Back to Gauss’s Method

Exercise 25

Avg difficulty 3.0

“This system of nn linear equations with nn unknowns,” said the Great Mathematician, “has a curious property.”

“Good heavens!” said the Poor Nut, “What is it?”

“Note,” said the Great Mathematician, “that the constants are in arithmetic progression.”

“It’s all so clear when you explain it!” said the Poor Nut. “Do you mean like 6x+9y=126x+9y=12 and 15x+18y=2115x+18y=21?”

“Quite so,” said the Great Mathematician, pulling out his bassoon. “Indeed, the system has a unique solution. Can you find it?”

“Good heavens!” cried the Poor Nut, “I am baffled.”

Are you?

Hefferon, Linear Algebra, Linear Systems, Gauss’s Method, Exercise 25

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Adapted from Linear Algebra © 2016 Jim Hefferon. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 US. Source: Linear Algebra. Imported at revision df2262e.