[Math] Solution of a system of linear equations with $n$ variables

linear algebramatrices

I have a system of linear equations with $n$ variables

\begin{cases}
a_{11}x_1 + a_{12}x_2 + \dots + a_{1n}x_n = \frac{1}{2}x_1\\[4pt]
a_{21}x_1 + a_{22}x_2 + \dots + a_{2n}x_n = \frac{1}{2}x_2\\[4pt]
\qquad\dots\\[4pt]
a_{n1}x_1 + a_{n2}x_2 + \dots + a_{nn}x_n = \frac{1}{2}x_n\\
\end{cases}

where $a_{ij} \in \mathbb{Z}$ ($i, j \in \mathbb{N}$)

I have to show that this system has exactly one solution.
As I see it, I should show that the matrix of this system is non-singular.
I tried using Gauss method but didn't get far.

Best Answer

Hint You should move the "right hand side" to the left and re-write the system as

$$ (\mathbf{A} - \frac12 \mathbf{I})\vec{x} = 0 $$

where $\mathbf{I}$ is the identity matrix. Now analyze the matrix $\mathbf{A} - \frac12 \mathbf{I}$ to see if it is singular.

Hint 2 We want to consider $\det(\mathbf{A} - \frac12 \mathbf{I})$ and show that this is non-zero. Let us be more general and consider the characteristic polynomial $\det(\mathbf{A} - \lambda \mathbf{I})$ as a polynomial in $\lambda$. We want to show that $\frac12$ cannot be a root of this polynomial. This follows from the fact that monic polynomials in one variable with integer coefficients cannot have rational roots away from the integers.

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