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Echelon Form of A Matrix

This document defines and provides examples of row echelon form (REF) and reduced row echelon form (RREF) matrices. REF matrices have: 1) a leading 1 in each row to the right of the previous row's leading entry, and 2) rows of all zeros below non-zero rows. RREF matrices meet REF conditions and have each leading entry as the only non-zero in its column. Examples of REF and RREF matrices are given to illustrate their properties.

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568 views

Echelon Form of A Matrix

This document defines and provides examples of row echelon form (REF) and reduced row echelon form (RREF) matrices. REF matrices have: 1) a leading 1 in each row to the right of the previous row's leading entry, and 2) rows of all zeros below non-zero rows. RREF matrices meet REF conditions and have each leading entry as the only non-zero in its column. Examples of REF and RREF matrices are given to illustrate their properties.

Uploaded by

ihab411
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Echelon Form of a Matrix

This lesson introduces the concept of an echelon matrix. Echelon matrices come in two forms:
therow echelon form (ref) and the reduced row echelon form (rref).

Row Echelon Form


A matrix is in row echelon form (ref) when it satisfies the following conditions.

The first non-zero element in each row, called the leading entry, is 1.

Each leading entry is in a column to the right of the leading entry in the previous row.

Rows with all zero elements, if any, are below rows having a non-zero element.

Each of the matrices shown below are examples of matrices in row echelon form.

1 2 3 4
0 0 1 3
0 0 0 1
Aref

1 2 3 4
0 0 1 3
0 0 0 1
0 0 0 0
Bref

1 2
0 1
0 0
Cref

Note: Some references present a slightly different description of the row echelon form. They
do not require that the first non-zero entry in each row is equal to 1.

Reduced Row Echelon Form


A matrix is in reduced row echelon form (rref) when it satisfies the following conditions.

The matrix satisfies conditions for a row echelon form.

The leading entry in each row is the only non-zero entry in its column.

Each of the matrices shown below are examples of matrices in reduced row echelon form.

1 2 0 0
0 0 1 0
0 0 0 1
Arref

1 2 0 0
0 0 1 0
0 0 0 1
0 0 0 0
Brref

1 0
0 1
0 0
Crref

Test Your Understanding of This Lesson


Problem 1
Which of the following matrices is in row echelon form?
0

(A) Matrix A
(B) Matrix B
(C) Matrix C
(D) Matrix D
(E) None of the above
Solution
The correct answer is (B), since it satisfies all of the requirements for a row echelon matrix.
The other matrices fall short.
The leading entry in Row 1 of matrix A is to the right of the leading entry in Row 2,

which is inconsistent with definition of a row echelon matrix.


In matrix C, the leading entries in Rows 2 and 3 are in the same column, which is not

allowed.
In matrix D, the row with all zeros (Row 2) comes before a row with a non-zero entry.

This is a no-no.
Problem 2
Which of the following matrices are in reduced row echelon form?
1

(A) Only matrix A


(B) Only matrix B
(C) Only matrix C
(D) All of the above
(E) None of the above
Solution
The correct answer is (D), since each matrix satisfies all of the requirements for a reduced row
echelon matrix.

The first non-zero element in each row, called the leading entry, is 1.

Each leading entry is in a column to the right of the leading entry in the previous row.

Rows with all zero elements, if any, are below rows having a non-zero element.

The leading entry in each row is the only non-zero entry in its column.

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