Binalonan, Pangasinan
College of Teacher Education
First Semester, A.Y. 2025-2026
REDUCED ROW ECHELON FORM (GAUSS-JORDAN ELIMINATION)
I. Objectives
At the end of the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
1. Define Reduced Row Echelon Form (RREF) and understand its properties.
2. Perform row operations to transform matrices into RREF.
3. Use RREF to solve systems of linear equations.
4. Identify pivot and free variables in a system of equations.
II. Lecture
Reduced Row Echelon Form (RREF) is a simplified version of a matrix used in linear algebra. It is achieved by
performing row operations on a matrix to reach a form that allows for easy identification of solutions to systems of
linear equations.
Conditions for a Matrix to be in RREF:
A matrix is in reduced row echelon form if it satisfies all of the following conditions:
1. Leading 1s (Pivots) - Each non-zero row has a leading entry of 1, called a pivot.
2. Zero Rows at the Bottom - Any row that is entirely zeros is below all non-zero rows.
3. Leading 1 to the Right - In each non-zero row, the leading 1 appears to the right of the leading 1 in the
previous row.
4. Column of Leading 1 - The column containing a leading 1 has zeros in all other positions, both above and
below the leading 1.
Example 1
Consider the following system of equations:
Step 1: Write as an Augmented Matrix
Step 2: Use Row Operations to Achieve REF
Row Echelon Form
The matrix is now in Reduced Row Echelon Form (RREF). Thus, the solution to the system is:
x=0,y=2,z=1
Example 2
Consider the following system of equations:
x+y+z=6
2x + 3y + z = 14
X + y + 2z = 10
Convert to Augmented Matrix
Binalonan, Pangasinan
The matrix is now in Reduced Row Echelon Form (RREF). Thus, the solution to the system is:
x = -4, y = 6, z = 4.
THE INVERSE OF A MATRIX
Matrix algebra provides tools for manipulating matrix equations and creating various useful formulas in ways
similar to doing ordinary algebra with real numbers. This section investigates the matrix analogue of the reciprocal, or
multiplicative inverse, of a nonzero number.
Recall that the multiplicative inverse of a number such as 5 is 1/5 or [Link] inverse satisfies the equations
5-1*5 = 1 and 5*5-1 = 1
The matrix generalization requires both equations and avoids the slanted-line notation (for division) because
matrix multiplication is not commutative. Furthermore, a full generalization is possible only if the matrices involved are
square.
An n x n matrix A is said to be invertible if there is a n x n matrix C such that
CA = I and AC = I
Where I = In , then n identity matrix. In this case, C is an inverse of A. In fact, C is uniquely determined by A, because
if B were another inverse of A, then B = BI = B(AC) = (BA)C = IC = C . This unique inverse is denoted by A-1, so that
A-1A = I and AA-1 = I
A matrix that is not invertible is sometimes called a singular matrix, and an invertible matrix is called a nonsingular
matrix.
Example:
Thus, A and B are inverses
INVERSE OF 2 X 2 MATRIX
Example:
Find the inverse of A =
Since det A = 3(6) – 4(5) = -2 ≠ 0, A is invertible, and
Example:
Activity:
I. Solve each of the following system in a RREF.
1.
2.
II. Find the inverse of the following: