Math Problem Statement

True or False? If c1, c2, c3 are three columns of a 3x3 matrix A, and b = 2c1 - 3c2 + 5c3, then the linear system Ax = b has at least one solution.

Solution

The question presented in the image is:

True or False?
If c1,c2,c3c_1, c_2, c_3 are three columns of a 3×33 \times 3 matrix AA, and
b=2c13c2+5c3b = 2c_1 - 3c_2 + 5c_3,
then the linear system Ax=bAx = b has at least one solution.

Explanation:

To determine if this statement is true, we need to consider the linear system Ax=bA x = b, where AA is a matrix with columns c1,c2,c3c_1, c_2, c_3 and bb is a linear combination of those columns. Specifically, bb is given as a combination of the columns of AA:

b=2c13c2+5c3.b = 2c_1 - 3c_2 + 5c_3.

This means that bb can be expressed as a linear combination of the columns of AA, implying that the vector bb lies within the column space of AA. Since bb is in the column space of AA, the system Ax=bA x = b has at least one solution (because bb is reachable by some vector xx).

Conclusion:

The statement is True, because the vector bb is a linear combination of the columns of AA, meaning that bb is in the column space of AA, and thus the system has at least one solution.


Would you like more details or have any further questions?

Here are five related questions:

  1. How can we determine the uniqueness of the solution in such a system?
  2. What is the column space of a matrix, and how does it relate to the solution of a system?
  3. Can a system have more than one solution if the vector bb is in the column space of AA?
  4. What is the difference between a homogeneous and non-homogeneous system?
  5. How can we verify if a vector bb lies in the column space of a matrix?

Tip: A matrix equation Ax=bA x = b has a solution if and only if bb is in the column space of AA.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Linear Algebra
Matrix Equations
Column Space

Formulas

b = 2c1 - 3c2 + 5c3
Ax = b

Theorems

Linear Combinations and Column Space Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate level