Rank of a Matrix - Explained by an Expert

  • Thread starter Thread starter NonameNoface
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Matrix rank
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The rank of a matrix is defined as the number of linearly independent rows or columns. In the provided matrix A, which is represented as:
A = [2, 4, 1, 3; -1, -2, 1, 0; 0, 0, 2, 2; 3, 6, 2, 5], the column rank is determined to be 2 due to the second column being a multiple of the first and the fourth column being a linear combination of the first and third. Despite the confusion regarding row independence, the rank remains 2, as the row rank and column rank are always equal.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of linear algebra concepts, specifically matrix rank
  • Familiarity with echelon forms of matrices
  • Knowledge of linear independence and linear combinations
  • Basic operations on matrices, including row operations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the process of transforming matrices into echelon form using row operations
  • Learn about the relationship between row rank and column rank in linear algebra
  • Explore examples of linear independence in various matrices
  • Investigate applications of matrix rank in solving systems of linear equations
USEFUL FOR

Students of linear algebra, educators teaching matrix theory, and professionals working with data analysis or computational mathematics will benefit from this discussion.

NonameNoface
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Well this is eating my head ! or am I plain stupid ? ...

The rank of a Matrix , is determined by the number of independent rows or columns ..Fine .. here's a matrix ..

A = 2 4 1 3
-1 -2 1 0
0 0 2 2
3 6 2 5

Apparently " the second column is twice the first column, and that the fourth column equals the sum of the first and the third. The first and the third columns are linearly independent, so the rank of A is two "

here is the part where I am getting confused .. what if I consider the rows ..I see that all rows are linearly independent ... If somebody coudl explain this to me please ...

Thanks a lot
Regards
Mano
 
Physics news on Phys.org
don't matter about those columns or rows. i think that you should only try to transorm that matrix into an echelon one and then you'll see yourself clearly independent rows which define the rank of that matrix
 
The row rank of a matrix is the number of linearly independent rows, and similarly, the column rank is the number of linearly independent columns. Most importantly, note that the two are always equal!

With
<br /> A = \left [ \begin{array}{cccc}<br /> 2 &amp; 4 &amp; 1 &amp; 3 \\<br /> -1 &amp; -2 &amp; 1 &amp; 0 \\<br /> 0 &amp; 0 &amp; 2 &amp; 2 \\<br /> 3 &amp; 6 &amp; 2 &amp; 5<br /> \end{array} \right ]<br />,
and since we know the column rank of this matrix is 2, can you now find a way to express any 2 of the rows as a linear combination of the others?
 
Last edited:
NonameNoface said:
I see that all rows are linearly independent

Write down, don't just look.
 
NonameNoface said:
Well this is eating my head ! or am I plain stupid ? ...

The rank of a Matrix , is determined by the number of independent rows or columns ..Fine .. here's a matrix ..

A = 2 4 1 3
-1 -2 1 0
0 0 2 2
3 6 2 5

Apparently " the second column is twice the first column, and that the fourth column equals the sum of the first and the third. The first and the third columns are linearly independent, so the rank of A is two "

here is the part where I am getting confused .. what if I consider the rows ..I see that all rows are linearly independent ... If somebody coudl explain this to me please ...

Thanks a lot
Regards
Mano
hey ... the rank of the matrix is 3.do the following operations to get echelon form...
r1<->r2;
r1<->-r1;
r2-->r2-2r1;
r4-->3r1-r4;
r4-->r3+r2+r4;
 
Last edited:
madhusudan said:
hey ... the rank of the matrix is 2.do the following operations to get echelon form...
r1<->r2;
r1<->-r1;
r2-->r2-2r1;
r4-->3r1-r4;
r4-->r3+r2+r4;

can you get it
 
NonameNoface said:
I see that all rows are linearly independent

Then perhaps a trip to the mathematical optician is in order. I can see that if I add the first row and twice the second row that...
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
8K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K