Who knows what "Augmented Matrixes" are in Algebra?

Question

I might have spelled it wrong, but my son is in Algebra and came home with this crap and I had to wait till he was gone to ask this question just so I look like I know what I am talking about!!!!! HELP!!

Answer 1

When solving a system of equations like

2x + 3y = 7
3x - y = 2

the coefficient matrix is

| 2 3 |
| 3 -1 |

but the augmented matrix for the equation is

| 2 3 7 |
| 3 -1 2 |

and you solve the system by reducing that to

| 1 0 13/11 |
| 0 1 17/11 |

using row operations. The first row tells you x = 13/11, the second that y = 17/11.