Mathematics I / Gaussian Elimination and Rank
Practice question · Multiple choice

A row of zeros appears in the coefficient part during elimination. Why does that not by itself mean the system has no solution?

Hints
  1. Write out what the zero row says as an equation.
  2. Look to the right of the bar.
Show the answer

C. Because everything depends on the augmented entry on the right

Why

The zero row alone says nothing; the augmented column decides. 0=00 = 0 is redundancy and 0=50 = 5 is inconsistency, the same left-hand side with opposite verdicts.

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