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mathboy20
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Hi
I got simple question. How is it that determain if a column in matrix is a pivot column?
Sincerely
Fred
I got simple question. How is it that determain if a column in matrix is a pivot column?
Sincerely
Fred
mathboy20 said:I got simple question. How is it that determain if a column in matrix is a pivot column?
NateTG said:Are you asking about gaussian reduction, the simplex method, or something else?
To determine pivot columns in a matrix, you need to perform row reduction operations on the matrix until it is in its reduced row echelon form. The columns that contain the leading entry (the first non-zero element) in each row are called pivot columns.
Determining pivot columns in a matrix is important because it allows us to solve systems of equations, find the rank of a matrix, and perform other operations on matrices. It also helps us identify linearly independent and dependent columns in a matrix.
In Gaussian elimination, pivot columns are used to create zeros in the lower entries of the matrix, making it easier to solve the system of equations. They also help in identifying the basic and free variables in the system.
Yes, a matrix can have more than one pivot column. In fact, the number of pivot columns is equal to the number of leading entries in its reduced row echelon form.
The number of pivot columns affects the solution of a system of equations in the sense that if the number of pivot columns is equal to the number of variables, then the system has a unique solution. If the number of pivot columns is less than the number of variables, the system has infinitely many solutions, and if it is greater, the system is inconsistent and has no solution.