Find the Value of x y and z Calculator (3 Linear Equations)
Enter the coefficients (a, b, c) and constants (d) for each of the three linear equations:
Equation 1: a1*x + b1*y + c1*z = d1
Equation 2: a2*x + b2*y + c2*z = d2
Equation 3: a3*x + b3*y + c3*z = d3
Intermediate Values:
Determinant (D): –
Determinant (Dx): –
Determinant (Dy): –
Determinant (Dz): –
We use Cramer's rule to solve the system. x = Dx/D, y = Dy/D, z = Dz/D, where D is the determinant of the coefficient matrix, and Dx, Dy, Dz are determinants of matrices formed by replacing a column with the constant vector.
Chart of x, y, z values
| Equation | a | b | c | d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 1 | -1 | 8 |
| 2 | -3 | -1 | 2 | -11 |
| 3 | -2 | 1 | 2 | -3 |
What is a Find the Value of x y and z Calculator?
A "find the value of x y and z calculator" is a tool designed to solve a system of three linear equations with three variables (x, y, and z). These systems are typically represented as:
- a1*x + b1*y + c1*z = d1
- a2*x + b2*y + c2*z = d2
- a3*x + b3*y + c3*z = d3
This calculator takes the coefficients (a1, b1, c1, a2, b2, c2, a3, b3, c3) and the constants (d1, d2, d3) as inputs and determines the unique values of x, y, and z that satisfy all three equations simultaneously, provided a unique solution exists. It often uses methods like Cramer's rule or Gaussian elimination internally.
Who Should Use It?
This calculator is beneficial for:
- Students: Those studying algebra, linear algebra, or any field involving systems of equations (e.g., physics, engineering, economics).
- Engineers and Scientists: Professionals who encounter systems of linear equations in their modeling and analysis work.
- Economists: For solving economic models with multiple variables.
- Programmers: When developing algorithms that involve solving linear systems.
Common Misconceptions
A common misconception is that every system of three linear equations will have exactly one unique solution. However, there are three possibilities:
- One unique solution: The planes representing the equations intersect at a single point.
- No solution: The planes are parallel or intersect in pairs but not at a common point.
- Infinitely many solutions: The planes intersect along a line or are coincident.
Our find the value of x y and z calculator will indicate if a unique solution is not found.
Find the Value of x y and z Calculator: Formula and Mathematical Explanation
The most common method for a find the value of x y and z calculator, especially for manual or straightforward programmatic solutions, is Cramer's Rule. It involves determinants.
Given the system:
a1*x + b1*y + c1*z = d1
a2*x + b2*y + c2*z = d2
a3*x + b3*y + c3*z = d3
1. Calculate the determinant of the coefficient matrix (D):
D = a1(b2c3 – b3c2) – b1(a2c3 – a3c2) + c1(a2b3 – a3b2)
2. Calculate the determinant Dx: Replace the first column (coefficients of x) with the constants d1, d2, d3.
Dx = d1(b2c3 – b3c2) – b1(d2c3 – d3c2) + c1(d2b3 – d3b2)
3. Calculate the determinant Dy: Replace the second column (coefficients of y) with the constants d1, d2, d3.
Dy = a1(d2c3 – d3c2) – d1(a2c3 – a3c2) + c1(a2d3 – a3d2)
4. Calculate the determinant Dz: Replace the third column (coefficients of z) with the constants d1, d2, d3.
Dz = a1(b2d3 – b3d2) – b1(a2d3 – a3d2) + d1(a2b3 – a3b2)
5. Solve for x, y, and z:
If D ≠ 0, then a unique solution exists:
x = Dx / D
y = Dy / D
z = Dz / D
If D = 0, there is either no solution or infinitely many solutions. Our find the value of x y and z calculator checks for this.
Variables Table
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| a1, b1, c1… c3 | Coefficients of x, y, z in the equations | Dimensionless | Any real number |
| d1, d2, d3 | Constants on the right side of the equations | Depends on context | Any real number |
| D | Determinant of the coefficient matrix | Depends on context | Any real number |
| Dx, Dy, Dz | Determinants used in Cramer's rule | Depends on context | Any real number |
| x, y, z | The unknown variables to be solved | Depends on context | Any real number |
Explore our matrix calculator for more determinant operations.
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: Mixture Problem
Suppose you are mixing three ingredients X, Y, and Z to get a final mixture. Ingredient X costs $2/kg, Y costs $1/kg, and Z costs $3/kg. You want 10 kg of mixture costing $20, and the amount of Z must be twice the amount of Y. Let x, y, z be the amounts of X, Y, Z in kg.
Equations:
- x + y + z = 10 (Total amount)
- 2x + y + 3z = 20 (Total cost)
- z = 2y => 0x – 2y + z = 0 (Condition)
Inputs for the find the value of x y and z calculator:
a1=1, b1=1, c1=1, d1=10
a2=2, b2=1, c2=3, d2=20
a3=0, b3=-2, c3=1, d3=0
Using the calculator, you'd find x=3, y=2.333, z=4.667 (approximately). So, you need 3kg of X, 2.33kg of Y, and 4.67kg of Z.
Example 2: Circuit Analysis
In electrical circuits, using Kirchhoff's laws can lead to systems of linear equations. For a simple circuit with three unknown currents I1, I2, I3 (let's call them x, y, z for our calculator):
5x – 2y + 0z = 10
-2x + 8y – 3z = 0
0x – 3y + 5z = 0
Inputs for the find the value of x y and z calculator:
a1=5, b1=-2, c1=0, d1=10
a2=-2, b2=8, c2=-3, d2=0
a3=0, b3=-3, c3=5, d3=0
The calculator would give the values of the currents x, y, and z in Amperes.
How to Use This Find the Value of x y and z Calculator
- Identify Equations: Write down your three linear equations in the standard form (ax + by + cz = d).
- Enter Coefficients and Constants: Input the values of a1, b1, c1, d1 for the first equation, a2, b2, c2, d2 for the second, and a3, b3, c3, d3 for the third into the respective fields of the find the value of x y and z calculator.
- Calculate: The calculator automatically updates as you type, or you can click "Calculate x, y, z".
- Read Results: The primary result section will display the values of x, y, and z if a unique solution exists. If D=0, it will indicate no unique solution.
- Intermediate Values: Check the determinants D, Dx, Dy, Dz for understanding the calculation steps via Cramer's rule.
- Reset: Use the "Reset" button to clear the fields to default values for a new calculation.
Understanding the results from the find the value of x y and z calculator is crucial for decision-making based on the model represented by the equations.
Key Factors That Affect Find the Value of x y and z Calculator Results
The solution (x, y, z) is directly influenced by:
- Coefficients (a, b, c): Small changes in coefficients can significantly alter the solution, especially if the determinant D is close to zero. These define the "slope" or relationship between variables.
- Constants (d): These values shift the equations and thus the intersection point (solution).
- Linear Independence: If one equation is a linear combination of the others, the determinant D will be zero, leading to no unique solution. Our find the value of x y and z calculator handles this.
- Magnitude of Determinant D: A D value close to zero suggests the system is ill-conditioned, meaning small input changes can cause large output changes.
- Numerical Precision: For very large or small numbers, the precision of the calculator's internal calculations can matter, though for most practical purposes, standard precision is sufficient.
- Equation Formulation: Ensuring the equations accurately represent the real-world problem is vital for meaningful results from the find the value of x y and z calculator.
For two variables, try our 2 variable equation solver.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if the find the value of x y and z calculator says "No unique solution"?
This means the determinant D is zero. The system of equations either has no solution (the planes don't intersect at a single point or line) or infinitely many solutions (the planes intersect along a line or are the same plane).
Can I use this find the value of x y and z calculator for non-linear equations?
No, this calculator is specifically designed for systems of *linear* equations. Non-linear systems require different solution methods.
What is Cramer's Rule?
Cramer's Rule is a method using determinants to solve systems of linear equations. It's the method employed by this find the value of x y and z calculator. You can learn more with our Cramer's rule explained guide.
How accurate is the find the value of x y and z calculator?
The calculator uses standard floating-point arithmetic, which is very accurate for most practical purposes. For systems that are very ill-conditioned (D very close to zero), tiny rounding errors might be amplified.
Can I solve for more than 3 variables?
This specific find the value of x y and z calculator is limited to three variables. For more variables, you would need more equations and more advanced methods or tools like a matrix calculator capable of Gaussian elimination or matrix inversion for larger systems.
What if my coefficients or constants are fractions?
You should convert fractions to their decimal equivalents before entering them into the find the value of x y and z calculator.
Is there a graphical interpretation of the solution?
Yes, each linear equation in three variables represents a plane in 3D space. The solution (x, y, z) is the point where these three planes intersect.
Can I use the find the value of x y and z calculator for complex numbers?
This calculator is designed for real number coefficients and constants.