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How to write "Multiply the second row by 3" as a3×3a 3\times 3 left-multiplication matrix?

Scaling a specific row by a constant corresponds to a diagonal elementary matrix where the diagonal entry for that row is the constant, and all other diagonal entries are 1. For the second row, the matrix has a 3 in the (2,2) position and 1s elsewhere on the diagonal.

Conditions

  • The operation acts on a 3-row matrix.
  • The operation is R2←3R2R_2 \leftarrow 3R_2.

Reasoning, step by step

  1. Identify that the first and third rows remain unchanged, so their coefficients are 1 on the diagonal.
  2. Identify that the second row is multiplied by 3, so its coefficient is 3 on the diagonal.
  3. Construct the matrix with 1s on the main diagonal except for the (2,2) entry, which is 3.
  4. Verify that left-multiplying by this matrix scales only the second row.

Example

The video derives X2=[100030001]X_2 = \begin{bmatrix}1&0&0\\0&3&0\\0&0&1\end{bmatrix} for the operation 'Multiply the second row of B by 3'.

Common misconceptions

  • Placing the 3 in the wrong row or column position.
  • Confusing row scaling with column scaling.

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