031 Review Part 2, Problem 1

Consider the matrix  $A={\begin{bmatrix}1&-4&9&-7\\-1&2&-4&1\\5&-6&10&7\end{bmatrix}}$  and assume that it is row equivalent to the matrix

$B={\begin{bmatrix}1&0&-1&5\\0&-2&5&-6\\0&0&0&0\end{bmatrix}}.$

(a) List rank  $A$  and  ${\text{dim Nul }}A.$

(b) Find bases for  ${\text{Col }}A$  and  ${\text{Nul }}A.$  Find an example of a nonzero vector that belongs to  ${\text{Col }}A,$  as well as an example of a nonzero vector that belongs to  ${\text{Nul }}A.$

Foundations:
1. For a matrix  $A,$  the rank of  $A$  is
${\text{rank }}A={\text{dim Col }}A.$
2.  ${\text{Col }}A$  is the vector space spanned by the columns of  $A.$
3.  ${\text{Nul }}A$  is the vector space containing all solutions to  $Ax=0.$

Solution:

(a)

Step 1:
From the matrix  $B,$  we see that  $A$  contains two pivots.
Therefore,
${\begin{array}{rcl}\displaystyle {{\text{rank }}A}&=&\displaystyle {{\text{dim Col }}A}\\&&\\&=&\displaystyle {2.}\end{array}}$

Step 2:
By the Rank Theorem, we have
${\begin{array}{rcl}\displaystyle {4}&=&\displaystyle {{\text{rank }}A+{\text{dim Nul }}A}\\&&\\&=&\displaystyle {2+{\text{dim Nul }}A.}\end{array}}$
Hence,  ${\text{dim Nul }}A=2.$

(b)

Step 1:

Step 2:

Final Answer:
(a)
(b)

Return to Sample Exam