System of Linear Equations

System of Linear Equations

Komal MiglaniUpdated on 02 Jul 2025, 07:45 PM IST

In mathematics, a system of linear equations, also known as a linear system, consists of one or more linear equations that involve the same set of variables. There are many methods by which we can solve the system of linear equations. In real life, we use the system of linear equations to solve age-related problems and time-related problems.

This Story also Contains

  1. System of Linear Equation
  2. Consistent system of equations:
  3. Inconsistent equation:
  4. Homogenous System of Linear Equation
  5. Non Homogenous System of Linear Equations
  6. Methods to solve Systems of Linear Equations in two variables
  7. Methods to solve Systems of Linear Equations in three variables
  8. Solved Examples Based on System of Linear Equations
System of Linear Equations
System of Linear Equations

In this article, we will cover the concept System of linear equations. This category falls under the broader category of Matrices, which is a crucial Chapter in class 12 Mathematics. It is not only essential for board exams but also for competitive exams like the Joint Entrance Examination(JEE Main) and other entrance exams such as SRMJEE, BITSAT, WBJEE, BCECE, and more. Questions based on this topic have been asked frequently in JEE Mains

System of Linear Equation

A system of linear equations are group of $n$ linear equations containing $n$ number of variables.

1. System of 2 Linear Equations:

It is a pair of linear equations in two variables. It is usually of the form

$a_1x +b_1y + c_1 = 0$

$a_2x +b_2y + c_2 = 0$

Finding a solution for this system means finding the values of $x$ and $y$ that satisfy both equations.

2. System of 3 Linear Equations:

It is a group of 3 linear equations in three variables. It is usually of the form

$a_1x +b_1y + +c_1z + d_1 = 0$

$a_2x +b_2y + +c_2z + d_2 = 0$

$a_3x +b_3y + +c_3z + d_3 = 0$

Finding a solution for this system means finding the values of $x, y$, and $z$ that satisfy all three equations.

The system of equations is broadly classified into two types:

Consistent system of equations:

A system of equations is said to be consistent if it has at least one solution. Let the given system of equations is

$
\begin{aligned}
&\text{The system of linear equations} \\
&a_1x + b_1y = c_1 \\
&a_2x + b_2y = c_2 \\
&\text{has exactly one solution if} \\
&\frac{a_1}{a_2} \neq \frac{b_1}{b_2}.
\end{aligned}
$

$
\begin{aligned}
& \text { E.g., } x+y=2 \\
& \qquad x-y=6 \text { is consistent because it has a solution } x=4 \text { and } y=-2 .
\end{aligned}
$

Given lines are non-parallel, hence lines will have one point of intersection.

$
\text{It has infinite solutions if} \\
\frac{a_1}{a_2} = \frac{b_1}{b_2} = \frac{c_1}{c_2}.
$

In this case, two lines represented by these lines coincide, so there are infinite pair of values of $x$ and $y$ that satisfy both the equations. This case is also counted as consistent as there is at least one solution.

Inconsistent equation:

A system of equations is said to be inconsistent if it has no solution.

$\\\mathrm{Let \; a_1x +b_1y + c_1 = 0\; and \; a_2x + b_2y + c_2 = 0, then} \\\mathrm{equation\; are \; inconsistent \; and\; has \; no\; solution\; if} \\\mathrm{\frac{a_1}{a_2}=\frac{b_1}{b_2}\neq\frac{c_1}{c_2}}$


For example, $x+y=5$ and $2 x+2 y=5$ are inconsistent as it has no solution, just by seeing the equation, we get that it is the equation of two different parallel lines which never intersect. These lines are non-intersecting, hence there is no solution to this system.

Homogenous System of Linear Equation

A linear equation with a constant value of zero is called a homogeneous equation.

$\\\mathrm{Let,} \\\mathrm{a_1x+b_1y +c_1z=0\;\;\; ...(i)} \\\mathrm{a_2x+b_2y +c_2z=0\;\;\; ...(ii)} \\\mathrm{a_3x+b_3y +c_3z=0\;\;\; ...(iii)} \\\mathrm{be \; three\; homogeneous\; equations} \\\\\mathrm{and \; let\; \Delta = \begin{vmatrix} a_1 & b_1 & c_1\\ a_2 & b_2 & c_2\\ a_3 & b_3 & c_3 \end{vmatrix}}$

Note that $x=y=z=0$ will always satisfy this system of equations. So system of homogeneous equations will always have at least one solution.

Also, the solution $x=0, y=0$, and $z=0$ is called a trivial solution, and other solutions are called non-trivial solutions.

  • If $\Delta \neq 0$, then $x=0, y=0, z=0$ is the only solution of the above system. This solution is also known as a trivial solution.
  • If $\Delta=0$, at least one of $x, y$, and $z$ are non-zero. In this case, we will have non-trivial solutions as well. Also, there would be infinite solutions of such a system of equations.

Non Homogenous System of Linear Equations

A linear equation with a constant value not equal to zero is called a homogeneous equation.

Characteristics of non Homogenous Linear Equations

  • If $|\mathrm{A}| \neq 0$, then the system of equations is consistent and has a unique solution $\mathrm{X}=\mathrm{A}-1 \mathrm{~B}$
  • If $|A|=0$ and $(\operatorname{adj} A) \cdot B \neq 0$, then the system of equations is inconsistent and has no solution.
  • If $|A|=0$ and $(\operatorname{adj} A) \cdot B=0$, then the system of equations is consistent and has an infinite number of solutions.
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Methods to solve Systems of Linear Equations in two variables

We use the following method to solve a System of linear equations in two variables

  • Graphical method
  • Elimination method
  • Substitution method
  • Matrix method
  • Cross Multiplication method

Methods to solve Systems of Linear Equations in three variables

We use the following method to solve a System of linear equations in three variables

  • Cramers Rule
  • Inverse method
  • Gaussian elimination method
  • Gaussian Jordan method
  • LU Decomposition method

Recommended Video Based on System of Linear Equations:

Solved Examples Based on System of Linear Equations

Example 1:

Let the system of linear equations

$\begin{aligned} & -x+2 y-9 z=7 \\ & -x+3 y+7 z=9 \\ & -2 x+y+5 z=8 \\ & -3 x+y+13 z=7 \end{aligned}$
has a unique solution $x=\alpha, y=\beta, z=\gamma$ Then the distance of the point $(\alpha, \beta, \gamma)$ from the plane $2 x-2 y+z=\lambda$. is [JEE MAINS 2023]

Solution

$\begin{aligned} & -x+2 y-9 z=7-(1) \\ & -x+3 y-7 z=9-(2) \\ & -2 x+y+5 z=8-(3) \\ & (2)-(1) \\ & y+16 z=2(4) \\ & (3)-2 x(1) \\ & -3 y+23 z=-6-(5) \\ & 3 x(4)+(5) \\ & 71 z=0 \Rightarrow z=0 \\ & y=2 \\ & x=-3 \\ & (-3,2,0)-(a, \beta, \gamma) \\ & \text { Put in }-3 x+y+13 z=1 \\ & \lambda=9+2=11 \\ & d=|-6-4-11|=? \\ & 3 \end{aligned}$

Hence, the answer is 3.

Example 2: Let N denote the number that turns up when a fair die is rolled. If the probability that the system of equations

$\begin{aligned} & x+y+z=1 \\ & 2 x+\mathrm{Ny}+2 z=2 \\ & 3 x+3 y+\mathrm{N} z=3 \end{aligned}$

has a unique solution is $\frac{k}{6}$ then the sum of the value of k and all possible values of N is [JEE MAINS 2023]

Solution

For unique solution

$\begin{aligned} & \Delta \neq 0 \\ & \left|\begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 2 & \mathrm{~N} & 2 \\ 3 & 3 & \mathrm{~N} \end{array}\right| \neq 0 \\ & \Rightarrow\left(\mathrm{N}^2-6\right)-(2 \mathrm{~N}-6)+(6-3 \mathrm{~N}) \neq 0 \\ & \Rightarrow \mathrm{N}^2-5 \mathrm{~N}+6 \neq 0 \end{aligned}$

$\Rightarrow \mathrm{N} \neq 3 \quad \& \quad \mathrm{~N} \neq 2$

$\text { Hence } N \text { can be }\{1,4,5,6\} \text { Fav case : } \frac{4}{6}=\frac{K}{6} \Rightarrow k=4$

$\operatorname{sum}=20$

Hence, the answer is 20.

Example 3:

If the system of equations

$\begin{aligned} & 2 x+y-z=5 \\ & 2 x-5 y+\lambda z=\mu \\ & x+2 y-5 z=7 \end{aligned}$

has infinitely many solutions, then $(\lambda+\mu)^2+(\lambda-\mu)^2$ is equal to: [JEE MAINS 2023]

Solution

$\begin{aligned} & \Delta=0 \\ & \Rightarrow\left|\begin{array}{ccc} 2 & 1 & -1 \\ 2 & -5 & \lambda \\ 1 & 2 & -5 \end{array}\right|=0 \\ & \Rightarrow 2(25-2 \lambda)-1(-10-\lambda)-1(4+5)=0 \\ & \Rightarrow 51-3 x=0 \\ & \Rightarrow \lambda=17 \\ & \Delta_{\mathrm{x}}=0 \\ & \left|\begin{array}{ccc} 5 & 1 & -1 \\ \mu & -5 & 17 \\ 7 & 2 & -5 \end{array}\right|=0 \end{aligned}$

$\begin{aligned} & \Rightarrow 5(25-34)-1(-5 \mu-119)-1(2 \mu+35)=0 \\ & \Rightarrow-45+5 \mu+119-2 \mu-35=0 \\ & \Rightarrow 39+3 \mu=0 \Rightarrow \mu=-13 \\ & (\lambda+\mu)^2+(\lambda-\mu)^2=4^2+(30)^2 \\ & =916 \end{aligned}$

Hence, the answer is 916.

Example 4 :

Let $S$ denote the set of all real values of $\lambda$ such that the system of equations

$\begin{aligned} & \lambda x+y+z=1 \\ & x+\lambda y+z=1 \\ & x+y+\lambda z=1 \end{aligned}$
$ \begin{aligned} & \lambda x+y+z=1 \\ & x+\lambda y+z=1 \\ & x+y+\lambda z=1 \end{aligned}$
is inconsistent, then $\sum_{\lambda \in S}\left(|\lambda|^2+|\lambda|\right)$ is equal to

[JEE MAINS 2023]

Solution

Given system of equations is inconsistent

$ \begin{aligned} & \Rightarrow \Delta=0 \\ & \left|\begin{array}{lll} \lambda & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & \lambda & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & \lambda \end{array}\right|=0 \\ & \Rightarrow \lambda^3-3 \lambda+2=0 \\ & \Rightarrow(\lambda-1)^2(\lambda+2)=0 \\ & \Rightarrow \lambda=1,-2 \\ & \end{aligned}$
But for $\lambda=1$ all planes are the same
Then $\lambda=-2$

$ \sum_{\lambda \in s}\left(|\lambda|^2+|\lambda|\right)=4+2=6$

Hence, the answer is 6.

Example 5: If the system of linear equations

$7 x+11 \mathrm{y}+\alpha z=13$

$5 x+4 y+7 z=\beta$

$175 x+194 y+57 z=361$

has infinitely many solutions, then $\alpha+B+2$ is equal to :

[JEE MAINS 2023]

Solution

$7 x+11 y+\alpha z=13$

$5 x+4 y+7 z=\beta$
$175 x+194 y+57 z=361$
Condition of Infinite Many solutions

$\Delta=0$ & $\Delta \mathrm{x}, \Delta \mathrm{y}, \Delta \mathrm{z}=0$
check.
After solving we get $\alpha+13+2=4$

Hence, the answer is 4.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How can determinants be used to find the area of a parallelogram in 3D space?
A:
The area of a parallelogram formed by two vectors a and b in 3D space can be found by calculating the magnitude of their cross product, which can be expressed as a determinant: Area = |a × b| = |det([i j k; a₁ a₂ a₃; b₁ b₂ b₃])|, where i, j, k are unit vectors.
Q: What is the connection between determinants and the concept of volume in higher dimensions?
A:
The absolute value of the determinant of an n×n matrix represents the volume of the n-dimensional parallelepiped formed by the column (or row) vectors of the matrix. This generalizes the 3D concept to higher dimensions and is fundamental in multivariable calculus and geometry.
Q: How do determinants relate to the concept of eigenspaces in linear transformations?
A:
Determinants are crucial in finding eigenvalues, which in turn define eigenspaces. The characteristic polynomial, whose roots are the eigenvalues, is defined using determinants. The dimension of an eigenspace is related to the multiplicity of the corresponding eigenvalue in this polynomial.
Q: How does the determinant method compare to other methods like Gaussian elimination in terms of efficiency?
A:
The determinant method (Cramer's Rule) is generally less efficient than Gaussian elimination for large systems. While it provides a direct formula for solutions, its computational complexity increases rapidly with the size of the system. Gaussian elimination is usually preferred for systems with more than three variables.
Q: What is the role of determinants in linear transformations?
A:
The determinant of a matrix representing a linear transformation gives information about how the transformation affects area or volume. A positive determinant indicates preservation of orientation, while a negative determinant indicates a reversal of orientation. The absolute value of the determinant represents the factor by which areas or volumes are scaled.
Q: What is the relationship between the determinant of a matrix and its eigenvalues?
A:
The determinant of a matrix is equal to the product of its eigenvalues. This relationship provides a quick way to calculate the determinant if the eigenvalues are known, and conversely, can give information about the eigenvalues if the determinant is known.
Q: What is the significance of the minor and cofactor in determinant calculations?
A:
Minors and cofactors are used in expanding determinants and finding matrix inverses. A minor is the determinant of a submatrix formed by removing a row and column, while a cofactor is a signed minor. These concepts are crucial in determinant expansion by cofactor method and in finding matrix inverses.
Q: What is the connection between determinants and the cross product of vectors?
A:
The cross product of two 3D vectors can be expressed as a determinant. If a = (a₁, a₂, a₃) and b = (b₁, b₂, b₃), then a × b = det([i j k; a₁ a₂ a₃; b₁ b₂ b₃]), where i, j, k are unit vectors in the x, y, z directions respectively.
Q: What is the geometric interpretation of the determinant in 2D transformations?
A:
In 2D, the determinant of a transformation matrix represents the factor by which the transformation scales areas. A positive determinant indicates preservation of orientation (clockwise remains clockwise), while a negative determinant indicates a reversal of orientation.
Q: What is the significance of the determinant being invariant under certain matrix operations?
A:
The invariance of determinants under certain operations (like transposition) is significant because it allows for flexibility in calculations and proofs. For instance, det(A) = det(A^T) means we can choose to work with rows or columns based on convenience without affecting the result.