Solving a vector system

Sorry for asking a foolish question but looking to get some help on a simple problem

Lets say i have a vector A = [6,-8,2] and B = [4,6,12]

I now have two unknown vectors Call them S1 and S4

What i know is that

S1 +S4 = A

And

S1-S4 = B

How do i get matlab to solve this for me?

Thanks

Answer 1

[Ceasar_Ullrich9]

A = [6 -8 2]
B = [ 4 6 12]
MATR = [1 1 ; 1 -1]
MATR^-1 * [A;B]

ans =

5 -1 7

1 -7 -5

basically it's just a linear system where unknowns are vectors instead of scalars

Answer 2

[James Tursa]

HINT: What do you get when you add the two equations together? And what do you get when you subtract the two equations? Just do that and you can easily solve for what you want and then write the resulting formulas to m-code.

[James Tursa]

The first part of the HINT was not really about MATLAB, it was about finding algebraic formulas to describe the answer. I will spell out the first one:

    S1 + S4 = A
+   S1 - S4 = B
----------------
  2*S1      = A + B

From the above you can solve for S1. Then do another calculation by subtracting the two equations instead of adding them. That will help you solve for S4. Then you can code up the expressions you got for S1 and S4 into MATLAB m-code.

[Robert]

James, Thank you. I follow what your saying now.

Your going about it with elimination of course which makes perfect sense. I guess I'm trying to hard to understand the matlab part and not thinking outside of matlab

I can solve it now of course just using elimination. Let me ask you this though. Is there a way for matlab to do it for you? Say i come across a matrix that is not so easy and does not eliminate easily. How can i put these values into a matrix of some sort and ask matlab to solve it? Does it have that ability?

Answer 3

[Robert]

Im not sure i am following you. I can surly sit here and do it all out with the components. This would yield 6 questions and 6 unknowns.

So how do i get matlab to do it in one swoop for me?

Answer 4

[Robert]

I do understand your desire to help me to learn something instead of just giving me the answer. However could you be more explicit. I have never used matlab before.