[Math] System of Linear Equations using Mod

cryptographylinear algebramodular arithmeticmodules

I just want to check that I did a certain problem correctly. This is it:
$$a+b=3 \pmod{26}\\2a+b=7 \pmod{26}$$
Solve for $a$ and $b$

Now I setup the augmented matrix:
$$\left[ \begin{array}{ccc}
1 & 1 & 3 \\
2 & 1 & 7 \end{array} \right]$$

After doing elementary row operations I get:
$$\left[ \begin{array}{ccc}
1 & 0 & 4 \\
0 & 1 & -1 \end{array} \right]$$

That yields:
$$4-1=3\pmod{26}\\
8-1=7\pmod{26}$$

Did I do that correctly?

Best Answer

The matrix manipulations are correct, but the interpretation of the answer isn't. After doing row operations, your matrix is the augmented matrix of the system \begin{align*} a \qquad & \equiv \phantom{-}4 \pmod{26} \\ \qquad b & \equiv -1 \pmod{26}. \end{align*} So that's your solution: $a\equiv4\pmod{26}$, $b\equiv-1\equiv25\pmod{26}$. You can check that this solution satisfies both original congruences (and also check that the solution you originally obtained does not).