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Study Guides > Finite Math

Why It Matters

Solve systems of linear equations using matrices and solve problems in manufacturing and investment

Introduction

You sit down with your bookkeeper to go over some bills, which are vague. Company Q simply sends you the total of items ordered and the total cost. It does not give you a price breakdown. It is midnight, and you have a report due the next morning which requires you to give the prices you are currently paying for products x, y, and z. How do you determine this?
Quantity for x Quantity for y Quantity for z Total on bill before taxes
Invoice 1 1 5 6 1400
Invoice 2 2 4 8 1400
Invoice 3 4 3 12 1600
100, 200, 50

Learning Outcomes

  • Construct linear systems of equations to model business situations
  • Perform basic matrix operations, including adding, subtracting, and multiplying matrices
  • Use row reduction of matrices to solve a linear system of equations
  • Find the inverse of a matrix (including bigger than 2x2)
  • Use the matrix inverse to solve a system of linear equations
  • Solve business applications of linear systems, including some with 3 or more variables.

Licenses & Attributions

CC licensed content, Original