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Muhammad, a student:

-2B-2C+4E=1
A+B+C+D=0
-2B-2C-2D+E=0
B+C+4D-2E=0

Hi Muhammad,

I've put your question in matrix form (first column is A, second column is B, third column is C, fourth column is D, fifth column is E and the last is the constant term). I find it a little easier to write a question like this as an augmented matrix.

Here is your question in matrix form

 

 

I subtracted the first row to the thrid row, put the result in the thrid row

 

 

I multiplied the last row by 2 then added it to the first row, put the result in the last row

 

I multiplied the thrid row by -4 then added it to the last row, put the result in the last row

 

I switched the first and second row.

 

I divided the second row by -2, the thrid row by 2 and the last row by 4

 

 

I multiplied the last row by -3/2 and then added it to the thrid row, I put the result in the thrid row

 

I multiplied the last row by 2 then added it to the second row, I put the result in the second row

 

I subtracted the second row from the first row and put the result in the first row

 

Now the matrix is in row echelon form.

We can see that A=3/8, B=-C, D=-3/8 and E =1/4. Note that B can be any number and C is the negative of B.

Check out "An Augmented Matrix" for further help

Hope this helps,

Janice

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