MATH351: Linear Algebra and its applications
RREF (Reduced Row Echelon Form)
A matrix is in RREF form if it satisfies all of the following conditions:
a. If a row has nonzero entries, then the first nonzero entry is 1, called the leading 1 (or pivot) in this row.
b. If a column contains a leading 1, then all the other entries in that column are 0.
c. If a row contains leading 1, then each row above it contains a leading 1 further to the left.
Condition c implies that rows of 0's, if any, appear at the bottom of the matrix.
Definition: Rank
Headline text
The rank of matrix A is the number of leading 1's in rref A