Augmented matrix

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In linear algebra, the augmented matrix of a matrix is obtained by combining two matrices.

Given the matrices A and B, where


A =
  \begin{bmatrix}
    1 & 3 & 2 \\
    2 & 0 & 1 \\
    5 & 2 & 2
  \end{bmatrix}
, \quad
B =
  \begin{bmatrix}
    4 \\
    3 \\
    1
  \end{bmatrix}

Then, the augmented matrix (A|B) is written as:


(A|B)=
  \begin{bmatrix}
    1 & 3 & 2 & 4 \\
    2 & 0 & 1 & 3 \\
    5 & 2 & 2 & 1
  \end{bmatrix}

This is useful when solving systems of linear equations given by square matrices. They may also be used to find the inverse of a matrix. By reducing the matrix into row-echelon form, where the consistency (or inconsistency) of the system can be read off.

[edit] Examples

Let C be a square 2×2 matrix where 
C = 
  \begin{bmatrix}
    1 & 3 \\
    -5 & 0
  \end{bmatrix}

To find the inverse of C we create (C|I) where I is the 2×2 identity matrix. We then reduce the part of (C|I) corresponding to C to the identity matrix using only elementary matrix transformations on (C|I).


(C|I) = 
  \begin{bmatrix}
    1 & 3 & 1 & 0\\
    -5 & 0 & 0 & 1
  \end{bmatrix}


(I|C^{-1}) = 
  \begin{bmatrix}
    1 & 0 & 0 & -\frac{1}{5} \\
    0 & 1 & \frac{1}{3} & \frac{1}{15}
  \end{bmatrix}

As used in linear algebra, an augmented matrix is used to represent the coefficients as well as the constants of each equation. For the set of equations:


\begin{array}{rcl}
x_1 + 2x_2 + 3x_3 &=& 0 \\
3x_1 + 4x_2 + 7x_3 &=& 2 \\
6x_1 + 5x_2 + 9x_3 &=& 11
\end{array}

the augmented matrix would be composed of


A =
\begin{bmatrix}
1 & 2 & 3 \\
3 & 4 & 7 \\
6 & 5 & 9
\end{bmatrix}
, \quad
B = 
\begin{bmatrix}
0 \\
2 \\
11
\end{bmatrix}

Leaving us with:


C =
\begin{bmatrix}
1 & 2 & 3 & 0 \\
3 & 4 & 7 & 2 \\
6 & 5 & 9 & 11
\end{bmatrix}
.

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