Question

How do you solve for 'a' if it's the second variable of an augmented matrix? The matrix is:2 a 0 -4 (next row) -2 3 1 7 (next row) -2 0 -2 -2

Answer 1

you can still apply all of the rules you were taught in linear algebra. This type of problem is not one you can just type into your graphing calculator because of the variable, eventually you solve for a

Answer 2

but once you find a, you can double check your solution with your graphing calculator. It has been awhile since I have done linear algebra, so I probably won't be able to help you much