College Algebra (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321979478
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-947-6

Chapter 8 - Section 8.4 - Matrix Algebra - 8.4 Assess Your Understanding - Page 598: 62

Answer

The identity matrix can not be obtained on the left of the reduced row echelon form of $\left[A|I_{n}\right]$. Thus, A has no inverse.

Work Step by Step

Procedure for Finding the Inverse of a Matrix STEP 1: Form the matrix $\left[A|I_{n}\right]$ STEP 2: Transform the matrix $\left[A|I_{n}\right]$ into reduced row echelon form. STEP 3: The reduced row echelon form of $\left[A|I_{n}\right]$ will contain the identity matrix $I_{n}$ on the left of the vertical bar; the $n$ by $n$ matrix on the right of the vertical bar is the inverse of $A. $ If the identity matrix can not be obtained on the left, A has no inverse. --- $\left[A|I_{n}\right]=\left[\begin{array}{rr|rr} {-3}&{\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}}&{1}&{0}\\ {6}&{-1}&{0}&{1}\end{array}\right]\rightarrow( R_{2}=2r_{1}+r_{2})\rightarrow$ $\rightarrow\left[\begin{array}{rr|rr} {-3}&{\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}}&{1}&{0}\\ {0}&{0}&{2}&{1}\end{array}\right]$ The zeros on the left of the bar in the second row make it impossible to obtain a leading nonzero entry in the second column. The identity matrix can not be obtained on the left of the reduced row echelon form of $\left[A|I_{n}\right]$. Thus, A has no inverse.
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