Question:medium

Let \( A \) be a \( 3 \times 3 \) real matrix and let \( I_3 \) be the \( 3 \times 3 \) identity matrix. Which one of the following statements is NOT true?

Show Hint

If a matrix is invertible (no zero eigenvalues), its row-reduced echelon form is \( I_3 \). However, the converse is not true; a matrix can be invertible without having its RREF as \( I_3 \).
Updated On: Feb 9, 2026
  • If the row-reduced echelon form of \( A \) is \( I_3 \), then zero is not an eigenvalue of \( A \)
  • If zero is not an eigenvalue of \( A \), then the row-reduced echelon form of \( A \) is \( I_3 \)
  • If \( A \) has three distinct eigenvalues, then the row-reduced echelon form of \( A \) is \( I_3 \)
  • If the system of equations \( Ax = b \) has a solution for every \( 3 \times 1 \) real column vector \( b \), then the row-reduced echelon form of \( A \) is \( I_3 \)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Clarify what needs to be checked. 
We are given a $3 \times 3$ matrix $A$ and are asked to examine four statements involving:
the row-reduced echelon form (RREF) of $A$,
the eigenvalues of $A$, and
the solvability of the system $Ax=b$.
Our goal is to determine which statement is incorrect.

Step 2: Examine statement (A).
If the RREF of $A$ is the identity matrix $I_3$, then $A$ is invertible and has full rank.
An invertible matrix cannot have zero as an eigenvalue, because a zero eigenvalue would imply singularity.
Therefore, this statement is correct.

Step 3: Examine statement (B).
This statement claims that if zero is not an eigenvalue of $A$, then the RREF of $A$ must be $I_3$.
While the absence of a zero eigenvalue does imply that $A$ is invertible, it does not mean that the matrix is already in row-reduced form.
A matrix can be invertible without its RREF being explicitly written as $I_3$ before row operations.
Hence, this statement is false.

Step 4: Examine statement (C).
If $A$ has three distinct eigenvalues, then it must be diagonalizable and non-singular.
This guarantees that $A$ has full rank and is invertible.
As a result, its row-reduced echelon form must be the identity matrix $I_3$.
So, this statement is correct.

Step 5: Examine statement (D).
If the system $Ax=b$ has a solution for every possible $3 \times 1$ vector $b$, then $A$ must be invertible.
An invertible matrix always reduces to the identity matrix in row-reduced echelon form.
Therefore, this statement is also correct.

Step 6: Final conclusion.
Among the given statements, the only incorrect one is:

\[ \boxed{(B)} \]

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