Chapter 4 System of Linear Equations

Section 4.3 LS in three Variables

4.3.2 Solvability and Comparison Method, graphical Interpretation

As described in section 4.2 for systems of two linear equations in two variables, the question for solvability and the solution of the system can be traced back very clearly to the question for existence and position of the intersection point of two lines. And of course, one should think about whether for systems of three linear equations a similar graphical interpretation can be found.
If the previous two-dimensional space (for the variables $x$ and $y$) is supplemented by another dimension or variable, namely $z$, then using a linear equation in this three variables

${\displaystyle a_{11}·x+a_{12}·y+a_{13}·z=b_1\hspace{0.5em}}$

a plane is represented in general form. This equation is similar to the equation of a line we already investigated. For $a_{13}\ne 0$, this equation can be solved for $z$:

${\displaystyle z=\frac{b_1}{a_{13}}-\frac{a_{11}}{a_{13}}·x-\frac{a_{12}}{a_{13}}·y\hspace{0.5em},}$

which is the explicit form of the equation of the very same plane. The last equation assigns every pair $(x;y)$, i.e. every point in the $x$-$y$-plane, a value $z$, i.e. a height in three-dimensional space. Thus, a surface above the $x$-$y$-plane is created, which is a plane due to the linearity of the equation.
Now, not only the first equation of the system 4.3.2 has to be satisfied but simultaneously also the second and third equation which can be graphically interpreted as planes as well. If we are now interested in the solution of a system of three linear equations, we have to investigate - in the graphical interpretation - the intersection behaviour of three planes. On this point, let us first investigate an example.
The graphical interpretation is now used to describe the solution sets of systems of three linear equations that can occur:

• If (at least) two of the three planes are parallel to each other (without being congruent), the system has no solution: Planes that are parallel (without being congruent) do not intersect and hence the equations describing the planes cannot hold simultaneously.
  
• If two of the three planes are congruent, the intersection set with the third (non-parallel) plane is an intersection line. All points on this intersection line are solutions of the system. Hence, the solution set is infinite.
  
• If the three planes are congruent, all points of the (congruent) planes are solutions of the system. Again, the solution set is infinite.
  
• A unique solution can only exist in this last case: The three (non-parallel and non-congruent) planes have three intersection lines (intersection of plane $(1)$ and plane $(2)$, intersection of plane $(2)$ and plane $(3)$, and intersection of plane $(1)$ and plane $(3)$):
  • If two of the three intersection lines are parallel, the system has no solution.
    
  • If two of the three intersection lines are congruent, the system has an infinite number of solutions.
    
  • If the three intersection lines intersect in one point, the solution is unique and the solution set consists of exactly one element.
    
  
  

Despite this illustrative graphical interpretation, the case analysis for the solution set is rather complex. Therefore, algebraic methods for investigating the solvability of systems of linear equations and for finding their solution sets will be all the more important, in particular, if the systems will get larger and the graphical interpretation gets more complex or even impossible. The addition method, which will be discussed again below, is one of these suitable methods.
By the way, in the above example 4.3.3 it is not necessary to find the third intersection line and to check whether this third intersection line intersects the two other lines in their intersection point: This is automatically true since equating the right-hand sides of equation $(1\text{'})$ and equation $(2\text{'})$ (first intersection line/equation $(A)$) and equating the right-hand sides of equation $(2\text{'})$ and equation $(3\text{'})$ (second intersection line/equation $(B)$) guaranties the validity of the equation of the third intersection line (right-hand side of $(1\text{'})$ = right-hand side of $(3\text{'})$):

${\displaystyle x+y=4-2x+y\iff 3x=4\mathrm{\hspace{0.5em}\hspace{0.5em}}:\hspace{0.5em}\text{equation}\hspace{0.5em}(C)\hspace{0.5em}.}$


In the example, the comparison method was used since it relates very closely to the geometric interpretation. Equating explicit equations of planes or lines, respectively, corresponds precisely to the determination of intersection lines and points.