Question

i need to solve a matrix... but i don't really understand it... its:

Answer 1

[ 1 -1 -1 : 3 ]
[ 4 -2 1 : 5 ]
[ 3 -1 3 : 8 ]

Answer 2

It looks like an augmented matrix, you could use row operations, or Cramer's rule if you've learned it.

Answer 3

The first column is your x, second is y, third is z, fourth is the equals column. The numbers are the coefficients.

Answer 4

ah ha... the : is an =,
all good now, cheers!

Answer 5

Yep, sometimes it's written with a solid line kinda like this, and other times nothing at all (which I don't agree with, there should be something to indicate it's an augmented matrix)

[ 1 -1 -1 | 3 ]
[ 4 -2 1 | 5 ]
[ 3 -1 3 | 8 ]