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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How to parameterize a solution of a system of equations?

Give the parameterized solution for the dependent system represented by the matrix: $$\left(\begin{array}{ccc|r} 1 & 0 & 3 & 6\\ 0 & 1 & 2 & -4\\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \end{array}\right).$$
user6735
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How to 'minimise' matrices

I have a question relating to the following problem in my maths investigation: A nut store orders nuts in bulk, and the mix ratios are as follows: Budget Mix: 60% peanuts, 40% cashews Entertainers MiX: 40% peanuts, 40% cashews and 20%…
Maddy
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Compound Angle formula using Matrices

show that $$ \cos(A+B)=\cos(A)\cos(B)-\sin(A)\sin(B)\\ \text{ if } AB=BA $$ the question gives a hint to use: $$ \sin(A)=\frac{1}{2i}(e^{iA}-e^{-iA})\\ \cos(A)=\frac{1}{2}(e^{iA}+e^{-iA}) $$
sarah jamal
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Determinant of the sum of two matrices with positive determinant

Let $A = \left( \matrix{a & b \\ c & d}\right)$ and $A^\prime = \left( \matrix{a^\prime & b^\prime \\ c^\prime & d^\prime}\right)$ be $2\times 2$ matrices with positive integer entries such that $\det A > 0$ and $\det A^\prime > 0$. If $\det…
user17982
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Increasing only one column/row of a matrix

Question: Is there a way to increase only one row/column in a matrix with a scalar? We learned about multiplying matrices recently, and I was wondering how you would use a scalar to multiply against a matrix to increase only one of its rows or…
Frank
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When is $MNM^{-1}$ an integer matrix?

If $M$ and $N$ are $2 \times 2$ invertible, non-unimodular matrices with integer entries, when is the product $MNM^{-1}$ an integer matrix? I tried multiplying out components (as shown below), but it becomes very messy, so I am wondering if there is…
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Solving a system of equations in a non-square matrix

Mrs Brown has pet cats, pet parrots, pet fish and pet rocks. Each pet rock has three eyes, no legs and no tail. The other pets have as many of these features as you would expect. Let the number of cats, parrots, fish and rocks be given by c, p, f…
Roxana
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If $A$ commutes with $A^{\ast}A$ then is $A$ normal?

For any square matrix $A$, if $A$ commutes with $A^{\ast}A$ then is $A$ normal? I solved for $2 \times 2$ matrices and it is true that $A$ is normal. For other order I can't prove or can't find counter example.
Hemant
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Difference of two postive semi definite (psd) matrices

Given two psd matrices $A$ and $B$, under what condition $A-B$ is also a psd matrix ? Both A and B are full-rank and of the form $T^HT$.
Raj
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negative power on a matrix

I have a compute a calculus with a negative power on a matrix, however, due of my low math level, I am not sure on how powers and moreover negative ones applies on matrices could you give me some advices ? this calculus is this one:
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Matrices CD + DC = I, possible or not?

I have seen a lot of $CD - DC = I$ questions, which is fairly easy to solve using trace, in here. But is it possible for $CD + DC = I$? Given that both C and D are square matrices, I have only managed to show that $Tr(CD) = n/2$. But I feel that…
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Is there a generalized formula to solve the $n$th exponent of an $m$ dimensional square matrix?

I was trying to do something like a general formula, and testing, I came with this: $$ \left( \begin{array}{cc} a & b \\ a' & b' \\ \end{array} \right)^2=\left( \begin{array}{ccc} a^2+a'b & b(a+b') \\ a'(a+b') & b'^2+a'b \\ \end{array}…
Garmen1778
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Is matrix just a representation? Is that precise enough?

From what i know, a $m \times n$ matrix in which elements are taken from a field like $F$, is a rectangular array which has $m$ rows and $n$ columns. That's the definition i learned from linear-algebra class. Every time i want to work with…
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Splitting partially known rectangular matrix in a vector of knowns and a square matrix of unknowns

I have the following equation, with one matrix and a vector. $$\mathbf C*\vec n =0$$ with $\vec n = \{a,b,d,e\}$ and $\mathbf C$ having being a 3x4 matrix. The issue is, I know $a$ but want to represent the system in the more common form $\mathbf…
JMenezes
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How to show if two two matrices are similar, then their images under a polynomial are similar?

I have a quick question. Let $A,B$ be square matrix. And let $p(t)=a_kt^k+\cdots+a_1t+a_0)$ be a polynomial. Prove that if $A$ and $B$ are similar then $p(A)$ and $p(B)$ are similar. Proof: If $A$ and $B$ are similar there exists a non singular…
Fernando Martinez
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