Linear Algebra Matrix Basic Questions

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the properties of matrices in linear algebra, specifically addressing the rank of a matrix and the conditions for invertibility. Statement D is confirmed as true, indicating that if a square matrix A is row equivalent to the identity matrix I, then A has full rank n. Statement I is ambiguous, requiring further analysis to determine if AX=0 has only the trivial solution. Statement J suggests that the matrix A has infinitely many solutions for AX=X, while statement N confirms that if AX=B has exactly one solution, then A is indeed invertible.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of matrix rank and row equivalence
  • Knowledge of matrix invertibility and its implications
  • Familiarity with eigenvalues and eigenvectors
  • Basic skills in solving linear equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of matrix rank in detail, including row reduction techniques
  • Learn about the conditions for matrix invertibility and how to compute inverses
  • Explore eigenvalues and eigenvectors, particularly their role in solving linear equations
  • Practice solving systems of equations using matrices and understanding their solutions
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Students and educators in linear algebra, mathematicians, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of matrix properties and solutions to linear systems.

JJBladester
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Homework Statement



True or False (correct any false statement)

D) If [tex]A_{nxn}[/tex] is row equivalent to [tex]I_{n}[/tex], A has rank n.

I) If A =

1 -1 3
0 -1 4
0 0 -1

AX=0 has trivial solution only.

J) For matrix A above (I), AX=X has infinitely many solutions.

N) If AX=B has exactly one solution, A is invertible.

Homework Equations



N/A

The Attempt at a Solution



D) I understand rank to mean the number of non-zero rows in a matrix, thus if there are no non-zero rows, then rank = n for a nxn matrix.

Saying that [tex]A_{nxn}[/tex] is invertible means that there exists an nxn matrix B such that AB=BA=[tex]I_{n}[/tex]. So, invertible means that you were able to perform enough row operations on A to get it to become the inverse, so I think that the answer is TRUE.

I) Not sure where to start on this one.

J) Not sure where to start on this one.

N) True... because the inverse of a matrix is unique, there can only be one solution to AX=B.
 
Last edited:
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Not sure what row equivalent means, but for D, the rank is the dimension of the span of the rows of the matrix (one equivalent definition at least, which seems to be the one you're using)... so for example the matrix

[1 1 1]
[1 1 1]
[1 1 1]

has rank 1, even though all its rows are non-zero

For (I), is A invertible? Invert it! Actually, you don't need to actually calculate the inverse to solve A-10, nor do you need to calculate the inverse to prove A is invertible

For (J), you can calculate whether 1 is an eigenvalue (if you know what that means). Easier and more intuitively, let X=(x,y,z). then AX = X gives you three equations in three unknowns (x,y,z). See what you can find out about it

You did (N) backwards: you showed if A is invertible, then AX=B has a unique solution. Fair enough, but that's not what the question asked
 

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