Linear Algebra Examples Linear Independence and Combinations

Determine if Linearly Dependent

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 2 & 1 \\ 3 & - 1 & 0 \\ 6 & - 2 & 0 \end{array}]$

Step 1

To determine if the columns in the matrix are linearly dependent, determine if the equation $A x = 0$ has any non-trivial solutions.

Step 2

Write as an augmented matrix for $A x = 0$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 2 & 1 & 0 \\ 3 & - 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 6 & - 2 & 0 & 0 \end{array}]$

Step 3

Find the reduced row echelon form.

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.1

Perform the row operation $R_{2} = R_{2} - 3 R_{1}$ to make the entry at $2, 1$ a $0$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.1.1

Perform the row operation $R_{2} = R_{2} - 3 R_{1}$ to make the entry at $2, 1$ a $0$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 2 & 1 & 0 \\ 3 - 3 \cdot 1 & - 1 - 3 \cdot 2 & 0 - 3 \cdot 1 & 0 - 3 \cdot 0 \\ 6 & - 2 & 0 & 0 \end{array}]$

Step 3.1.2

Simplify $R_{2}$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 2 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & - 7 & - 3 & 0 \\ 6 & - 2 & 0 & 0 \end{array}]$

Step 3.2

Perform the row operation $R_{3} = R_{3} - 6 R_{1}$ to make the entry at $3, 1$ a $0$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.2.1

Perform the row operation $R_{3} = R_{3} - 6 R_{1}$ to make the entry at $3, 1$ a $0$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 2 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & - 7 & - 3 & 0 \\ 6 - 6 \cdot 1 & - 2 - 6 \cdot 2 & 0 - 6 \cdot 1 & 0 - 6 \cdot 0 \end{array}]$

Step 3.2.2

Simplify $R_{3}$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 2 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & - 7 & - 3 & 0 \\ 0 & - 14 & - 6 & 0 \end{array}]$

Step 3.3

Multiply each element of $R_{2}$ by $- \frac{1}{7}$ to make the entry at $2, 2$ a $1$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.3.1

Multiply each element of $R_{2}$ by $- \frac{1}{7}$ to make the entry at $2, 2$ a $1$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 2 & 1 & 0 \\ - \frac{1}{7} \cdot 0 & - \frac{1}{7} \cdot - 7 & - \frac{1}{7} \cdot - 3 & - \frac{1}{7} \cdot 0 \\ 0 & - 14 & - 6 & 0 \end{array}]$

Step 3.3.2

Simplify $R_{2}$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 2 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & \frac{3}{7} & 0 \\ 0 & - 14 & - 6 & 0 \end{array}]$

Step 3.4

Perform the row operation $R_{3} = R_{3} + 14 R_{2}$ to make the entry at $3, 2$ a $0$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.4.1

Perform the row operation $R_{3} = R_{3} + 14 R_{2}$ to make the entry at $3, 2$ a $0$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 2 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & \frac{3}{7} & 0 \\ 0 + 14 \cdot 0 & - 14 + 14 \cdot 1 & - 6 + 14 (\frac{3}{7}) & 0 + 14 \cdot 0 \end{array}]$

Step 3.4.2

Simplify $R_{3}$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 2 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & \frac{3}{7} & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \end{array}]$

Step 3.5

Perform the row operation $R_{1} = R_{1} - 2 R_{2}$ to make the entry at $1, 2$ a $0$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.5.1

Perform the row operation $R_{1} = R_{1} - 2 R_{2}$ to make the entry at $1, 2$ a $0$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 - 2 \cdot 0 & 2 - 2 \cdot 1 & 1 - 2 (\frac{3}{7}) & 0 - 2 \cdot 0 \\ 0 & 1 & \frac{3}{7} & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \end{array}]$

Step 3.5.2

Simplify $R_{1}$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 0 & \frac{1}{7} & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & \frac{3}{7} & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \end{array}]$

Step 4

Remove rows that are all zeros.

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 0 & \frac{1}{7} & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & \frac{3}{7} & 0 \end{array}]$

Step 5

Write the matrix as a system of linear equations.

$x + \frac{1}{7} z = 0$

$y + \frac{3}{7} z = 0$

Step 6

Since there are non-trivial solutions to $A x = 0$ , the vectors are linearly dependent.

Linearly Dependent

Enter YOUR Problem

Determine if Linearly Dependent

How to Use Step-by-Step Examples

Why use Mathway?

Explore More Linear Algebra Help