A direct method for the general solution of a system of linear equations

A computationally stable method for the general solution of a system of linear equations is given. The system isA ^Tx–B=0, where then-vectorx is unknown and then×q matrixA and theq-vectorB are known. It is assumed that the matrixA ^T and the augmented matrix A ^T,B] are of the same rankm, wheremn, so that the system is consistent and solvable. Whenm<n, the method yields the minimum modulus solutionx _m and a symmetricn ×n matrixH _m of rankn–m, so thatx=x _m+H _my satisfies the system for ally, ann-vector. Whenm=n, the matrixH _m reduces to zero andx _m becomes the unique solution of the system.The method is also suitable for the solution of a determined system ofn linear equations. When then×n coefficient matrix is ill-conditioned, the method can produce a good solution, while the commonly used elimination method fails.This research was supported by the National Science Foundation, Grant No. GP-41158.