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 $A$ is normal and $A$ and $B$ commute, then $A^*$ and $B$ commute

Let $A$ is a normal matrix: $A^*\! A = A A^*\!\!$,$\,$ and $AB = BA$. Prove that $A^*\!B=BA^*\!\!$. I can prove that if $\det A\ne 0$ by multiplication $AB=BA$ by $A^*$ left and right and using some manipulation. But I have no idea what to do if…
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Possible to solve $A + P^{-1}AP = B$?

Is it possible to solve for a matrix $A$ in an equation involving a matrix similar to $A$, of the form $$A + P^{-1}AP = B$$? The solution I'd be looking for would be for $A$ in terms of $P$ and $B$, ideally. EDIT: Thanks for the existing answers!…
Adam
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How to find general inverse of a matrix

Find the general inverse (G) of the matrix $$A=\begin{bmatrix}1 & 2 & 3 \\4 & 5 & 6\end{bmatrix}$$ Also check that $AGA=A$ I am new in G- inverse calculation. I understand that G will be a $3 \times 2$ matrix. But unable to find it. Please…
A.D
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Cartan matrices: motivation and intuitive examples?

could anyone provide me with a sketch of the motivation that gave rise to Cartan matrices in abstract (homological) algebra, Lie algebrae and so on? Which was the trigger or the need for them? It would also be great if you could provide me with some…
Javier Arias
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Matrix Calculus and Dot Products

I'm a beginner at matrix calculus and I've been using the Wikipedia page for my rules. I'm having some trouble with this problem that I've faced. I know the solution, but I'm wondering why my strict application of the matrix calculus "rules" doesn't…
ImpGuard
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Why are these matrix row operations even allowed simultanously on more than one matrix?

My Differential Equations book is going over finding the inverse of Matrices, and clearly I've forgotten my college algebra. I have no idea why this works. The first example gives this: $\begin{bmatrix}1 & -1 & -1\\3 & -1 & 2\\2 & 2 &…
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Matrix addition/multiplication with different sizes

I have the following two matrices: $$A=\begin{pmatrix}1 & -2\\3 & 1\end{pmatrix}\text{ and }B=\begin{pmatrix}1 & 3 & 2\\-1 & 0 & 2\end{pmatrix}$$ So I have two matrixes with different sizes. Multiple sources tell me that I can't do multiplication…
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Eigenvalues of the sum of a diagonal matrix and the outer product of two vectors

Does a $n \times n$ matrix $M = D + u. v^T$ with $D$ diagonal, $u$ and $v$ two given vectors, and $n$ a positive integer have some interesting properties in term of spectrum (all the real parts of the eigenvalues positive, for example) ? I'm…
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2-norm and Frobenius norm of a matrix

Im prooving the inequality: $\|AB\|_F \leq \|A\|_2 \|B\|_F$. To prove this I need to know, if the following is true: Lets $B_{n \times r}~=~(\mathbf{b_1}, \ldots, \mathbf{b_r})$ is a matrix, $\mathbf{b_1}$, $\ldots$, $\mathbf{b_r}$ are vectors $n…
Eva
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Let Q be orthogonal. Show that Q^tAQ has the same characteristic polynomial. as A.

Do I have to use the diagonalization of A?
AVP
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Properties of matrices

Have I got these properties of matrices correct?
Jim_CS
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$f:M(n,\mathbb R) \to \mathbb R$ be , then $\exists ! C \in M(n,\mathbb R)$ such that $f(A)=Trace (AC) , \forall A \in M(n,\mathbb R)$?

Let $f:M(n,\mathbb R) \to \mathbb R$ be a linear function , then does there exist a unique $C \in M(n,\mathbb R)$ such that $f(A)=Trace (AC) , \forall A \in M(n,\mathbb R)$ ?
user217921
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Matrix determinants related by a polynomial factor

Show that LHS = $$\begin{vmatrix}a_1+b_1t & a_2+b_2t & a_3+b_3t \\ a_1t+b_1 & a_2t+b_2 & a_3t+b_3 \\c_1 & c_2 & c_3 \\\end{vmatrix}$$ RHS = (1-t^2) multiply$$\begin{vmatrix}a_1 & a_2 & a_3 \\ b_1 & b_2 & b_3 \\c_1 & c_2 & c_3 \\\end{vmatrix}$$ I…
piggy
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Given a general 3D Matrix operation ... who can I apply "1/2" of the effect of it ?

Given a general 3D Matrix operation ... who can I apply "1/2" of the effect of it ? I have an object with a given orientation in space and a given position ... and another version of same object with a different position and orientation ... Is…
Mark
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All matrices which commute with all $2\times 2$ matrices

I would like to find all matrices which commute with all $2\times2$ matrices. I started solving problem in this way: 1) I have this matrix $A$ with real numbers: $$A=\left[\begin{array}{cc}a &b\\c &d\end{array}\right]$$ 2) Matrix which commute…
USB_MAT
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