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.

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Is the characteristic polynomial of a matrix $\det(\lambda I-A)$ or$ \det(A-\lambda I)$?

I haven't been able to get a very clear answer on this. In the exercise that I performed to find the Characteristic Polynomial of a given Matrix, I used the determinant of $(\lambda I-A)$ to find the answer. I don't actually attend any courses or do…
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How to tell if two matrices are similar?

Two n-by-n matrices A and B are called similar if $$ \! B = P^{-1} A P $$ for some invertible n-by-n matrix P. Similar matrices share many properties: Rank Determinant Trace Eigenvalues (though the eigenvectors will in general be…
Tim
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Is there any matrix notation the summation of a vector?

I have a simple question please. I want a mathematical notation to express sum(A[i]) where A is a vector (one dimensional matrix). I want to rewrite a simple formula in matrix form (compact form) and need your help. For example, if you want to…
remo
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Proof of existence of square root of unitary and symmetric matrix

I'm struggling with this exercise Let $U$ be a unitary and symmetric matrix ($U^T = U$ and $U^*U = I$). Prove that there exists a complex matrix $S$ such that: $S^2 = U$ $S$ is a unitary matrix $S$ is symmetric Each matrix that commutes with $U$,…
user1111261
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Geometric interpretation of complex eigenvalues

What is the geometric interpretation of complex eigenvalues? For me it is clear that real eigenvalues of a matrix $A$ are associates to eigenvectors along which the matrix $A$ contracts or expands. Complex eigenvalues are associated intuitively (but…
user39115
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Calculate effective rank of matrix

How can I calculate the effective rank of a matrix? I know how to calculate the rank but not how to calculate the effective rank.
Sarina
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matrix multiplication by columns

Yo, I need some help with understanding matrix multiplication by columns. Consider the two matrices: $\left( \begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 6 & 5 & 4 \\ 7 & 8 & 9 \end{array} \right) \left( \begin{array}{ccc} 3 & 2 & 1 \\ 4 & 5 & 6 \\ 9 & 8…
moose
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Matrix exponential: $e^A\ge 0\iff a_{ij}\ge 0$ when $i\neq j$

Let $A$ be a $n$ by $n$ matrix. Prove that that $$a_{ij}\ge 0 \text{ whenever }i\neq j\iff e^A\text{ has all entries }\ge 0.$$ I'd like just a hint for now please.
antifb
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If $A^3=I$ for a real matrix, is $A$ normal/orthogonal?

I read earlier that if $A$ is a real $3\times 3$ matrix satsifying $A^3=I$, then $A$ is similar to a matrix of form $$ \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0\\ 0 & \cos\theta & -\sin\theta\\ 0 & \sin\theta & \cos\theta \end{bmatrix} $$ From the structure…
Szekely
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Can I use algebraic identities with matrices?

Let $A$ and $B$ be square matrices, so that it is possible to add or multiply them with themselves and with each other. Can algebraic identities such as $(A+B)^2=A^2+2AB+B^2$ apply to them?
Rav Rk
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If $Ax = Bx$ for all $x \in C^{n}$, then $A = B$.

Let $A$ and $B$ are $n\times n$ matrices and $x \in C^{n}$. If $Ax = Bx$ for all $x$ then $A = B$. To prove this I have selected $x$ from Euclidean basis B = {$e_{1},e_{2},...,e_{n}$}. Then $Ae_{i} = Be_{i}$ implies $i^{th}$ column of A = $i^{th}$…
Vinod
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Find $M$, where $M^7=I$ and $M\neq I$, $M$ has only 0's and 1's.

Find a $3 \times 3 $ matrix $M$ with entries 0 and 1 only such that $M^7=I$ and $M\neq I$. This was a short question in a recent exam. I tried with permutation matrices but couldn't find $M^{odd}=I$ except for 3.
user67773
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How valid is this concept or does this already have a name?

I was going through my school papers and found an interesting question, so I experimented a bit more and found out a pattern, so I made a formula for such matrices. $$A = \begin{bmatrix}x&-(x-1)\\x+1&-x\end{bmatrix}$$ where $x > 0$ is an…
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Square root of the product of a matrix with a diagonal matrix

If I have a matrix M which can be decomposed as: $M = DH$ where $D$ is a diagonal matrix and $H$ is another matrix with known positive semi-definite square root $H^{1/2}$, does this give a formula or method for finding $M^{1/2}$? Some additional…
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Can a symmetric matrix always be represented as the sum of a positive-definite and negative-definite matrix?

I was wondering if it is possible to decompose any symmetric matrix into a positive definite and a negative definite component. I can't seem to think of a counterexample if the statement is false.
Erik M
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