Question Bank • QB_EM_101 NAT • 1 Mark

Section 1: Engineering Mathematics

Linear Algebra

Subtopic: Matrices and determinants

Question Statement:

Calculate the rank of the matrix: $A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 2 & 4 & 6 \\ 3 & 6 & 9 \end{pmatrix}$

Answer Key:

1

Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation

Notice that row 2 is $2 \times R_1$ and row 3 is $3 \times R_1$. Performing row operations $R_2 \to R_2 - 2 R_1$ and $R_3 \to R_3 - 3 R_1$ yields: $\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{pmatrix}$ There is only 1 non-zero row in echelon form, so $\text{rank}(A) = 1$.
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