Test

Math 314 – Linear Algebra for Differential Equations

Dr. Peratt
November 21, 2019

Directions: On a separate sheet of paper, carefully complete the problems. Show enough work so
that I can give partial credit where justified. Remember that your goal is always to convince
me that you know what is going on. Unless otherwise noted, feel free to use your TI-89 to
perform computations.

1. Parametric Functions:

(a) Eliminate the parameter and identify the curve traced out by the following parametric
function, making sure to identify the starting point and orientation:

x = −3 · cos t
y = 5 · sin t

(b) Write the parametric form and vector form of a line that passes through P (1, 3, −5)
and Q(−3, 5, 1).

2. Possibilities for Solutions: For each of the following scenarios, determine: (1) the dimen-
sion of the space, (2) the number of planes under consideration, (3) the dimension of each
plane, and (4) the possible dimensions of the solution.

(a) A system of 5 equations in 8 unknowns.

(b) A system of 8 equations in 5 unknowns.
(c) A systems whose augmented matrix is 3 × 7.

3. Row Reduction: Row-reduce the following matrix by hand, showing the steps taken:

−2 6 18
! "

3 5 −6

4. Interpreting RREF: The following augmented matrix represents the reduced row-echelon
form of an augmented matrix for a system of equations.
⎛ ⎞
1 −2 0 0 −3 7
⎜ 0 0 1 0 5 −4 ⎟
⎜ ⎟
⎝ 0 0 0 1 7 2 ⎠
0 0 0 0 0 0

(a) Identify the dimension of the space we are in.

(b) Identify the number of planes under consideration.
(c) Identify the free variables and the dimension of the solution space.
(d) Write the parametric form of the solution space.
(e) Write the vector parametric form of the solution space.
 5. Conceptual Questions on Matrix Arithmetic: Consider a matrix, B, which has seven
rows and three columns. If B is multiplied by another matrix, D, such that D × B is a
matrix with 4 rows and 3 columns, determine the dimensions of D.

6. Using Matrix Inversion: A four number sequence is encoded by placing it as a column

vector and multiplying it by a matrix whose columns are famous dates in history: Columbus
sailing to the New World – [1, 4, 9, 2], beginning of the American Revolution – [1, 7, 7, 6], end
of the American Civil War – [1, 8, 6, 5], and the end of World War II – [1, 9, 4, 5]. The result,
[8, 0, 16, 32], is then transported to be uncoded. Find the original four number sequence.

7. Jordan Canonical Decomposition: Use an eigenvalue analysis to sketch a phase diagram

of each of the following linear transformations.
⎛ ⎞
0.6420 −0.1680
(a) ⎝ ⎠
−0.1120 0.6980

⎛ ⎞
0.1871 −0.6120
(b) ⎝ ⎠
0.6120 0.1871

Extra Credit: Use matrices and RREF to balance the following chemical equation:

NaHCO3 + H3 C6 H5 O7 −→ Na3 C6 H5 O7 + H2 O + CO2 .