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Write a vector in the domain as $(u,v,w,t{)}^T$. The first and third equations defining the kernel of a linear map imply $v=2\alpha u-2t$. Substitution into the second equation then givesFor $\alpha \ne 1$, this forces $t=(\alpha +1)u$, $v=-2u$ and $w=3u$. HenceThe kernel of a linear map has dimension one, so the rank-nullity theorem gives rank three and proves the assertion about the image of a linear map. Alternatively, the minor formed from columns $2,3,4$ has determinant $2(\alpha -1)$, including a nonzero value at $\alpha =-1$.

For $\alpha =1$, the parameters $u,t$ are free and $v=2u-2t$, $w=-3u+3t$. ThusThe third row is the first row minus the second. The image of a linear map is therefore contained in $y_1-y_2-y_3=0$. The first and third columns, $(1,2,-1{)}^T$ and $(1,0,1{)}^T$, are linearly independent, so the matrix rank is two and this containment is equality:This is the sole kernel jump in a parameter-dependent linear map; there is no further exceptional case at $\alpha =-1$.