Mechanical Engineering Exam  >  Mechanical Engineering Questions  >  In the matrix equation Px = q which of the fo... Start Learning for Free
In the matrix equation Px = q which of the following is a necessary condition for the existence of at least one solution for the unknown vector x:  
  • a)
    Augmented matrix [Pq] must have the same rank as matrix P
  • b)
    Vector q must have only non-zero elements
  • c)
    Matrix P must be singular
  • d)
    Matrix P must be square 
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
In the matrix equation Px = q which of the following is a necessary co...
Explanation:

To understand why option A is the correct answer, let's first define the terms used in the question:

- P: The coefficient matrix with dimensions m x n (m rows and n columns)
- x: The unknown vector with dimensions n x 1 (n rows and 1 column)
- q: The constant vector with dimensions m x 1 (m rows and 1 column)

The matrix equation Px = q represents a system of linear equations. Each row of the coefficient matrix P, when multiplied by the vector x, should equal the corresponding element in the constant vector q.

In order for a solution to exist for the unknown vector x, the following condition must be satisfied:

A solution exists if and only if the rank of the augmented matrix [P|q] is equal to the rank of matrix P.

Explanation of Option A:

Option A states that the augmented matrix [Pq] must have the same rank as matrix P.

- The augmented matrix [Pq] is obtained by appending the constant vector q as an additional column to the coefficient matrix P.
- The rank of a matrix is defined as the maximum number of linearly independent rows or columns in the matrix.

If the augmented matrix [Pq] has the same rank as matrix P, it means that the additional column q does not introduce any new linearly independent rows or columns. This implies that the system of linear equations represented by the matrix equation Px = q has a consistent solution.

Explanation of Other Options:

- Option B: Vector q having only non-zero elements does not guarantee the existence of a solution. It only ensures that the constant vector q is not a zero vector.
- Option C: Matrix P being singular (i.e., not invertible) does not guarantee the existence of a solution. A singular matrix can have either infinitely many solutions or no solution at all, depending on the specific system of linear equations.
- Option D: Matrix P does not need to be square for a solution to exist. The dimensions of matrix P, vector x, and vector q are independent of each other.

In conclusion, the correct answer is option A. For a solution to exist for the unknown vector x in the matrix equation Px = q, the augmented matrix [Pq] must have the same rank as matrix P.
Free Test
Community Answer
In the matrix equation Px = q which of the following is a necessary co...
Correct answer (b)
Attention Mechanical Engineering Students!
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed Mechanical Engineering study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in Mechanical Engineering.
Explore Courses for Mechanical Engineering exam

Top Courses for Mechanical Engineering

In the matrix equation Px = q which of the following is a necessary condition for the existence of at least one solution for the unknown vector x: a)Augmented matrix [Pq] must have the same rank as matrix Pb)Vector q must have only non-zero elementsc)Matrix P must be singulard)Matrix P must be squareCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
In the matrix equation Px = q which of the following is a necessary condition for the existence of at least one solution for the unknown vector x: a)Augmented matrix [Pq] must have the same rank as matrix Pb)Vector q must have only non-zero elementsc)Matrix P must be singulard)Matrix P must be squareCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for Mechanical Engineering 2024 is part of Mechanical Engineering preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the Mechanical Engineering exam syllabus. Information about In the matrix equation Px = q which of the following is a necessary condition for the existence of at least one solution for the unknown vector x: a)Augmented matrix [Pq] must have the same rank as matrix Pb)Vector q must have only non-zero elementsc)Matrix P must be singulard)Matrix P must be squareCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for Mechanical Engineering 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for In the matrix equation Px = q which of the following is a necessary condition for the existence of at least one solution for the unknown vector x: a)Augmented matrix [Pq] must have the same rank as matrix Pb)Vector q must have only non-zero elementsc)Matrix P must be singulard)Matrix P must be squareCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for In the matrix equation Px = q which of the following is a necessary condition for the existence of at least one solution for the unknown vector x: a)Augmented matrix [Pq] must have the same rank as matrix Pb)Vector q must have only non-zero elementsc)Matrix P must be singulard)Matrix P must be squareCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for Mechanical Engineering. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for Mechanical Engineering Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of In the matrix equation Px = q which of the following is a necessary condition for the existence of at least one solution for the unknown vector x: a)Augmented matrix [Pq] must have the same rank as matrix Pb)Vector q must have only non-zero elementsc)Matrix P must be singulard)Matrix P must be squareCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of In the matrix equation Px = q which of the following is a necessary condition for the existence of at least one solution for the unknown vector x: a)Augmented matrix [Pq] must have the same rank as matrix Pb)Vector q must have only non-zero elementsc)Matrix P must be singulard)Matrix P must be squareCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for In the matrix equation Px = q which of the following is a necessary condition for the existence of at least one solution for the unknown vector x: a)Augmented matrix [Pq] must have the same rank as matrix Pb)Vector q must have only non-zero elementsc)Matrix P must be singulard)Matrix P must be squareCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of In the matrix equation Px = q which of the following is a necessary condition for the existence of at least one solution for the unknown vector x: a)Augmented matrix [Pq] must have the same rank as matrix Pb)Vector q must have only non-zero elementsc)Matrix P must be singulard)Matrix P must be squareCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice In the matrix equation Px = q which of the following is a necessary condition for the existence of at least one solution for the unknown vector x: a)Augmented matrix [Pq] must have the same rank as matrix Pb)Vector q must have only non-zero elementsc)Matrix P must be singulard)Matrix P must be squareCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice Mechanical Engineering tests.
Explore Courses for Mechanical Engineering exam

Top Courses for Mechanical Engineering

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev