Elementary matrix

An elementary matrix is obtained by applying one elementary row operation to the identity matrix. Multiplying $A$ by it on the left performs the same row operation on $A$. Such a matrix is invertible: reverse a row swap, reverse a nonzero row scaling by its reciprocal, or reverse adding a multiple of another row by adding its negative. Right multiplication gives an elementary column operation. In particular these operations preserve matrix rank.

Every invertible square matrix is a product of elementary matrices. Gaussian elimination reduces $A$ to the identity matrix by elementary row operations, giving $F_r\cdots F_{1}A=I$. Reverse their order and invert them to write $A=F_1^{-1}\cdots F_r^{-1}$. Each inverse is again elementary. Conversely every elementary matrix is invertible, so every such product is invertible. The identity may be represented by the empty product.