Free variable in a linear system
= Free variable in a linear system
= Free variables in a linear system
{synonym}
A <free variable in a linear system> is an unknown whose coefficient column is not a <pivot column> in <row echelon form>. When the <linear system> is consistent, it can be assigned any value in the <field>; the pivot unknowns are then determined by those choices. This use of “free” differs from a <free variable> in <mathematical logic>.