We eliminate one variable using row operations and solve for the other. Say that we wish to solve for
If equation (2) is multiplied by the opposite of the coefficient of
in equation (1), equation (1) is multiplied by the coefficient of
in equation (2), and we add the two equations, the variable
will be eliminated.
Now, solve for
Similarly, to solve for
we will eliminate
Solving for
gives
Notice that the denominator for both
and
is the determinant of the coefficient matrix.
We can use these formulas to solve for
and
but Cramer’s Rule also introduces new notation:
determinant of the coefficient matrix
determinant of the numerator in the solution of
determinant of the numerator in the solution of
The key to Cramer’s Rule is replacing the variable column of interest with the constant column and calculating the determinants. We can then express
and
as a quotient of two determinants.
Cramer’s rule for 2×2 systems
Cramer’s Rule is a method that uses determinants to solve systems of equations that have the same number of equations as variables.
Consider a system of two linear equations in two variables.
The solution using Cramer’s Rule is given as
If we are solving for
the
column is replaced with the constant column. If we are solving for
the
column is replaced with the constant column.
Finding the determinant of a 2×2 matrix is straightforward, but finding the determinant of a 3×3 matrix is more complicated. One method is to augment the 3×3 matrix with a repetition of the first two columns, giving a 3×5 matrix. Then we calculate the sum of the products of entries
down each of the three diagonals (upper left to lower right), and subtract the products of entries
up each of the three diagonals (lower left to upper right). This is more easily understood with a visual and an example.
Find the
determinant of the 3×3 matrix.
Augment
with the first two columns.
From upper left to lower right: Multiply the entries down the first diagonal. Add the result to the product of entries down the second diagonal. Add this result to the product of the entries down the third diagonal.
From lower left to upper right: Subtract the product of entries up the first diagonal. From this result subtract the product of entries up the second diagonal. From this result, subtract the product of entries up the third diagonal.