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
2
votes
1 answer

When will a random matrix with real entries have all real eigenvalues?

I'm playing around generating random matrices with either sparse gaussian entries or sparse 0-1 entries. In both cases, I find that the power method often fails to find an eigenvector (from an all-real seed vector), and that the extended power…
Elliot JJ
  • 163
2
votes
1 answer

Multiplication of matrices with itself

If A is a matrix when multiplied by itself yields a matrix $A^2$. Now if we wish to obtain $A^3$, are we going to obtain different matrices if I multiply by this way: $A^2\cdot A$ Or this way: $A\cdot A^2$ This may be very simple for you but I am a…
2
votes
1 answer

How to expand ||Ax-b||^2?

Can anyone please explain step-by-step why the x,A,b position as such? For example in step 2 'Expand the error', why isn't is (Ax)^2*x -2(Ax)(b)+b^2? In step 3 why setting derivative = 0, the 2x^T(A^Tb) in previous step & ||b||^2 disappear? Thx.
Wong
  • 143
2
votes
2 answers

How to calculate what ratio of matrix rows will, when summed, equal another row?

I'm sorry for my ignorance; I don't even know the correct terminology or proper way to phrase my question. I tried searching but require human assistance. I'm sorely deficient in understanding of basic math and will have to illustrate. Here's a…
2
votes
2 answers

A and B commute. Delete the same row and column from each. Do they still commute?

Suppose that two matrices $A$ and $B$ commute. If I delete the $i$th row and $i$th column from each, do they necessarily commute? Does the answer change if we guarantee that $A$ and $B$ are Hermitian? For example, consider the matrices…
user196574
  • 1,676
  • 8
  • 18
2
votes
2 answers

Gaussian method - disadvantages

Are there any matrices for which the Gaussian method yields wrong/ or most inaccurate results? I've implemented a full choice algorythm, where i switch rows and columns so that the current element is biggest.
2
votes
1 answer

How to calculate the divergence of matrix?

The divergence of a vector field in Cartesian coordinate system (CCS) is defined as follows $$ \mathrm{div}(\mathbf v) = \nabla \cdot \mathbf v = \begin{bmatrix} \frac{\partial}{\partial x} \\ \frac{\partial}{\partial y}…
2
votes
1 answer

Periodicity of power of $2\times 2$ matrix $E,A,A^2,\ldots,\bmod p$ s.t. $\det{A}=1$.

I want to prove that periodicity of power of $2\times 2$ matrix $$E,A,A^2,\ldots, \bmod p$$ s.t. $\det{A}=1$ is less or equal to $2p$. Supposee $p$ is a prime number. From Cayley–Hamilton theorem, we have $$A^2=\mathrm{Tr}(A)A-I.$$ Thus, $A^n$ can…
ueir
  • 1,211
  • 5
  • 11
2
votes
0 answers

Fidelity between two matrices

I'm calculating the scattering matrix whose ideal form is $S = \left( \begin{array}{ccc} 0 &1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \\ 1 & 0 & 0 \end{array} \right) $. My numerical result is however something like $S' = \left( …
2
votes
1 answer

Prove that every square matrix can be uniquely expressed as sum of a symmetrical and skew symmetric matrix.

Explain this step : - To prove uniqueness,let $A = R + S$ where $R$ is symmetric and $S$ is skew−symmetric ∴ $A′ = (R+S)′ = R′+S′ = R−S$ { ∵ $R′= R$ and $S′= −S$ by Definition of symmetric and skew−symmetric matrices } ∴ $1/2 (A+A′) = 1/2 ( R+S +…
2
votes
1 answer

Matrixes rotations 3 by 3 conjugations rotate around the same angle

Can someone explain to me why we can conclude that the angle is of rotation is the same? I understand everything but the part where it says it depends continuously and the remaining portion. I don’t get where that comes from. Why is it equal to $a$…
Dhdh
  • 413
2
votes
0 answers

the eigenvalues of product of matrices

Let $A$ be an invertible matrix with positive eigenvalues and $B$ be a positive definite matrix . How to estimate the minimum eigenvalues of $AB$ by using the eigenvalues of $A$ and $B$. More precisely, are there some inequalities such as…
jany
  • 45
  • 3
2
votes
2 answers

In multiplying 2 matrices, how do you know whether to operate on rows or columns?

My understanding is that multiplying a matrix by a matrix on its left means operating on rows, and multiplying a matrix by a matrix on its right means operating on columns. When there are 2 matrices next to each other to be multiplied, how can I…
Andrew
  • 21
2
votes
1 answer

Matrix expression

The products $P$ and $Q$ are to be processed using two machines, $A$ and $B$. Each unit of $P$ requires $6$ hours in machine $A$ and $2$ hours in machine $B$ while each unit of $Q$ requires $5$ hours $A$ and $3$ hours in $B$. If the number of hours…
bella
  • 21
2
votes
3 answers

Matrix multiplication distributivity

Suppose we have matrices $A, B, C$ of dimensions $m \times n, m\times n, n \times l$ respectively. How can we prove $(A+B)\circ C = A\circ C + B \circ C$ (using the summation notation method?)