The tool evaluates the vector space spanned by the column vectors of a matrix. This vector space, also known as the range of the matrix, comprises all possible linear combinations of the matrix’s column vectors. For instance, given a matrix with numerical entries, the utility determines the set of all vectors that can be generated by scaling and adding the columns of that matrix. The result is typically expressed as a basis for the space, providing a minimal set of vectors that span the entire space.
Understanding this space is fundamental in linear algebra and has broad applications. It reveals crucial properties of the matrix, such as its rank and nullity. The dimensionality of this space corresponds to the rank of the matrix, indicating the number of linearly independent columns. Moreover, this concept is vital in solving systems of linear equations; a solution exists only if the vector representing the constants lies within the vector space spanned by the coefficient matrix’s columns. The underlying principles were formalized in the development of linear algebra, becoming a cornerstone in numerous mathematical and scientific disciplines.