Manual

Matrices 487
which can then be stored
as a real matrix in
any matrix variable. M1
is used in this example.
You can then use the
RREF function to change
this to reduced-row
echelon form, storing it in
any matrix variable. M2
is used in this example.
The reduced row echelon
matrix gives the solution
to the linear equation in
the fourth column.
An advantage of using
the RREF function is that
it will also work with
inconsistent matrices
resulting from systems of equations which have no solution
or infinite solutions.
For example, the following set of equations has an infinite
number of solutions:
The final row of zeros in
the reduced-row echelon
form of the augmented
matrix indicates an
inconsistent system with
infinite solutions.
34
xyz–+5
2xy–7
x 2y– z+2
=
=
=