Solving System of Equations: What Gives?

In summary, the book and cramster websites give different solutions for the equation \bar I_2 = -4+2j.
  • #1
FrogPad
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I'm not sure if this even belongs in the calculus forum because it is rather basic, but here it goes.

I'm working on this circuit problem and I could NOT figure out what I was doing wrong.

My solution has led me to the following system of equations:

(1) [tex] (2+j2)\bar I_1 +(j1)\bar I_2 = 10 [/tex]
(2) [tex] (j)\bar I_1 +(2+j2)\bar I_2 = 0 [/tex]

I then bought a cramster account since they have the solutions for my book. Their solution is the same system of equations (1) and (2).

HOWEVER. When the book AND the cramster solution solves for [itex] \bar I_2 [/itex] they yield the following:
(by the way I just need [itex] \bar I_2 [/itex] to solve the problem)

[tex] \bar I_2 = \frac{10}{-2-j} =-4+2j[/tex]

Now when I solve the following matrix (with the help of a calculator) I have:
[tex] \left( \begin{array}{cc} 2+j2 & j \\ j & 2+j2 \end{array} \right) \left( \begin{array}{c} \bar I_1 \\ \bar I_2 \end{array} \left) = \left( \begin{array}{c} 10 \\ 0 \end{array} \right) [/tex]

Solving yields the following result:
(1*) [tex] \bar I_1 = \frac{36}{13} - \frac{28}{13}j [/tex]
(2*) [tex] \bar I_2 = -\frac{16}{13} - \frac{2}{13}j [/tex]

Now if I plug (1*) and (2*) back into (1) and (2) I get [itex] 10 [/itex] and [itex] 0 [/itex] respectively.

So what gives? Is the book and cramster wrong?
I haven't taken complex analysis, so maybe there are more then one solutions to [itex] \bar I_2 [/itex] How do I know which one is right?

grr... I was tearing my hair out thinking I did something wrong.
 
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  • #2
If you want to compare your solution with the one you found, they have to be in the same form. The cramster solution is not yet in the form a+bj, you need to multiply numerator and denominator with the complement of the denominator. This should give -4+2j, still not the same as your answer - although I see nothing wrong with your system, matrix and solution.
 
  • #3
TD said:
If you want to compare your solution with the one you found, they have to be in the same form.

My bad on that. I should have shown it in comparable forms (I did this, but didn't post that work on here). I'll edit my post to reflect the change.Let me refine my question a bit.

Given the system of equations
[tex] (2+j2)\bar I_1 +(j1)\bar I_2 = 10 [/tex]
[tex] (j)\bar I_1 +(2+j2)\bar I_2 = 0 [/tex]

Is it possible for [itex] \bar I_2 = -4+2j [/itex] to be a solution?

For example, if I was given the following system of equations:
[tex] y = x [/tex]
[tex] y = -x +10 [/tex]

I know that the only solutions are: [tex] x=5 [/tex] and [tex] x=-5 [/tex]. Since I've already shown that (1*) and (2*) [from my original post] are solutions, can I simply conclude that [itex] \bar I_2 = -4+2j [/itex] is incorrect.

I just can't imagine the book and an independent website both being wrong, and I'm also interested to know how solutions form with complex numbers.
 
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  • #4
Your coefficient matrix is invertible-> there is a unique solution.

You can check their answer by substituting it into both equations and solving for [tex]\bar I_1[/tex], looks like you get different answers.

Maybe cramster just used what the book had.
 
  • #5
ahhh... I don't know why I said x=5 and x=-5 above :)
I definitely spaced on that, but from the simplicity of the system, it's obvious what the answer is.


anyways
thanks everyone.
 

FAQ: Solving System of Equations: What Gives?

What is a system of equations?

A system of equations is a set of equations that have multiple variables and must be solved simultaneously. The solution to a system of equations is a set of values that make all of the equations true.

How can I solve a system of equations?

There are several methods for solving a system of equations, such as substitution, elimination, and graphing. Each method involves manipulating the equations to eliminate one variable and then solving for the remaining variables.

What is the importance of solving a system of equations?

Solving a system of equations allows us to find the values of multiple variables that satisfy a set of equations. This is useful in many real-world applications, such as finding the intersection point of two lines or finding the optimal solution to a problem with multiple constraints.

What are the common mistakes when solving a system of equations?

Some common mistakes when solving a system of equations include forgetting to distribute negative signs, making errors in algebraic manipulation, and forgetting to check the solution in all of the original equations.

How can I check if my solution to a system of equations is correct?

To check if a solution to a system of equations is correct, you can substitute the values into each equation and see if they make the equations true. You can also graph the equations and see if the intersection point matches your solution.

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