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Exercise 328Linear algebra › Matrices and linear systemsL1Added 31 Oct 2026

Kernel of a matrix

#kernel#rank

Statement

Let A=(123246)A=\begin{pmatrix}1&2&3\\2&4&6\end{pmatrix}. Find the rank of AA, and a basis of its kernel.

Hint

Compare the two rows.

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Solution

The second row is twice the first, so the rows span a line and rank⁡A=1\operatorname{rank}A=1.

The kernel is the set of (x,y,z)∈R3(x,y,z)\in\mathbb{R}^3 with x+2y+3z=0x+2y+3z=0 (the second equation is a multiple of the first). Writing x=−2y−3zx=-2y-3z,
(x,y,z)=y (−2,1,0)+z (−3,0,1).(x,y,z)=y\,(-2,1,0)+z\,(-3,0,1).

So {(−2,1,0),(−3,0,1)}\{(-2,1,0),(-3,0,1)\} is a basis of ker⁡A\ker A, which has dimension 2=3−rank⁡A2=3-\operatorname{rank}A, as the rank–nullity theorem predicts.