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
8
votes
3 answers

What kind of matrix $A$ satisfies $Ax\geq 0\Rightarrow x\geq 0$?

$A\in \mathbb{R}^{n\times n}$ is an n-by-n matrix. $x=(x_1,x_2,\ldots ,x_n)\in \mathbb{R}^n$ is a vector. $x\geq 0$ means $x_i\geq 0,\forall i$. Q1: When $A$ satisfies what conditions, $\forall x\in\mathbb{R}^n ,x\geq 0\Rightarrow Ax\geq 0$? Q2:…
user33869
  • 1,040
8
votes
1 answer

Is there an analytic expression for a number of elements inside a triangular matrix (with and without items on diagonal)

Is there an analytic expression for a number of items inside a triangular matrix (with and without items on diagonal)? I tried to solve this with a combinatorial analysis using this "representation" of the problem: ( _, _ ) = ( n, m ) where: "n"…
PatrykB
  • 239
8
votes
1 answer

If number of zeros is increased in below diagonal entries of $A$, the largest eigenvalue of $B$ decreases. Is it right?

Let $A_i$ be a $n\times n$ lower triangular matrix with diagonal entries $1$ and below diagonal entries are $0$ or $1$. Let O be the zero matrix of order $n$. Consider $$B_i=\left[ {\begin{array}{cc} \text{O} & A_i \\ A_i^T & \text{O} \end{array} }…
8
votes
1 answer

Is the zero matrix in reduced row echelon form?

Is this matrix in reduced row echelon form? $3\times3$ matrix is: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 I can say for other matrices but this one without 1s confuses me. Are $1$s optional in reduced row echelon form? I think they aren't. What do you think?
8
votes
2 answers

How many geometrical interpretations does matrix multiplication have?

I am wondering that what is the geometrical interpertation of matrix multiplication. And how many different ways it could be interpreted? The one obvious use is the transformations... I understand a bit in 3D but how about the n-dimensional…
Shan
  • 1,687
8
votes
2 answers

If $A^2$ is diagonalizable, must $A$ be such as well?

Given a diagonalizable matrix $A^2$, must the matrix $A$ be diagonalizable as well? I can prove that this is true for when $A\in M_{n\times n} (\mathbb{C})$ by using the theorem that the Minimal polynomial for $A^2$ is expressed as a multiplication…
Eric_
  • 935
8
votes
4 answers

Any complex number can be the eigenvalue of some non-negative matrix

Let $z\in\Bbb C$. Show that there exists a non-negative matrix $A$ (with entries $\geq 0$) such that $z$ is an eigenvalue of $A$. If $z$ is real, it is easy. Since, $a\geq 0$ is an eigenvalue of $$\begin{pmatrix} a&0\\ 0&a \end{pmatrix};$$ while…
xldd
  • 3,485
7
votes
1 answer

An interesting property of symmetric real matrices with row and column sums zero

Let $A$ be an $n \times n$ real symmetric matrix with row and column sums zero. For example, $$ A=\begin{bmatrix}1 & -2 & 1\\ -2 & 1 & 1\\ 1 & 1 & -2 \end{bmatrix}. $$ I have the following interesting observation about $A$ in general. Claim: Suppose…
semibruin
  • 225
7
votes
5 answers

Understanding matrices.

I'm trying to understand matrices. As far as I can understand, a matrix is a way to represent data (?) or some sort of function on data (?). However apart from the fact that they're a way to represent data (?), I really don't understand why we need…
Aviv Cohn
  • 449
7
votes
1 answer

If $\mathrm{tr}(A)=0$, then we have $A=BC-CB?$

For any matrix $A_{n\times n}$ with $\mathrm{tr}(A)=0$ show that there exist two matrices $B$ and $C$ such that $$A=BC-CB.$$ I know to prove this: if $A=BC-CB$, then we have $\mathrm{tr}(A)=0$ because $$\mathrm{tr}(BC)=\mathrm{tr}(CB)$$ so…
math110
  • 93,304
7
votes
1 answer

Maximum number of different diagonals obtained by column permutations

Consider a n x n matrix with entries being only '0' and '1'. For example: $\left( \begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 0 & 1\\1 & 1 & 0\\0&0&1\end{array}\right)$ We then consider all column permutations of the matrix, and count the different types of diagonals…
yoyostein
  • 19,608
7
votes
3 answers

Find $2\times 2$ matrices $A$ and $B$ such that $AB=0$ but $BA$ does not equals to $0$

Find $2\times 2$ matrices $A$ and $B$ such that $AB=0$ but $BA$ does not equals to $0$ (please show working and the concepts used) Thanks :)
7
votes
2 answers

How to count the number of free parameters in an orthogonal transformation matrix?

Prove that the number of free parameters in an $n\times n$ orthogonal transformation matrix is equal to $\frac{n(n-1)}{2}$. For example parametrization of $2 \times 2$ orthogonal matrix requires only one parameter, ie $\theta$. And the parametric…
user5198
  • 353
7
votes
4 answers

Square root of nilpotent matrix

How could I show that $\forall n \ge 2$ if $A^n=0$ and $A^{n-1} \ne 0$ then $A$ has no square root? That is there is no $B$ such that $B^2=A$. Both matrices are $n \times n$. Thank you.
Wulfgang
  • 617
7
votes
2 answers

positive definite and transpose

When a matrix A has m rows and n columns (m>n), explain why $AA^{T}$ can't be positive definite. For the same matrix A, is $A^{T}A$ always positive definite? If so, explain. If not, what is the condition for A so that $A^{T}A$ is positive…
am87gu
  • 101