Class 12 Mathematics SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS Notes

Class 12 Mathematics System of Linear Equations Notes | Nepal eNotes

Unit 19

Computational Method

Class 12 Mathematics

System of Linear Equations

Class 12 Mathematics – System of Linear Equations Notes PDF

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NEB / CDC Focus

This unit covers computational solution of systems of linear equations using Gauss elimination and Gauss-Seidel iteration, together with recognition of ill-conditioned systems.

1. System of Linear Equations

Definition

A system of linear equations is a collection of linear equations in the same unknowns that must be satisfied simultaneously.

a₁₁x₁+a₁₂x₂+⋯+a₁ₙxₙ=b₁aₙ₁x₁+aₙ₂x₂+⋯+aₙₙxₙ=bₙ

In matrix form: AX=B.

Linear System → Augmented Matrix 2x+y−z=8−3x−y+2z=−11−2x+y+2z=−3 [ A | B ]row operations
Figure 1: Computational methods work naturally with the augmented matrix.

2. Gauss Elimination Method

Gauss elimination transforms the augmented matrix into upper triangular/echelon form using elementary row operations, then uses back substitution.

Elementary Row Operations
  • Interchange two rows.
  • Multiply a row by a non-zero constant.
  • Add a multiple of one row to another row.
  1. Choose a non-zero pivot in the first column.
  2. Eliminate entries below the pivot.
  3. Repeat for the next columns.
  4. Obtain triangular form.
  5. Back-substitute from the last equation.
Forward Elimination Full systemnon-zero entries below pivots Upper triangularback substitute
Figure 2: Forward elimination creates a triangular system.

3. Pivoting and Back Substitution

If a pivot is zero or very small, interchange rows where appropriate. A better pivot can reduce numerical error.

Mini Example

After elimination suppose:

2x+y−z=8
−2y+z=−5
−z=−2

Then z=2, y=7/2, and substitute into the first equation for x.

4. Gauss-Seidel Iterative Method

Gauss-Seidel rewrites each equation to solve for one unknown and repeatedly updates values using the newest available estimates.

x₁=(b₁−a₁₂x₂−⋯−a₁ₙxₙ)/a₁₁x₂=(b₂−a₂₁x₁−⋯)/a₂₂

Starting from guesses x₁⁽⁰⁾,x₂⁽⁰⁾,…, compute successive iterates until changes are sufficiently small.

Gauss-Seidel Iteration Initial guessx⁽⁰⁾ Update valuesuse newest estimates Check errorrepeat if needed
Figure 3: Gauss-Seidel is an iterative rather than direct method.

5. Convergence and Diagonal Dominance

A common sufficient condition for reliable Gauss-Seidel convergence is strict diagonal dominance:

|aᵢᵢ| > Σj≠i|aᵢⱼ| for each row i.

Rearranging equations can sometimes improve diagonal dominance.

6. Ill-Conditioned Systems

An ill-conditioned system is one in which small changes in coefficients or constants may cause large changes in the computed solution.

Warning signs include nearly dependent equations, very small pivots, and strong sensitivity to rounding.

Well-Conditioned vs Ill-Conditioned Geometry clear intersection nearly parallel → sensitive solution
Figure 4: Nearly parallel equations can make a system numerically sensitive.

7. Worked Examples

Gauss Elimination

Solve x+y=5, 2x−y=1.

Add the equations: 3x=6⇒x=2; then y=3. The same operations are represented as row elimination.

Gauss-Seidel Setup

For 10x+y=11, x+10y=11:

x=(11−y)/10,   y=(11−x)/10.

Starting at (0,0), successive updates approach (1,1).

Method Choice Gauss eliminationdirect finite sequence of row operations Gauss-Seidelsuccessive approximations
Figure 5: Direct and iterative methods solve the same type of system differently.

8. Common Mistakes

Row-operation arithmetic

Apply each operation to every entry, including the RHS.

Zero pivot

Interchange rows rather than dividing by zero.

Old values in Gauss-Seidel

Use the newest values as soon as they are available.

No convergence check

Do not stop solely after a fixed small number of iterations unless instructed.

9. Important Exam Questions

  1. Solve a 3×3 system by Gauss elimination.
  2. Explain forward elimination and back substitution.
  3. Perform Gauss-Seidel iterations to a stated accuracy.
  4. Check diagonal dominance.
  5. Explain an ill-conditioned system and its computational effect.

10. One-Minute Revision

  • Write the system as an augmented matrix.
  • Gauss elimination: triangularize then back-substitute.
  • Gauss-Seidel: iterate using newest values.
  • Diagonal dominance is a useful convergence condition.
  • Ill-conditioned systems are highly sensitive to small data errors.

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