}_{2}\end{array}\right]\text{ }\left[\begin{array}{c}x\\ y\end{array}\right]=\left[\begin{array}{c}{c}_{1}\\ {c}_{2}\end{array}\right][/latex]

Recall the discussion earlier in this section regarding multiplying a real number by its inverse, [latex]\left({2}^{-1}\right)2=\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)2=1[/latex]. To solve a single linear equation [latex]ax=b[/latex] for [latex]x[/latex], we would simply multiply both sides of the equation by the multiplicative inverse (reciprocal) of [latex]a[/latex]. Thus,

[latex]\begin{array}{c}\text{ }ax=b\\ \text{ }\left(\frac{1}{a}\right)ax=\left(\frac{1}{a}\right)b\\ \left({a}^{-1}\text{ }\right)ax=\left({a}^{-1}\right)b\\ \left[\left({a}^{-1}\right)a\right]x=\left({a}^{-1}\right)b\\ \text{ }1x=\left({a}^{-1}\right)b\\ \text{ }x=\left({a}^{-1}\right)b\end{array}[/latex]

The only difference between solving a linear equation and a system of equations written in matrix form is that finding the inverse of a matrix is more complicated, and matrix multiplication is a longer process. However, the goal is the same—to isolate the variable.

tip for success

As you work through the following examples, keep in mind that matrix operations aren’t bound to the same property characteristics as operations on real numbers. Since matrix multiplication is not commutative, order matters!

Otherwise, the analogy of isolating the variable in the equation is a good one. Comparing a new concept or process to similar familiar material is a good way to develop intuition.

We will investigate this idea in detail, but it is helpful to begin with a [latex]2\times 2[/latex] system and then move on to a [latex]3\times 3[/latex] system.

A General Note: Solving a System of Equations Using the Inverse of a Matrix

Given a system of equations, write the coefficient matrix [latex]A[/latex], the variable matrix [latex]X[/latex], and the constant matrix [latex]B[/latex]. Then [latex]AX=B[/latex]. Multiply both sides by the inverse of [latex]A[/latex] to obtain the solution.

[latex]\begin{array}{r}\hfill \left({A}^{-1}\right)AX=\left({A}^{-1}\right)B\\ \hfill \left[\left({A}^{-1}\right)A\right]X=\left({A}^{-1}\right)B\\ \hfill IX=\left({A}^{-1}\right)B\\ \hfill X=\left({A}^{-1}\right)B\end{array}[/latex]

Q & A

If the coefficient matrix does not have an inverse, does that mean the system has no solution?

No, if the coefficient matrix is not invertible, the system could be inconsistent and have no solution or be dependent and have infinitely many solutions.

Example: Solving a 2 × 2 System Using the Inverse of a Matrix

Solve the given system of equations using the inverse of a matrix.

[latex]\begin{array}{r}\hfill 3x+8y=5\\ \hfill 4x+11y=7\end{array}[/latex]

Show Solution

Q & A

Can we solve for [latex]X[/latex] by finding the product [latex]B{A}^{-1}?[/latex]

No, recall that matrix multiplication is not commutative, so [latex]{A}^{-1}B\ne B{A}^{-1}[/latex]. Consider our steps for solving the matrix equation.

Notice in the first step we multiplied both sides of the equation by [latex]{A}^{-1}[/latex], but the [latex]{A}^{-1}[/latex] was to the left of [latex]A[/latex] on the left side and to the left of [latex]B[/latex] on the right side. Because matrix multiplication is not commutative, order matters.

Example: Solving a 3 × 3 System Using the Inverse of a Matrix

Solve the following system using the inverse of a matrix.

[latex]\begin{array}{r}\hfill 5x+15y+56z=35\\ \hfill -4x - 11y - 41z=-26\\ \hfill -x - 3y - 11z=-7\end{array}[/latex]

Show Solution

Write the equation [latex]AX=B[/latex].

[latex]\left[\begin{array}{ccc}5& 15& 56\\ -4& -11& -41\\ -1& -3& -11\end{array}\right]\text{ }\left[\begin{array}{c}x\\ y\\ z\end{array}\right]=\left[\begin{array}{r}\hfill 35\\ \hfill -26\\ \hfill -7\end{array}\right][/latex]

First, we will find the inverse of [latex]A[/latex] by augmenting with the identity.

[latex]\left[\begin{array}{ccc|ccc}\hfill 5& \hfill 15& \hfill 56& \hfill 1& \hfill 0& \hfill0\\ \hfill -4& \hfill -11& \hfill -41& \hfill 0& \hfill 1& \hfill 0\\ \hfill-1& \hfill -3& \hfill -11& \hfill 0& \hfill 0& \hfill 1\end{array}\right][/latex]

Multiply row 1 by [latex]\frac{1}{5}[/latex].

[latex]\left[\begin{array}{ccc|ccc}\hfill 1& \hfill 3& \hfill \frac{56}{5}& \hfill \frac{1}{5}& \hfill 0& \hfill0\\ \hfill -4& \hfill -11& \hfill -41& \hfill 0& \hfill 1& \hfill 0\\ \hfill-1& \hfill -3& \hfill -11& \hfill 0& \hfill 0& \hfill 1\end{array}\right][/latex]

Multiply row 1 by 4 and add to row 2.

[latex]\left[\begin{array}{ccc|ccc}\hfill 1& \hfill 3& \hfill \frac{56}{5}& \hfill \frac{1}{5}& \hfill 0& \hfill0\\ \hfill 0& \hfill 1& \hfill \frac{19}{5}& \hfill \frac{4}{5}& \hfill 1& \hfill 0\\ \hfill-1& \hfill -3& \hfill -11& \hfill 0& \hfill 0& \hfill 1\end{array}\right][/latex]

Add row 1 to row 3.

[latex]\left[\begin{array}{ccc|ccc}\hfill 1& \hfill 3& \hfill \frac{56}{5}& \hfill \frac{1}{5}& \hfill 0& \hfill0\\ \hfill 0& \hfill 1& \hfill \frac{19}{5}& \hfill \frac{4}{5}& \hfill 1& \hfill 0\\ \hfill0& \hfill 0& \hfill \frac{1}{5}& \hfill \frac{1}{5}& \hfill 0& \hfill 1\end{array}\right][/latex]

Multiply row 2 by −3 and add to row 1.

[latex]\left[\begin{array}{ccc|ccc}\hfill 1& \hfill 0& \hfill -\frac{1}{5}& \hfill -\frac{11}{5}& \hfill -3& \hfill0\\ \hfill 0& \hfill 1& \hfill \frac{19}{5}& \hfill \frac{4}{5}& \hfill 1& \hfill 0\\ \hfill0& \hfill 0& \hfill \frac{1}{5}& \hfill \frac{1}{5}& \hfill 0& \hfill 1\end{array}\right][/latex]

Multiply row 3 by 5.

[latex]\left[\begin{array}{ccc|ccc}\hfill 1& \hfill 0& \hfill -\frac{1}{5}& \hfill -\frac{11}{5}& \hfill -3& \hfill0\\ \hfill 0& \hfill 1& \hfill \frac{19}{5}& \hfill \frac{4}{5}& \hfill 1& \hfill 0\\ \hfill0& \hfill 0& \hfill 1& \hfill 1& \hfill 0& \hfill 5\end{array}\right][/latex]

Multiply row 3 by [latex]\frac{1}{5}[/latex] and add to row 1.

[latex]\left[\begin{array}{ccc|ccc}\hfill 1& \hfill 0& \hfill 0& \hfill -2& \hfill -3& \hfill 1\\ \hfill 0& \hfill 1& \hfill \frac{19}{5}& \hfill \frac{4}{5}& \hfill 1& \hfill 0\\ \hfill0& \hfill 0& \hfill 1& \hfill 1& \hfill 0& \hfill 5\end{array}\right][/latex]

Multiply row 3 by [latex]-\frac{19}{5}[/latex] and add to row 2.

[latex]\left[\begin{array}{ccc|ccc}\hfill 1& \hfill 0& \hfill 0& \hfill -2& \hfill -3& \hfill 1\\ \hfill 0& \hfill 1& \hfill 0& \hfill -3& \hfill 1& \hfill -19\\ \hfill0& \hfill 0& \hfill 1& \hfill 1& \hfill 0& \hfill 5\end{array}\right][/latex]

So,

[latex]{A}^{-1}=\left[\begin{array}{ccc}-2& -3& 1\\ -3& 1& -19\\ 1& 0& 5\end{array}\right][/latex]

Multiply both sides of the equation by [latex]{A}^{-1}[/latex]. We want

[latex]{A}^{-1}AX={A}^{-1}B:[/latex]

[latex]\left[\begin{array}{rrr}\hfill -2& \hfill -3& \hfill 1\\ \hfill -3& \hfill 1& \hfill -19\\ \hfill 1& \hfill 0& \hfill 5\end{array}\right]\text{ }\left[\begin{array}{rrr}\hfill 5& \hfill 15& \hfill 56\\ \hfill -4& \hfill -11& \hfill -41\\ \hfill -1& \hfill -3& \hfill -11\end{array}\right]\text{ }\left[\begin{array}{c}x\\ y\\ z\end{array}\right]=\left[\begin{array}{rrr}\hfill -2& \hfill -3& \hfill 1\\ \hfill -3& \hfill 1& \hfill -19\\ \hfill 1& \hfill 0& \hfill 5\end{array}\right]\text{ }\left[\begin{array}{r}\hfill 35\\ \hfill -26\\ \hfill -7\end{array}\right][/latex]

Thus,

[latex]{A}^{-1}B=\left[\begin{array}{r}\hfill -70+78 - 7\\ \hfill -105 - 26+133\\ \hfill 35+0 - 35\end{array}\right]=\left[\begin{array}{c}1\\ 2\\ 0\end{array}\right][/latex]

The solution is [latex]\left(1,2,0\right)[/latex].

Try It

Solve the system using the inverse of the coefficient matrix.

[latex]\begin{array}{l}\text{ }2x - 17y+11z=0\hfill \\ \text{ }-x+11y - 7z=8\hfill \\ \text{ }3y - 2z=-2\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

Show Solution

How To: Given a system of equations, solve with matrix inverses using a calculator

Save the coefficient matrix and the constant matrix as matrix variables [latex]\left[A\right][/latex] and [latex]\left[B\right][/latex].
Enter the multiplication into the calculator, calling up each matrix variable as needed.
If the coefficient matrix is invertible, the calculator will present the solution matrix; if the coefficient matrix is not invertible, the calculator will present an error message.

Example: Using a Calculator to Solve a System of Equations with Matrix Inverses

Solve the system of equations with matrix inverses using a calculator

[latex]\begin{array}{l}2x+3y+z=32\hfill \\ 3x+3y+z=-27\hfill \\ 2x+4y+z=-2\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

Show Solution

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