Questions tagged [matrices]

For any topic related to matrices. This includes: systems of linear equations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors (diagonalization, triangularization), determinant, trace, characteristic polynomial, adjugate and adjoint, transpose, Jordan normal form, matrix algorithms (e.g. LU, Gauss elimination, SVD, QR), invariant factors, quadratic forms, etc. For questions specifically concerning matrix equations, use the (matrix-equations) tag.

A matrix is a rectangular array of elements, usually numbers or variables, arranged in rows and columns. A matrix with $m$ rows and $n$ columns has $m \times n$ elements and is called an $m$ by $n$ matrix. Matrices are a part of .

Matrices can be added and subtracted. Furthermore, if they have compatible shapes, they can be multiplied. More precisely, given two matrices $A$ and $B$, the matrix $AB$ is defined when the number of columns of $A$ is equal to the number of rows of $B$. In particular, given a natural number $n$, any two matrices $A$ and $B$ with $n$ columns and $n$ rows can be multiplied in both ways (that is, both $AB$ and $BA$ exist).


For questions specifically concerning matrix equations, use the tag.

55954 questions
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If $e^{xA}$ and $e^{yB}$ commute $\forall x,y\in \mathbb{R}$, do A and B commute?

We know that the matrices $A$ and $B$ don't commute even if $e^{A}$ and $e^{B}$ commute. However, if the problem now is that $e^{xA}$ and $e^{yB}$ commute $\forall x,y\in \mathbb{R}$, then do A and B commute? The following is my…
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A be a $3\times 3$ matrix over $\mathbb {R}$ such that $AB =BA$ for all matrices $B$. what can we say about such matrix $A$

Let $A$ be a $3\times 3$ matrix over $\mathbb {R}$ such that $AB =BA$ for all matrices $B$ over $\mathbb {R}$ then what can we say about such matrix $A$. or such matrix $A$ must be orthogonal matrix? Can we say anything about its eigen values? I…
Srijan
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If $\det A=1$ and the matrices $A^{2015}$ and $A^{2017}$ are integer, is $A$ an integer matrix?

Assume $\det(A) = 1$ and all the numbers in the matrices $A^{2015}$ and $A^{2017}$ are integers. Can I say that all numbers in $A$ are integers too? How can I prove it?
Rotem ben
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Square root-related calculations with matrices

If $\mathbf A$ is an $n \times n$ matrix such that $\mathbf A^6 = \mathbf I_n$ (the identity matrix), is it true that either $\mathbf A^3 = \mathbf I_n$ or $\mathbf A^3 = \mathbf -I_n$? I'm struggling to solve this question. I re-wrote $\mathbf A^3$…
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Can an empty array be useful?

Most computer programming languages have constructs for managing arrays of data, including multiple-dimensional arrays, which are clearly useful when storing, manipulating and modelling mathematical arrays/matrices. Most of these languages also…
ClickRick
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How can I prove that a square matrix is invertible if it satisfies this polynomial equation?

For a 3x3 matrix $C$, it is given that $$C^3+I=3C^2-C$$ I am then required to prove that $C$ is invertible. I have attempted a proof, below, but I am not sure it is valid or if there is a better solution. Attempted proof $$C^3 + I = 3C^2 - C$$ $$I =…
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Matrix non-identity

Let $M,N$ be $n\times n$ matrices. Then why is it that $MN-NM=I_n$ cannot be true, where $I_n$ is the $n\times n$ identity matrix? I am thinking of perhaps there is an argument using determinants? (Of course I am probably way out.) Thanks.
asker
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Why does $A^2=I$ imply $nullity(A)=0$?

$A$ is a square matrix, why does $A^2=I$ imply $nullity(A)=0$? This is the key step in the solution, which I can't get it. Please help
JSCB
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Which of the statements are true if $ABCDE = I$?

Let $A,B,C,D,E$ be five real square matrices of the same order such that $ABCDE = I$, where $I$ is the unit matrix. Then which of the following are true? (A) $B^{−1}A^{−1}= EDC$ (B) $BA$ is a nonsingular matrix (C) $ABC$ commutes with $DE$ (D)…
Rudstar
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Invert a matrix.

$$A=\begin{pmatrix}1 & -a_1 & -a_1 &\cdots & -a_1\\ -a_2 & 1 &-a_2 & \cdots &-a_2\\ \vdots & \vdots & \ddots & \vdots & \vdots\\ -a_{N-1} & -a_{N-1} & \cdots& 1 & -a_{N-1}\\ -a_N & -a_N & \cdots & -a_N & 1 \end{pmatrix}.$$ Where $a_i\geq0\;\forall\;…
Jika
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A formula in 'The Matrix Cookbook'

In section 9.4 (Idempotent Matrices), the book says that : if $A$ is idempotent, which means that $AA = A$, then $f(sI + tA) = (I-A)f(s) + Af(s+t)$ but I don't understand the meaning of this formula, can anyone tell me where does it come from or…
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Matrix multiplication: is C(AB) the same as (CA)B?

I would like to show that $(\mathbf{A} \mathbf{B})^{-1} = \mathbf{B}^{-1} \mathbf{A}^{-1}$, where $\mathbf{A}$ and $\mathbf{B}$ are $N \times N$ square matrices. I think that this can be done as follows: First, note that $(\mathbf{A}\mathbf{B})^{-1}…
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What's a matrix?

What is a matrix exactly? What are matrices used for? I have read some of the Wikipedia article, but since my math knowledge is pretty basic, I didn't understand much. Could you explain to me in simple language what matrices are, and what they are…
user3150201
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Visualizing Sylvester's law

According to Sylvester's law, every $2 \times 2$ real symmetric matrix is congruent to exactly one of six standard types. List them. I know that the symmetric matrix is congruent to the diagonal matrix, but what do they want me to list. What are the…
user61913
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square matrix is not invertible if at least one row or column is zero

How to show that a square matrix is not invertible if at least one row or column is zero ? I can show if a row is zero, the result C of $AB=C$ can not be the identity matrix because there is a zero row. But for the column case ? Assume I don't know…
fast-forward
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