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12 votes
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​​Let $A$ be any $n \times m$ matrix, where $m>n$. Which of the following statements is/are TRUE about the system of linear equations $Ax=0$?

  1. There exist at least $m-n$ linearly independent solutions to this system
  2. There exist $m-n$ linearly independent vectors such that every solution is a linear combination of these vectors
  3. There exists a non-zero solution in which at least $m-n$ variables are $0$
  4. There exists a solution in which at least $n$ variables are non-zero
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3 Answers

8 votes
8 votes

Answer: A

A: True

This option is similar to the question asked in GATE 2021:

https://gateoverflow.in/357516/gate-cse-2021-set-2-question-24

B: False

It may be possible that every solution is a linear combination of more than \(m-n\) linearly independent vectors.

C: False

Consider

\[ A=\left[\begin{array}{cccc} 1 & 0 & 0 & 5 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 & 6 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 & 7 \end{array}\right] \]

\[ [A \mid b]=\left[\begin{array}{cccc|c} 1 & 0 & 0 & 5 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 & 6 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 & 7 & 0 \end{array}\right] \]

The solution of this \(Ax = 0\) is

\[ x=\left[\begin{array}{c} -5k \\ -6k \\ -7k \\ k \end{array}\right] = k\left[\begin{array}{c} -5 \\ -6 \\ -7 \\ 1 \end{array}\right] \]

We can see that there is no variable which is zero in a non-zero solution.

D: False

Consider

\[ A=\left[\begin{array}{cccc} 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 & 3 \end{array}\right] \]

\[ [A \mid b]=\left[\begin{array}{cccc|c} 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 & 3 & 0 \end{array}\right] \]

The solution of this \(Ax = 0\) is

\[ x=\left[\begin{array}{c} 0\\ 0\\ -3k \\ k \end{array}\right] = k\left[\begin{array}{c} 0 \\ 0 \\ -3 \\ 1 \end{array}\right] \]

Option D says, There is a solution in which at least \(n (=3)\) are non-zero. Since in the above system of linear equations only 2 are non-zero, hence it is also false.

2 votes
2 votes

A a is matrix of dimension $n $ x $ m$ such that $m>n$ 

(Implies that)$ =>$ there is at least $m-n$ free variables

                                                                                         

(Implies that)$=>$There is at least $m-n$ Linear Independent vectors in Solution space of Ax=0

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Now its straight forward to check the first two options,

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A)True.

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Assume there is less than $m-n$ Linearly independent vector solutions to $Ax=0$

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"If those linear independent vectors are solutions to $Ax=0$ then their linear combinations also solution to $Ax=0$."

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(Implies that)$=>$ There is less than $m-n$ free variables.

(Implies that )$=>$ There is atleast $n+1(= m- (m-n-1))$ pivot variables.

(Implies that)$=>$ There is atleast $n+1$ linearly independent vectors in A.

Now just think for moment in a matrix of dimension $n$ x $m$  we'll have almost n pivot variables, but I arrived conclusion that atleast $n+1$ pivot variables which is a contradiction, which means  my assumption is incorrect.

So option A is True.

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B) False.

Because its not always the case that every solution in $Ax=0$ is linear combination of $m-n$ linear independent vectors, consider a case where there are less than $n$ Li independent in A then in this case you need more that $m-n$ Linearly independent vectors such that every solution of $Ax=0$ will be linear combination of these vectors.

Ex:-

                          $A = \left[\begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 2 & 0\\0 & 0 & 0\end{array}\right]$

for this matrix Solution space of Ax=0 will be

  $\Biggl\{x_2\left[\begin{array}{c}-2 \\ 1\\ 0\end{array}\right] + x_3\left[\begin{array}{c}0 \\ 0\\ 1\end{array}\right]$   $ \Biggl|$ $ x_2, x_3 \in \mathbb{R} \Biggl\}$, 

We can clearly see that by just using $m-n(=1)$ Linear independent vectors we can't generate all solutions in Ax=0.

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Option B would have been True if they mention Number of linear independent vectors  in A is equals to n then we can represent every vector in solution space of $Ax=0$ as linear combo of $m-n$ linear independent vectors.

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C)False.

               Consider $A = \left[\begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 0 & 2\\0 & 1 & 3\end{array}\right]$

Solution space of $Ax=0$ will be $\Biggl\{x_3\left[\begin{array}{c}-2 \\ -3\\ 1\end{array}\right]$  $\Biggl|$ $  x_3 \in \mathbb{R} \Biggl\}$, Observe carefully 

$1) $when $x_3 = 0$ it will be zero solution but our main interest is in NON ZERO solution

$2) $when $x_3 \neq 0$ it will be a non zero solution but every variable is non zero which means there is no non zero solution which has at least $m-n$ zeros.

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It Contradicts Option C.

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D)False.

                  Consider  $A = \left[\begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 0 & 0\\0 & 1 & 0\end{array}\right]$

      Solution Space of $Ax=0$ will be, $\Biggl\{x_3\left[\begin{array}{c}0 \\ 0\\ 1\end{array}\right]$  $\Biggl|$ $ x_3 \in \mathbb{R} \Biggl\}$

$1)$ $x_3 =0 $ then it will be zero solution

$2)$ $x_3 \neq 0$ then every solution has exactly one non zero variable but here $n=2$.

It contradicts Option d.

 

 

1 votes
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