[Math] Row reduced $2\times3$ echelon matrices

linear algebra

Suppose $R$ and $R'$ are two $2\times3$ row reduced echelon matrices if $RX=0$ and $R'X$ have axactly same solutions then prove that
$R=R'$.

My try:

Let $x,y,z$ be the same solution of $R$ and $R'$
The most general form of $R$ will be
$$R=\begin{pmatrix}
1 & a & b\\
0 & 1 & c\\
\end{pmatrix}$$
Similarly
$$R'=\begin{pmatrix}
1 & p & q\\
0 & 1 & r\\
\end{pmatrix}$$

Using given Condition we have
$$x+ay+bz=0,\\
y+cz=0$$
Now this system has one free variable…
For $R'$ will give similar equations but the trouble is free variable

Best Answer

I think, this is not true for matrices in row ecelon form. Consider $R=\begin{pmatrix}1&1&1\\0&1&1\end{pmatrix}$ and $R'=\begin{pmatrix}1&0&0\\0&1&1\end{pmatrix}$

EDIT: For matrix in a reduced row echelon form, i.e. $R=\begin{pmatrix}1&0&a\\0&1&b\end{pmatrix}$ and $R=\begin{pmatrix}1&0&p\\0&1&q\end{pmatrix}$ compare the lines in $yz$ space from the first equation $$y+bz=0$$ and from the second equation $$y+qz=0.$$ The lines defined by these equations equal and you can easily conclude $b=q$. You can then continue in a similar way with the first line.

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