MAT1503/101/0/2023

Tutorial Letter 101/0/2023

Linear Algebra I
MAT1503

Year Module

Department of Mathematical Sciences

This tutorial letter contains important information about the correction of errata in
Assignment 3.

BARCODE
 MAT1503/101/0/2023

ASSIGNMENT 03
Due date: Monday, 26 June 2023
Total Marks: 100

ONLY FOR YEAR MODULE

This assignment covers chapters 1 & 2 of the prescribed book as well as the study
guide, it is specifically based on Study Units 1.5, 1.7 & 2.1. Note that this assignment
will close on 26 June 2023 at 2:00 PM

Question 1: 8 Marks

(1.1) Prove that the points (a, b), (c, d) and (e, f ) are collinear points whenever (3)

a b 1
c d 1 =0
e f 1
to determine the equation of the line passing through the distinct points (a1 , b1 ) and (a2 , b2 ),
where | · | stands for det(·), the determinant.

(1.2) Determine all minors and cofactors of the matrix A given below (5)
 
2 −1 1 3
 0 1 1 3 
 
 2 1 1 0 
2 0 −1 −2

Question 2: 9 Marks

(2.1) Use the reduced row echelon form to verify that det(−A) = det(−AT ). (4)
 
3 1 −2
A =  2 1 −1  .
−1 0 −2

(2.2) Use inspection to find (Without calculating the determinant) (2)

1 0 0 0
0 1 0 0
0 0 1 0
0 0 0 −2

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(2.3) Use inspection to find (Without calculating the determinant) (3)

1 0 0 0
0 1 0 0
0 0 0 1
0 0 41 0

Question 3: 7 Marks

(3.1) Investigate the condition on x, y, z, t, u and v for which the matrices A and B commute (3)
   
x y t u
A= and B = .
0 z 0 v

(3.2) Find det(−2A) and compare it to det(A) for (4)

 
−2 1 3
A =  1 −1 2  .
2 3 1

Question 4: 6 Marks

Use Cramer’s rule to solve for y and z 

2x + y + z = 0

3x + 2y + z = −1

x + y − z = −1


Question 5: 17 Marks

(5.1) Compute the product AB for (3)

   
1 0 −1 1 0 −2
A =  −1 3 1  and B =  1 −1 2 
2 0 −1 2 1 −1

(5.2) Use your answer in (6.1) to verify that det(AB) = det(A) det(B). (4)

(5.3) Determine whether each equality det(A − B) = det(A) - det(B) and det(A−1 + B −1 ) = (10)
det(A) + det(B)
holds.
det(AB)

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Question 6: 5 Marks

Assume that A is a 3 by 3 matrix such that det(A) = −10. Let B be a matrix obtained from A using the
following elementary row operations:

R3 − 2R1 → R3 ,
7
− R1 → R1 ,
3
5
R2 → R2
2
R3 ↔ R2 .

Find the determinant of B obtained from the resulting operations, i.e., det(B).

Question 7: 9 Marks

(7.1) Determine for which value (s) of k will the matrix below be singular. (5)
 
2 2 1
A= 3 1 3 
1 3 k

(7.2) Given that (4)

a b c
d e f = −3
g h i
Evaluate the determinant: det(A) and det(B) for
   
−a −b −c a b c
A =  2d 2e 2f  and B =  2a − d 2b − e 2c − f  .
3g 3h 3i d e f

Question 8: 4 Marks

Let ⃗u =< 1, −1, 2 >, ⃗v =< 1, 0, −2 > and w

⃗ =< −1, 1, −2 >. Compute the expressions below.

(8.1) ⃗v + 4w
⃗. (1)

(8.2) 3⃗u − 3⃗v (1)

(8.3) −(2⃗v − 2⃗u ). (2)

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Question 9: 12 Marks

(9.1) Find the area of the triangle with the given vertices A(1, 3), B(−3, 5), and C with C = 2A. (3)

(9.2) Use (9.1) to find the coordinates of the point D such that the quadrilateral ABCD is a paral- (3)
lelogram.

(9.3) Sketch the triangle with vertices A(1, 2), B(3, 5), and C(2, 4) and the points D(0, 2), E(0, 5) (6)
and F (0, 4) on the same xy -plane. Use the determinant to find the area of the triangle.

Question 10: 4 Marks

Consider the vectors ⃗u =< −2, 2, −3 >, ⃗v =< −1, 3, −4 >, w

⃗ =< 2, −6, 2 > and the points A(2, 6, −1)
and B(−3, −5, 7). Evaluate

(10.1) The distance between the two points. (1)

(10.2) ||2⃗u − 3⃗v + 12 w

⃗ ||. (1)

⃗.
(10.3) The unit vector in the direction of w (2)

Question 11: 2 Marks

We assume given a plane U passing by the tip of the vectors ⃗u =< −1, 1, 2 >, ⃗v =< 2, −1, 0 > and
⃗ =< 1, 1, 3 >.
w

(11.1) Find the dot products ⃗u · ⃗v and w

⃗ · ⃗v (1)

(11.2) Determine whether or not there is a vector ⃗n that is perpendicular to U. If yes, then find the (1)
vector ⃗n. Otherwise explain why such a vector does not exist?

Question 12: 13 Marks

(12.1) Suppose ⃗u ; ⃗v and w

⃗ are vectors in 3D, where ⃗u = (u1 , u2 , u3 ) ; ⃗v = (v1 , v2 , v3 ) and w
⃗ = (2)
(w1 , w2 , w3 ).

Express (⃗u × ⃗v ) · w
⃗ as a determinant.

(12.2) Compute and find a relation between the expressions (3)

⃗u · (⃗v × w
⃗ ), w
⃗ · (⃗u × ⃗v ), and ⃗v · (w
⃗ × ⃗u )

(12.3) Find an expression for (1)

⃗u × (⃗v × w
⃗)

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(12.4) Find the side lengths and angles of the triangle with vertices the tips of the vectors in Question (2)
10 above.

(12.5) Use ⃗u and ⃗v from Question 10 to find the area of the parallelogram formed by ⃗u and ⃗v . (2)

(12.6) Use ⃗u , ⃗v and w

⃗ from Question 10 to find the volume of the parallelepiped with edges deter- (3)
mined by the three vectors ⃗u , ⃗v and w
⃗.

Question 13: 4 Marks

Assume that U is a plane. Find out whether or not the following vectors lie in U:

(13.1) ⃗u =< 3, 8, 1 >, ⃗v =< −4, 1, 1 > and w

⃗ = −⃗v (2)

(13.2) ⃗u =< 3, 8, 1 >, ⃗v =< −4, 1, 1 > and w

⃗ = ⃗u − ⃗v (2)

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