# Elementary Matrix and row of zeros

If you have the following matrix can $k$ be any number?

\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & k & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix}

So this is obviously an assignment question, but I couldn't find a concrete answer anywhere.

I would just liketo double check my reasoning with other people (long distance learning, so no other students to chat too)

I say no, because $k$ cannot be zero. To my understanding, an elementary matrix can only be created using a single row operation on an Identity matrix. I can't think of any operation that would create a row of zeros from an Identity matrix.

Is my assumption correct: $k$ can be any number except for zero.

• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/… – frogeyedpeas Jul 30 '14 at 7:42
• after-re reading your comment about 0, i agree with your logic, for all other values though this indeed is an elementary matrix – frogeyedpeas Jul 30 '14 at 7:43

Like in the definition of Wikipedia you are correct, $k$ cannot be equal $0$. In fact elementary matrices represent the steps that you do with the gaussian algorithm, and you are not allowed to multiply a row/column by $0$ to get the Row Echelon Form because when you multiply a row/column by $0$ "you loose the information" of the row/column and that is obviously not good.