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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Prove that $A^TD-C^TB=I$

Let A,B,C,D be complex matrices $n \times n$ such that $AB^T,CD^T$ are symmetric and $AD^T-BC^T=I$. Prove that $A^TD-C^TB=I$. Can anyone give me any idea? Thank you.
user62138
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Commutative matrix multiplication

Given two 3x3 matrix: $$ V= \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 & 9 \cr 6 & 4 & -18 \cr -3 & 0 & 13 \cr \end{bmatrix}\quad W= \begin{bmatrix} 13 & 9 & 3 \cr -14 & -8 & 2 \cr 5 & 3 & -1 \cr \end{bmatrix} $$ Is there any way to predict that $ V * W = W * V…
fsh
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What class of matrices permutes matrix entries?

Let's start with the $2$ by $ 2$ case: We're given a matrix A $$\begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d. \end{pmatrix}$$ What class of matrices "rotates" or "permutes" the entries upon left-multiplication, such that we obtain, for example, $$BA =…
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Maximum matrix simplification

What is the most that a matrix can be simplified if row or column operations are both allowed? Intuitively, I am guessing that everything is 0 except the diagonal entries, which are a mix of 0's and 1's. However, I'm unable to conjecture how many of…
user85362
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How to find a positive defective matrix?

When can a positive $n\times n$ matrix (with strictly positive entries only) be defective (non-diagonalizable)? It is not hard to show that it's not possible for $n=2$. I was able to find an example of such matrix for $n=3$ (by guessing), and it…
xivaxy
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Prove the following properties of matrices

Let $A$ be a $M \times N$ matrix and $B$ a $N \times P$ matrix. Prove that $(AB)^T = B^TA^T$. Use the result in Problem 1 and the associative property of matrix multiplication to show that $(ABC)^T$ = $C^TB^TA^T$ I already have a drafted anwswer…
user84275
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approximation of the sum of matrices

I have the following equation: $ \boldsymbol H = \sum\limits_{i=1}^{m} \left( \underbrace{\nabla r_i \nabla r_i^T }_{\boldsymbol J_i} + r_i \nabla^2 r_i \right) $ where $r_i: \mathbb{R}^n \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$. Now I want to know in which cases…
bonanza
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Is proving $AB=BA=I$ a must when proving $B$ is $A^{-1}$ where $A,B\in \mathbf M_n\Bbb(R)$?

In our exams, we must prove that $AB=BA=I$ and our marks will be halved if we only prove $AB=I$, are there any examples that $AB=I$ but $BA=C$ where $A,B,C \in \mathbf M_n\Bbb(R)$? I've discussed this question with my friend and this is his…
OW1TY2
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The Effect of a Transpose on a Matrix Inequality

In the solution to an exercise I came across the following: $y^TA_N \geq c_N^T \rightarrow A_N^Ty \geq c_N$. Now I was wondering, is it in general true that an inequality remains valid when 'taking transposes on both sides'? If so, what is the proof…
dreamer
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How to prove that normal matrix with property $A^2=A$ is Hermitian?

I am given a matrix $A\in M(n\times n, \mathbb{C})$ normal (in matrix form $AA^*=A^*A$) and $A^2=A$. The task is to prove that the matrix is Hermitian. But when I try something like $A^*=\,\,...$ , then I can't reach $A$, because I can't "get rid of…
nakajuice
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Are there such things as 3-dimensional (and higher) analogues of matrices, and if so, do they have any applications?

A matrix is a group of numbers arranged in a rectangle. I wonder, has anyone studied 3-dimensional and higher analogues of matrices? For example, there could be such a thing as a 2 by 2 by 2 3d matrix, whose entries are all equal to 1. Has anyone…
user107952
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how to show a known matrix radius inequality

Let $A, B, C$ be symmetric positive definite matrices, define $R(A,B)=\max\{\rho(A^{-1}B), \rho(B^{-1}A) \}$, where $\rho(\cdot)$ means the spectral radius. Is it obvious $R(A,C)\le R(A,B)R(B,C)$? How to prove this?
Sunni
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Do the eigenvalues of $A+B$ have some relation with eigenvalues of $A, B$?

I am wondering if I can say something about eigenvalues of $A+B$ in terms of eigenvalues of $A$, eigenvalues of $B$, under some conditions. (In particular, $A$, $B$ of my interest are stochastic matrices, but it is okay for any general matrices.) I…
Jayboy
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Help understanding multiplying matrices

I'm getting stuck on multiplying matrices together and cannot figure out for the life of me where I'm going wrong. I'm working on some robotics and reading through a textbook which gives the following example of matrices: This gives me a…
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Property of the identity matrix

Is the identity the only matrix $A \in \mathbb R^{n \times n}$ with real positive eigenvalues that is equal to its inverse? Thanks.
roger
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