Linear Algebra (Meaning of Rank)

[DanielFaraday]

Homework Statement

True or False:
If A is an n x n matrix, then the rank of A equals the number of linearly independent row vectors in A.

Homework Equations

None

The Attempt at a Solution

Okay, I know this is a ridiculously easy question, but I'm wondering if there is a catch to it. My inclination is to say this is true. But wouldn't this be true for ANY matrix? Why does the question limit it to an n x n matrix? Are they just being tricky?

 

[berkeman]

Homework Statement

True or False:
If A is an n x n matrix, then the rank of A equals the number of linearly independent row vectors in A.

Homework Equations

None

The Attempt at a Solution

Okay, I know this is a ridiculously easy question, but I'm wondering if there is a catch to it. My inclination is to say this is true. But wouldn't this be true for ANY matrix? Why does the question limit it to an n x n matrix? Are they just being tricky?

Well, if it were n x m with n not equal to m, then the row rank and column rank would not generally be the same, right?

Also, if you have more rows than columns, what can you say about the linear independence of the rows...?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rank_(linear_algebra )

.

 

[DanielFaraday]

Well, if it were n x m with n not equal to m, then the row rank and column rank would not generally be the same, right?

Also, if you have more rows than columns, what can you say about the linear independence of the rows...?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rank_(linear_algebra )

.

Thanks for your reply. In the wikipedia article that you cited (which I had read before posting this question) it says in the third sentence: "Since the column rank and the row rank are always equal, they are simply called the rank of A". I believe this statement is correct, which disagrees with your first point. Am I missing something?

 

[berkeman]

Thanks for your reply. In the wikipedia article that you cited (which I had read before posting this question) it says in the third sentence: "Since the column rank and the row rank are always equal, they are simply called the rank of A". I believe this statement is correct, which disagrees with your first point. Am I missing something?

No, that sentence was my point. if n=m, then you use the term "rank" instead of differentiating between rows and columns. I think your original answer is correct, just that it cannot be extended always to cases where n is not equal to m. Hope I'm not just adding confusion here...

 

[DanielFaraday]

Okay, that makes perfect sense. Thank you!