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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Finding a matrix

How might I find matrix $M\in M_2(\mathbb C)$ such that $M^t A =M^{-1}$ where $A=\left[ \begin{array}{cc} a & a \\ a & a+1 \\ …
charlie
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Relating the Error in Matrix Inversion to the Determinant

If $M$ and $\tilde M$ are invertible square matrices which are almost the same (you get to pick the norm) $$\tilde M-M<\epsilon$$ Then can we say that their inverses are almost the same (of course)? Here's the catch: can we have the upper-bound on…
Dave
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How to prove these 2 matrix problems?

I'm reading a book and it gives that $\frac{\partial}{\partial A}Tr(AB)=B^T$, then it shows we can obtain $\frac{\partial}{\partial A}Tr(ABA^T)=A(B+B^T)$. But it seems we should have $\frac{\partial}{\partial A}Tr(ABA^T)=AB^T$ accordingly. Am I…
Frazer
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Is it a Wishart matrix or not?

Now I am having some problems about the Wishart matrix. Please help me, thank you! We know that $m \times m$ random matrix $\boldsymbol{A} = \boldsymbol{H} \boldsymbol{H}^H$ is a (central) real/complex Wishart matrix with $n$ degrees of freedom and…
lala
  • 21
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Matrix Manipulation Question

Given that A $\begin{bmatrix}1\\-2\\1\end{bmatrix}=\begin{bmatrix}2\\-3\\-5\end{bmatrix}$ and A $\begin{bmatrix}1\\4\\-2\end{bmatrix}=\begin{bmatrix}0\\2\\-1\end{bmatrix}$ find A $\begin{bmatrix}1 && 1\\-2 && 4\\1 && -2\end{bmatrix}$ Not really sure…
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How to read this matrix notation

Excuse me for this basic question, but when reading some mathematic books I have encountered the following matrix: W = 2diag([1 1 0,01]) Could anybody explain to me how can I read this? Is it just a diagonal matrix multiplied by 2?
TheMP
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Finding matrix $B$

Any suggestions at to what matrix $B$ is such that$\|X[(I+YX)^{-1}-I]-BY\|=O(\|Y^a\|)$ where $a>1$ and $X,Y,B$ are all square matrices of the same size and $I$ is the identity matrix and $\|\cdot\|$ is a norm? Also, to be clear $O(\cdot)$ is the…
Johnny
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A simple question in matrix theory, but I was puzzled:

If matrices $AA^\dagger=BB^\dagger$, then there exists some unitary matrix V, s.t. A=BV. Is it true? If it is, how to prove it?(Here, $\dagger$ denotes transpose conjugate)
Frank
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A matrix's polynomials

If the matrix $M\in M_5(\mathbb C)$ has the property $M^2=M^4$ but $M\neq M^2$, are there any special implications regarding the characteristic and minimal polynomials? I suppose then that the eigenvalues are s.t. $\lambda^2=\lambda^4$...(right?)…
Fred
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Fastest Gaussian Elimination Method?

I have this matrix and I want to know is there a method that I can always rely on to get the inverse without much trial and error. The matrix is; $$ \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1\\ 0 & 3 & 1\\ 0 & 2 & -1 \end{bmatrix}. $$
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Jordan Canonical form

Is there a good way of describing the form the inverse matrix of a "n by n matrix in Jordan canonical form"? I know how it should look like, but I don't know how to describe it... As an example: here. Also, is there a simple way of getting the JCF…
cumin
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Some questions on Nilpotent matrix

Q & A style. Just wanted to share the following question which came in a competitive exam and so college level maths students may find it useful: A non-zero matrix $A\in M_n(\mathbb{R})$ is said to be nilpotent if $A^k = 0$ for some positive integer…
Debashish
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Solving matrices

Lately I sought for some challenge for my logical part of brain. In mathematics. I Googled a website and wanted to learn something new, so I met matrixes, I remember it from Microsoft Office, so I wanted to give it a shot. But as I told, this was…
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Singular Values of negative eigenvalue?

Consider a $4 \times 4$ matrix with eigenvalues $0,1,-2,4$. What are the singular values of this matrix? I am aware that singular values are just square root of the eigenvalues, but what will be the answer for $-2$ eigenvalue? Is it undefined?
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Multiplication of matrices

When we add two matrices we just simply add the corresponding elements but when we multiply two matrices there is a much more complex process.Why does it happens?
Abdullah
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