Determine a matrix C such that T = CA has echelon form

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on determining a matrix \( C \in GL_3(\mathbb{R}) \) such that the product \( T = CA \) results in a Row Echelon Form (REF) of the matrix \( A = \begin{pmatrix}1 & 2 & 3 \\ 4 & 5 & 6 \\ 7 & 8 & 9\end{pmatrix} \). Participants clarify that performing elementary row operations corresponds to multiplying by an invertible matrix. The conversation highlights the distinction between Row Echelon Form and Reduced Row Echelon Form, emphasizing that the exercise specifically requests REF, allowing for a simpler solution than the one proposed.

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  • Understanding of matrix multiplication and invertible matrices
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  • Knowledge of the Gauss elimination algorithm
  • Basic linear algebra concepts, particularly regarding matrix operations
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mathmari
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Hey! :o

Let $$A=\begin{pmatrix}1 & 2 & 3 \\ 4 & 5 & 6 \\ 7 & 8 & 9\end{pmatrix}\in \mathbb{R}^{3\times 3}$$

I want to determine a matrix $C\in GL_3(\mathbb{R})$ such that $T:=C\cdot A$ has echelon form. Performing an elementary row operation is equivalent to multiplying an invertible matrix, right? (Wondering)

So do we apply the Gauss algorithm at $[A \ \mid \ I_3]$, and bring $A$ into echelon form, then the $3\times 3$-matrix that we get on the right side is the matrix $C$ that we are looking for, i.e. we get $[T \ \mid \ C]$ ?

I mean the following:
\begin{equation*}\begin{pmatrix}1 & 2 & 3 & 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 4 & 5 & 6 & 0 & 1 & 0\\ 7 & 8 & 9 & 0 & 0 & 1\end{pmatrix}\longrightarrow \begin{pmatrix}1 & 2 & 3 & 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & -3 & -6 & -4 & 1 & 0\\ 0 & -6 & -12 & -7 & 0 & 1\end{pmatrix}\longrightarrow \begin{pmatrix}1 & 2 & 3 & 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & -3 & -6 & -4 & 1 & 0\\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 1 & -2 & 1\end{pmatrix}\end{equation*}
(Wondering)

At the proposed solution they continue the Gauss algorithm and they get the following:
\begin{equation*}\begin{pmatrix}1 & 2 & 3 & 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 4 & 5 & 6 & 0 & 1 & 0\\ 7 & 8 & 9 & 0 & 0 & 1\end{pmatrix}\longrightarrow \begin{pmatrix}1 & 2 & 3 & 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & -3 & -6 & -4 & 1 & 0\\ 0 & -6 & -12 & -7 & 0 & 1\end{pmatrix}\longrightarrow \begin{pmatrix}1 & 2 & 3 & 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 2 & \frac{4}{3} & -\frac{1}{3} & 0\\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 1 & -2 & 1\end{pmatrix} \longrightarrow \begin{pmatrix}1 & 0 & -1 & -\frac{5}{3} & \frac{2}{3} & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 2 & \frac{4}{3} & -\frac{1}{3} & 0\\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 1 & -2 & 1\end{pmatrix}\end{equation*} Why do they change also the first two rows although we already have the echelon form? Would it be wrong to stop the algrithm as I did it? I mean is it wrong to consider the matrices \begin{equation*}T=\begin{pmatrix}1 & 2 & 3 \\ 0 & -3 & -6 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{pmatrix} \ \text{ and } \ C=\begin{pmatrix}1 & 0 & 0 \\ -4 & 1 & 0 \\ 1 & -2 & 1\end{pmatrix}\end{equation*} ? (Wondering)
 
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Hey mathmari!

There's a difference between Row Echelon Form (REF) and Reduced Row Echelon Form (RREF).
RREF means that:
  • It is in row echelon form.
  • Every leading coefficient is 1.
  • The leading coefficient is the only nonzero entry in its column.
(Thinking)
 
I like Serena said:
There's a difference between Row Echelon Form (REF) and Reduced Row Echelon Form (RREF).
RREF means that:
  • It is in row echelon form.
  • Every leading coefficient is 1.
  • The leading coefficient is the only nonzero entry in its column.
(Thinking)

At the exercise statement it is asked for Row Echelon Form:

View attachment 8386

So is the proposed solution for the case of Reduced Row Echelon Form and in the case of Row Echelon Form we could also do what I did? (Wondering)
 

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mathmari said:
At the exercise statement it is asked for Row Echelon Form:



So is the proposed solution for the case of Reduced Row Echelon Form and in the case of Row Echelon Form we could also do what I did? (Wondering)

Yep.
It looks as if the proposed solution went 'over the top'. (Emo)
 
I like Serena said:
Yep.
It looks as if the proposed solution went 'over the top'. (Emo)

Ok! Thank you! (Yes)
 

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