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23 May 2009 19:28:25 IST

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how to find rank in matrices

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edison

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Joined: 19 Oct 2006

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29 Jan 2012 21:56:18 IST

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The rank of a matrix is the maximum number of independent rows (or, the maximum number of independent columns).

1 2 0 3
1 7 3 0
0 0 4 8
2 4 0 6

Start with row 1: See if row 2, 3 or 4 are multiples. If so, cross that out.
Go to row 2: See if row 3 or 4 are multiples...
Finally compare row 3 and 4.

This is for 4 rows, but you can extend this to n rows.

Do the same for the columns.

The rank would be 3 in the example above because we crossed out a row, leaving 3. The last row is a multiple of the first.

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