The method of Gauss-Jordan elimination involves using the first equation in the system to eliminate the first variable from the other equations, and so on. In general, at the rth stage, the rth equation is used to eliminate the rth variable from all other equations. However, we are not restricted to using the rth equation to eliminate the rth variable form the other equations. Any later equation that contains the rth variable can be used to accomplish this elimination. The coefficient of the rth variable in that equation can be taken as pivot-we now introduce freedom in selection of pivots. The choice of pivots is very important in obtaining accurate numerical solution. The following example illustrates how crucial the choice of pivots can be.