Elementary row operations question

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around performing elementary row operations on a given matrix. The user initially misapplied the operations, leading to incorrect results that did not match any multiple-choice answers. Clarification was provided on how to correctly apply the operations, specifically that "add -4 times Row 1 to Row 3" means to multiply Row 1 by -4 and then add it to Row 3 without altering Row 1. After understanding the correct procedure, the user successfully transformed the matrix into the expected form. The conversation highlights the importance of accurately interpreting row operation instructions in linear algebra.
TonyC
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I am working with the following equation:
|1 -2 3|
|6 -11 15|
|4 -14 21|
a. add -4 time Row1 to Row 3
b. add -6 times Row 1 to Row 2
c. add 6 times Row 2 to Row 3
d. multiply row 3 by -1/9

I have come up with the following answer:
|24 -48 72|
|180 -354 522|
|-19.99 39.99 -58.99|

Where did I go wrong?
 
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Incidently, this is a multiple choice question and my answer isn't anywhere near any of the answers to choose from.
 
After the 1st 2 operations, you should have ended up with,

Code:
1 -2 3
0 1 -3
0 -6 9
 
When you say first two operations, do you mean a and b or a?

What am I messing up?

After I ran a, I had:

-4 8 -12
6 -11 15
0 -6 9
 
Why are you multiplying the first row by -4?
It says add -4 times Row 1 to Row 3.
Viet Dao,
 
What does that mean?
Do I add -4 to Row 3 or do I multiply -4 by Row 1 than add Row 1 to Row 3?
 
Add -4 times Row 1 To Row 3 means that you change Row 3 by adding -4 times Row 1 to it, and you don't change anything in Row 1, (ie: you just change Row 3).
Row 1 is: |1 -2 3|
-4 times Row 1 is : |-4 8 -12| (*)
You will add the (*) to row 3, which is:
|4 + (-4)xxxxxx-14 + 8xxxxxx21 + (-21)| = |0 -6 9|
You still keep Row 1. You only change Row 3. ie:
|1 -2 3|
|6 -11 15|
|0 -6 9|
Do the same for b, c, and d.
Viet Dao,
 
OH, I SEE!

I have come up with:
1 -2 3
0 1 -3
0 0 1

THANK YOU!
 
:smile: The light bulb has come on
 
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