Math Is Fun Forum

Stanley_Marsh

Member

Registered: 2006-12-13

Posts: 345

Help

I don't quite understand what is Row-Reduced Echelon Matrices .  I know what Row-Reduced means , and I've already read the definition of Row-Reduced Echelon Matrices , but my english won't allow me to have a full understanding of what  it is.  An example will be great appreciated.

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Numbers are the essence of the Universe

Ricky

Moderator

Registered: 2005-12-04

Posts: 3,791

Re: Help

I'm not quite sure what you're looking for.  Are you looking for a mathematical definition such as, "A matrix is in row-reduced echelon form if and only if..." or are you looking for kinda more like a higher level view for what it means?

If it's the latter, then its simply a way to transform a matrix which can be extremely useful.  This of course depends on what the matrix represent.

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"In the real world, this would be a problem.  But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist.  So we'll go ahead and do that now..."

Stanley_Marsh

Member

Registered: 2006-12-13

Posts: 345

Re: Help

I read the definition , but I am not sure what it is . Can u give an example of a matrice of this kind and explain it to me  thx! . (it's not really the latter)

Last edited by Stanley_Marsh (2007-05-08 09:09:41)

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Numbers are the essence of the Universe

Ricky

Moderator

Registered: 2005-12-04

Posts: 3,791

Re: Help

http://www.mathwords.com/r/reduced_row_echelon_form.htm

Try that.  I don't think there is anything more I can say on it.

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"In the real world, this would be a problem.  But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist.  So we'll go ahead and do that now..."

Stanley_Marsh

Member

Registered: 2006-12-13

Posts: 345

Re: Help

Wow , that is simple!!!

Look at my textbook (really confusing)

Last edited by Stanley_Marsh (2007-05-08 10:49:28)

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Numbers are the essence of the Universe

Ricky

Moderator

Registered: 2005-12-04

Posts: 3,791

Re: Help

Well, rule b is not needed, it can actually be shown to be true so long as rule c is followed.  I can see how row c can be a bit hard to follow, but I don't think it's really all that bad.  Make sure you understand it though, as this is how a lot of mathematicians talk about things.

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"In the real world, this would be a problem.  But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist.  So we'll go ahead and do that now..."