IDNLearn.com: Your reliable source for finding expert answers. Get accurate and detailed answers to your questions from our knowledgeable and dedicated community members.

Using Cramer's Rule, what is the minimum number of determinants that are needed to solve for all unknowns in the system of linear equations below?

[tex]\[
\begin{array}{l}
10x - y = 3 \\
5x - 2y = -24
\end{array}
\][/tex]

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4


Sagot :

To solve a system of linear equations using Cramer's Rule, we use determinants to find the values of the unknowns. Let's go through the steps required for the given system of linear equations:

[tex]\[ \begin{array}{l} 10 x - y = 3 \\ 5 x - 2 y = -24 \end{array} \][/tex]

1. Step 1: Write the coefficient matrix [tex]\( A \)[/tex]

The coefficient matrix [tex]\( A \)[/tex] for the given system is:
[tex]\[ A = \begin{pmatrix} 10 & -1 \\ 5 & -2 \end{pmatrix} \][/tex]

2. Step 2: Calculate the determinant of [tex]\( A \)[/tex], denoted as [tex]\( \det(A) \)[/tex]

[tex]\[ \det(A) = \begin{vmatrix} 10 & -1 \\ 5 & -2 \end{vmatrix} \][/tex]

3. Finding the determinant [tex]\( \det(A) \)[/tex]

[tex]\[ \det(A) = (10 \times -2) - (-1 \times 5) = -20 + 5 = -15 \][/tex]

So, the determinant of [tex]\( A \)[/tex] is [tex]\( -15 \)[/tex].

4. Step 3: Replace the columns of [tex]\( A \)[/tex] with the constants column [tex]\([3, -24]^T\)[/tex] to solve for each variable

- To solve for [tex]\( x \)[/tex], replace the first column of [tex]\( A \)[/tex] with the constants column:
[tex]\[ A_x = \begin{pmatrix} 3 & -1 \\ -24 & -2 \end{pmatrix} \][/tex]
Then calculate [tex]\( \det(A_x) \)[/tex].

- To solve for [tex]\( y \)[/tex], replace the second column of [tex]\( A \)[/tex] with the constants column:
[tex]\[ A_y = \begin{pmatrix} 10 & 3 \\ 5 & -24 \end{pmatrix} \][/tex]
Then calculate [tex]\( \det(A_y) \)[/tex].

5. Step 4: Calculate the determinants [tex]\( \det(A_x) \)[/tex] and [tex]\( \det(A_y) \)[/tex]

- For [tex]\( \det(A_x) \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ \det(A_x) = \begin{vmatrix} 3 & -1 \\ -24 & -2 \end{vmatrix} = (3 \times -2) - (-1 \times -24) = -6 - 24 = -30 \][/tex]

- For [tex]\( \det(A_y) \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ \det(A_y) = \begin{vmatrix} 10 & 3 \\ 5 & -24 \end{vmatrix} = (10 \times -24) - (3 \times 5) = -240 - 15 = -255 \][/tex]

6. Step 5: Solve for [tex]\( x \)[/tex] and [tex]\( y \)[/tex] using Cramer's Rule:

[tex]\[ x = \frac{\det(A_x)}{\det(A)} = \frac{-30}{-15} = 2 \][/tex]

[tex]\[ y = \frac{\det(A_y)}{\det(A)} = \frac{-255}{-15} = 17 \][/tex]

From the steps outlined:
- The first determinant calculated is [tex]\(\det(A)\)[/tex].
- The second determinant calculated is [tex]\(\det(A_x)\)[/tex].
- The third determinant calculated is [tex]\(\det(A_y)\)[/tex].

Hence, the minimum number of determinants needed to solve for all unknowns in this system using Cramer's Rule is 3.