Introduction
Engineers often need to solve large systems of linear equations; for example in determining the forces in a large framework or finding currents in a complicated electrical circuit. The method of Gauss elimination provides a systematic approach to their solution.
Prerequisites
- be familiar with matrix algebra
Learning Outcomes
- identify the row operations which allow the reduction of a system of linear equations to upper triangular form
- use back-substitution to solve a system of equations in echelon form
- understand and use the method of Gauss elimination to solve a system of three simultaneous linear equations
Contents
1 Solving three equations in three unknowns2 The general system of three simultaneous linear equations
3 Equations which have an infinite number of solutions
4 Engineering Example 3
4.1 Currents in three loops
5 Engineering Example 4
5.1 Velocity of a rocket