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Answer the following problem:

Let \(A\) be a \(4 \times 3\) matrix. Denote by \(C_i\) the \(i\)-th column of \(A\), and let \(b=C_1-2C_3.\)

(a) Prove that the system \(A x = b\) has a solution.

Suppose \(A=\begin{pmatrix}a_{11} & a_{12} & a_{13}\\ a_{21} & a_{22} & a_{23}\\ a_{31} & a_{32} & a_{33}\\ a_{41} & a_{42} & a_{43}\end{pmatrix}\), then \(Ax=b\Rightarrow\begin{pmatrix}a_{11} & a_{12} & a_{13}\\ a_{21} & a_{22} & a_{23}\\ a_{31} & a_{32} & a_{33}\\ a_{41} & a_{42} & a_{43}\end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix}x_1\\ x_2\\ x_3\end{pmatrix}=\begin{pmatrix}a_{11}-2a_{13}\\ a_{21}-2a_{23}\\ a_{31}-2a_{33}\\ a_{41}-2a_{43}\end{pmatrix}\)

Then we have \(\begin{cases}a_{11}x_1+a_{12}x_2+a_{13}x_3=a_{11}-2a_{13}\\ a_{21}x_1+a_{22}x_2+a_{23}x_3=a_{21}-2a_{23}\\ a_{31}x_1+a_{32}x_2+a_{33}x_3=a_{31}-2a_{33}\\ a_{41}x_1+a_{42}x_2+a_{43}x_3=a_{41}-2a_{43}\end{cases}\)

Obviously, there exists a solution which is \(x_0=\begin{pmatrix}1\\ 0\\ -2\end{pmatrix}\)

Thus the system \(A x = b\) has a solution.

(b) Assume that \(\text{rank}(A) = 2\), and that \(x_0 = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 1 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}\) is a solution to \(A x = b\). Prove that the system has infinitely many solutions, find the degree of freedom, and write the general solution.

Since \(\begin{cases}a_{11}x_1+a_{12}x_2+a_{13}x_3=a_{11}-2a_{13}\\ a_{21}x_1+a_{22}x_2+a_{23}x_3=a_{21}-2a_{23}\\ a_{31}x_1+a_{32}x_2+a_{33}x_3=a_{31}-2a_{33}\\ a_{41}x_1+a_{42}x_2+a_{43}x_3=a_{41}-2a_{43}\end{cases}\) and \(x_0 = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 1 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}\), then \(\begin{cases}a_{11}+a_{12}+a_{13}=a_{11}-2a_{13}\\ a_{21}+a_{22}+a_{23}=a_{21}-2a_{23}\\ a_{31}+a_{32}+a_{33}=a_{31}-2a_{33}\\ a_{41}+a_{42}+a_{43}=a_{41}-2a_{43}\end{cases}\)

Then \(\begin{cases}a_{12}=-3a_{13}\\ a_{22}=-3a_{23}\\ a_{32}=-3a_{33}\\ a_{42}=-3a_{43}\end{cases}\), Let's consider \(A\) be the row-reduced echelon form, thus the first column must have a pivot which is \(a_{11}=1\)

Then \(a_{i2}=-3a_{i3}\), since \(a_{i2}\) is in the front of \(a_{i3}\), then \(\exists a_{i2}=1\)

Since \(rank(A)=2\), then \(\exists!a_{i2}=1,a_{i3}=-\frac13\)

Since \(A\) is the row-reduced echelon form, then \(a_{22}=1,a_{23}=-\frac13\) and \(a_{12},a_{32},a_{42}=0\Rightarrow a_{13},a_{33},a_{43}=0\)

We have \(A=\begin{pmatrix}1 & 0 & 0\\ 0 & 1 & -\frac13\\ 0 & 0 & 0\\ 0 & 0 & 0\end{pmatrix}\), then \(\begin{cases}x_1=1\\ x_2-\frac13x_3=\frac23\end{cases}\)

Then \(x_3\) can be any values, thus the system has infinitely many solutions

The degree of freedom is 1

The general solution is \(\begin{cases}x_1=1\\ x_2=\frac23+\frac13x_3\\ x_3 \end{cases}\)

Answer the following questions:

  1. Rate the difficulty of the given problem. \((1 - \text{very easy}, 9 - \text{very hard})\) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

  2. How confident are you that you answered correctly? \((1 - \text{not confident at all}, 9 - \text{very confident})\) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

If you think you were right, what helped you answer correctly?

Maybe the idea that lecturer taught me, i have a deep understanding of row-reduced echelon form, thus i can use it and simplify the matrix easily, and i also consider the idea of question and its meaning.

If you think you were wrong, what could have helped you answer correctly?

  1. Do you agree with the following statements? \((1 - \text{don't agree at all}, 9 - \text{strongly agree})\)

    (a) I understand the problem's instructions and what it means to write a formal solution. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

    (b) I intuitively understand what is the solution to the problem. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

(c) My teachers expect me to strictly follow the solution path demonstrated in class. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

(d) My teachers encourage me to develop independent thinking. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

  1. Give an example of a tip you have learned in the lectures or tutorials in order to succeed in mathematics.

    If i want to examine whether i really have a good command of a mathematics question or concept. I should retell it to myself and try to teach others. If i succeed, I really understand it. I think this method is really helpful