Row Operations and The Augmented Matrix
Learning Objectives
- Write the augmented matrix for a system of equations
- Perform row operations on an augmented matrix
How To: Given a system of equations, write an augmented matrix.
- Write the coefficients of the x-terms as the numbers down the first column.
- Write the coefficients of the y-terms as the numbers down the second column.
- If there are z-terms, write the coefficients as the numbers down the third column.
- Draw a vertical line and write the constants to the right of the line.
Example: Writing the Augmented Matrix for a System of Equations
Write the augmented matrix for the given system of equations.Answer: The augmented matrix displays the coefficients of the variables, and an additional column for the constants.
Try It
Write the augmented matrix of the given system of equations.Answer: [latex]A+B=\left[\begin{array}{c}2\\ 1\\ 1\end{array}\begin{array}{c}6\\ \text{ }\text{ }\text{ }0\\ -3\end{array}\right]+\left[\begin{array}{c}3\\ 1\\ -4\end{array}\begin{array}{c}-2\\ 5\\ 3\end{array}\right]=\left[\begin{array}{c}2+3\\ 1+1\\ 1+\left(-4\right)\end{array}\begin{array}{c}6+\left(-2\right)\\ 0+5\\ -3+3\end{array}\right]=\left[\begin{array}{c}5\\ 2\\ -3\end{array}\begin{array}{c}4\\ 5\\ 0\end{array}\right][/latex]
Row Operations
Now that we can write systems of equations in augmented matrix form, we will examine the various row operations that can be performed on a matrix, such as addition, multiplication by a constant, and interchanging rows. Performing row operations on a matrix is the method we use for solving a system of equations. In order to solve the system of equations, we want to convert the matrix to row-echelon form, in which there are ones down the main diagonal from the upper left corner to the lower right corner, and zeros in every position below the main diagonal as shown.- In any nonzero row, the first nonzero number is a 1. It is called a leading 1.
- Any all-zero rows are placed at the bottom on the matrix.
- Any leading 1 is below and to the right of a previous leading 1.
- Any column containing a leading 1 has zeros in all other positions in the column.
- Interchange rows. (Notation: [latex]{R}_{i}\leftrightarrow {R}_{j}[/latex] )
- Multiply a row by a constant. (Notation: [latex]c{R}_{i}[/latex] )
- Add the product of a row multiplied by a constant to another row. (Notation: [latex]{R}_{i}+c{R}_{j}[/latex])
A General Note: Gaussian Elimination
The Gaussian elimination method refers to a strategy used to obtain the row-echelon form of a matrix. The goal is to write matrix [latex]A[/latex] with the number 1 as the entry down the main diagonal and have all zeros below.How To: Given an augmented matrix, perform row operations to achieve row-echelon form.
- The first equation should have a leading coefficient of 1. Interchange rows or multiply by a constant, if necessary.
- Use row operations to obtain zeros down the first column below the first entry of 1.
- Use row operations to obtain a 1 in row 2, column 2.
- Use row operations to obtain zeros down column 2, below the entry of 1.
- Use row operations to obtain a 1 in row 3, column 3.
- Continue this process for all rows until there is a 1 in every entry down the main diagonal and there are only zeros below.
- If any rows contain all zeros, place them at the bottom.
Example: Performing Row Operations on a 3×3 Augmented Matrix to Obtain Row-Echelon Form
Perform row operations on the given matrix to obtain row-echelon form.Answer: The first row already has a 1 in row 1, column 1. The next step is to multiply row 1 by [latex]-2[/latex] and add it to row 2. Then replace row 2 with the result.
Try It
Write the system of equations in row-echelon form.Answer: [latex]\left[\begin{array}{ccc}1& -\frac{5}{2}& \frac{5}{2}\\ \text{ }0& 1& 5\\ 0& 0& 1\end{array}|\begin{array}{c}\frac{17}{2}\\ 9\\ 2\end{array}\right][/latex]
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