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 A is symmetric matrix iff $A$ is square and $x^T Ay = (Ax)^T y$

Prove A is a symmetric matrix iff $A$ is square and $x^T Ay = (Ax)^T y$. (for all $x,y \in \mathbb{R}^n$) Going from the assumption that it is symmetric to the two conditions is fairly straightforward. However, going the other way, I am stuck at…
Clinton
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Proving something is a square matrix

I don't want the solution. Please don't post the full solution. I just need a starting clue on how to do this. Suppose $A$ and $B$ are matrices such that $AB$ and $BA$ are defined. a) Show that $AB$ and $BA$ are both square matrices. I actually…
Bobby
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$\lambda_{\max}\geq n$ for a positive reciprocal matrix

Prove that $\lambda_{\max}\geq n$ for a positive reciprocal ($a_{ij}=\frac{1}{a_{ji}}$ for all $i,j\in\{1,2,\dots,n\}$) square matrix $A$, where $n$ is the number of rows of $A$ and $\lambda_{\max}$ is its dominating eigenvalue. Also prove that…
math2000
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Is for $n\ge3$ all the matrix $n\times n$ with entries from $1$ to $n^2$ is $0$?

The matrix is defined like bellow, for $n=3$, $$ A = \begin{bmatrix}1 & 2 & 3\\4 & 5 & 6\\ 7 & 8 & 9\end{bmatrix} $$ and it has $\det(A)=0$. For $n=4$, the matrix $$ \left(\begin{array}{rrrr} 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 \\ 5 & 6 & 7 & 8 \\ 9 & 10 & 11 & 12 \\ 13…
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Give an example of an (complex) orthogonal matrix that isn't unitary and vice versa.

Can you give the simplest example you could think of please. I'm kind of collecting such awkward examples at the moment and have collected quite a few concerning e.g. normal matrices that aren't unitary or hermitian etc. but I'm having trouble…
user68293
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Let $\ell$ be the line parametrized as $(t, 2t+1, 3t+2)$ and let $P$ be the plane with equation $x+y+z = 1$

Let $\ell$ be the line parametrized as $(t, 2t+1, 3t+2)$ and let $P$ be the plane with equation $x+y+z = 1.$ (a) Prove that the matrix $$\mathbf{A} = \begin{pmatrix} -2 & -2 & 2 \\ 2 & 0 & 1 \\ 0& -1 & -1 \end{pmatrix} $$maps all points on line…
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Find the factor of the Shear T

T represents a transformation. $$T = \begin{bmatrix} 3 & -2 \\ 2 & -1 \\ \end{bmatrix}$$ i) Find the invariant points for the transformation T. Which I found to be $$y = x$$ ii) T is a transformation called a shear. The line of shear is the line…
ymxzxz
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HK hermitian if H and K commute

$\text{Let H and K be hermitian operators in unitary space.}$ $\text{HK is hermitian only if HK commutes (HK = KH).}$ How would one prove this statement without the use of eigenvalues?
Jim
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What is the proper sign for a 2D rotation matrix when you flip one of the axis?

I'm trying to understand what the signs of a 2d translation matrix would be when you flip the y axis upside down. I have a camera system whose axis are defined with y pointing in the direction of gravity instead of up. It comes with a set of three…
confused
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Prove or disprove A,B,C commute

Let $A,B,C$ be the real square matrices that satisfy $$\begin{align} A(B+C) &= (B+C)A \\ B(C+A) &= (C+A)B \\ C(A+B) &= (A+B)C \end{align}$$ If $A$ is symmetry and $B^t=C$, how do we prove or disprove that $A$, $B$, and $C$ commute?
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Let A be an invertible matrix. Is it possible that we have $A = A^{-1}$ with $A \ne I_n$?

I'm currently reading a linear algebra book and there is this example without a solution: Let A be an invertible matrix. Is it possible that we have $A = A^{-1}$ with $A \ne I_n$? If not, then what is an example/proof?
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Transformation to swap entries in a matrix

I have a 4x4 transformation matrix $$\begin{bmatrix} i_x & j_x & k_x & t_x \\ i_y & j_y & k_y & t_y \\ i_z & j_z & k_z & t_z \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix}$$ in which I'd like to swap the first and second columns (i.e. the ones containing the $i$…
PeteUK
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Testing if a matrix is positive defninte

Could any one please help clarify my confusion here: I've read that a way of determining if a given matrix is positive definite is: 1) A matrix is positive definite if it’s symmetric and all its pivots are positive. Just perform elimination and…
gnitsuk
  • 217
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Proof Adjoint(AB) = adjoint(B)adjoint(A)

I am reading Quantum Computing and Quantum infırmation. And it says: Adjoints and Hermitian operators Suppose $A$ is any linear operator on a Hilbert space, $V$ . It turns out that there exists a unique linear operator $A^†$ on $V$ such that for all…
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$A$ a negative definite matrix, then $A^{-1}$ exists and is negative

I tried to prove the following statement: $A$ a negative definite matrix, then $A^{-1}$ exists and $A^{-1}$ is negative definite as well. Proof: Let $A \in M_n(\mathbb{K})$ be a negative definite matrix $\Rightarrow$ All eigenvalues of $A :…
karnan
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