Is an invertible matrix always lin. independent?

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An invertible matrix A, specifically an nxn matrix, guarantees that the equation Ax=b is consistent for every vector b. This consistency directly implies that the rows and columns of the matrix are linearly independent. The determinant of an invertible matrix is non-zero, contrasting with matrices composed of linearly dependent vectors, which have a determinant of zero. Therefore, the concept of linear independence applies to the vectors represented by the rows or columns of the matrix, confirming their independence when the matrix is invertible.

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hydralisks
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Because according to my book,

If A's an invertible nxn matrix, then the eq. Ax=b is consistent for EACH b...

this consistency would imply lin. independency?
 
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Yes. Also, the determinant of an invertible matrix is non-zero. The determinant of a matrix of linearly dependent vectors is 0.
 
Strictly speaking, the term "independent" applies to sets of vectors, not matrices so it does not make sense to ask if a matrix is independent. What you are really asking is whether the rows or columns of the matrix, thought of as vectors are independent. The answer to that is yes. If a matrix is invertible, then its rows (or columns), thought of as a set of vectors, is indepependent.
 

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