Why is a second pivot necessary in LU factorization with partial pivoting?

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A second pivot in LU factorization with partial pivoting is necessary to ensure numerical stability and accuracy when the leading coefficients are not the largest in their respective columns. The user attempted to solve a system of equations but received a different LU decomposition than the book, indicating a need for additional pivoting after setting certain elements to zero. The resulting L and U matrices must be checked to confirm they reconstruct the original coefficient matrix. The discrepancy in results suggests that the user may not have fully grasped the pivoting process or the implications of their chosen rows. Understanding the pivoting steps is crucial for achieving the correct LU factorization.
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Homework Statement



Use LU factorization with partial pivoting for the following set of equations:

3x1 - 2x2 + x3 = -10
2x1 + 6x2 - 4x3 = 44
-8x1 - 2x2 + 5x3 = -26

The Attempt at a Solution


I made an attempt to solve this problem, but my answer was wrong compared to the book. There was an additional partial pivot after setting elements 21 & 31 equal to zero. I just would like to know why?

The following is what I got for my L and U matrices:

U=
[ -8 -2 5 ]
[ 0 5.5 -3.25]
[ 0 0 1.25]

L=
[1 0 0]
[.25 1 0]
[.775 0.5 1]
 
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Do your L and U matrices, when multiplied together, give the original matrix of coefficients? The first row of your U is identical to the third row of the coefficient matrix. Coincidence?
 
aaronfue said:

Homework Statement



Use LU factorization with partial pivoting for the following set of equations:

3x1 - 2x2 + x3 = -10
2x1 + 6x2 - 4x3 = 44
-8x1 - 2x2 + 5x3 = -26


The Attempt at a Solution


I made an attempt to solve this problem, but my answer was wrong compared to the book. There was an additional partial pivot after setting elements 21 & 31 equal to zero. I just would like to know why?

The following is what I got for my L and U matrices:

U=
[ -8 -2 5 ]
[ 0 5.5 -3.25]
[ 0 0 1.25]

L=
[1 0 0]
[.25 1 0]
[.775 0.5 1]

Please show your work details, step-by-step. When I do it (with [-8,-2,5] in row 1 and [3,-2,1] in row 3) I get a different U from yours and do not need any more "partial" pivots; straight pivoting works perfectly well. Or, maybe, I have not understood your question---but I still get a different U.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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