Question

Matrix question (see comments)

Answer 1

I used this online calculator for some row reduction. To get the second rows first entry to by 0, it chose to do R2= -1R1+R2. Why not just add R3+R2?

Answer 2

Because calculators are programmed to do calculations in a specific manner.

Answer 3

But the problem is it caused the results to differ.

Answer 4

How?

Answer 5

Greatly. Using the calculators method as opposed to my own changed the value of a whole row and as I continued solving the end result was just not the same.

Answer 6

Am I not allowed to just add to rows or something?

Answer 7

What I mean is, instead of post the calculator stuff, why don't you just post the question you are working on? Worrying about why the calculator isn't doing it the way you want isn't going to help you get your problem solved any faster. No matter what you do, the calculator will keep doing it the same.

Answer 8

I don't want the calculator to do it any particular way . I want to know why it what it did. I already have my answers, and the fact that it differs from its' answers is my problem because I must assume I did something wrong.

Answer 9

Here's what to do:

1. Close this question
2. Post a new question. In the new question, post your original problem, your result and the steps you took to get the result. Then describe your issue with the calculator's result. Afterwards, someone will be in a better position to help you.

Answer 10

Thank you for your help.