A tool that determines the row echelon form, and often the reduced row echelon form, of a given matrix. The output is a matrix that has been transformed through Gaussian elimination, satisfying specific criteria regarding leading entries (pivots) and zero rows. For instance, a matrix such as[[1, 2, 3],[0, 1, 4],[0, 0, 1]] is in row echelon form, while[[1, 0, 0],[0, 1, 0],[0, 0, 1]] is in reduced row echelon form.
This computational aid streamlines linear algebra operations by automating the often tedious process of row reduction. It is particularly beneficial in solving systems of linear equations, finding matrix inverses, determining the rank of a matrix, and analyzing the linear independence of vectors. The application of this calculation, initially performed manually, has evolved with the development of computational mathematics and digital tools, increasing efficiency in mathematical and engineering fields.