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Problem Set

Problem 1. Let V=R3V = \mathbb{R}^3 and W={(x,y,z)R3:xy+z=0}W = \{(x, y, z) \in \mathbb{R}^3 : x - y + z = 0\}. Show that WW is a subspace of VV and find its dimension.

Solution

WW is non-empty since 0=(0,0,0)W\mathbf{0} = (0, 0, 0) \in W. If (x1,y1,z1),(x2,y2,z2)W(x_1, y_1, z_1), (x_2, y_2, z_2) \in WThen (x1y1+z1)+(x2y2+z2)=0+0=0(x_1 - y_1 + z_1) + (x_2 - y_2 + z_2) = 0 + 0 = 0So their sum is in WW. Similarly, α(xy+z)=0\alpha(x - y + z) = 0 for any scalar α\alpha. Hence WW is a subspace.

WW is defined by one linear equation, so dim(W)=31=2\dim(W) = 3 - 1 = 2. A basis is {(1,1,0),(1,0,1)}\{(1, 1, 0), (-1, 0, 1)\}.

If you get this wrong, revise: Section 1.3 (Subspace Criterion).

Problem 2. Is the set S={(x,y)R2:xy=0}S = \{(x, y) \in \mathbb{R}^2 : xy = 0\} a subspace of R2\mathbb{R}^2?

Solution

No. (1,0)S(1, 0) \in S and (0,1)S(0, 1) \in SBut (1,0)+(0,1)=(1,1)S(1, 0) + (0, 1) = (1, 1) \notin S since 1101 \cdot 1 \neq 0. SS is not closed under addition.

If you get this wrong, revise: Section 1.3 (Subspace Criterion).

Problem 3. Determine whether the set {1x,1+x,x2}\{1 - x, 1 + x, x^2\} is linearly independent in P2(R)\mathcal{P}_2(\mathbb{R}).

Solution

Suppose a(1x)+b(1+x)+cx2=0a(1 - x) + b(1 + x) + cx^2 = 0 as a polynomial. Then (a+b)+(a+b)x+cx2=0(a + b) + (-a + b)x + cx^2 = 0So a+b=0a + b = 0, a+b=0-a + b = 0, c=0c = 0. From the first two equations: 2a=02a = 0So a=0a = 0Then b=0b = 0. Since a=b=c=0a = b = c = 0The set is linearly independent.

If you get this wrong, revise: Section 2.1 (Linear Independence).

Problem 4. Find a basis for the column space of

A=(1214240636110)A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & 1 & 4 \\ 2 & 4 & 0 & 6 \\ 3 & 6 & 1 & 10 \end{pmatrix}

Solution

Row-reduce AA:

(1214240636110)R22R1,R33R1(121400220022)R3R2(121400220000)\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & 1 & 4 \\ 2 & 4 & 0 & 6 \\ 3 & 6 & 1 & 10 \end{pmatrix} \xrightarrow{R_2 - 2R_1, R_3 - 3R_1} \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & 1 & 4 \\ 0 & 0 & -2 & -2 \\ 0 & 0 & -2 & -2 \end{pmatrix} \xrightarrow{R_3 - R_2} \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & 1 & 4 \\ 0 & 0 & -2 & -2 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \end{pmatrix}

Pivots are in columns 1 and 3. A basis for col(A)\mathrm{col}(A) is {(1,2,3),(1,0,1)}\{(1, 2, 3), (1, 0, 1)\} (the pivot columns of the original AA). dim(col(A))=2\dim(\mathrm{col}(A)) = 2.

If you get this wrong, revise: Section 2.7 (Worked Examples).

Problem 5. Let U=span{(1,0,1),(0,1,1)}U = \mathrm{span}\{(1, 0, 1), (0, 1, 1)\} and W=span{(1,1,0)}W = \mathrm{span}\{(1, 1, 0)\} in R3\mathbb{R}^3. Verify the dimension formula dim(U+W)=dim(U)+dim(W)dim(UW)\dim(U + W) = \dim(U) + \dim(W) - \dim(U \cap W).

Solution

dim(U)=2\dim(U) = 2 (the two spanning vectors are linearly independent), dim(W)=1\dim(W) = 1. Since dim(U)+dim(W)=3=dim(R3)\dim(U) + \dim(W) = 3 = \dim(\mathbb{R}^3)We have U+W=R3U + W = \mathbb{R}^3So dim(U+W)=3\dim(U + W) = 3. By the dimension formula: dim(UW)=2+13=0\dim(U \cap W) = 2 + 1 - 3 = 0So UW={0}U \cap W = \{\mathbf{0}\}.

We can verify directly: if a(1,0,1)+b(0,1,1)=c(1,1,0)a(1,0,1) + b(0,1,1) = c(1,1,0)Then a=ca = c, b=cb = c, a+b=0a + b = 0 Giving c=0c = 0So only the zero vector is in the intersection.

If you get this wrong, revise: Section 2.5 (Dimension Formula).

Problem 6. Compute det(A)\det(A) using cofactor expansion where

A=(2013012010020301)A = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 0 & 1 & 3 \\ 0 & 1 & 2 & 0 \\ 1 & 0 & 0 & 2 \\ 0 & 3 & 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix}

Solution

Expand along the second column (which has the most zeros):

det(A)=1det(213102001)+(1)4+23det(201012100)\det(A) = -1 \cdot \det\begin{pmatrix} 2 & 1 & 3 \\ 1 & 0 & 2 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix} + (-1)^{4+2} \cdot 3 \cdot \det\begin{pmatrix} 2 & 0 & 1 \\ 0 & 1 & 2 \\ 1 & 0 & 0 \end{pmatrix}

For the first 3×33 \times 3: expand along row 3: 1(2011)=11 \cdot (2 \cdot 0 - 1 \cdot 1) = -1.

For the second 3×33 \times 3: expand along row 3: 1(0211)=11 \cdot (0 \cdot 2 - 1 \cdot 1) = -1.

det(A)=(1)+3(1)=13=2\det(A) = -(-1) + 3(-1) = 1 - 3 = -2.

If you get this wrong, revise: Section 3.4 (Determinants).

Problem 7. Show that if AA is skew-symmetric (AT=AA^T = -A) and nn is odd, then det(A)=0\det(A) = 0.

Solution

det(A)=det(AT)=det(A)=(1)ndet(A)=det(A)\det(A) = \det(A^T) = \det(-A) = (-1)^n \det(A) = -\det(A) (since nn is odd). Therefore det(A)=det(A)\det(A) = -\det(A)So 2det(A)=02\det(A) = 0Giving det(A)=0\det(A) = 0.

If you get this wrong, revise: Section 3.5 (Properties of Determinants).

Problem 8. Use the adjugate formula to find the inverse of

A=(201110013)A = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 0 & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 3 \end{pmatrix}

Solution

det(A)=2(30)0+1(10)=6+1=7\det(A) = 2(3 - 0) - 0 + 1(1 - 0) = 6 + 1 = 7.

Cofactors: C11=+3C_{11} = +3, C12=3C_{12} = -3, C13=+1C_{13} = +1 C21=+1C_{21} = +1, C22=+6C_{22} = +6, C23=2C_{23} = -2 C31=1C_{31} = -1, C32=+1C_{32} = +1, C33=+2C_{33} = +2

adj(A)=(311361122)\mathrm{adj}(A) = \begin{pmatrix} 3 & 1 & -1 \\ -3 & 6 & 1 \\ 1 & -2 & 2 \end{pmatrix}

A1=17(311361122)A^{-1} = \frac{1}{7}\begin{pmatrix} 3 & 1 & -1 \\ -3 & 6 & 1 \\ 1 & -2 & 2 \end{pmatrix}

If you get this wrong, revise: Section 3.6 (Adjugate and Inverse Formula).

Problem 9. Solve the system by Gaussian elimination:

x+2yz=32x+5y+z=8x+y+4z=2\begin{aligned} x + 2y - z &= 3 \\ 2x + 5y + z &= 8 \\ -x + y + 4z &= 2 \end{aligned}

Solution

(121325181142)R22R1,R3+R1(121301320335)\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & -1 & 3 \\ 2 & 5 & 1 & 8 \\ -1 & 1 & 4 & 2 \end{pmatrix} \xrightarrow{R_2 - 2R_1, R_3 + R_1} \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & -1 & 3 \\ 0 & 1 & 3 & 2 \\ 0 & 3 & 3 & 5 \end{pmatrix}

R33R2(121301320061)\xrightarrow{R_3 - 3R_2} \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & -1 & 3 \\ 0 & 1 & 3 & 2 \\ 0 & 0 & -6 & -1 \end{pmatrix}

From row 3: 6z=1-6z = -1So z=1/6z = 1/6. From row 2: y+3(1/6)=2y + 3(1/6) = 2So y=3/2y = 3/2. From row 1: x+2(3/2)1/6=3x + 2(3/2) - 1/6 = 3So x=33+1/6=1/6x = 3 - 3 + 1/6 = 1/6.

Solution: x=1/6x = 1/6, y=3/2y = 3/2, z=1/6z = 1/6.

If you get this wrong, revise: Section 4.1 (Gaussian Elimination).

Problem 10. Determine whether the following system is consistent using the Rouché—Capelli theorem:

x+y+z=12x+2y+2z=3xy+z=0\begin{aligned} x + y + z &= 1 \\ 2x + 2y + 2z &= 3 \\ x - y + z &= 0 \end{aligned}

Solution

[Ab]=(111122231110)R22R1,R3R1(111100010201)[A \mid \mathbf{b}] = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 2 & 2 & 2 & 3 \\ 1 & -1 & 1 & 0 \end{pmatrix} \xrightarrow{R_2 - 2R_1, R_3 - R_1} \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 1 \\ 0 & -2 & 0 & -1 \end{pmatrix}

rank(A)=2\mathrm{rank}(A) = 2 but rank([Ab])=3\mathrm{rank}([A \mid \mathbf{b}]) = 3 (the row [0 0 0 1][0\ 0\ 0\ 1] is Non-zero). Since rank(A)rank([Ab])\mathrm{rank}(A) \neq \mathrm{rank}([A \mid \mathbf{b}])The system is inconsistent.

If you get this wrong, revise: Section 4.2 (Rouché—Capelli Theorem).

Problem 11. Find the LU decomposition of

A=(121250103)A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & -1 \\ 2 & 5 & 0 \\ -1 & 0 & 3 \end{pmatrix}

Solution

m21=2/1=2m_{21} = 2/1 = 2, m31=1/1=1m_{31} = -1/1 = -1:

(121012022)\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & -1 \\ 0 & 1 & 2 \\ 0 & 2 & 2 \end{pmatrix}

m32=2/1=2m_{32} = 2/1 = 2:

U=(121012002),L=(100210121)U = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & -1 \\ 0 & 1 & 2 \\ 0 & 0 & -2 \end{pmatrix}, \quad L = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 2 & 1 & 0 \\ -1 & 2 & 1 \end{pmatrix}

Verify: LU=(100210121)(121012002)=(121250103)=ALU = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 2 & 1 & 0 \\ -1 & 2 & 1 \end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & -1 \\ 0 & 1 & 2 \\ 0 & 0 & -2 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & -1 \\ 2 & 5 & 0 \\ -1 & 0 & 3 \end{pmatrix} = A. \blacksquare

If you get this wrong, revise: Section 4.3 (LU Decomposition).

Problem 12. Find the least squares solution to the system Ax=bA\mathbf{x} = \mathbf{b} where

A=(101112),b=(011)A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 2 \end{pmatrix}, \quad \mathbf{b} = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 1 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}

Solution

ATA=(3335)A^T A = \begin{pmatrix} 3 & 3 \\ 3 & 5 \end{pmatrix}, ATb=(23)A^T \mathbf{b} = \begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix}.

det(ATA)=159=6\det(A^T A) = 15 - 9 = 6, (ATA)1=16(5333)(A^T A)^{-1} = \frac{1}{6}\begin{pmatrix} 5 & -3 \\ -3 & 3 \end{pmatrix}

x^=16(5333)(23)=16(1096+9)=16(13)=(1/61/2)\hat{\mathbf{x}} = \frac{1}{6}\begin{pmatrix} 5 & -3 \\ -3 & 3 \end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix} = \frac{1}{6}\begin{pmatrix} 10 - 9 \\ -6 + 9 \end{pmatrix} = \frac{1}{6}\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 3 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 1/6 \\ 1/2 \end{pmatrix}

The least squares solution is a=1/6a = 1/6, b=1/2b = 1/2.

If you get this wrong, revise: Section 4.5 (Least Squares Solutions).

Problem 13. Find the eigenvalues and a basis for each eigenspace of

A=(210021002)A = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 2 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & 2 \end{pmatrix}

Is AA diagonalisable?

Solution

det(AλI)=(2λ)3\det(A - \lambda I) = (2 - \lambda)^3So λ=2\lambda = 2 with algebraic multiplicity 3.

A2I=(010001000)A - 2I = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{pmatrix}Which has rank 2. The null space is spanned by (1,0,0)T(1, 0, 0)^T. So the geometric multiplicity is 1.

Since the geometric multiplicity (1) does not equal the algebraic multiplicity (3), AA is not Diagonalisable. Its Jordan form is J=AJ = A itself (a single 3×33 \times 3 Jordan block).

If you get this wrong, revise: Section 5.3 (Diagonalisation) and Section 5.5 (Jordan Normal Form).

Problem 14. Diagonalise the matrix

A=(200031013)A = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 3 & -1 \\ 0 & -1 & 3 \end{pmatrix}

Solution

det(AλI)=(2λ)[(3λ)21]=(2λ)(λ26λ+8)=(2λ)(λ2)(λ4)\det(A - \lambda I) = (2 - \lambda)[(3-\lambda)^2 - 1] = (2-\lambda)(\lambda^2 - 6\lambda + 8) = (2-\lambda)(\lambda-2)(\lambda-4).

Eigenvalues: λ1=2\lambda_1 = 2 (algebraic multiplicity 2), λ2=4\lambda_2 = 4 (algebraic multiplicity 1).

For λ1=2\lambda_1 = 2: A2I=(000011011)(011000000)A - 2I = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & -1 \\ 0 & -1 & 1 \end{pmatrix} \to \begin{pmatrix} 0 & 1 & -1 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{pmatrix}. Eigenspace basis: {(1,0,0),(0,1,1)}\{(1, 0, 0), (0, 1, 1)\}. Geometric multiplicity = 2.

For λ2=4\lambda_2 = 4: A4I=(200011011)(100011000)A - 4I = \begin{pmatrix} -2 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & -1 & -1 \\ 0 & -1 & -1 \end{pmatrix} \to \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{pmatrix}. Eigenspace basis: {(0,1,1)}\{(0, -1, 1)\}. Geometric multiplicity = 1.

Since 2+1=3=n2 + 1 = 3 = n, AA is diagonalisable:

P=(100011011),D=(200020004)P = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & -1 \\ 0 & 1 & 1 \end{pmatrix}, \quad D = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 2 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 4 \end{pmatrix}

If you get this wrong, revise: Section 5.3 (Diagonalisation).

Problem 15. Use the Cayley—Hamilton theorem to express A3A^3 as a linear combination of A2A^2, AA And IIWhere A=(1213)A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ -1 & 3 \end{pmatrix}.

Solution

det(AλI)=(1λ)(3λ)+2=λ24λ+5\det(A - \lambda I) = (1 - \lambda)(3 - \lambda) + 2 = \lambda^2 - 4\lambda + 5.

By Cayley—Hamilton: A24A+5I=0A^2 - 4A + 5I = 0So A2=4A5IA^2 = 4A - 5I.

A3=AA2=A(4A5I)=4A25A=4(4A5I)5A=16A20I5A=11A20IA^3 = A \cdot A^2 = A(4A - 5I) = 4A^2 - 5A = 4(4A - 5I) - 5A = 16A - 20I - 5A = 11A - 20I.

A3=11(1213)20(1001)=(9221113)A^3 = 11\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ -1 & 3 \end{pmatrix} - 20\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} -9 & 22 \\ -11 & 13 \end{pmatrix}.

If you get this wrong, revise: Section 5.4 (Cayley—Hamilton Theorem).

Problem 16. Let T:R3R2T : \mathbb{R}^3 \to \mathbb{R}^2 be defined by T(x,y,z)=(x+y,y+z)T(x, y, z) = (x + y, y + z). Find the matrix of TT with respect to the standard bases, and verify the rank-nullity theorem.

Solution

T(1,0,0)=(1,0)T(1, 0, 0) = (1, 0), T(0,1,0)=(1,1)T(0, 1, 0) = (1, 1), T(0,0,1)=(0,1)T(0, 0, 1) = (0, 1).

[T]E=(110011)[T]_{\mathcal{E}} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 1 \end{pmatrix}.

ker(T)={(x,y,z):x+y=0,y+z=0}={(t,t,t):tR}\ker(T) = \{(x, y, z) : x + y = 0, y + z = 0\} = \{(t, -t, t) : t \in \mathbb{R}\}So dim(ker(T))=1\dim(\ker(T)) = 1.

im(T)=span{(1,0),(1,1)}=R2\mathrm{im}(T) = \mathrm{span}\{(1, 0), (1, 1)\} = \mathbb{R}^2So dim(im(T))=2\dim(\mathrm{im}(T)) = 2.

Verify: dim(ker(T))+dim(im(T))=1+2=3=dim(R3)\dim(\ker(T)) + \dim(\mathrm{im}(T)) = 1 + 2 = 3 = \dim(\mathbb{R}^3). \blacksquare

If you get this wrong, revise: Section 6.4 (Rank-Nullity for Linear Maps).

Problem 17. Let V=R3V = \mathbb{R}^3 with the standard inner product. Find the orthogonal projection Of v=(1,2,3)\mathbf{v} = (1, 2, 3) onto the plane WW defined by x+y+z=0x + y + z = 0.

Solution

A basis for WW: {(1,1,0),(1,0,1)}\{(1, -1, 0), (1, 0, -1)\}. Apply Gram—Schmidt:

e1=12(1,1,0)e_1 = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(1, -1, 0).

u2=(1,0,1)(1,0,1),e1e1=(1,0,1)1212(1,1,0)=(12,12,1)\mathbf{u}_2 = (1, 0, -1) - \langle (1, 0, -1), e_1 \rangle e_1 = (1, 0, -1) - \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \cdot \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(1, -1, 0) = (\frac{1}{2}, \frac{1}{2}, -1).

u2=1/4+1/4+1=3/2\lVert \mathbf{u}_2 \rVert = \sqrt{1/4 + 1/4 + 1} = \sqrt{3/2}So e2=16(1,1,2)e_2 = \frac{1}{\sqrt{6}}(1, 1, -2).

projW(v)=(1,2,3),e1e1+(1,2,3),e2e2\mathrm{proj_W}(\mathbf{v}) = \langle (1,2,3), e_1 \rangle e_1 + \langle (1,2,3), e_2 \rangle e_2

(1,2,3),e1=12(12)=12\langle (1,2,3), e_1 \rangle = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(1 - 2) = \frac{-1}{\sqrt{2}}

(1,2,3),e2=16(1+26)=36\langle (1,2,3), e_2 \rangle = \frac{1}{\sqrt{6}}(1 + 2 - 6) = \frac{-3}{\sqrt{6}}

projW(v)=1212(1,1,0)+3616(1,1,2)\mathrm{proj_W}(\mathbf{v}) = \frac{-1}{\sqrt{2}} \cdot \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(1, -1, 0) + \frac{-3}{\sqrt{6}} \cdot \frac{1}{\sqrt{6}}(1, 1, -2)

=12(1,1,0)12(1,1,2)=(1,0,1)= -\frac{1}{2}(1, -1, 0) - \frac{1}{2}(1, 1, -2) = (-1, 0, 1).

The orthogonal projection is (1,0,1)(-1, 0, 1). \blacksquare

If you get this wrong, revise: Section 7.5 (Orthogonal Projection).

Problem 18. Prove the Cauchy—Schwarz inequality for Rn\mathbb{R}^n directly: for any nonzero x,yRn\mathbf{x}, \mathbf{y} \in \mathbb{R}^nShow that xyxy\lvert\mathbf{x} \cdot \mathbf{y}\rvert \leq \lVert \mathbf{x} \rVert \lVert \mathbf{y} \rVert And determine when equality holds.

Solution

Consider the function f(t)=x+ty2=x2+2t(xy)+t2y2f(t) = \lVert \mathbf{x} + t\mathbf{y} \rVert^2 = \lVert \mathbf{x} \rVert^2 + 2t(\mathbf{x} \cdot \mathbf{y}) + t^2 \lVert \mathbf{y} \rVert^2.

Since f(t)0f(t) \geq 0 for all tRt \in \mathbb{R}This quadratic in tt has at most one real root, So its discriminant satisfies Δ0\Delta \leq 0:

4(xy)24x2y204(\mathbf{x} \cdot \mathbf{y})^2 - 4\lVert \mathbf{x} \rVert^2 \lVert \mathbf{y} \rVert^2 \leq 0

Therefore (xy)2x2y2(\mathbf{x} \cdot \mathbf{y})^2 \leq \lVert \mathbf{x} \rVert^2 \lVert \mathbf{y} \rVert^2And taking square roots gives the result.

Equality holds iff Δ=0\Delta = 0Which means f(t)f(t) has a double root, i.e., there exists t0t_0 such that x+t0y=0\mathbf{x} + t_0 \mathbf{y} = \mathbf{0}Meaning x\mathbf{x} and y\mathbf{y} are linearly dependent.

If you get this wrong, revise: Section 7.2 (Cauchy—Schwarz Inequality).

Problem 19. Let A=(100021012)A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 2 & 1 \\ 0 & 1 & 2 \end{pmatrix}. Verify the Cayley—Hamilton Theorem by explicitly computing p(A)p(A).

Solution

p(λ)=det(AλI)=(1λ)[(2λ)21]=(1λ)(λ24λ+3)=(1λ)(λ1)(λ3)p(\lambda) = \det(A - \lambda I) = (1 - \lambda)[(2-\lambda)^2 - 1] = (1-\lambda)(\lambda^2 - 4\lambda + 3) = (1-\lambda)(\lambda-1)(\lambda-3).

So p(λ)=(λ1)2(λ3)=(λ35λ2+7λ3)p(\lambda) = -(\lambda-1)^2(\lambda-3) = -(\lambda^3 - 5\lambda^2 + 7\lambda - 3).

p(A)=(A35A2+7A3I)p(A) = -(A^3 - 5A^2 + 7A - 3I).

A2=(100021012)2=(100054045)A^2 = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 2 & 1 \\ 0 & 1 & 2 \end{pmatrix}^2 = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 5 & 4 \\ 0 & 4 & 5 \end{pmatrix}

A3=AA2=(100021012)(100054045)=(1000141301314)A^3 = A \cdot A^2 = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 2 & 1 \\ 0 & 1 & 2 \end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 5 & 4 \\ 0 & 4 & 5 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 14 & 13 \\ 0 & 13 & 14 \end{pmatrix}

p(A)=(1000141301314)+5(100054045)7(100021012)+3(100010001)p(A) = -\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 14 & 13 \\ 0 & 13 & 14 \end{pmatrix} + 5\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 5 & 4 \\ 0 & 4 & 5 \end{pmatrix} - 7\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 2 & 1 \\ 0 & 1 & 2 \end{pmatrix} + 3\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix}

=(1+57+300014+2514+313+207+0013+207+014+2514+3)=(000000000)= \begin{pmatrix} -1+5-7+3 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & -14+25-14+3 & -13+20-7+0 \\ 0 & -13+20-7+0 & -14+25-14+3 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{pmatrix}

So p(A)=0p(A) = 0Confirming Cayley—Hamilton. \blacksquare

If you get this wrong, revise: Section 5.4 (Cayley—Hamilton Theorem).

Problem 20. Let T:P2(R)P2(R)T : \mathcal{P}_2(\mathbb{R}) \to \mathcal{P}_2(\mathbb{R}) be defined by T(p)=p"T(p) = p" (the derivative). Find the matrix of TT with respect to the basis B={1,x,x2}\mathcal{B} = \{1, x, x^2\}And determine ker(T)\ker(T) and im(T)\mathrm{im}(T).

Solution

T(1)=0=01+0x+0x2T(1) = 0 = 0 \cdot 1 + 0 \cdot x + 0 \cdot x^2So coordinates are (000)\begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 0 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix}.

T(x)=1=11+0x+0x2T(x) = 1 = 1 \cdot 1 + 0 \cdot x + 0 \cdot x^2So coordinates are (100)\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix}.

T(x2)=2x=01+2x+0x2T(x^2) = 2x = 0 \cdot 1 + 2 \cdot x + 0 \cdot x^2So coordinates are (020)\begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 2 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix}.

[T]B=(010002000)[T]_{\mathcal{B}} = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 2 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{pmatrix}

ker(T)={p:p=0}=span{1}\ker(T) = \{p : p' = 0\} = \mathrm{span}\{1\}So dim(ker(T))=1\dim(\ker(T)) = 1.

im(T)={p:pP2}=span{1,x}\mathrm{im}(T) = \{p' : p \in \mathcal{P}_2\} = \mathrm{span}\{1, x\}So dim(im(T))=2\dim(\mathrm{im}(T)) = 2.

Verify: dim(ker(T))+dim(im(T))=1+2=3=dim(P2)\dim(\ker(T)) + \dim(\mathrm{im}(T)) = 1 + 2 = 3 = \dim(\mathcal{P}_2). \blacksquare

If you get this wrong, revise: Section 6.2 (Matrix Representation) and Section 6.4 (Rank-Nullity).

Common Pitfalls

  • Confusing linear independence and span. Linear independence means no non-trivial linear combination equals zero; span is the set of all linear combinations. Fix: {v1,,vn}\{v_1, \ldots, v_n\} is linearly independent iff the equation civi=0\sum c_i v_i = 0 implies all ci=0c_i = 0.
  • Wrong determinant interpretation. det(A)=0\det(A) = 0 means AA is singular (non-invertible); det(A)0\det(A) \neq 0 means AA is invertible. Fix: A matrix is invertible iff its determinant is non-zero.
  • Confusing eigenvalues and eigenvectors. An eigenvalue λ\lambda satisfies det(AλI)=0\det(A - \lambda I) = 0; eigenvectors are the non-zero solutions of (AλI)v=0(A - \lambda I)v = 0. Fix: Find eigenvalues from the characteristic polynomial; then find eigenvectors by solving (AλI)v=0(A - \lambda I)v = 0.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Determinant and invertibility

Problem. Find the determinant of A=(123014560)A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 0 & 1 & 4 \\ 5 & 6 & 0 \end{pmatrix} and determine if AA is invertible.

Solution. det(A)=1(024)2(020)+3(05)=24+4015=10\det(A) = 1(0 - 24) - 2(0 - 20) + 3(0 - 5) = -24 + 40 - 15 = 1 \neq 0.

Since det(A)0\det(A) \neq 0, AA is invertible. \blacksquare

Example 2: Eigenvalues and eigenvectors

Problem. Find the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of A=(4123)A = \begin{pmatrix} 4 & 1 \\ 2 & 3 \end{pmatrix}.

Solution. det(AλI)=(4λ)(3λ)2=λ27λ+10=(λ5)(λ2)=0\det(A - \lambda I) = (4-\lambda)(3-\lambda) - 2 = \lambda^2 - 7\lambda + 10 = (\lambda - 5)(\lambda - 2) = 0.

Eigenvalues: λ1=5\lambda_1 = 5, λ2=2\lambda_2 = 2.

For λ1=5\lambda_1 = 5: (A5I)v=0    (1122)v=0    v1=(11)(A - 5I)v = 0 \implies \begin{pmatrix} -1 & 1 \\ 2 & -2 \end{pmatrix}v = 0 \implies v_1 = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}.

For λ2=2\lambda_2 = 2: (A2I)v=0    (2121)v=0    v2=(12)(A - 2I)v = 0 \implies \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 1 \\ 2 & 1 \end{pmatrix}v = 0 \implies v_2 = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix}.

\blacksquare

Summary

  • A matrix is invertible iff det(A)0\det(A) \neq 0; equivalent to having linearly independent rows/columns.
  • Eigenvalues: roots of the characteristic polynomial det(AλI)=0\det(A - \lambda I) = 0.
  • Eigenvectors: non-zero vectors in ker(AλI)\ker(A - \lambda I).
  • The spectral theorem: a real symmetric matrix has an orthonormal eigenbasis and can be diagonalised.

Cross-References

TopicSiteLink
Linear Algebra (Overview)WyattsNotesView
Abstract AlgebraWyattsNotesView
Multivariable CalculusWyattsNotesView
Linear Algebra — MIT 18.06MIT OCWView