Example

Formulating an Augmented Matrix from a Two-Variable and Three-Variable System

To write a linear system as an augmented matrix, ensure every equation is in standard form before extracting the coefficients and constants.

For example, given the two-variable system: 3x+8y=33x + 8y = -3 2x=5y32x = -5y - 3 Rewrite the second equation in standard form as 2x+5y=32x + 5y = -3 so the variables align. The augmented matrix is: [383253]\left[\begin{array}{cc|c} 3 & 8 & -3 2 & 5 & -3 \end{array}\right]

For a three-variable system such as: 2x5y+3z=82x - 5y + 3z = 8 3xy+4z=73x - y + 4z = 7 x+3y+2z=3x + 3y + 2z = -3 Since all equations are already in standard form, their values can be extracted directly: [253831471323]\left[\begin{array}{ccc|c} 2 & -5 & 3 & 8 3 & -1 & 4 & 7 1 & 3 & 2 & -3 \end{array}\right]

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Updated 2026-06-27

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Ch.4 Systems of Linear Equations - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

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