Cramer’s rule 2×2 , 3×3 is a method used to solve systems of linear equations using determinants. So It applies to systems of n linear equations with n variables, assuming that the determinent of the co-efficient matrix is non zero. This rule provides precise formulas for solving a system of linear equations using determinants.
Consider this system of linear equations:

where:
- A is a square matrix (with size n×n)
- x is a column vector of unknowns x_1,x_2,…,x_ n,
- b represents a column vector of constants. b_1,b_2,…,b_n
The matrix equation can be written as:

Step-by-Step Instructions for Cramer’s rule 2×2
1. Calculate the determinant of the coefficient matrix: Check if matrix A’s determinant (det(𝐴)) is non-zero. Because if det(A) = 0, the system lacks a unique solution and cannot be solved using Cramer’s Rule.
2. Construct Matrices A_1, A_2,…, A_n: For each unknown x_i, construct a new matrix A_i by substituting the i-th column of matrix A with the column vector b. Substitute the constants from vector b for the i-th column of A to produce the i-th matrix A_i.
- A1 is formed by replacing the first column of A with b
- A2 is created by substituting b for A’s second column.
- and so on for all columns.
3. Calculate the determinants of the modified matrix: Determine the determinant of each matrix A i, denoted as det(A_i), for each i=1, 2,…,n.
4. Solve for Each x_i: The solution for each unknown x_i is given by:

for i=1,2,…,n.
For example:
Consider this system of linear equations:

The coefficient matrix A is:

The column vector b is

Step 1: Firstly, Calculate det(A)

Step 2: Create matrices A_1 and A_2.
- For x, replace the first column of A with b:

- For y, change the second column of A to b:

Step 3: Compute the determinants of A_1 and A_2


then,
Step 4: Solve for x and y:


So, lastly, the solution to the system is:

Cramer’s rule 2×2 simplifies the process of solving linear equations using determinants. However, it is computationally expensive for big systems due to the necessity to calculate numerous determinants.
Practice problems
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