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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How to find the possible square roots of the two rowed unit matrix I?

How to find the possible square roots of the two rowed unit matrix I ? I took a matrix like this $$A=\begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix}$$ and wrote,$A.A=I$ and got a set of equations $a^2+bc=1$ $ab+bd=0$ $ac+cd=0$ $cb+d^2=1$ After…
user220382
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EigenVectors of an unitary matrix

A matrix $A$ is unitary if $AA^* = A^*A=I$ where $A^*=(\bar A)^T$. I would like to know, Is it true that the eigenvectors of an unitary matrix are its columns? and are these columns orthonormal? Thanks.
M a m a D
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$\text{rank}(AB) = \text{rank}(BA)$ if product of $A$ and $B$ is defined?

How can I prove this statement is true/false? I have found a counterexample which proves it is not, but I don't understand why it doesn't work, neither why it does work in some cases.
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All pairs of matrices whose product is a given low-rank matrix

Suppose we have an $n\times m$ matrix $M$ of rank $k\ll n$. Such a matrix can be decomposed $$ M = A B $$ where $A$ is an $n\times k$ matrix and $B$ is a $k\times m$ matrix. Such a decomposition can be obtained for example using (compact) singular…
Wouter
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For an invertible $n$-by-$n$ matrix $M$ show the transpose is also invertible.

As the title says, if I have a $n$-by-$n$ matrix $M$ which is invertible how do I show that the transposed matrix is invertible with ${({M^{ - 1}})^t} = {({M^t})^{ - 1}}$. I found this in a book but there isn't a solution provided, any assistance…
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Proving a matrix has an inverse...

If $A$ is a $n\times n$ matrix that satisfies ${A^3} - 15{A^2} + 41A - c{I_n} = {0_{n,n}}$. I want to prove that $A$ has an inverse. ($c \in \mathbb{R}$) I'm thinking you rearrange so that you get the identity matrix on its own on the right and then…
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Symbolic expression for average standard deviation of 3D matrix

Suppose that I have a 3D matrix, where the $i$-th, $j$-th, $k$-th element is denoted by $h_{ijk}$. The matrix has the dimensions $M\times N \times K$. I want to express the following operation in mathematical notation: First, compute the standard…
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Find matrices $A,B$: exists $X,Y$: $AX-BY=[A,B]$ and $XA-YB=[A,B]$, here $X,Y$ are also matrices

Question Find matrices $A,B$: such that there exists matrices $X,Y$: $AX-BY=[A,B]$ and $XA-YB=[A,B]$, here $X,Y$ are also matrices, [A,B]=AB-BA - commutator. "Find" means "say something worth" any help is welcome. In particular it is not clear for…
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Orthogonal complement of the column space of a matrix

Let $H =\operatorname{Col}(A)$, where $$A =\begin{pmatrix} 1&2\\ 2&4\\ 3& 1\end{pmatrix}$$ Find $H^\perp$, the orthogonal complement of $H$. $H$ is the same thing as $A$, and as I understand it, Orthogonal complement means the span of vectors that…
Luke
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Algebra 2 & Matrix

what does a small number on the base of a letter mean? I do not understand it and I am working on a problem in my Algebra 2 class that has that in it.
Grace
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Calculating formula to store location of Lower Triangular Matrix

I am struggling with a problem from this textbook. The question is as follows: Determine a formula h = f(i,j) to store location MATRIX[i][j] in h. Ensure to only store nonzero elements. Then it asks how they can be stored in a single dimensional…
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How do I calculate B/2?

Let's say I have Matrix B = $$ \begin{bmatrix} -2 & 4\\ 3 & 2\\ 0 & -1\\ \end{bmatrix} $$ How would I calculate B/2? Do I just divide each element of B by 2? Please help!
non bee
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What 's the short proof that for square matrices $AB = I$ implies $BA = I$?

Possible Duplicate: If $AB = I$ then $BA = I$ I'm trying to remember the one line proof that for square matrices $AB = I$ implies $BA = I$. I think it uses only elementary matrix properties and nothing else. Does anyone know the proof? I…
Adam
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Find the determinent of a $4 \times 4$ matrix with the letter $a$ in it

Any idea how to compute the determinant of $4 \times 4$ matrix $A$ when \begin{equation} A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 4 & 8 & 1\\ 0 & 30 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 2 & 0 & 0 \\ 1 & 2 & 9 & a \end{bmatrix}. \end{equation} The $a$ in the $A_{44}$ location is really…
Phil
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Leibniz Formula Proof (Rule of Sarrus)

Can anyone prove this: $\det(M) =\begin{vmatrix} a_{11} & a_{12} & a_{13} \\ a_{21} & a_{22} & a_{23} \\ a_{31} & a_{32} & a_{33} \end{vmatrix} =…