Solve the following system of equations by matrix method:

x + y –z = 3


2x + 3y + z = 10


3x – y – 7z = 1

The given system can be written in matrix form as:


or A X = B


A = , X = and B =


Now, |A| = 1


= (– 20) – 1(– 17) – 1(11)


= – 20 + 17 + 11 = 8


So, the above system has a unique solution, given by


X = A – 1B


Cofactors of A are:


C11 = (– 1)1 + 1 – 21 + 1 = – 20


C21 = (– 1)2 + 1 – 7 – 1 = 8


C31 = (– 1)3 + 1 1 + 3 = 4


C12 = (– 1)1 + 2 – 14 – 3 = 17


C22 = (– 1)2 + 1 – 7 + 3 = – 4


C32 = (– 1)3 + 1 1 + 2 = – 3


C13 = (– 1)1 + 2 – 2 – 9 = – 11


C23 = (– 1)2 + 1 – 1 – 3 = 4


C33 = (– 1)3 + 1 3 – 2 = 1


adj A =


=


Now, X = A – 1B =


X =


X =


Hence, X = 3,Y = 1 and Z = 1


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