Math Problem Statement

[

\begin{bmatrix}

    1 & -\frac{1}{2} & \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \\

    2 & \frac{3}{2}  & 0                  \\

    0 & \frac{5}{2}  & \sqrt{2}

\end{bmatrix}

\begin{bmatrix}

    F_1 \\

    F_2 \\

    F_3

\end{bmatrix}

=

\begin{bmatrix}

    0 \\

    0 \\

    0

\end{bmatrix}

]

Solution

The problem in the image describes a system of three equations with three unknown forces F1F_1, F2F_2, and F3F_3. The student is asked if they can solve for F1F_1, F2F_2, and F3F_3 uniquely from these equations.

The system of equations can be written in matrix form as:

1 & -\frac{1}{2} & \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \\ 2 & \frac{3}{2} & 0 \\ 0 & \frac{5}{2} & \sqrt{2} \end{bmatrix} \begin{bmatrix} F_1 \\ F_2 \\ F_3 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 0 \\ 0 \\ 0 \end{bmatrix}$$ This is a homogeneous system of linear equations, and the key question is whether this system has a unique solution (which would be the trivial solution $$F_1 = F_2 = F_3 = 0$$) or if there are non-trivial solutions. To determine if the system has a unique solution, we can check the determinant of the coefficient matrix. If the determinant is non-zero, the system has a unique solution. If the determinant is zero, then the system has infinitely many solutions. Let me calculate the determinant of the coefficient matrix.import numpy as np # Defining the coefficient matrix A = np.array([ [1, -1/2, 1/np.sqrt(2)], [2, 3/2, 0], [0, 5/2, np.sqrt(2)] ]) # Calculating the determinant of the matrix determinant = np.linalg.det(A) determinantThe determinant of the coefficient matrix is approximately $$7.07$$, which is non-zero. Since the determinant is non-zero, the system of equations has a unique solution. In this case, the unique solution for the homogeneous system is the trivial solution, where $$F_1 = F_2 = F_3 = 0$$. Therefore, the student can indeed solve for $$F_1$$, $$F_2$$, and $$F_3$$ uniquely, and the only solution is the trivial one. Would you like more details or have any questions about this? Here are some related questions: 1. What is a homogeneous system of equations? 2. Why is the determinant important for solving systems of equations? 3. How can non-trivial solutions arise in linear systems? 4. What is the geometric interpretation of a determinant in 3D space? 5. How does one compute a determinant for larger matrices? **Tip:** When solving a homogeneous system of equations, always check the determinant first to determine the nature of the solutions (trivial or non-trivial).

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Linear algebra
Homogeneous systems of equations
Determinants

Formulas

-

Theorems

-

Suitable Grade Level

High School