hefferon linear algebra
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A downloaded copy of Jim Hefferon's Linear Algebra textbook (Saint Michael's College, 2011 edition), kept among Phil's math book downloads. It takes a developmental approach with proofs, many examples and exercises, and chapters on linear systems, vector spaces, linear maps, determinants, and similarity. Chapters end with applications topics such as Markov chains, network flows and difference equations.
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Linear Algebra
Jim Hefferon
2
11
3
1 2
3 1
2
1x11
3
x11 2
x13 1
2
16
8
6 2
8 1
Notation
R,R+,Rnreal numbers, reals greater than 0, n-tuples of reals
Nnatural numbers: f0;1;2;:::g
Ccomplex numbers
f::::::gset of . . . such that . . .
(a::b), [a::b]interval (open or closed) of reals between aandb
h:::isequence; like a set but order matters
V;W;U vector spaces
~ v;~ w vectors
~0,~0Vzero vector, zero vector of V
B;D bases
En=h~ e1; :::;~ enistandard basis for Rn
~;~basis vectors
RepB(~ v)matrix representing the vector
Pnset ofn-th degree polynomials
Mnmset ofnmmatrices
[S]span of the set S
MN direct sum of subspaces
V=W isomorphic spaces
h;g homomorphisms, linear maps
H;G matrices
t;s transformations; maps from a space to itself
T;S square matrices
RepB;D(h)matrix representing the map h
hi;j matrix entry from row i, columnj
Znm;Z;Inn;I zero matrix, identity matrix
jTjdeterminant of the matrix T
R(h);N(h)rangespace and nullspace of the map h
R1(h);N1(h)generalized rangespace and nullspace
Lower case Greek alphabet
name character name character name character
alpha iota rho
beta kappa sigma
gamma
lambda tau
delta mu upsilon
epsilon nu phi
zeta xi chi
eta omicrono psi
theta pi omega!
Cover. This is Cramer's Rule for the system x1+ 2x2= 6, 3x1+x2= 8. The size of
the rst box is the determinant shown (the absolute value of the size is the area). The
size of the second box is x1times that, and equals the size of the nal box. Hence, x1
is the nal determinant divided by the rst determinant.
Preface
This book helps students to master the material of a standard US undergraduate
linear algebra course.
The material is standard in that the topics covered are Gaussian reduction,
vector spaces, linear maps, determinants, and eigenvalues and eigenvectors. An-
other standard is book's audience: sophomores or juniors, usually with a back-
ground of at least one semester of calculus. The help that it gives to students
comes from taking a developmental approach | this book's presentation empha-
sizes motivation and naturalness, driven home by a wide variety of examples and
by extensive and careful exercises.
The developmental approach is the feature that most recommends this book
so I will say more. Courses in the beginning of most mathematics programs
focus less on understanding theory and more on correctly applying formulas
and algorithms. Later courses ask for mathematical maturity: the ability to
follow dierent types of arguments, a familiarity with the themes that underlie
many mathematical investigations such as elementary set and function facts,
and a capacity for some independent reading and thinking. Linear algebra is
an ideal spot to work on the transition. It comes early in a program so that
progress made here pays o later, but also comes late enough that students are
serious about mathematics, often majors and minors. The material is accessible,
coherent, and elegant. There are a variety of argument styles, including proofs
by contradiction, if and only if statements, and proofs by induction. And,
examples are plentiful.
Helping readers start the transition to being serious students of the subject of
mathematics itself means taking the mathematics seriously, so all of the results
in this book are proved. On the other hand, we cannot assume that students
have already arrived and so in contrast with more abstract texts, we give many
examples and they are often quite detailed.
Some linear algebra books begin with extensive computations of linear sys-
tems, matrix multiplications, and determinants. Then, when the concepts |
vector spaces and linear maps | nally appear, and denitions and proofs start,
often the abrupt change brings students to a stop. In this book, while we start
with a computational topic, linear reduction, from the rst we do more than
compute. We do linear systems quickly but completely, including the proofs
needed to justify what we are computing. Then, with the linear systems work
as motivation and at a point where the study of linear combinations seems nat-
ural, the second chapter starts with the denition of a real vector space. In the
iii
schedule below, this occurs by the end of the third week.
Another example of our emphasis on motivation and naturalness is that the
third chapter on linear maps does not begin with the denition of homomor-
phism, but with isomorphism. The denition of isomorphism is easily motivated
by the observation that some spaces are \just like" others. After that, the next
section takes the reasonable step of dening homomorphism by isolating the
operation-preservation idea. This approach loses mathematical slickness, but it
is a good trade because it gives to students a large gain in sensibility.
One aim of our developmental approach is to present the material in such a
way that students can see how the ideas arise, and perhaps can picture them-
selves doing the same type of work.
The clearest example of the developmental approach is the exercises. A stu-
dent progresses most while doing the exercises, so the ones included here have
been selected with great care. Each problem set ranges from simple checks to
reasonably involved proofs. Since an instructor usually assigns about a dozen ex-
ercises after each lecture, each section ends with about twice that many, thereby
providing a selection. There are even a few problems that are challenging puz-
zles taken from various journals, competitions, or problems collections. (These
are marked with a ` ?' and as part of the fun, the original wording has been
retained as much as possible.) In total, the exercises are aimed to both build
an ability at, and help students experience the pleasure of, doing mathematics.
Applications and computers. The point of view taken here, that students
should think of linear algebra as about vector spaces and linear maps, is not
taken to the complete exclusion of others. Applications and computing are
important and vital aspects of the subject. Consequently, each of this book's
chapters closes with a few application or computer-related topics. Some are: net-
work
ows, the speed and accuracy of computer linear reductions, Leontief In-
put/Output analysis, dimensional analysis, Markov chains, voting paradoxes,
analytic projective geometry, and dierence equations.
These topics are brief enough to be done in a day's class or to be given as
independent projects. Most simply give a reader a taste of the subject, discuss
how linear algebra comes in, point to some further reading, and give a few
exercises. In short, these topics invite readers to see for themselves that linear
algebra is a tool that a professional must have.
The license. This book is freely available. You can download and read it
without restriction. Class instructors can print copies for students and charge
for those. See http://joshua.smcvt.edu/linearalgebra for more license in-
formation.
That page also contains the latest version of this book, and the latest version
of the worked answers to every exercise. Also there, I provide the L ATEX source
of the text and some instructors may wish to add their own material. If you
like, you can send such additions to me and I may possibly incorporate them
into future editions.
I am very glad for bug reports. I save them and periodically issue updates;
people who contribute in this way are acknowledged in the text's source les.
iv
For people reading this book on their own. This book's emphasis on
motivation and development make it a good choice for self-study. But while a
professional instructor can judge what pace and topics suit a class, if you are
an independent student then you may nd some advice helpful.
Here are two timetables for a semester. The rst focuses on core material.
week Monday Wednesday Friday
1One.I.1 One.I.1, 2 One.I.2, 3
2One.I.3 One.II.1 One.II.2
3One.III.1, 2 One.III.2 Two.I.1
4Two.I.2 Two.II Two.III.1
5Two.III.1, 2 Two.III.2 exam
6Two.III.2, 3 Two.III.3 Three.I.1
7Three.I.2 Three.II.1 Three.II.2
8Three.II.2 Three.II.2 Three.III.1
9Three.III.1 Three.III.2 Three.IV.1, 2
10 Three.IV.2, 3, 4 Three.IV.4 exam
11 Three.IV.4, Three.V.1 Three.V.1, 2 Four.I.1, 2
12 Four.I.3 Four.II Four.II
13 Four.III.1 Five.I Five.II.1
14 Five.II.2 Five.II.3 review
The second timetable is more ambitious. It supposes that you know One.II, the
elements of vectors, usually covered in third semester calculus.
week Monday Wednesday Friday
1One.I.1 One.I.2 One.I.3
2One.I.3 One.III.1, 2 One.III.2
3Two.I.1 Two.I.2 Two.II
4Two.III.1 Two.III.2 Two.III.3
5Two.III.4 Three.I.1 exam
6Three.I.2 Three.II.1 Three.II.2
7Three.III.1 Three.III.2 Three.IV.1, 2
8Three.IV.2 Three.IV.3 Three.IV.4
9Three.V.1 Three.V.2 Three.VI.1
10 Three.VI.2 Four.I.1 exam
11 Four.I.2 Four.I.3 Four.I.4
12 Four.II Four.II, Four.III.1 Four.III.2, 3
13 Five.II.1, 2 Five.II.3 Five.III.1
14 Five.III.2 Five.IV.1, 2 Five.IV.2
In the table of contents I have marked subsections as optional if some instructors
will pass over them in favor of spending more time elsewhere.
You might pick one or two topics that appeal to you from the end of each
chapter. You'll get more from these if you have access to computer software
that can do any big calculations. I recommend Sage, freely available from
http://sagemath.org .
v
My main advice is: do many exercises. I have marked a good sample with
X's in the margin. For all of them, you must justify your answer either with a
computation or with a proof. Be aware that few inexperienced people can write
correct proofs. Try to nd someone with training to work with you on this.
Finally, if I may, a caution for all students, independent or not: I cannot
overemphasize how much the statement that I sometimes hear, \I understand
the material, but it's only that I have trouble with the problems" is mistaken.
Being able to do things with the ideas is their entire point. The quotes below
express this sentiment admirably. They state what I believe is the key to both
the beauty and the power of mathematics and the sciences in general, and of
linear algebra in particular; I took the liberty of formatting them as verse.
I know of no better tactic
than the illustration of exciting principles
by well-chosen particulars.
{Stephen Jay Gould
If you really wish to learn
then you must mount the machine
and become acquainted with its tricks
by actual trial.
{Wilbur Wright
Jim Hefferon
Mathematics, Saint Michael's College
Colchester, Vermont USA 05439
http://joshua.smcvt.edu
2011-Jan-01
Author's Note. Inventing a good exercise, one that enlightens as well as tests,
is a creative act, and hard work. The inventor deserves recognition. But for
some reason texts have traditionally not given attributions for questions. I have
changed that here where I was sure of the source. I would be glad to hear from
anyone who can help me to correctly attribute others of the questions.
vi
Contents
Chapter One: Linear Systems 1
I Solving Linear Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1 Gauss' Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 Describing the Solution Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3 General = Particular + Homogeneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
II Linear Geometry of n-Space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
1 Vectors in Space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
2 Length and Angle Measures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
III Reduced Echelon Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
1 Gauss-Jordan Reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
2 Row Equivalence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Topic: Computer Algebra Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Topic: Input-Output Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Topic: Accuracy of Computations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Topic: Analyzing Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Chapter Two: Vector Spaces 77
I Denition of Vector Space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
1 Denition and Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
2 Subspaces and Spanning Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
II Linear Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
1 Denition and Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
III Basis and Dimension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
1 Basis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
2 Dimension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
3 Vector Spaces and Linear Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
4 Combining Subspaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Topic: Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Topic: Crystals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Topic: Voting Paradoxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Topic: Dimensional Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
vii
Chapter Three: Maps Between Spaces 157
I Isomorphisms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
1 Definition and Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
2 Dimension Characterizes Isomorphism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
II Homomorphisms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
1 Denition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
2 Rangespace and Nullspace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
III Computing Linear Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
1 Representing Linear Maps with Matrices . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
2 Any Matrix Represents a Linear Map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
IV Matrix Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
1 Sums and Scalar Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
2 Matrix Multiplication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
3 Mechanics of Matrix Multiplication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
4 Inverses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
V Change of Basis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
1 Changing Representations of Vectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
2 Changing Map Representations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
VI Projection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
1 Orthogonal Projection Into a Line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
2 Gram-Schmidt Orthogonalization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
3 Projection Into a Subspace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Topic: Line of Best Fit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Topic: Geometry of Linear Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Topic: Markov Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Topic: Orthonormal Matrices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Chapter Four: Determinants 291
I Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
1 Exploration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
2 Properties of Determinants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
3 The Permutation Expansion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
4 Determinants Exist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
II Geometry of Determinants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
1 Determinants as Size Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
III Other Formulas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
1 Laplace's Expansion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Topic: Cramer's Rule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Topic: Speed of Calculating Determinants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Topic: Projective Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Chapter Five: Similarity 347
I Complex Vector Spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
1 Factoring and Complex Numbers; A Review. . . . . . . . . . 348
2 Complex Representations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
II Similarity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
viii
1 Denition and Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
2 Diagonalizability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
3 Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
III Nilpotence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
1 Self-Composition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
2 Strings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
IV Jordan Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
1 Polynomials of Maps and Matrices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
2 Jordan Canonical Form. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Topic: Method of Powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Topic: Stable Populations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403
Topic: Linear Recurrences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405
Appendix A-1
Propositions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
Quantiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3
Techniques of Proof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-5
Sets, Functions, and Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-7
Note: starred subsections are optional.
ix
Chapter One
Linear Systems
I Solving Linear Systems
Systems of linear equations are common in science and mathematics. These two
examples from high school science [Onan] give a sense of how they arise.
The rst example is from Physics. Suppose that we are given three objects,
one with a mass known to be 2 kg, and are asked to nd the unknown masses.
Suppose further that experimentation with a meter stick produces these two
balances.
ch 2
1540 50
ch 225 50
25
We know that the moment of each object is its mass times its distance from
the balance point. We also know that for balance we must have that the sum
of moments on the left equals the sum of moments on the right. That gives a
system of two equations.
40h+ 15c= 100
25c= 50 + 50h
The second example of a linear system is from Chemistry. We can mix,
under controlled conditions, toluene C 7H8and nitric acid HNO 3to produce
trinitrotoluene C 7H5O6N3along with the byproduct water (conditions have to
be controlled very well | trinitrotoluene is better known as TNT). In what
proportion should we mix those components? The number of atoms of each
element present before the reaction
xC7H8+yHNO 3 !zC7H5O6N3+wH2O
must equal the number present afterward. Applying that to the elements C, H,
1
2 Chapter One. Linear Systems
N, and O in turn gives this system.
7x= 7z
8x+ 1y= 5z+ 2w
1y= 3z
3y= 6z+ 1w
Finishing each of these examples requires solving a system of equations. In
each system, the equations involve only the rst power of the variables. This
chapter shows how to solve any such system.
I.1 Gauss' Method
1.1 Denition Alinear combination ofx1;x2;:::;xnhas the form
a1x1+a2x2+a3x3++anxn
where the numbers a1;:::;an2Rare the combination's coecients . Alinear
equation has the form a1x1+a2x2+a3x3++anxn=dwhered2Ris the
constant .
Ann-tuple (s1;s2;:::;sn)2Rnis asolution of, or satises , that equation
if substituting the numbers s1, . . . ,snfor the variables gives a true statement:
a1s1+a2s2+:::+ansn=d.
Asystem of linear equations
a1;1x1+a1;2x2++a1;nxn=d1
a2;1x1+a2;2x2++a2;nxn=d2
...
am;1x1+am;2x2++am;nxn=dm
has the solution ( s1;s2;:::;sn) if thatn-tuple is a solution of all of the equa-
tions in the system.
1.2 Example The combination 3 x1+ 2x2ofx1andx2is linear. The combi-
nation 3x2
1+ 2 sin(x2) is not linear, nor is 3 x2
1+ 2x2.
1.3 Example The ordered pair ( 1;5) is a solution of this system.
3x1+ 2x2= 7
x1+x2= 6
In contrast, (5 ; 1) is not a solution.
Finding the set of all solutions is solving the system. No guesswork or good
fortune is needed to solve a linear system. There is an algorithm that always
Section I. Solving Linear Systems 3
works. The next example introduces that algorithm, called Gauss' method (or
Gaussian elimination orlinear elimination ). It transforms the system, step by
step, into one with a form that is easily solved. We will rst illustrate how it
goes and then we will see the formal statement.
1.4 Example To solve this system
3x3= 9
x1+ 5x2 2x3= 2
1
3x1+ 2x2 = 3
we repeatedly transform it until it is in a form that is easy to solve. Below there
are three transformations.
The rst is to rewrite the system by interchanging the rst and third row.
swap row 1 with row 3 !1
3x1+ 2x2 = 3
x1+ 5x2 2x3= 2
3x3= 9
The second transformation is to rescale the rst row by multiplying both sides
of the equation by 3.
multiply row 1 by 3 !x1+ 6x2 = 9
x1+ 5x2 2x3= 2
3x3= 9
The third transformation is the only nontrivial one. We mentally multiply both
sides of the rst row by 1, mentally add that to the second row, and write the
result in as the new second row.
add 1 times row 1 to row 2 !x1+ 6x2 = 9
x2 2x3= 7
3x3= 9
The point of this sucession of steps is that system is now in a form where we can
easily nd the value of each variable. The bottom equation shows that x3= 3.
Substituting 3 for x3in the middle equation shows that x2= 1. Substituting
those two into the top equation gives that x1= 3 and so the system has a unique
solution: the solution set is f(3;1;3)g.
Most of this subsection and the next one consists of examples of solving
linear systems by Gauss' method. We will use it throughout this book. It is
fast and easy.
But before we get to those examples, we will rst show that this method is
also safe in that it never loses solutions or picks up extraneous solutions.
4 Chapter One. Linear Systems
1.5 Theorem (Gauss' method) If a linear system is changed to another
by one of these operations
(1) an equation is swapped with another
(2) an equation has both sides multiplied by a nonzero constant
(3) an equation is replaced by the sum of itself and a multiple of another
then the two systems have the same set of solutions.
Each of those three operations has a restriction. Multiplying a row by 0 is
not allowed because that can change the solution set of the system. Similarly,
adding a multiple of a row to itself is not allowed because adding 1 times the
row to itself has the eect of multiplying the row by 0. Finally, swapping a
row with itself is disallowed to make some results in the fourth chapter easier
to state and remember.
Proof .We will cover the equation swap operation here and save the other two
cases for Exercise 30.
Consider this swap of row iwith rowj.
a1;1x1+a1;2x2+a1;nxn=d1
...
ai;1x1+ai;2x2+ai;nxn=di
...
aj;1x1+aj;2x2+aj;nxn=dj
...
am;1x1+am;2x2+am;nxn=dm !a1;1x1+a1;2x2+a1;nxn=d1
...
aj;1x1+aj;2x2+aj;nxn=dj
...
ai;1x1+ai;2x2+ai;nxn=di
...
am;1x1+am;2x2+am;nxn=dm
Then-tuple (s1;::: ;sn) satises the system before the swap if and only if
substituting the values, the s's, for the variables, the x's, gives true statements:
a1;1s1+a1;2s2++a1;nsn=d1and . . .ai;1s1+ai;2s2++ai;nsn=diand . . .
aj;1s1+aj;2s2++aj;nsn=djand . . .am;1s1+am;2s2++am;nsn=dm.
In a requirement consisting of statements joined with `and' we can rearrange
the order of the statements, so that this requirement is met if and only if a1;1s1+
a1;2s2++a1;nsn=d1and . . .aj;1s1+aj;2s2++aj;nsn=djand . . .
ai;1s1+ai;2s2++ai;nsn=diand . . .am;1s1+am;2s2++am;nsn=dm.
This is exactly the requirement that ( s1;::: ;sn) solves the system after the row
swap. QED
1.6 Denition The three operations from Theorem 1.5 are the elementary
reduction operations , or row operations , or Gaussian operations . They are
swapping ,multiplying by a scalar (orrescaling ), and row combination .
When writing out the calculations, we will abbreviate `row i' by `i'. For
instance, we will denote a row combination operation by ki+j, with the row
that is changed written second. We will also, to save writing, often list addition
steps together when they use the same i.
Section I. Solving Linear Systems 5
1.7 Example Gauss' method is to systemmatically apply those row operations
to solve a system. Here is a typical case.
x+y = 0
2x y+ 3z= 3
x 2y z= 3
To start we use the rst row to eliminate the 2 xin the second row and the x
in the third. To get rid of the 2 x, we mentally multiply the entire rst row by
2, add that to the second row, and write the result in as the new second row.
To get rid of the x, we multiply the rst row by 1, add that to the third row,
and write the result in as the new third row. (Using one entry to clear out the
rest of a column is called pivoting on that entry.)
21+2 !
1+3x+y = 0
3y+ 3z= 3
3y z= 3
In this version of the system, the last two equations involve only two unknowns.
To nish we transform the second system into a third system, where the last
equation involves only one unknown. We use the second row to eliminate yfrom
the third row.
2+3 !x+y = 0
3y+ 3z= 3
4z= 0
Now the third row shows that z= 0. Substitute that back into the second row
to gety= 1 and then substitute back into the rst row to get x= 1.
1.8 Example For the Physics problem from the start of this chapter, Gauss'
method gives this.
40h+ 15c= 100
50h+ 25c= 505=41+2 !40h+ 15c= 100
(175=4)c= 175
Soc= 4, and back-substitution gives that h= 1. (The Chemistry problem is
solved later.)
1.9 Example The reduction
x+y+z= 9
2x+ 4y 3z= 1
3x+ 6y 5z= 0 21+2 !
31+3x+y+z= 9
2y 5z= 17
3y 8z= 27
(3=2)2+3 !x+y+z= 9
2y 5z= 17
(1=2)z= (3=2)
shows that z= 3,y= 1, andx= 7.
6 Chapter One. Linear Systems
As these examples illustrate, the point of Gauss' method is to use the ele-
mentary reduction operations to set up back-substitution.
1.10 Denition In each row of a system, the rst variable with a nonzero
coecient is the row's leading variable . A system is in echelon form if each
leading variable is to the right of the leading variable in the row above it (except
for the leading variable in the rst row).
1.11 Example The only operation needed in the example above is row combi-
nation. Here is a linear system that requires the operation of swapping equations
to get it in echelon form. After the rst combination
x y = 0
2x 2y+z+ 2w= 4
y +w= 0
2z+w= 5 21+2 !x y = 0
z+ 2w= 4
y +w= 0
2z+w= 5
the second equation has no leading y. To get one, we look lower down in the
system for a row that has a leading yand swap it in.
2$3 !x y = 0
y +w= 0
z+ 2w= 4
2z+w= 5
(Had there been more than one row below the second with a leading ythen we
could have swapped in any one.) The rest of Gauss' method goes as before.
23+4 !x y = 0
y+w= 0
z+ 2w= 4
3w= 3
Back-substitution gives w= 1,z= 2 ,y= 1, andx= 1.
Strictly speaking, the operation of rescaling rows is not needed to solve linear
systems. We have included it because we will use it later in this chapter as part
of a variation on Gauss' method, the Gauss-Jordan method.
All of the systems seen so far have the same number of equations as un-
knowns. All of them have a solution, and for all of them there is only one
solution. We nish this subsection by seeing for contrast some other things that
can happen.
1.12 Example Linear systems need not have the same number of equations
as unknowns. This system
x+ 3y= 1
2x+y= 3
2x+ 2y= 2
Section I. Solving Linear Systems 7
has more equations than variables. Gauss' method helps us understand this
system also, since this
21+2 !
21+3x+ 3y= 1
5y= 5
4y= 4
shows that one of the equations is redundant. Echelon form
(4=5)2+3 !x+ 3y= 1
5y= 5
0 = 0
gives thaty= 1 andx= 2. The `0 = 0' re
ects the redundancy.
That example's system has more equations than variables. Gauss' method
is also useful on systems with more variables than equations. Many examples
are in the next subsection.
Another way that linear systems can dier from the examples shown earlier
is that some linear systems do not have a unique solution. This can happen in
two ways.
The rst is that a system can fail to have any solution at all.
1.13 Example Contrast the system in the last example with this one.
x+ 3y= 1
2x+y= 3
2x+ 2y= 0 21+2 !
21+3x+ 3y= 1
5y= 5
4y= 2
Here the system is inconsistent: no pair of numbers satises all of the equations
simultaneously. Echelon form makes this inconsistency obvious.
(4=5)2+3 !x+ 3y= 1
5y= 5
0 = 2
The solution set is empty.
1.14 Example The prior system has more equations than unknowns, but that
is not what causes the inconsistency | Example 1.12 has more equations than
unknowns and yet is consistent. Nor is having more equations than unknowns
necessary for inconsistency, as is illustrated by this inconsistent system with the
same number of equations as unknowns.
x+ 2y= 8
2x+ 4y= 8 21+2 !x+ 2y= 8
0 = 8
The other way that a linear system can fail to have a unique solution is to
have many solutions.
8 Chapter One. Linear Systems
1.15 Example In this system
x+y= 4
2x+ 2y= 8
any pair of numbers satisfying the rst equation automatically satises the sec-
ond. The solution set f(x;y)x+y= 4gis innite; some of its members
are (0;4), ( 1;5), and (2:5;1:5). The result of applying Gauss' method here
contrasts with the prior example because we do not get a contradictory equa-
tion.
21+2 !x+y= 4
0 = 0
Don't be fooled by the `0 = 0' equation in that example. It is not the signal
that a system has many solutions.
1.16 Example The absence of a `0 = 0' does not keep a system from having
many dierent solutions. This system is in echelon form
x+y+z= 0
y+z= 0
has no `0 = 0', and yet has innitely many solutions. (For instance, each of
these is a solution: (0 ;1; 1), (0;1=2; 1=2), (0;0;0), and (0; ;). There are
innitely many solutions because any triple whose rst component is 0 and
whose second component is the negative of the third is a solution.)
Nor does the presence of a `0 = 0' mean that the system must have many
solutions. Example 1.12 shows that. So does this system, which does not have
many solutions | in fact it has none | despite that when it is brought to echelon
form it has a `0 = 0' row.
2x 2z= 6
y+z= 1
2x+y z= 7
3y+ 3z= 0 1+3 !2x 2z= 6
y+z= 1
y+z= 1
3y+ 3z= 0
2+3 !
32+42x 2z= 6
y+z= 1
0 = 0
0 = 3
We will nish this subsection with a summary of what we've seen so far
about Gauss' method.
Gauss' method uses the three row operations to set a system up for back
substitution. If any step shows a contradictory equation then we can stop
with the conclusion that the system has no solutions. If we reach echelon form
without a contradictory equation, and each variable is a leading variable in its
row, then the system has a unique solution and we nd it by back substitution.
Section I. Solving Linear Systems 9
Finally, if we reach echelon form without a contradictory equation, and there is
not a unique solution (at least one variable is not a leading variable) then the
system has many solutions.
The next subsection deals with the third case | we will see how to describe
the solution set of a system with many solutions.
Note For all exercises in this book, you must justify your answer. For instance,
if a question asks whether a system has a solution then you must justify a yes
response by producing the solution and must justify a no response by showing
that no solution exists.
Exercises
X1.17 Use Gauss' method to nd the unique solution for each system.
(a)2x+ 3y= 13
x y= 1(b)x z= 0
3x+y = 1
x+y+z= 4
X1.18 Use Gauss' method to solve each system or conclude `many solutions' or `no
solutions'.
(a)2x+ 2y= 5
x 4y= 0(b) x+y= 1
x+y= 2(c)x 3y+z= 1
x+y+ 2z= 14
(d) x y= 1
3x 3y= 2(e) 4y+z= 20
2x 2y+z= 0
x +z= 5
x+y z= 10(f)2x +z+w= 5
y w= 1
3x z w= 0
4x+y+ 2z+w= 9
X1.19 There are methods for solving linear systems other than Gauss' method. One
often taught in high school is to solve one of the equations for a variable, then
substitute the resulting expression into other equations. That step is repeated
until there is an equation with only one variable. From that, the rst number
in the solution is derived, and then back-substitution can be done. This method
takes longer than Gauss' method, since it involves more arithmetic operations,
and is also more likely to lead to errors. To illustrate how it can lead to wrong
conclusions, we will use the system
x+ 3y= 1
2x+y= 3
2x+ 2y= 0
from Example 1.13.
(a)Solve the rst equation for xand substitute that expression into the second
equation. Find the resulting y.
(b)Again solve the rst equation for x, but this time substitute that expression
into the third equation. Find this y.
What extra step must a user of this method take to avoid erroneously concluding
a system has a solution?
X1.20 For which values of kare there no solutions, many solutions, or a unique
solution to this system?
x y= 1
3x 3y=k
X1.21 This system is not linear, in some sense,
2 sin cos+ 3 tan
= 3
4 sin+ 2 cos 2 tan
= 10
6 sin 3 cos+ tan
= 9
10 Chapter One. Linear Systems
and yet we can nonetheless apply Gauss' method. Do so. Does the system have a
solution?
X1.22 What conditions must the constants, the b's, satisfy so that each of these
systems has a solution? Hint. Apply Gauss' method and see what happens to the
right side. [Anton]
(a)x 3y=b1
3x+y=b2
x+ 7y=b3
2x+ 4y=b4(b)x1+ 2x2+ 3x3=b1
2x1+ 5x2+ 3x3=b2
x1 + 8x3=b3
1.23 True or false: a system with more unknowns than equations has at least one
solution. (As always, to say `true' you must prove it, while to say `false' you must
produce a counterexample.)
1.24 Must any Chemistry problem like the one that starts this subsection | a bal-
ance the reaction problem | have innitely many solutions?
X1.25 Find the coecients a,b, andcso that the graph of f(x) =ax2+bx+cpasses
through the points (1 ;2), ( 1;6), and (2;3).
1.26 Gauss' method works by combining the equations in a system to make new
equations.
(a)Can the equation 3 x 2y= 5 be derived, by a sequence of Gaussian reduction
steps, from the equations in this system?
x+y= 1
4x y= 6
(b)Can the equation 5 x 3y= 2 be derived, by a sequence of Gaussian reduction
steps, from the equations in this system?
2x+ 2y= 5
3x+y= 4
(c)Can the equation 6 x 9y+ 5z= 2 be derived, by a sequence of Gaussian
reduction steps, from the equations in the system?
2x+y z= 4
6x 3y+z= 5
1.27 Prove that, where a;b;:::;e are real numbers and a6= 0, if
ax+by=c
has the same solution set as
ax+dy=e
then they are the same equation. What if a= 0?
X1.28 Show that if ad bc6= 0 then
ax+by=j
cx+dy=k
has a unique solution.
X1.29 In the system
ax+by=c
dx+ey=f
each of the equations describes a line in the xy-plane. By geometrical reasoning,
show that there are three possibilities: there is a unique solution, there is no
solution, and there are innitely many solutions.
1.30 Finish the proof of Theorem 1.5.
Section I. Solving Linear Systems 11
1.31 Is there a two-unknowns linear system whose solution set is all of R2?
X1.32 Are any of the operations used in Gauss' method redundant? That is, can
any of the operations be made from a combination of the others?
1.33 Prove that each operation of Gauss' method is reversible. That is, show that if
two systems are related by a row operation S1!S2then there is a row operation
to go backS2!S1.
?1.34 A box holding pennies, nickels and dimes contains thirteen coins with a total
value of 83 cents. How many coins of each type are in the box? [Anton]
?1.35 Four positive integers are given. Select any three of the integers, nd their
arithmetic average, and add this result to the fourth integer. Thus the numbers
29, 23, 21, and 17 are obtained. One of the original integers is:
(a)19 (b)21 (c)23 (d)29 (e)17
[Con. Prob. 1955]
?X1.36 Laugh at this: AHAHA + TEHE = TEHAW. It resulted from substituting
a code letter for each digit of a simple example in addition, and it is required to
identify the letters and prove the solution unique. [Am. Math. Mon., Jan. 1935]
?1.37 The Wohascum County Board of Commissioners, which has 20 members, re-
cently had to elect a President. There were three candidates ( A,B, andC); on
each ballot the three candidates were to be listed in order of preference, with no
abstentions. It was found that 11 members, a majority, preferred AoverB(thus
the other 9 preferred BoverA). Similarly, it was found that 12 members preferred
CoverA. Given these results, it was suggested that Bshould withdraw, to enable
a runo election between AandC. However, Bprotested, and it was then found
that 14 members preferred BoverC! The Board has not yet recovered from the re-
sulting confusion. Given that every possible order of A,B,Cappeared on at least
one ballot, how many members voted for Bas their rst choice? [Wohascum no. 2]
?1.38 \This system of nlinear equations with nunknowns," said the Great Math-
ematician, \has a curious property."
\Good heavens!" said the Poor Nut, \What is it?"
\Note," said the Great Mathematician, \that the constants are in arithmetic
progression."
\It's all so clear when you explain it!" said the Poor Nut. \Do you mean like
6x+ 9y= 12 and 15 x+ 18y= 21?"
\Quite so," said the Great Mathematician, pulling out his bassoon. \Indeed,
the system has a unique solution. Can you nd it?"
\Good heavens!" cried the Poor Nut, \I am baed."
Are you? [Am. Math. Mon., Jan. 1963]
I.2 Describing the Solution Set
A linear system with a unique solution has a solution set with one element. A
linear system with no solution has a solution set that is empty. In these cases
the solution set is easy to describe. Solution sets are a challenge to describe
only when they contain many elements.
12 Chapter One. Linear Systems
2.1 Example This system has many solutions because in echelon form
2x +z= 3
x y z= 1
3x y = 4 (1=2)1+2 !
(3=2)1+32x +z= 3
y (3=2)z= 1=2
y (3=2)z= 1=2
2+3 !2x +z= 3
y (3=2)z= 1=2
0 = 0
not all of the variables are leading variables. The Gauss' method theorem
showed that a triple ( x;y;z ) satises the rst system if and only if it satises the
third. Thus, the solution set f(x;y;z )2x+z= 3 andx y z= 1 and 3x y= 4g
can also be described as f(x;y;z )2x+z= 3 and y 3z=2 = 1=2g. How-
ever, this second description is not much of an improvement. It has two equa-
tions instead of three, but it still involves some hard-to-understand interaction
among the variables.
To get a description that is free of any such interaction, we take the vari-
able that does not lead any equation, z, and use it to describe the variables
that do lead, xandy. The second equation gives y= (1=2) (3=2)zand
the rst equation gives x= (3=2) (1=2)z. Thus, the solution set can be de-
scribed asf(x;y;z ) = ((3=2) (1=2)z;(1=2) (3=2)z;z)z2Rg. For instance,
(1=2; 5=2;2) is a solution because taking z= 2 gives a rst component of 1 =2
and a second component of 5=2.
The advantage of this description over the ones above is that the only variable
appearing, z, is unrestricted | it can be any real number.
2.2 Denition The non-leading variables in an echelon-form linear system
arefree variables .
In the echelon form system derived in the above example, xandyare leading
variables and zis free.
2.3 Example A linear system can end with more than one variable free. This
row reduction
x+y+z w= 1
y z+w= 1
3x + 6z 6w= 6
y+z w= 1 31+3 !x+y+z w= 1
y z+w= 1
3y+ 3z 3w= 3
y+z w= 1
32+3 !
2+4x+y+z w= 1
y z+w= 1
0 = 0
0 = 0
ends withxandyleading, and with both zandwfree. To get the description
that we prefer we will start at the bottom. We rst express yin terms of
the free variables zandwwithy= 1 +z w. Next, moving up to the
Section I. Solving Linear Systems 13
top equation, substituting for yin the rst equation x+ ( 1 +z w) +z
w= 1 and solving for xyieldsx= 2 2z+ 2w. Thus, the solution set is
f2 2z+ 2w; 1 +z w;z;w )z;w2Rg.
We prefer this description because the only variables that appear, zandw,
are unrestricted. This makes the job of deciding which four-tuples are system
solutions into an easy one. For instance, taking z= 1 andw= 2 gives the
solution (4; 2;1;2). In contrast, (3 ; 2;1;2) is not a solution, since the rst
component of any solution must be 2 minus twice the third component plus
twice the fourth.
2.4 Example After this reduction
2x 2y = 0
z+ 3w= 2
3x 3y = 0
x y+ 2z+ 6w= 4 (3=2)1+3 !
(1=2)1+42x 2y = 0
z+ 3w= 2
0 = 0
2z+ 6w= 4
22+4 !2x 2y = 0
z+ 3w= 2
0 = 0
0 = 0
xandzlead,yandware free. The solution set is f(y;y;2 3w;w)y;w2Rg.
For instance, (1 ;1;2;0) satises the system | take y= 1 andw= 0. The four-
tuple (1;0;5;4) is not a solution since its rst coordinate does not equal its
second.
We refer to a variable used to describe a family of solutions as a parameter
and we say that the set above is parametrized withyandw. (The terms
`parameter' and `free variable' do not mean the same thing. Above, yandw
are free because in the echelon form system they do not lead any row. They
are parameters because they are used in the solution set description. We could
have instead parametrized with yandzby rewriting the second equation as
w= 2=3 (1=3)z. In that case, the free variables are still yandw, but the
parameters are yandz. Notice that we could not have parametrized with xand
y, so there is sometimes a restriction on the choice of parameters. The terms
`parameter' and `free' are related because, as we shall show later in this chapter,
the solution set of a system can always be parametrized with the free variables.
Consequently, we shall parametrize all of our descriptions in this way.)
2.5 Example This is another system with innitely many solutions.
x+ 2y = 1
2x +z = 2
3x+ 2y+z w= 4 21+2 !
31+3x+ 2y = 1
4y+z = 0
4y+z w= 1
2+3 !x+ 2y = 1
4y+z = 0
w= 1
14 Chapter One. Linear Systems
The leading variables are x,y, andw. The variable zis free. (Notice here that,
although there are innitely many solutions, the value of one of the variables is
xed |w= 1.) Writewin terms of zwithw= 1 + 0z. Theny= (1=4)z.
To express xin terms of z, substitute for yinto the rst equation to get x=
1 (1=2)z. The solution set is f(1 (1=2)z;(1=4)z;z; 1)z2Rg.
We nish this subsection by developing the notation for linear systems and
their solution sets that we shall use in the rest of this book.
2.6 Denition Anmnmatrix is a rectangular array of numbers with mrows
andncolumns . Each number in the matrix is an entry ,
Matrices are usually named by upper case roman letters, e.g. A. Each entry is
denoted by the corresponding lower-case letter, e.g. ai;jis the number in row i
and column jof the array. For instance,
A=1 2:2 5
3 4 7
has two rows and three columns, and so is a 2 3 matrix. (Read that as \two-
by-three"; the number of rows is always stated rst.) The entry in the second
row and rst column is a2;1= 3. Note that the order of the subscripts matters:
a1;26=a2;1sincea1;2= 2:2. (The parentheses around the array are a typo-
graphic device so that when two matrices are side by side we can tell where one
ends and the other starts.)
Matrices occur throughout this book. We shall use Mnmto denote the
collection of nmmatrices.
2.7 Example We can abbreviate this linear system
x+ 2y = 4
y z= 0
x + 2z= 4
with this matrix. 0
@1 2 0 4
0 1 10
1 0 2 41
A
The vertical bar just reminds a reader of the dierence between the coecients
on the systems's left hand side and the constants on the right. When a bar
is used to divide a matrix into parts, we call it an augmented matrix. In this
notation, Gauss' method goes this way.
0
@1 2 0 4
0 1 10
1 0 2 41
A 1+3 !0
@1 2 0 4
0 1 10
0 2 2 01
A22+3 !0
@1 2 0 4
0 1 10
0 0 0 01
A
The second row stands for y z= 0 and the rst row stands for x+ 2y= 4 so
the solution set is f(4 2z;z;z )z2Rg. One advantage of the new notation is
that the clerical load of Gauss' method | the copying of variables, the writing
of +'s and ='s, etc. | is lighter.
Section I. Solving Linear Systems 15
We will also use the array notation to clarify the descriptions of solution
sets. A description like f(2 2z+ 2w; 1 +z w;z;w )z;w2Rgfrom Ex-
ample 2.3 is hard to read. We will rewrite it to group all the constants together,
all the coecients of ztogether, and all the coecients of wtogether. We will
write them vertically, in one-column wide matrices.
f0
BB@2
1
0
01
CCA+0
BB@ 2
1
1
01
CCAz+0
BB@2
1
0
11
CCAwz;w2Rg
For instance, the top line says that x= 2 2z+ 2wand the second line says
thaty= 1 +z w. The next section gives a geometric interpretation that
will help us picture the solution sets when they are written in this way.
2.8 Denition Avector (orcolumn vector ) is a matrix with a single column.
A matrix with a single row is a row vector . The entries of a vector are its
components .
Vectors are an exception to the convention of representing matrices with
capital roman letters. We use lower-case roman or greek letters overlined with
an arrow:~ a,~b, . . . or~ ,~, . . . (boldface is also common: aor). For instance,
this is a column vector with a third component of 7.
~ v=0
@1
3
71
A
2.9 Denition The linear equation a1x1+a2x2++anxn=dwith
unknownsx1;::: ;xnissatised by
~ s=0
B@s1
...
sn1
CA
ifa1s1+a2s2++ansn=d. A vector satises a linear system if it satises
each equation in the system.
The style of description of solution sets that we use involves adding the
vectors, and also multiplying them by real numbers, such as the zandw. We
need to dene these operations.
2.10 Denition The vector sum of~ uand~ vis this.
~ u+~ v=0
B@u1
...
un1
CA+0
B@v1
...
vn1
CA=0
B@u1+v1
...
un+vn1
CA
16 Chapter One. Linear Systems
Note that the vectors have to have the same number of entries for the addi-
tion to be dened. This entry-by-entry addition works for any pair of matrices,
not just vectors, provided that they have the same number of rows and columns.
2.11 Denition The scalar multiplication of the real number rand the vector
~ vis this.
r~ v=r0
B@v1
...
vn1
CA=0
B@rv1
...
rvn1
CA
As with the addition operation, this entry-by-entry scalar multiplication
operation extends beyond vectors to any matrix.
Scalar multiplication can be written in either order: r~ vor~ vr, or without
the `' symbol:r~ v. (Do not refer to scalar multiplication as `scalar product'
because that name is used for a dierent operation.)
2.12 Example
0
@2
3
11
A+0
@3
1
41
A=0
@2 + 3
3 1
1 + 41
A=0
@5
2
51
A 70
BB@1
4
1
31
CCA=0
BB@7
28
7
211
CCA
Notice that the denitions of vector addition and scalar multiplication agree
where they overlap, for instance, ~ v+~ v= 2~ v.
With the notation dened, we can now solve systems in the way that we will
use throughout this book.
2.13 Example This system
2x+y w = 4
y +w+u= 4
x z+ 2w = 0
reduces in this way.
0
@2 1 0 1 0 4
0 1 0 1 1 4
1 0 1 2 0 01
A (1=2)1+3 !0
@2 1 0 1 0 4
0 1 0 1 1 4
0 1=2 1 5=2 0 21
A
(1=2)2+3 !0
@2 1 0 1 0 4
0 1 0 1 1 4
0 0 1 3 1=201
A
The solution set is f(w+ (1=2)u;4 w u;3w+ (1=2)u;w;u )w;u2Rg. We
write that in vector form.
f0
BBBB@x
y
z
w
u1
CCCCA=0
BBBB@0
4
0
0
01
CCCCA+0
BBBB@1
1
3
1
01
CCCCAw+0
BBBB@1=2
1
1=2
0
11
CCCCAuw;u2Rg
Section I. Solving Linear Systems 17
Note again how well vector notation sets o the coecients of each parameter.
For instance, the third row of the vector form shows plainly that if uis held
xed thenzincreases three times as fast as w.
That format also shows plainly that there are innitely many solutions. For
example, we can x uas 0, letwrange over the real numbers, and consider the
rst component x. We get innitely many rst components and hence innitely
many solutions.
Another thing shown plainly is that setting both wanduto zero gives that
this vector 0
BBBB@x
y
z
w
u1
CCCCA=0
BBBB@0
4
0
0
01
CCCCA
is a particular solution of the linear system.
2.14 Example In the same way, this system
x y+z= 1
3x +z= 3
5x 2y+ 3z= 5
reduces
0
@1 1 1 1
3 0 1 3
5 2 3 51
A 31+2 !
51+30
@1 1 1 1
0 3 20
0 3 201
A 2+3 !0
@1 1 1 1
0 3 20
0 0 0 01
A
to a one-parameter solution set.
f0
@1
0
01
A+0
@ 1=3
2=3
11
Azz2Rg
Before the exercises, we pause to point out some things that we have yet to
do.
The rst two subsections have been on the mechanics of Gauss' method.
Except for one result, Theorem 1.5 | without which developing the method
doesn't make sense since it says that the method gives the right answers | we
have not stopped to consider any of the interesting questions that arise.
For example, can we always describe solution sets as above, with a particular
solution vector added to an unrestricted linear combination of some other vec-
tors? The solution sets we described with unrestricted parameters were easily
seen to have innitely many solutions so an answer to this question could tell
us something about the size of solution sets. An answer to that question could
also help us picture the solution sets, in R2, or in R3, etc.
Many questions arise from the observation that Gauss' method can be done
in more than one way (for instance, when swapping rows, we may have a choice
18 Chapter One. Linear Systems
of which row to swap with). Theorem 1.5 says that we must get the same
solution set no matter how we proceed, but if we do Gauss' method in two
dierent ways must we get the same number of free variables both times, so
that any two solution set descriptions have the same number of parameters?
Must those be the same variables (e.g., is it impossible to solve a problem one
way and get yandwfree or solve it another way and get yandzfree)?
In the rest of this chapter we answer these questions. The answer to each
is `yes'. The rst question is answered in the last subsection of this section. In
the second section we give a geometric description of solution sets. In the nal
section of this chapter we tackle the last set of questions. Consequently, by the
end of the rst chapter we will not only have a solid grounding in the practice
of Gauss' method, we will also have a solid grounding in the theory. We will be
sure of what can and cannot happen in a reduction.
Exercises
X2.15 Find the indicated entry of the matrix, if it is dened.
A=1 3 1
2 1 4
(a)a2;1(b)a1;2(c)a2;2(d)a3;1
X2.16 Give the size of each matrix.
(a)1 0 4
2 1 5
(b)0
@1 1
1 1
3 11
A (c)5 10
10 5
X2.17 Do the indicated vector operation, if it is dened.
(a)0
@2
1
11
A+0
@3
0
41
A (b)54
1
(c)0
@1
5
11
A 0
@3
1
11
A (d)72
1
+ 93
5
(e)1
2
+0
@1
2
31
A (f)60
@3
1
11
A 40
@2
0
31
A+ 20
@1
1
51
A
X2.18 Solve each system using matrix notation. Express the solution using vec-
tors.
(a)3x+ 6y= 18
x+ 2y= 6(b)x+y= 1
x y= 1(c)x1 +x3= 4
x1 x2+ 2x3= 5
4x1 x2+ 5x3= 17
(d)2a+b c= 2
2a +c= 3
a b = 0(e)x+ 2y z = 3
2x+y +w= 4
x y+z+w= 1(f)x +z+w= 4
2x+y w= 2
3x+y+z = 7
X2.19 Solve each system using matrix notation. Give each solution set in vector
notation.
(a)2x+y z= 1
4x y = 3(b)x z = 1
y+ 2z w= 3
x+ 2y+ 3z w= 7(c)x y+z = 0
y +w= 0
3x 2y+ 3z+w= 0
y w= 0
(d)a+ 2b+ 3c+d e= 1
3a b+c+d+e= 3
Section I. Solving Linear Systems 19
X2.20 The vector is in the set. What value of the parameters produces that vec-
tor?
(a)5
5
,f1
1
kk2Rg
(b)0
@ 1
2
11
A,f0
@ 2
1
01
Ai+0
@3
0
11
Aji;j2Rg
(c)0
@0
4
21
A,f0
@1
1
01
Am+0
@2
0
11
Anm;n2Rg
2.21 Decide if the vector is in the set.
(a)3
1
,f 6
2
kk2Rg
(b)5
4
,f5
4
jj2Rg
(c)0
@2
1
11
A,f0
@0
3
71
A+0
@1
1
31
Arr2Rg
(d)0
@1
0
11
A,f0
@2
0
11
Aj+0
@ 3
1
11
Akj;k2Rg
2.22 Parametrize the solution set of this one-equation system.
x1+x2++xn= 0
X2.23 (a) Apply Gauss' method to the left-hand side to solve
x+ 2y w=a
2x +z =b
x+y + 2w=c
forx,y,z, andw, in terms of the constants a,b, andc.
(b)Use your answer from the prior part to solve this.
x+ 2y w= 3
2x +z = 1
x+y + 2w= 2
X2.24 Why is the comma needed in the notation ` ai;j' for matrix entries?
X2.25 Give the 44 matrix whose i;j-th entry is
(a)i+j;(b) 1 to thei+jpower.
2.26 For any matrix A, the transpose ofA, writtenAtrans, is the matrix whose
columns are the rows of A. Find the transpose of each of these.
(a)1 2 3
4 5 6
(b)2 3
1 1
(c)5 10
10 5
(d)0
@1
1
01
A
X2.27 (a) Describe all functions f(x) =ax2+bx+csuch thatf(1) = 2 and
f( 1) = 6.
(b)Describe all functions f(x) =ax2+bx+csuch thatf(1) = 2.
2.28 Show that any set of ve points from the plane R2lie on a common conic
section, that is, they all satisfy some equation of the form ax2+by2+cxy+dx+
ey+f= 0 where some of a; ::: ;f are nonzero.
2.29 Make up a four equations/four unknowns system having
(a)a one-parameter solution set;
20 Chapter One. Linear Systems
(b)a two-parameter solution set;
(c)a three-parameter solution set.
?2.30 (a) Solve the system of equations.
ax+y=a2
x+ay= 1
For what values of adoes the system fail to have solutions, and for what values
ofaare there innitely many solutions?
(b)Answer the above question for the system.
ax+y=a3
x+ay= 1
[USSR Olympiad no. 174]
?2.31 In air a gold-surfaced sphere weighs 7588 grams. It is known that it may
contain one or more of the metals aluminum, copper, silver, or lead. When weighed
successively under standard conditions in water, benzene, alcohol, and glycerine
its respective weights are 6588, 6688, 6778, and 6328 grams. How much, if any,
of the forenamed metals does it contain if the specic gravities of the designated
substances are taken to be as follows?
Aluminum 2 :7 Alcohol 0.81
Copper 8 :9 Benzene 0 :90
Gold 19 :3 Glycerine 1 :26
Lead 11 :3 Water 1 :00
Silver 10 :8
[Math. Mag., Sept. 1952]
I.3 General = Particular + Homogeneous
The prior subsection has many descriptions of solution sets. They all t a
pattern. They have a vector that is a particular solution of the system added
to an unrestricted combination of some other vectors. The solution set from
Example 2.13 illustrates.
f0
BBBB@0
4
0
0
01
CCCCA
|{z}
particular
solution+w0
BBBB@1
1
3
1
01
CCCCA+u0
BBBB@1=2
1
1=2
0
11
CCCCA
|{z}
unrestricted
combinationw;u2Rg
The combination is unrestricted in that wanducan be any real numbers |
there is no condition like \such that 2 w u= 0" that would restrict which pairs
w;u can be used to form combinations.
That example shows an innite solution set conforming to the pattern. We
can think of the other two kinds of solution sets as tting the same pattern. A
one-element solution set ts the pattern in that it has a particular solution, and
Section I. Solving Linear Systems 21
the unrestricted combination part is a trivial sum. (That is, instead of being
a combination of two vectors, as above, or a combination of one vector, it is
a combination of no vectors. We will use the convention that the sum of an
empty set of vectors is the vector of all zeros.) A zero-element solution set ts
the pattern since there is no particular solution, and so there are no sums of
that form.
This subsection formally proves what the prior paragraph outlines: every
solution set can be written as a vector that is a particular solution of the system
added to an unrestricted combination of some other vectors.
3.1 Theorem Any linear system's solution set can be described as
f~ p+c1~1++ck~kc1; ::: ;ck2Rg
where~ pis any particular solution, and where the number of vectors ~1, . . . ,
~kequals the number of free variables that the system has after a Gaussian
reduction.
The solution description has two parts, the particular solution ~ pand also
the unrestricted linear combination of the ~'s. We shall prove the theorem in
two corresponding parts, with two lemmas.
We will focus rst on the unrestricted combination part. To do that, we
consider systems that have the vector of zeroes as one of the particular solutions,
so that~ p+c1~1++ck~kcan be shortened to c1~1++ck~k.
3.2 Denition A linear equation is homogeneous if it has a constant of zero,
that is, if it can be put in the form a1x1+a2x2++anxn= 0.
3.3 Example With any linear system like
3x+ 4y= 3
2x y= 1
we associate a system of homogeneous equations by setting the right side to
zeros.
3x+ 4y= 0
2x y= 0
Our interest in the homogeneous system associated with a linear system can be
understood by comparing the reduction of the system
3x+ 4y= 3
2x y= 1 (2=3)1+2 !3x+ 4y= 3
(11=3)y= 1
with the reduction of the associated homogeneous system.
3x+ 4y= 0
2x y= 0 (2=3)1+2 !3x+ 4y= 0
(11=3)y= 0
Obviously the two reductions go in the same way. We can study how linear sys-
tems are reduced by instead studying how the associated homogeneous systems
are reduced.
22 Chapter One. Linear Systems
Studying the associated homogeneous system has a great advantage over
studying the original system. Nonhomogeneous systems can be inconsistent.
But a homogeneous system must be consistent since there is always at least one
solution, the vector of zeros.
3.4 Denition A column or row vector of all zeros is a zero vector , denoted
~0.
There are many dierent zero vectors, e.g., the one-tall zero vector, the two-tall
zero vector, etc. Nonetheless, people often refer to \the" zero vector, expecting
that the size of the one being discussed will be clear from the context.
3.5 Example Some homogeneous systems have the zero vector as their only
solution.
3x+ 2y+z= 0
6x+ 4y = 0
y+z= 0 21+2 !3x+ 2y+z= 0
2z= 0
y+z= 02$3 !3x+ 2y+z= 0
y+z= 0
2z= 0
3.6 Example Some homogeneous systems have many solutions. One example
is the Chemistry problem from the rst page of this book.
7x 7z = 0
8x+y 5z 2w= 0
y 3z = 0
3y 6z w= 0 (8=7)1+2 !7x 7z = 0
y+ 3z 2w= 0
y 3z = 0
3y 6z w= 0
2+3 !
32+47x 7z = 0
y+ 3z 2w= 0
6z+ 2w= 0
15z+ 5w= 0
(5=2)3+4 !7x 7z = 0
y+ 3z 2w= 0
6z+ 2w= 0
0 = 0
The solution set:
f0
BB@1=3
1
1=3
11
CCAww2Rg
has many vectors besides the zero vector (if we interpret was a number of
molecules then solutions make sense only when wis a nonnegative multiple of
3).
We now have the terminology to prove the two parts of Theorem 3.1. The
rst lemma deals with unrestricted combinations.
Section I. Solving Linear Systems 23
3.7 Lemma For any homogeneous linear system there exist vectors ~1, . . . ,
~ksuch that the solution set of the system is
fc1~1++ck~kc1;:::;ck2Rg
wherekis the number of free variables in an echelon form version of the system.
Before the proof, we will recall the back substitution calculations that were
done in the prior subsection. Imagine that we have brought a system to this
echelon form.
x+ 2y z+ 2w= 0
3y+z = 0
w= 0
We next perform back-substitution to express each variable in terms of the
free variable z. Working from the bottom up, we get rst that wis 0z,
next thatyis (1=3)z, and then substituting those two into the top equation
x+ 2((1=3)z) z+ 2(0) = 0 gives x= (1=3)z. So, back substitution gives
a parametrization of the solution set by starting at the bottom equation and
using the free variables as the parameters to work row-by-row to the top. The
proof below follows this pattern.
Comment: That is, this proof just does a verication of the bookkeeping in
back substitution to show that we haven't overlooked any obscure cases where
this procedure fails, say, by leading to a division by zero. So this argument,
while quite detailed, doesn't give us any new insights. Nevertheless, we have
written it out for two reasons. The rst reason is that we need the result | the
computational procedure that we employ must be veried to work as promised.
The second reason is that the row-by-row nature of back substitution leads
to a proof that uses the technique of mathematical induction.This is an
important, and non-obvious, proof technique that we shall use a number of
times in this book. Doing an induction argument here gives us a chance to see
one in a setting where the proof material is easy to follow, and so the technique
can be studied. Readers who are unfamiliar with induction arguments should
be sure to master this one and the ones later in this chapter before going on to
the second chapter.
Proof .First use Gauss' method to reduce the homogeneous system to echelon
form. We will show that each leading variable can be expressed in terms of free
variables. That will nish the argument because then we can use those free
variables as the parameters. That is, the ~'s are the vectors of coecients of
the free variables (as in Example 3.6, where the solution is x= (1=3)w,y=w,
z= (1=3)w, andw=w).
We will proceed by mathematical induction, which has two steps. The base
step of the argument will be to focus on the bottom-most non-`0 = 0' equation
and write its leading variable in terms of the free variables. The inductive step
of the argument will be to argue that if we can express the leading variables from
More information on mathematical induction is in the appendix.
24 Chapter One. Linear Systems
the bottom trows in terms of free variables, then we can express the leading
variable of the next row up | the t+ 1-th row up from the bottom | in terms
of free variables. With those two steps, the theorem will be proved because by
the base step it is true for the bottom equation, and by the inductive step the
fact that it is true for the bottom equation shows that it is true for the next
one up, and then another application of the inductive step implies it is true for
the third equation up, etc.
For the base step, consider the bottom-most non-`0 = 0' equation (the case
where all the equations are `0 = 0' is trivial). We call that the m-th row:
am;`mx`m+am;`m+1x`m+1++am;nxn= 0
wheream;`m6= 0. (The notation here has ` `' stand for `leading', so am;`mmeans
\the coecient from the row mof the variable leading row m".) Either there
are variables in this equation other than the leading one x`mor else there are
not. If there are other variables x`m+1, etc., then they must be free variables
because this is the bottom non-`0 = 0' row. Move them to the right and divide
byam;`m
x`m= ( am;`m+1=am;`m)x`m+1++ ( am;n=am;`m)xn
to express this leading variable in terms of free variables. If there are no free
variables in this equation then x`m= 0 (see the \tricky point" noted following
this proof).
For the inductive step, we assume that for the m-th equation, and for the
(m 1)-th equation, . . . , and for the ( m t)-th equation, we can express the
leading variable in terms of free variables (where 0 t<m ). To prove that the
same is true for the next equation up, the ( m (t+ 1))-th equation, we take
each variable that leads in a lower-down equation x`m;:::;x`m tand substitute
its expression in terms of free variables. The result has the form
am (t+1);`m (t+1)x`m (t+1)+ sums of multiples of free variables = 0
wheream (t+1);`m (t+1)6= 0. We move the free variables to the right-hand side
and divide by am (t+1);`m (t+1), to end with x`m (t+1)expressed in terms of free
variables.
Because we have shown both the base step and the inductive step, by the
principle of mathematical induction the proposition is true. QED
We say that the set fc1~1++ck~kc1;:::;ck2Rgisgenerated by or
spanned by the set of vectors f~1;:::;~kg.
There is a tricky point to this. We rely on the convention that the sum of an
empty set of vectors is the zero vector. In particular, we need this in the case
where a homogeneous system has a unique solution. Then the homogeneous
case ts the pattern of the other solution sets: in the proof above, the solution
set is derived by taking the c's to be the free variables and if there is a unique
solution then there are no free variables.
Section I. Solving Linear Systems 25
The proof incidentally shows, as discussed after Example 2.4, that solution
sets can always be parametrized using the free variables.
The next lemma nishes the proof of Theorem 3.1 by considering the par-
ticular solution part of the solution set's description.
3.8 Lemma For a linear system, where ~ pis any particular solution, the solution
set equals this set.
f~ p+~h~hsatises the associated homogeneous system g
Proof .We will show mutual set inclusion, that any solution to the system is
in the above set and that anything in the set is a solution to the system.
For set inclusion the rst way, that if a vector solves the system then it is
in the set described above, assume that ~ ssolves the system. Then ~ s ~ psolves
the associated homogeneous system since for each equation index i,
ai;1(s1 p1) ++ai;n(sn pn) = (ai;1s1++ai;nsn)
(ai;1p1++ai;npn)
=di di
= 0
wherepjandsjare thej-th components of ~ pand~ s. We can write ~ s ~ pas~h,
where~hsolves the associated homogeneous system, to express ~ sin the required
~ p+~hform.
For set inclusion the other way, take a vector of the form ~ p+~h, where~ p
solves the system and ~hsolves the associated homogeneous system, and note
that it solves the given system: for any equation index i,
ai;1(p1+h1) ++ai;n(pn+hn) = (ai;1p1++ai;npn)
+ (ai;1h1++ai;nhn)
=di+ 0
=di
wherehjis thej-th component of ~h. QED
The two lemmas above together establish Theorem 3.1. We remember that
theorem with the slogan \General = Particular + Homogeneous".
3.9 Example This system illustrates Theorem 3.1.
x+ 2y z= 1
2x+ 4y = 2
y 3z= 0
More information on equality of sets is in the appendix.
26 Chapter One. Linear Systems
Gauss' method
21+2 !x+ 2y z= 1
2z= 0
y 3z= 02$3 !x+ 2y z= 1
y 3z= 0
2z= 0
shows that the general solution is a singleton set.
f0
@1
0
01
Ag
That single vector is, of course, a particular solution. The associated homoge-
neous system reduces via the same row operations
x+ 2y z= 0
2x+ 4y = 0
y 3z= 0 21+2 !2$3 !x+ 2y z= 0
y 3z= 0
2z= 0
to also give a singleton set.
f0
@0
0
01
Ag
As the theorem states, and as discussed at the start of this subsection, in this
single-solution case the general solution results from taking the particular solu-
tion and adding to it the unique solution of the associated homogeneous system.
3.10 Example Also discussed at the start of this subsection is that the
case where the general solution set is empty ts the `General = Particular +
Homogeneous' pattern. This system illustrates. Gauss' method
x +z+w= 1
2x y +w= 3
x+y+ 3z+ 2w= 1 21+2 !
1+3x +z+w= 1
y 2z w= 5
y+ 2z+w= 2
shows that it has no solutions because the nal two equations are in con
ict.
The associated homogeneous system, of course, has a solution.
x +z+w= 0
2x y +w= 0
x+y+ 3z+ 2w= 0 21+2 !
1+32+3 !x +z+w= 0
y 2z w= 0
0 = 0
In fact, the solution set of the homogeneous system is innite.
f0
BB@ 1
2
1
01
CCAz+0
BB@ 1
1
0
11
CCAwz;w2Rg
However, because no particular solution of the original system exists, the general
solution set is empty | there are no vectors of the form ~ p+~hbecause there are
no~ p's.
Section I. Solving Linear Systems 27
3.11 Corollary Solution sets of linear systems are either empty, have one
element, or have innitely many elements.
Proof .We've seen examples of all three happening so we need only prove that
those are the only possibilities.
First, notice a homogeneous system with at least one non- ~0 solution~ vhas
innitely many solutions because the set of multiples s~ vis innite | if s6= 1
thens~ v ~ v= (s 1)~ vis easily seen to be non- ~0, and sos~ v6=~ v.
Now, apply Lemma 3.8 to conclude that a solution set
f~ p+~h~hsolves the associated homogeneous system g
is either empty (if there is no particular solution ~ p), or has one element (if there
is a~ pand the homogeneous system has the unique solution ~0), or is innite (if
there is a~ pand the homogeneous system has a non- ~0 solution, and thus by the
prior paragraph has innitely many solutions). QED
This table summarizes the factors aecting the size of a general solution.
number of solutions of the
associated homogeneous system
particular
solution
exists?one innitely many
yesunique
solutioninnitely many
solutions
nono
solutionsno
solutions
The factor on the top of the table is the simpler one. When we perform
Gauss' method on a linear system, ignoring the constants on the right side and
so paying attention only to the coecients on the left-hand side, we either end
with every variable leading some row or else we nd that some variable does not
lead a row, that is, that some variable is free. (Of course, \ignoring the constants
on the right" is formalized by considering the associated homogeneous system.
We are simply putting aside for the moment the possibility of a contradictory
equation.)
A nice insight into the factor on the top of this table at work comes from con-
sidering the case of a system having the same number of equations as variables.
This system will have a solution, and the solution will be unique, if and only if it
reduces to an echelon form system where every variable leads its row, which will
happen if and only if the associated homogeneous system has a unique solution.
Thus, the question of uniqueness of solution is especially interesting when the
system has the same number of equations as variables.
3.12 Denition A square matrix is nonsingular if it is the matrix of coe-
cients of a homogeneous system with a unique solution. It is singular otherwise,
that is, if it is the matrix of coecients of a homogeneous system with innitely
many solutions.
28 Chapter One. Linear Systems
The word singular means \departing from general expectation" and here
expresses that we could expect that systems with the same number of equations
as unknowns will typically have a unique solution. (That `singular' applies to
systems having more than one solution is ironic, but it is the standard term.)
3.13 Example The systems from Example 3.3, Example 3.5, and Example 3.9
each have an associated homogeneous system with a unique solution. Thus these
matrices are nonsingular.
3 4
2 10
@3 2 1
6 4 0
0 1 11
A0
@1 2 1
2 4 0
0 1 31
A
The Chemistry problem from Example 3.6 is a homogeneous system with more
than one solution so its matrix is singular.
0
BB@7 0 7 0
8 1 5 2
0 1 3 0
0 3 6 11
CCA
3.14 Example The rst of these matrices is nonsingular while the second is
singular
1 2
3 4
1 2
3 6
because the rst of these homogeneous systems has a unique solution while the
second has innitely many solutions.
x+ 2y= 0
3x+ 4y= 0x+ 2y= 0
3x+ 6y= 0
We have made the distinction in the denition because a system (with the same
number of equations as variables) behaves in one of two ways, depending on
whether its matrix of coecients is nonsingular or singular. A system where
the matrix of coecients is nonsingular has a unique solution for any constants
on the right side: for instance, Gauss' method shows that this system
x+ 2y=a
3x+ 4y=b
has the unique solution x=b 2aandy= (3a b)=2. On the other hand, a
system where the matrix of coecients is singular never has a unique solution |
it has either no solutions or else has innitely many, as with these.
x+ 2y= 1
3x+ 6y= 2x+ 2y= 1
3x+ 6y= 3
Thus, `singular' can be thought of as connoting \troublesome", or at least \not
ideal".
Section I. Solving Linear Systems 29
The above table has two factors. We have already considered the factor
along the top: we can tell which column a given linear system goes in solely by
considering the system's left-hand side | the constants on the right-hand side
play no role in this factor. The table's other factor, determining whether a
particular solution exists, is tougher. Consider these two
3x+ 2y= 5
3x+ 2y= 53x+ 2y= 5
3x+ 2y= 4
with the same left sides but dierent right sides. Obviously, the rst has a
solution while the second does not, so here the constants on the right side
decide if the system has a solution. We could conjecture that the left side of a
linear system determines the number of solutions while the right side determines
if solutions exist, but that guess is not correct. Compare these two systems
3x+ 2y= 5
4x+ 2y= 43x+ 2y= 5
3x+ 2y= 4
with the same right sides but dierent left sides. The rst has a solution but
the second does not. Thus the constants on the right side of a system don't
decide alone whether a solution exists; rather, it depends on some interaction
between the left and right sides.
For some intuition about that interaction, consider this system with one of
the coecients left as the parameter c.
x+ 2y+ 3z= 1
x+y+z= 1
cx+ 3y+ 4z= 0
Ifc= 2 then this system has no solution because the left-hand side has the
third row as a sum of the rst two, while the right-hand does not. If c6= 2
then this system has a unique solution (try it with c= 1). For a system to
have a solution, if one row of the matrix of coecients on the left is a linear
combination of other rows, then on the right the constant from that row must
be the same combination of constants from the same rows.
More intuition about the interaction comes from studying linear combina-
tions. That will be our focus in the second chapter, after we nish the study of
Gauss' method itself in the rest of this chapter.
Exercises
X3.15 Solve each system. Express the solution set using vectors. Identify the par-
ticular solution and the solution set of the homogeneous system.
(a)3x+ 6y= 18
x+ 2y= 6(b)x+y= 1
x y= 1(c)x1 +x3= 4
x1 x2+ 2x3= 5
4x1 x2+ 5x3= 17
(d)2a+b c= 2
2a +c= 3
a b = 0(e)x+ 2y z = 3
2x+y +w= 4
x y+z+w= 1(f)x +z+w= 4
2x+y w= 2
3x+y+z = 7
3.16 Solve each system, giving the solution set in vector notation. Identify the
particular solution and the solution of the homogeneous system.
30 Chapter One. Linear Systems
(a)2x+y z= 1
4x y = 3(b)x z = 1
y+ 2z w= 3
x+ 2y+ 3z w= 7(c)x y+z = 0
y +w= 0
3x 2y+ 3z+w= 0
y w= 0
(d)a+ 2b+ 3c+d e= 1
3a b+c+d+e= 3
X3.17 For the system
2x y w= 3
y+z+ 2w= 2
x 2y z = 1
which of these can be used as the particular solution part of some general solu-
tion?
(a)0
BB@0
3
5
01
CCA(b)0
BB@2
1
1
01
CCA(c)0
BB@ 1
4
8
11
CCA
X3.18 Lemma 3.8 says that any particular solution may be used for ~ p. Find, if
possible, a general solution to this system
x y +w= 4
2x+ 3y z = 0
y+z+w= 4
that uses the given vector as its particular solution.
(a)0
BB@0
0
0
41
CCA(b)0
BB@ 5
1
7
101
CCA(c)0
BB@2
1
1
11
CCA
3.19 One of these is nonsingular while the other is singular. Which is which?
(a)1 3
4 12
(b)1 3
4 12
X3.20 Singular or nonsingular?
(a)1 2
1 3
(b)1 2
3 6
(c)1 2 1
1 3 1
(Careful!)
(d)0
@1 2 1
1 1 3
3 4 71
A (e)0
@2 2 1
1 0 5
1 1 41
A
X3.21 Is the given vector in the set generated by the given set?
(a)2
3
;f1
4
;1
5
g
(b)0
@ 1
0
11
A;f0
@2
1
01
A;0
@1
0
11
Ag
(c)0
@1
3
01
A;f0
@1
0
41
A;0
@2
1
51
A;0
@3
3
01
A;0
@4
2
11
Ag
(d)0
BB@1
0
1
11
CCA;f0
BB@2
1
0
11
CCA;0
BB@3
0
0
21
CCAg
Section I. Solving Linear Systems 31
3.22 Prove that any linear system with a nonsingular matrix of coecients has a
solution, and that the solution is unique.
3.23 To tell the whole truth, there is another tricky point to the proof of Lemma 3.7.
What happens if there are no non-`0 = 0' equations? (There aren't any more tricky
points after this one.)
X3.24 Prove that if ~ sand~tsatisfy a homogeneous system then so do these vec-
tors.
(a)~ s+~t(b)3~ s(c)k~ s+m~tfork;m2R
What's wrong with: \These three show that if a homogeneous system has one
solution then it has many solutions | any multiple of a solution is another solution,
and any sum of solutions is a solution also | so there are no homogeneous systems
with exactly one solution."?
3.25 Prove that if a system with only rational coecients and constants has a
solution then it has at least one all-rational solution. Must it have innitely many?
32 Chapter One. Linear Systems
II Linear Geometry of n-Space
For readers who have seen the elements of vectors before, in calculus or physics,
this section is an optional review. However, later work will refer to this material
so if it is not a review then it is not optional.
In the rst section, we had to do a bit of work to show that there are only
three types of solution sets | singleton, empty, and innite. But in the special
case of systems with two equations and two unknowns this is easy to see with a
picture. Draw each two-unknowns equation as a line in the plane and then the
two lines could have a unique intersection, be parallel, or be the same line.
Unique solution
3x+ 2y= 7
x y= 1No solutions
3x+ 2y= 7
3x+ 2y= 4Innitely many
solutions
3x+ 2y= 7
6x+ 4y= 14
These pictures don't prove the results from the prior section, which apply to
any number of linear equations and any number of unknowns, but nonetheless
they do help us to understand those results. This section develops the ideas
that we need to express our results from the prior section, and from some future
sections, geometrically. In particular, while the two-dimensional case is familiar,
to extend to systems with more than two unknowns we shall need some higher-
dimensional geometry.
II.1 Vectors in Space
\Higher-dimensional geometry" sounds exotic. It is exotic | interesting and
eye-opening. But it isn't distant or unreachable.
We begin by dening one-dimensional space to be the set R1. To see that
denition is reasonable, draw a one-dimensional space
and make the usual correspondence with R: pick a point to label 0 and another
to label 1.
0 1
Now, with a scale and a direction, nding the point corresponding to, say +2 :17,
is easy | start at 0 and head in the direction of 1 (i.e., the positive direction),
but don't stop there, go 2 :17 times as far.
Section II. Linear Geometry of n-Space 33
The basic idea here, combining magnitude with direction, is the key to ex-
tending to higher dimensions.
An object comprised of a magnitude and a direction is a vector (we will use
the same word as in the previous section because we shall show below how to
describe such an object with a column vector). We can draw a vector as having
some length, and pointing somewhere.
There is a subtlety here | these vectors
are equal, even though they start in dierent places, because they have equal
lengths and equal directions. Again: those vectors are not just alike, they are
equal.
How can things that are in dierent places be equal? Think of a vector as
representing a displacement (`vector' is Latin for \carrier" or \traveler"). These
squares undergo the same displacement, despite that those displacements start
in dierent places.
Sometimes, to emphasize this property vectors have of not being anchored, they
are referred to as freevectors. Thus, these free vectors are equal as each is a
displacement of one over and two up.
More generally, vectors in the plane are the same if and only if they have the
same change in rst components and the same change in second components: the
vector extending from ( a1;a2) to (b1;b2) equals the vector from ( c1;c2) to (d1;d2)
if and only if b1 a1=d1 c1andb2 a2=d2 c2.
An expression like `the vector that, were it to start at ( a1;a2), would extend
to (b1;b2)' is awkward. We instead describe such a vector as
b1 a1
b2 a2
so that, for instance, the `one over and two up' arrows shown above picture this
vector.
1
2
34 Chapter One. Linear Systems
We often draw the arrow as starting at the origin, and we then say it is in the
canonical position (ornatural position orstandard position ). When the vector
b1 a1
b2 a2
is in its canonical position then it extends to the endpoint ( b1 a1;b2 a2).
We typically just refer to \the point
1
2
"
rather than \the endpoint of the canonical position of" that vector. Thus, we
will call both of these sets R2.
f(x1;x2)x1;x22Rg fx1
x2x1;x22Rg
In the prior section we dened vectors and vector operations with an alge-
braic motivation;
rv1
v2
=rv1
rv2 v1
v2
+w1
w2
=v1+w1
v2+w2
we can now interpret those operations geometrically. For instance, if ~ vrepre-
sents a displacement then 3 ~ vrepresents a displacement in the same direction
but three times as far, and 1~ vrepresents a displacement of the same distance
as~ vbut in the opposite direction.
~ v
~ v3~ v
And, where ~ vand~ wrepresent displacements, ~ v+~ wrepresents those displace-
ments combined.
~ v~ w~ v+~ w
The long arrow is the combined displacement in this sense: if, in one minute, a
ship's motion gives it the displacement relative to the earth of ~ vand a passen-
ger's motion gives a displacement relative to the ship's deck of ~ w, then~ v+~ wis
the displacement of the passenger relative to the earth.
Another way to understand the vector sum is with the parallelogram rule .
Draw the parallelogram formed by the vectors ~ v1;~ v2and then the sum ~ v1+~ v2
extends along the diagonal to the far corner.
Section II. Linear Geometry of n-Space 35
~ v+~ w
~ v~ w
The above drawings show how vectors and vector operations behave in R2.
We can extend to R3, or to even higher-dimensional spaces where we have no
pictures, with the obvious generalization: the free vector that, if it starts at
(a1;:::;an), ends at ( b1;:::;bn), is represented by this column
0
B@b1 a1
...
bn an1
CA
(vectors are equal if they have the same representation), we aren't too careful
to distinguish between a point and the vector whose canonical representation
ends at that point,
Rn=f0
B@v1
...
vn1
CAv1;:::;vn2Rg
and addition and scalar multiplication are done component-wise.
Having considered points, we now turn to the lines. In R2, the line through
(1;2) and (3;1) is comprised of (the endpoints of) the vectors in this set.
f1
2
+t2
1t2Rg
That description expresses this picture.
2
1
=
3
1
1
2
The vector associated with the parameter t
2
1
=3
1
1
2
has its whole body in the line | it is a direction vector for the line. Note that
points on the line to the left of x= 1 are described using negative values of t.
Note also that this description of lines generalizes the familiar y=b+mxform
for lines in the plane.
InR3, the line through (1 ;2;1) and (2;3;2) is the set of (endpoints of)
vectors of this form
36 Chapter One. Linear Systems
f0
@1
2
11
A+t0
@1
1
11
At2Rg
and lines in even higher-dimensional spaces work in the same way.
InR3, a line uses one parameter so that there is freedom to move back
and forth in one dimension, and a plane involves two parameters. For exam-
ple, the plane through the points (1 ;0;5), (2;1; 3), and ( 2;4;0:5) consists of
(endpoints of) the vectors in
f0
@1
0
51
A+t0
@1
1
81
A+s0
@ 3
4
4:51
At;s2Rg
(the column vectors associated with the parameters
0
@1
1
81
A=0
@2
1
31
A 0
@1
0
51
A0
@ 3
4
4:51
A=0
@ 2
4
0:51
A 0
@1
0
51
A
are two vectors whose whole bodies lie in the plane). As with the line, note that
some points in this plane are described with negative t's or negative s's or both.
In algebra and calculus we often use a description of planes involving a single
equation as the condition that describes the relationship among the rst, second,
and third coordinates of points in a plane.
P=f0
@x
y
z1
A2x+y+z= 4g
The translation from such a description to the vector description that we favor
in this book is to think of the condition as a one-equation linear system and
parametrize x= (1=2)(4 y z).
P=f0
@2
0
01
A+0
@ 0:5
1
01
Ay+0
@ 0:5
0
11
Azy;z2Rg
Section II. Linear Geometry of n-Space 37
Generalizing from lines and planes, we dene a k-dimensional linear sur-
face(ork-
at) inRnto bef~ p+t1~ v1+t2~ v2++tk~ vkt1;:::;tk2Rgwhere
~ v1;:::;~ vk2Rn. For example, in R4,
f0
BB@2
3
0:51
CCA+t0
BB@1
0
0
01
CCAt2Rg
is a line,
f0
BB@0
0
0
01
CCA+t0
BB@1
1
0
11
CCA+s0
BB@2
0
1
01
CCAt;s2Rg
is a plane, and
f0
BB@3
1
2
0:51
CCA+r0
BB@0
0
0
11
CCA+s0
BB@1
0
1
01
CCA+t0
BB@2
0
1
01
CCAr;s;t2Rg
is a three-dimensional linear surface. Again, the intuition is that a line permits
motion in one direction, a plane permits motion in combinations of two direc-
tions, etc. (When kis one less than the dimension of the space, that is in Rn
whenk=n 1, then ak-dimensional linear surface is called a hyperplane .)
The description of a linear surface can be misleading about the dimension |
this
L=f0
BB@1
0
1
21
CCA+t0
BB@1
1
0
11
CCA+s0
BB@2
2
0
21
CCAt;s2Rg
is adegenerate plane because it is actually a line | the vectors are multiples of
each other so we can merge the two into one.
L=f0
BB@1
0
1
21
CCA+r0
BB@1
1
0
11
CCAr2Rg
We shall see in the Linear Independence section of Chapter Two what relation-
ships among vectors causes the linear surface they generate to be degenerate.
We nish this subsection by restating our conclusions from the rst section
in geometric terms. First, the solution set of a linear system with nunknowns
is a linear surface in Rn. Specically, it is a k-dimensional linear surface, where
kis the number of free variables in an echelon form version of the system.
Second, the solution set of a homogeneous linear system is a linear surface
passing through the origin. Finally, we can view the general solution set of any
linear system as being the solution set of its associated homogeneous system
oset from the origin by a vector, namely by any particular solution.
38 Chapter One. Linear Systems
Exercises
X1.1Find the canonical name for each vector.
(a)the vector from (2 ;1) to (4;2) inR2
(b)the vector from (3 ;3) to (2;5) inR2
(c)the vector from (1 ;0;6) to (5;0;3) inR3
(d)the vector from (6 ;8;8) to (6;8;8) inR3
X1.2Decide if the two vectors are equal.
(a)the vector from (5 ;3) to (6;2) and the vector from (1 ; 2) to (1;1)
(b)the vector from (2 ;1;1) to (3;0;4) and the vector from (5 ;1;4) to (6;0;7)
X1.3Does (1;0;2;1) lie on the line through ( 2;1;1;0) and (5;10; 1;4)?
X1.4 (a) Describe the plane through (1 ;1;5; 1), (2;2;2;0), and (3;1;0;4).
(b)Is the origin in that plane?
1.5Describe the plane that contains this point and line.0
@2
0
31
Af0
@ 1
0
41
A+0
@1
1
21
Att2Rg
X1.6Intersect these planes.
f0
@1
1
11
At+0
@0
1
31
Ast;s2Rg f0
@1
1
01
A+0
@0
3
01
Ak+0
@2
0
41
Amk;m2Rg
X1.7Intersect each pair, if possible.
(a)f0
@1
1
21
A+t0
@0
1
11
At2Rg,f0
@1
3
21
A+s0
@0
1
21
As2Rg
(b)f0
@2
0
11
A+t0
@1
1
11
At2Rg,fs0
@0
1
21
A+w0
@0
4
11
As;w2Rg
1.8When a plane does not pass through the origin, performing operations on vec-
tors whose bodies lie in it is more complicated than when the plane passes through
the origin. Consider the picture in this subsection of the plane
f0
@2
0
01
A+0
@ 0:5
1
01
Ay+0
@ 0:5
0
11
Azy;z2Rg
and the three vectors it shows, with endpoints (2 ;0;0), (1:5;1;0), and (1:5;0;1).
(a)Redraw the picture, including the vector in the plane that is twice as long
as the one with endpoint (1 :5;1;0). The endpoint of your vector is not (3 ;2;0);
what is it?
(b)Redraw the picture, including the parallelogram in the plane that shows the
sum of the vectors ending at (1 :5;0;1) and (1:5;1;0). The endpoint of the sum,
on the diagonal, is not (3 ;1;1); what is it?
1.9Show that the line segments (a1;a2)(b1;b2) and (c1;c2)(d1;d2) have the same
lengths and slopes if b1 a1=d1 c1andb2 a2=d2 c2. Is that only if?
1.10 How should R0be dened?
?X1.11 A person traveling eastward at a rate of 3 miles per hour nds that the wind
appears to blow directly from the north. On doubling his speed it appears to come
from the north east. What was the wind's velocity? [Math. Mag., Jan. 1957]
Section II. Linear Geometry of n-Space 39
1.12 Euclid describes a plane as \a surface which lies evenly with the straight lines
on itself". Commentators (e.g., Heron) have interpreted this to mean \(A plane
surface is) such that, if a straight line pass through two points on it, the line
coincides wholly with it at every spot, all ways". (Translations from [Heath], pp.
171-172.) Do planes, as described in this section, have that property? Does this
description adequately dene planes?
II.2 Length and Angle Measures
We've translated the rst section's results about solution sets into geometric
terms for insight into how those sets look. But we must watch out not to be
misled by our own terms; labeling subsets of Rkof the formsf~ p+t~ vt2Rg
andf~ p+t~ v+s~ wt;s2Rgas \lines" and \planes" doesn't make them act like
the lines and planes of our prior experience. Rather, we must ensure that the
names suit the sets. While we can't prove that the sets satisfy our intuition |
we can't prove anything about intuition | in this subsection we'll observe that
a result familiar from R2andR3, when generalized to arbitrary Rk, supports
the idea that a line is straight and a plane is
at. Specically, we'll see how to
do Euclidean geometry in a \plane" by giving a denition of the angle between
twoRnvectors in the plane that they generate.
2.1 Denition The length of a vector ~ v2Rnis this.
k~ vk=q
v2
1++v2n
2.2 Remark This is a natural generalization of the Pythagorean Theorem. A
classic discussion is in [Polya].
We can use that denition to derive a formula for the angle between two
vectors. For a model of what to do, consider two vectors in R3.
~ v
~ u
Put them in canonical position and, in the plane that they determine, consider
the triangle formed by ~ u,~ v, and~ u ~ v.
40 Chapter One. Linear Systems
Apply the Law of Cosines, k~ u ~ vk2=k~ uk2+k~ vk2 2k~ ukk~ vkcos, where
is the angle between the vectors. Expand both sides
(u1 v1)2+ (u2 v2)2+ (u3 v3)2
= (u2
1+u2
2+u2
3) + (v2
1+v2
2+v2
3) 2k~ ukk~ vkcos
and simplify.
= arccos(u1v1+u2v2+u3v3
k~ ukk~ vk)
In higher dimensions no picture suces but we can make the same argument
analytically. First, the form of the numerator is clear | it comes from the middle
terms of the squares ( u1 v1)2, (u2 v2)2, etc.
2.3 Denition The dot product (orinner product , orscalar product ) of two
n-component real vectors is the linear combination of their components.
~ u~ v=u1v1+u2v2++unvn
Note that the dot product of two vectors is a real number, not a vector, and that
the dot product of a vector from Rnwith a vector from Rmis dened only when
nequalsm. Note also this relationship between dot product and length: dotting
a vector with itself gives its length squared ~ u~ u=u1u1++unun=k~ uk2.
2.4 Remark The wording in that denition allows one or both of the two to
be a row vector instead of a column vector. Some books require that the rst
vector be a row vector and that the second vector be a column vector. We shall
not be that strict.
Still reasoning with letters, but guided by the pictures, we use the next
theorem to argue that the triangle formed by ~ u,~ v, and~ u ~ vinRnlies in the
planar subset of Rngenerated by ~ uand~ v.
2.5 Theorem (Triangle Inequality) For any~ u;~ v2Rn,
k~ u+~ vkk~ uk+k~ vk
with equality if and only if one of the vectors is a nonnegative scalar multiple
of the other one.
This inequality is the source of the familiar saying, \The shortest distance
between two points is in a straight line."
~ u~ v~ u+~ v
startnish
Section II. Linear Geometry of n-Space 41
Proof .(We'll use some algebraic properties of dot product that we have not
yet checked, for instance that ~ u(~ a+~b) =~ u~ a+~ u~band that~ u~ v=~ v~ u. See
Exercise 17.) The desired inequality holds if and only if its square holds.
k~ u+~ vk2(k~ uk+k~ vk)2
(~ u+~ v)(~ u+~ v)k~ uk2+ 2k~ ukk~ vk+k~ vk2
~ u~ u+~ u~ v+~ v~ u+~ v~ v~ u~ u+ 2k~ ukk~ vk+~ v~ v
2~ u~ v2k~ ukk~ vk
That, in turn, holds if and only if the relationship obtained by multiplying both
sides by the nonnegative numbers k~ ukandk~ vk
2 (k~ vk~ u)(k~ uk~ v)2k~ uk2k~ vk2
and rewriting
0k~ uk2k~ vk2 2 (k~ vk~ u)(k~ uk~ v) +k~ uk2k~ vk2
is true. But factoring
0(k~ uk~ v k~ vk~ u)(k~ uk~ v k~ vk~ u)
shows that this certainly is true since it only says that the square of the length
of the vectork~ uk~ v k~ vk~ uis not negative.
As for equality, it holds when, and only when, k~ uk~ v k~ vk~ uis~0. The check
thatk~ uk~ v=k~ vk~ uif and only if one vector is a nonnegative real scalar multiple
of the other is easy. QED
This result supports the intuition that even in higher-dimensional spaces,
lines are straight and planes are
at. For any two points in a linear surface, the
line segment connecting them is contained in that surface (this is easily checked
from the denition). But if the surface has a bend then that would allow for a
shortcut (shown here grayed, while the segment from PtoQthat is contained
in the surface is solid).
P Q
Because the Triangle Inequality says that in any Rn, the shortest cut between
two endpoints is simply the line segment connecting them, linear surfaces have
no such bends.
Back to the denition of angle measure. The heart of the Triangle Inequal-
ity's proof is the ` ~ u~ vk~ ukk~ vk' line. At rst glance, a reader might wonder
if some pairs of vectors satisfy the inequality in this way: while ~ u~ vis a large
number, with absolute value bigger than the right-hand side, it is a negative
large number. The next result says that no such pair of vectors exists.
42 Chapter One. Linear Systems
2.6 Corollary (Cauchy-Schwartz Inequality) For any~ u;~ v2Rn,
j~ u~ vjk~ ukk~ vk
with equality if and only if one vector is a scalar multiple of the other.
Proof .The Triangle Inequality's proof shows that ~ u~ vk~ ukk~ vkso if~ u~ vis
positive or zero then we are done. If ~ u~ vis negative then this holds.
j~ u~ vj= (~ u~ v) = ( ~ u)~ vk ~ ukk~ vk=k~ ukk~ vk
The equality condition is Exercise 18. QED
The Cauchy-Schwartz inequality assures us that the next denition makes
sense because the fraction has absolute value less than or equal to one.
2.7 Denition The angle between two nonzero vectors ~ u;~ v2Rnis
= arccos(~ u~ v
k~ ukk~ vk)
(the angle between the zero vector and any other vector is dened to be a right
angle).
Thus vectors from Rnare orthogonal, that is, perpendicular, if and only if their
dot product is zero.
2.8 Example These vectors are orthogonal.
1
1
1
1
= 0
The arrows are shown away from canonical position but nevertheless the vectors
are orthogonal.
2.9 Example TheR3angle formula given at the start of this subsection is a
special case of the denition. Between these two
0
@0
3
21
A
0
@1
1
01
A
Section II. Linear Geometry of n-Space 43
the angle is
arccos((1)(0) + (1)(3) + (0)(2)p
12+ 12+ 02p
02+ 32+ 22) = arccos(3p
2p
13)
approximately 0 :94 radians. Notice that these vectors are not orthogonal. Al-
though the yz-plane may appear to be perpendicular to the xy-plane, in fact
the two planes are that way only in the weak sense that there are vectors in each
orthogonal to all vectors in the other. Not every vector in each is orthogonal to
all vectors in the other.
Exercises
X2.10 Find the length of each vector.
(a)3
1
(b) 1
2
(c)0
@4
1
11
A (d)0
@0
0
01
A (e)0
BB@1
1
1
01
CCA
X2.11 Find the angle between each two, if it is dened.
(a)1
2
;1
4
(b)0
@1
2
01
A;0
@0
4
11
A (c)1
2
;0
@1
4
11
A
X2.12 During maneuvers preceding the Battle of Jutland, the British battle cruiser
Lion moved as follows (in nautical miles): 1 :2 miles north, 6 :1 miles 38 degrees
east of south, 4 :0 miles at 89 degrees east of north, and 6 :5 miles at 31 degrees
east of north. Find the distance between starting and ending positions. [Ohanian]
2.13 Findkso that these two vectors are perpendicular.k
1 4
3
2.14 Describe the set of vectors in R3orthogonal to this one.0
@1
3
11
A
X2.15 (a) Find the angle between the diagonal of the unit square in R2and one of
the axes.
(b)Find the angle between the diagonal of the unit cube in R3and one of the
axes.
(c)Find the angle between the diagonal of the unit cube in Rnand one of the
axes.
(d)What is the limit, as ngoes to1, of the angle between the diagonal of the
unit cube in Rnand one of the axes?
2.16 Is any vector perpendicular to itself?
X2.17 Describe the algebraic properties of dot product.
(a)Is it right-distributive over addition: ( ~ u+~ v)~ w=~ u~ w+~ v~ w?
(b)Is it left-distributive (over addition)?
(c)Does it commute?
(d)Associate?
(e)How does it interact with scalar multiplication?
As always, any assertion must be backed by either a proof or an example.
44 Chapter One. Linear Systems
2.18 Verify the equality condition in Corollary 2.6, the Cauchy-Schwartz Inequal-
ity.
(a)Show that if ~ uis a negative scalar multiple of ~ vthen~ u~ vand~ v~ uare less
than or equal to zero.
(b)Show thatj~ u~ vj=k~ ukk~ vkif and only if one vector is a scalar multiple of
the other.
2.19 Suppose that ~ u~ v=~ u~ wand~ u6=~0. Must~ v=~ w?
X2.20 Does any vector have length zero except a zero vector? (If \yes", produce an
example. If \no", prove it.)
X2.21 Find the midpoint of the line segment connecting ( x1;y1) with (x2;y2) inR2.
Generalize to Rn.
2.22 Show that if ~ v6=~0 then~ v=k~ vkhas length one. What if ~ v=~0?
2.23 Show that if r0 thenr~ visrtimes as long as ~ v. What ifr<0?
X2.24 A vector~ v2Rnof length one is a unit vector. Show that the dot product
of two unit vectors has absolute value less than or equal to one. Can `less than'
happen? Can `equal to'?
2.25 Prove thatk~ u+~ vk2+k~ u ~ vk2= 2k~ uk2+ 2k~ vk2:
2.26 Show that if ~ x~ y= 0 for every ~ ythen~ x=~0.
2.27 Isk~ u1++~ unkk~ u1k++k~ unk? If it is true then it would generalize
the Triangle Inequality.
2.28 What is the ratio between the sides in the Cauchy-Schwartz inequality?
2.29 Why is the zero vector dened to be perpendicular to every vector?
2.30 Describe the angle between two vectors in R1.
2.31 Give a simple necessary and sucient condition to determine whether the
angle between two vectors is acute, right, or obtuse.
X2.32 Generalize to Rnthe converse of the Pythagorean Theorem, that if ~ uand~ v
are perpendicular then k~ u+~ vk2=k~ uk2+k~ vk2.
2.33 Show thatk~ uk=k~ vkif and only if ~ u+~ vand~ u ~ vare perpendicular. Give
an example in R2.
2.34 Show that if a vector is perpendicular to each of two others then it is perpen-
dicular to each vector in the plane they generate. ( Remark. They could generate
a degenerate plane | a line or a point | but the statement remains true.)
2.35 Prove that, where ~ u;~ v2Rnare nonzero vectors, the vector
~ u
k~ uk+~ v
k~ vk
bisects the angle between them. Illustrate in R2.
2.36 Verify that the denition of angle is dimensionally correct: (1) if k >0 then
the cosine of the angle between k~ uand~ vequals the cosine of the angle between
~ uand~ v, and (2) if k < 0 then the cosine of the angle between k~ uand~ vis the
negative of the cosine of the angle between ~ uand~ v.
X2.37 Show that the inner product operation is linear : for~ u;~ v;~ w2Rnandk;m2R,
~ u(k~ v+m~ w) =k(~ u~ v) +m(~ u~ w).
X2.38 The geometric mean of two positive reals x;yispxy. It is analogous to the
arithmetic mean (x+y)=2. Use the Cauchy-Schwartz inequality to show that the
geometric mean of any x;y2Ris less than or equal to the arithmetic mean.
Section II. Linear Geometry of n-Space 45
?2.39 A ship is sailing with speed and direction ~ v1; the wind blows apparently
(judging by the vane on the mast) in the direction of a vector ~ a; on changing the
direction and speed of the ship from ~ v1to~ v2the apparent wind is in the direction
of a vector~b.
Find the vector velocity of the wind. [Am. Math. Mon., Feb. 1933]
2.40 Verify the Cauchy-Schwartz inequality by rst proving Lagrange's identity:
0
@X
1jnajbj1
A2
=0
@X
1jna2
j1
A0
@X
1jnb2
j1
A X
1k<jn(akbj ajbk)2
and then noting that the nal term is positive. (Recall the meaningX
1jnajbj=a1b1+a2b2++anbn
and X
1jnaj2=a12+a22++an2
of the notation.) This result is an improvement over Cauchy-Schwartz because
it gives a formula for the dierence between the two sides. Interpret that dierence
inR2.
46 Chapter One. Linear Systems
III Reduced Echelon Form
After developing the mechanics of Gauss' method, we observed that it can be
done in more than one way. One example is that we sometimes have to swap
rows and there can be more than one row to choose from. Another example is
that from this matrix 2 2
4 3
Gauss' method could derive any of these echelon form matrices.
2 2
0 1 1 1
0 1 2 0
0 1
The rst results from 21+2. The second comes from following (1 =2)1with
41+2. The third comes from 21+2followed by 2 2+1(after the
rst row combination the matrix is already in echelon form so the second one is
extra work but it is nonetheless a legal row operation).
The fact that the echelon form outcome of Gauss' method is not unique
leaves us with some questions. Will any two echelon form versions of a system
have the same number of free variables? Will they in fact have exactly the same
variables free? In this section we will answer both questions \yes". We will
do more than answer the questions. We will give a way to decide if one linear
system can be derived from another by row operations. The answers to the two
questions will follow from this larger result.
III.1 Gauss-Jordan Reduction
Gaussian elimination coupled with back-substitution solves linear systems, but
it's not the only method possible. Here is an extension of Gauss' method that
has some advantages.
1.1 Example To solve
x+y 2z= 2
y+ 3z= 7
x z= 1
we can start by going to echelon form as usual.
1+3 !0
@1 1 2 2
0 1 3 7
0 1 1 11
A2+3 !0
@1 1 2 2
0 1 3 7
0 0 4 81
A
We can keep going to a second stage by making the leading entries into ones
(1=4)3 !0
@1 1 2 2
0 1 3 7
0 0 1 21
A
Section III. Reduced Echelon Form 47
and then to a third stage that uses the leading entries to eliminate all of the
other entries in each column by combining upwards.
33+2 !
23+10
@1 1 0 2
0 1 0 1
0 0 1 21
A 2+1 !0
@1 0 0 1
0 1 0 1
0 0 1 21
A
The answer is x= 1,y= 1, andz= 2.
Note that the row combination operations in the rst stage proceed from
column one to column three while the combination operations in the third stage
proceed from column three to column one.
1.2 Example We often combine the operations of the middle stage into a
single step, even though they are operations on dierent rows.
2 1 7
4 26
21+2 !2 1 7
0 4 8
(1=2)1 !
( 1=4)21 1=27=2
0 1 2
(1=2)2+1 !
1 0 5=2
0 1 2
The answer is x= 5=2 andy= 2.
This extension of Gauss' method is Gauss-Jordan reduction . It goes past
echelon form to a more rened, more specialized, matrix form.
1.3 Denition A matrix is in reduced echelon form if, in addition to being
in echelon form, each leading entry is a one and is the only nonzero entry in
its column.
The disadvantage of using Gauss-Jordan reduction to solve a system is that the
additional row operations mean additional arithmetic. The advantage is that
the solution set can just be read o.
In any echelon form, plain or reduced, we can read o when a system has
an empty solution set because there is a contradictory equation, we can read o
when a system has a one-element solution set because there is no contradiction
and every variable is the leading variable in some row, and we can read o when
a system has an innite solution set because there is no contradiction and at
least one variable is free.
In reduced echelon form we can read o not just what kind of solution set
the system has, but also its description. Whether or not the echelon form
is reduced, we have no trouble describing the solution set when it is empty,
of course. The two examples above show that when the system has a single
solution then the solution can be read o from the right-hand column. In the
case when the solution set is innite, its parametrization can also be read o
48 Chapter One. Linear Systems
of the reduced echelon form. Consider, for example, this system that is shown
brought to echelon form and then to reduced echelon form.
0
@2 6 1 2 5
0 3 1 4 1
0 3 1 2 51
A 2+3 !0
@2 6 1 2 5
0 3 1 4 1
0 0 0 241
A
(1=2)1 !
(1=3)2
(1=2)3(4=3)3+2 !
3+1 32+1 !0
@1 0 1=2 0 9=2
0 1 1=3 0 3
0 0 0 1 21
A
Starting with the middle matrix, the echelon form version, back substitution
produces 2x4= 4 so that x4= 2, then another back substitution gives
3x2+x3+ 4( 2) = 1 implying that x2= 3 (1=3)x3, and then the nal
back substitution gives 2 x1+ 6(3 (1=3)x3) +x3+ 2( 2) = 5 implying that
x1= (9=2) + (1=2)x3. Thus the solution set is this.
S=f0
BB@x1
x2
x3
x41
CCA=0
BB@ 9=2
3
0
21
CCA+0
BB@1=2
1=3
1
01
CCAx3x32Rg
Now, considering the nal matrix, the reduced echelon form version, note that
adjusting the parametrization by moving the x3terms to the other side does
indeed give the description of this innite solution set.
Part of the reason that this works is straightforward. While a set can have
many parametrizations that describe it, e.g., both of these also describe the
above setS(taketto bex3=6 andsto bex3 1)
f0
BB@ 9=2
3
0
21
CCA+0
BB@3
2
6
01
CCAtt2Rg f0
BB@ 4
8=3
1
21
CCA+0
BB@1=2
1=3
1
01
CCAss2Rg
nonetheless we have in this book stuck to a convention of parametrizing using
the unmodied free variables (that is, x3=x3instead ofx3= 6t). We can
easily see that a reduced echelon form version of a system is equivalent to a
parametrization in terms of unmodied free variables. For instance,
x1= 4 2x3
x2= 3 x3()0
@1 0 2 4
0 1 1 3
0 0 0 01
A
(to move from left to right we also need to know how many equations are in the
system). So, the convention of parametrizing with the free variables by solving
each equation for its leading variable and then eliminating that leading variable
from every other equation is exactly equivalent to the reduced echelon form
conditions that each leading entry must be a one and must be the only nonzero
entry in its column.
Section III. Reduced Echelon Form 49
Not as straightforward is the other part of the reason that the reduced
echelon form version allows us to read o the parametrization that we would
have gotten had we stopped at echelon form and then done back substitution.
The prior paragraph shows that reduced echelon form corresponds to some
parametrization, but why the same parametrization? A solution set can be
parametrized in many ways, and Gauss' method or the Gauss-Jordan method
can be done in many ways, so a rst guess might be that we could derive many
dierent reduced echelon form versions of the same starting system and many
dierent parametrizations. But we never do. Experience shows that starting
with the same system and proceeding with row operations in many dierent
ways always yields the same reduced echelon form and the same parametrization
(using the unmodied free variables).
In the rest of this section we will show that the reduced echelon form version
of a matrix is unique. It follows that the parametrization of a linear system in
terms of its unmodied free variables is unique because two dierent ones would
give two dierent reduced echelon forms.
We shall use this result, and the ones that lead up to it, in the rest of the
book but perhaps a restatement in a way that makes it seem more immediately
useful may be encouraging. Imagine that we solve a linear system, parametrize,
and check in the back of the book for the answer. But the parametrization there
appears dierent. Have we made a mistake, or could these be dierent-looking
descriptions of the same set, as with the three descriptions above of S? The prior
paragraph notes that we will show here that dierent-looking parametrizations
(using the unmodied free variables) describe genuinely dierent sets.
Here is an informal argument that the reduced echelon form version of a
matrix is unique. Consider again the example that started this section of a
matrix that reduces to three dierent echelon form matrices. The rst matrix
of the three is the natural echelon form version. The second matrix is the same
as the rst except that a row has been halved. The third matrix, too, is just a
cosmetic variant of the rst. The denition of reduced echelon form outlaws this
kind of fooling around. In reduced echelon form, halving a row is not possible
because that would change the row's leading entry away from one, and neither
is combining rows possible, because then a leading entry would no longer be
alone in its column.
This informal justication is not a proof; the argument shows that no two
dierent reduced echelon form matrices are related by a single row operation
step, but the argument does not ruled out the possibility that two dierent
reduced echelon form matrices could be related by multiple steps. Before we go
to the proof, we nish this subsection by rephrasing our work in a terminology
that will be enlightening.
Many dierent matrices yield the same reduced echelon form matrix. The
three echelon form matrices from the start of this section, and the matrix they
were derived from, all give this reduced echelon form matrix.
1 0
0 1
50 Chapter One. Linear Systems
We think of these matrices as related to each other. The next result speaks to
this relationship.
1.4 Lemma Elementary row operations are reversible.
Proof .For any matrix A, the eect of swapping rows is reversed by swapping
them back, multiplying a row by a nonzero kis undone by multiplying by 1 =k,
and adding a multiple of row ito rowj(withi6=j) is undone by subtracting
the same multiple of row ifrom rowj.
Ai$j !j$i !A Aki !(1=k)i !A Aki+j ! ki+j !A
(Thei6=jconditions is needed. See Exercise 13.) QED
This lemma suggests that `reduces to' is misleading | where A !B, we
shouldn't think of Bas \after"Aor \simpler than" A. Instead we should think
of them as interreducible or interrelated. Below is a picture of the idea. The
matrices from the start of this section and their reduced echelon form version
are shown in a cluster. They are all interreducible; these relationships are shown
also.
1 0
0 1
2 2
4 3
2 0
0 1
1 1
0 1
2 2
0 1
We say that matrices that reduce to each other are `equivalent with respect
to the relationship of row reducibility'. The next result veries this statement
using the denition of an equivalence.
1.5 Lemma Between matrices, `reduces to' is an equivalence relation.
Proof .We must check the conditions (i) re
exivity, that any matrix reduces to
itself, (ii) symmetry, that if Areduces toBthenBreduces toA, and (iii) tran-
sitivity, that if Areduces toBandBreduces toCthenAreduces toC.
Re
exivity is easy; any matrix reduces to itself in zero row operations.
That the relationship is symmetric is Lemma 1.4 | if Areduces to Bby
some row operations then also Breduces toAby reversing those operations.
For transitivity, suppose that Areduces to Band thatBreduces to C.
Linking the reduction steps from A!!Bwith those from B!!C
gives a reduction from AtoC. QED
1.6 Denition Two matrices that are interreducible by the elementary row
operations are row equivalent .
More information on equivalence relations is in the appendix.
Section III. Reduced Echelon Form 51
The diagram below shows the collection of all matrices as a box. Inside that
box, each matrix lies in some class. Matrices are in the same class if and only if
they are interreducible. The classes are disjoint | no matrix is in two distinct
classes. The collection of matrices has been partitioned into row equivalence
classes .
. . .A
B
One of the classes in this partition is the cluster of matrices shown above,
expanded to include all of the nonsingular 2 2 matrices.
The next subsection proves that the reduced echelon form of a matrix is
unique; that every matrix reduces to one and only one reduced echelon form
matrix. Rephrased in terms of the row-equivalence relationship, we shall prove
that every matrix is row equivalent to one and only one reduced echelon form
matrix. In terms of the partition what we shall prove is: every equivalence
class contains one and only one reduced echelon form matrix. So each reduced
echelon form matrix serves as a representative of its class.
After that proof we shall, as mentioned in the introduction to this section,
have a way to decide if one matrix can be derived from another by row reduction.
We just apply the Gauss-Jordan procedure to both and see whether or not they
come to the same reduced echelon form.
Exercises
X1.7Use Gauss-Jordan reduction to solve each system.
(a)x+y= 2
x y= 0(b)x z= 4
2x+ 2y = 1(c)3x 2y= 1
6x+y= 1=2
(d)2x y = 1
x+ 3y z= 5
y+ 2z= 5
X1.8Find the reduced echelon form of each matrix.
(a)2 1
1 3
(b)0
@1 3 1
2 0 4
1 3 31
A (c)0
@1 0 3 1 2
1 4 2 1 5
3 4 8 1 21
A
(d)0
@0 1 3 2
0 0 5 6
1 5 1 51
A
X1.9Find each solution set by using Gauss-Jordan reduction, then reading o the
parametrization.
(a)2x+y z= 1
4x y = 3(b)x z = 1
y+ 2z w= 3
x+ 2y+ 3z w= 7(c)x y+z = 0
y +w= 0
3x 2y+ 3z+w= 0
y w= 0
(d)a+ 2b+ 3c+d e= 1
3a b+c+d+e= 3
More information on partitions and class representatives is in the appendix.
52 Chapter One. Linear Systems
1.10 Give two distinct echelon form versions of this matrix.0
@2 1 1 3
6 4 1 2
1 5 1 51
A
X1.11 List the reduced echelon forms possible for each size.
(a)22(b)23(c)32(d)33
X1.12 What results from applying Gauss-Jordan reduction to a nonsingular matrix?
1.13 The proof of Lemma 1.4 contains a reference to the i6=jcondition on the
row combination operation.
(a)The denition of row operations has an i6=jcondition on the swap operation
i$j. Show that in Ai$j !i$j !Athis condition is not needed.
(b)Write down a 22 matrix with nonzero entries, and show that the 11+1
operation is not reversed by 1 1+1.
(c)Expand the proof of that lemma to make explicit exactly where the i6=j
condition on combining is used.
III.2 Row Equivalence
We will close this section and this chapter by proving that every matrix is row
equivalent to one and only one reduced echelon form matrix. The ideas that
appear here will reappear, and be further developed, in the next chapter.
The underlying theme here is that one way to understand a mathematical
situation is by being able to classify the cases that can happen. We have met this
theme several times already. We have classied solution sets of linear systems
into the no-elements, one-element, and innitely-many elements cases. We have
also classied linear systems with the same number of equations as unknowns
into the nonsingular and singular cases. We adopted these classications because
they give us a way to understand the situations that we were investigating. Here,
where we are investigating row equivalence, we know that the set of all matrices
breaks into the row equivalence classes. When we nish the proof here, we will
have a way to understand each of those classes | its matrices can be thought of
as derived by row operations from the unique reduced echelon form matrix in
that class.
To understand how row operations act to transform one matrix into another,
we consider the eect that they have on the parts of a matrix. The crucial
observation is that row operations combine the rows linearly.
2.1 Lemma (Linear Combination Lemma) A linear combination of linear
combinations is a linear combination.
Proof .Given the linear combinations c1;1x1++c1;nxnthroughcm;1x1+
+cm;nxn, consider a combination of those
d1(c1;1x1++c1;nxn) ++dm(cm;1x1++cm;nxn)
Section III. Reduced Echelon Form 53
where thed's are scalars along with the c's. Distributing those d's and regroup-
ing gives
= (d1c1;1++dmcm;1)x1++ (d1c1;n++dmcm;n)xn
which is a linear combination of the x's. QED
In this subsection we will use the convention that, where a matrix is named
with an upper case roman letter, the matching lower-case greek letter names
the rows.
A=0
BBBB@1
2
...
m1
CCCCAB=0
BBBB@1
2
...
m1
CCCCA
2.2 Corollary Where one matrix reduces to another, each row of the second
is a linear combination of the rows of the rst.
The proof below uses induction on the number of row operations used to
reduce one matrix to the other. Before we proceed, here is an outline of the ar-
gument (readers unfamiliar with induction may want to compare this argument
with the one used in the `General = Particular + Homogeneous' proof).
First, for the base step of the argument, we will verify that the proposition
is true when reduction can be done in zero row operations. Second, for the
inductive step, we will argue that if being able to reduce the rst matrix to the
second in some number t0 of operations implies that each row of the second
is a linear combination of the rows of the rst, then being able to reduce the
rst to the second in t+ 1 operations implies the same thing.
Together, this base step and induction step prove the result because by the
inductive step the fact that it is true in the zero operations case (that's shown
in the base step) implies that it is true in the one operation case, and then the
inductive step applied again gives that it is therefore true in the two operations
case, etc.
Proof .We proceed by induction on the minimum number of row operations
that take a rst matrix Ato a second one B.
In the base step, that zero reduction operations suce, the two matrices
are equal and each row of Bis obviously a combination of A's rows:~i=
0~ 1++ 1~ i++ 0~ m.
For the inductive step, assume the inductive hypothesis: with t0, if a
matrix can be derived from Aintor fewer operations then its rows are linear
combinations of the A's rows. Consider a Bthat takest+1 operations. Because
there are more than zero operations, there must be a next-to-last matrix Gso
thatA ! ! G !B. ThisGis onlytoperations away from Aand so the
More information on mathematical induction is in the appendix.
54 Chapter One. Linear Systems
inductive hypothesis applies to it, that is, each row of Gis a linear combination
of the rows of A.
If the last operation, the one from GtoB, is a row swap then the rows
ofBare just the rows of Greordered and thus each row of Bis also a linear
combination of the rows of A. The other two possibilities for this last operation,
that it multiplies a row by a scalar and that it adds a multiple of one row to
another, both result in the rows of Bbeing linear combinations of the rows of
G. But therefore, by the Linear Combination Lemma, each row of Bis a linear
combination of the rows of A.
With that, we have both the base step and the inductive step, and so the
proposition follows. QED
2.3 Example In the reduction
0 2
1 1
1$2 !1 1
0 2
(1=2)2 !1 1
0 1
2+1 !1 0
0 1
call the matrices A,D,G, andB. The methods of the proof show that there
are three sets of linear relationships.
1= 01+ 12
2= 11+ 02
1= 01+ 12
2= (1=2)1+ 021= ( 1=2)1+ 12
2= (1=2)1+ 02
The prior result gives us the insight that Gauss' method works by taking
linear combinations of the rows. But to what end; why do we go to echelon
form as a particularly simple, or basic, version of a linear system? The answer,
of course, is that echelon form is suitable for back substitution, because we have
isolated the variables. For instance, in this matrix
R=0
BB@2 3 7 8 0 0
0 0 1 5 1 1
0 0 0 3 3 0
0 0 0 0 2 11
CCA
x1has been removed from x5's equation. That is, Gauss' method has made x5's
row independent of x1's row.
Independence of a collection of row vectors, or of any kind of vectors, will
be precisely dened and explored in the next chapter. But a rst take on it is
that we can show that, say, the third row above is not comprised of the other
rows, that36=c11+c22+c44. For, suppose that there are scalars c1,c2,
andc4such that this relationship holds.
0 0 0 3 3 0
=c1 2 3 7 8 0 0
+c2 0 0 1 5 1 1
+c4 0 0 0 0 2 1
The rst row's leading entry is in the rst column and narrowing our considera-
tion of the above relationship to consideration only of the entries from the rst
Section III. Reduced Echelon Form 55
column 0 = 2 c1+0c2+0c4gives thatc1= 0. The second row's leading entry is in
the third column and the equation of entries in that column 0 = 7 c1+1c2+0c4,
along with the knowledge that c1= 0, gives that c2= 0. Now, to nish, the
third row's leading entry is in the fourth column and the equation of entries
in that column 3 = 8 c1+ 5c2+ 0c4, along with c1= 0 andc2= 0, gives an
impossibility.
The following result shows that this eect always holds. It shows that what
Gauss' linear elimination method eliminates is linear relationships among the
rows.
2.4 Lemma In an echelon form matrix, no nonzero row is a linear combination
of the other rows.
Proof .LetRbe in echelon form. Suppose, to obtain a contradiction, that
some nonzero row is a linear combination of the others.
i=c11+:::+ci 1i 1+ci+1i+1+:::+cmm
We will rst use induction to show that the coecients c1, . . . ,ci 1associated
with rows above iare all zero. The contradiction will come from consideration
ofiand the rows below it.
The base step of the induction argument is to show that the rst coecient
c1is zero. Let the rst row's leading entry be in column number `1and consider
the equation of entries in that column.
i;`1=c11;`1+:::+ci 1i 1;`1+ci+1i+1;`1+:::+cmm;`1
The matrix is in echelon form so the entries 2;`1, . . . ,m;`1, includingi;`1, are
all zero.
0 =c11;`1++ci 10 +ci+10 ++cm0
Because the entry 1;`1is nonzero as it leads its row, the coecient c1must be
zero.
The inductive step is to show that for each row index kbetween 1 and i 2,
if the coecient c1and the coecients c2, . . . ,ckare all zero then ck+1is also
zero. That argument, and the contradiction that nishes this proof, is saved for
Exercise 20. QED
We can now prove that each matrix is row equivalent to one and only one
reduced echelon form matrix. We will nd it convenient to break the rst half
of the argument o as a preliminary lemma. For one thing, it holds for any
echelon form whatever, not just reduced echelon form.
2.5 Lemma If two echelon form matrices are row equivalent then the leading
entries in their rst rows lie in the same column. The same is true of all the
nonzero rows | the leading entries in their second rows lie in the same column,
etc.
56 Chapter One. Linear Systems
For the proof we rephrase the result in more technical terms. Dene the form
of anmnmatrix to be the sequence h`1;`2;::: ;`miwhere`iis the column
number of the leading entry in row iand`i=1if there is no leading entry in
that row. The lemma says that if two echelon form matrices are row equivalent
then their forms are equal sequences.
Proof .LetBandDbe echelon form matrices that are row equivalent. Because
they are row equivalent they must be the same size, say mn. Let the column
number of the leading entry in row iofBbe`iand let the column number of
the leading entry in row jofDbekj. We will show that `1=k1, that`2=k2,
etc., by induction.
This induction argument relies on the fact that the matrices are row equiv-
alent, because the Linear Combination Lemma and its corollary therefore give
that each row of Bis a linear combination of the rows of Dand vice versa:
i=si;11+si;22++si;mmandj=tj;11+tj;22++tj;mm
where thes's andt's are scalars.
The base step of the induction is to verify the lemma for the rst rows of
the matrices, that is, to verify that `1=k1. If either row is a zero row then
every entry in the matrix is a zero since it is in echelon form, and therefore both
matrices consist solely of zero entries (by Corollary 2.2), and so both `1andk1
are1. For the case where neither 1nor1is a zero row, consider the i= 1
instance of the linear relationship above.
1=s1;11+s1;22++s1;mm 0b1;`1
=s1;1 0d1;k1
+s1;2 0 0
...
+s1;m 0 0
First, note that `1<k1is impossible: in the columns of Dto the left of column
k1the entries are all zeroes (as d1;k1leads the rst row) and so if `1<k1then
the equation of entries from column `1would beb1;`1=s1;10 ++s1;m0,
butb1;`1isn't zero since it leads its row and so this is an impossibility. Next,
a symmetric argument shows that k1<`1also is impossible. Thus the `1=k1
base case holds.
The inductive step is to show that if `1=k1, and`2=k2, . . . , and`r=kr,
then also`r+1=kr+1(forrin the interval 1 ::m 1). This argument is saved
for Exercise 21. QED
That lemma answers two of the questions that we have posed: (i) any two
echelon form versions of a matrix have the same free variables, and consequently,
and (ii) any two echelon form versions have the same number of free variables.
There is no linear system and no combination of row operations such that, say,
we could solve the system one way and get yandzfree but solve it another
Section III. Reduced Echelon Form 57
way and get yandwfree, or solve it one way and get two free variables while
solving it another way yields three.
We nish now by specializing to the case of reduced echelon form matrices.
2.6 Theorem Each matrix is row equivalent to a unique reduced echelon
form matrix.
Proof .Clearly any matrix is row equivalent to at least one reduced echelon
form matrix, via Gauss-Jordan reduction. For the other half, that any matrix
is equivalent to at most one reduced echelon form matrix, we will show that if
a matrix Gauss-Jordan reduces to each of two others then those two are equal.
Suppose that a matrix is row equivalent to two reduced echelon form ma-
tricesBandD, which are therefore row equivalent to each other. The Linear
Combination Lemma and its corollary allow us to write the rows of one, say
B, as a linear combination of the rows of the other i=ci;11++ci;mm.
The preliminary result, Lemma 2.5, says that in the two matrices, the same
collection of rows are nonzero. Thus, if 1throughrare the nonzero rows of
Bthen the nonzero rows of Dare1throughr. Zero rows don't contribute to
the sum so we can rewrite the relationship to include just the nonzero rows.
i=ci;11++ci;rr ()
The preliminary result also says that for each row jbetween 1 and r, the
leading entries of the j-th row ofBandDappear in the same column, denoted
`j. Rewriting the above relationship to focus on the entries in the `j-th column
bi;`j
=ci;1 d1;`j
+ci;2 d2;`j
...
+ci;r dr;`j
gives this set of equations for i= 1 up toi=r.
b1;`j=c1;1d1;`j++c1;jdj;`j++c1;rdr;`j...
bj;`j=cj;1d1;`j++cj;jdj;`j++cj;rdr;`j...
br;`j=cr;1d1;`j++cr;jdj;`j++cr;rdr;`j
SinceDis in reduced echelon form, all of the d's in column `jare zero except for
dj;`j, which is 1. Thus each equation above simplies to bi;`j=ci;jdj;`j=ci;j1.
ButBis also in reduced echelon form and so all of the b's in column `jare zero
except forbj;`j, which is 1. Therefore, each ci;jis zero, except that c1;1= 1,
andc2;2= 1, . . . , and cr;r= 1.
We have shown that the only nonzero coecient in the linear combination
labelled () iscj;j, which is 1. Therefore j=j. Because this holds for all
nonzero rows, B=D. QED
58 Chapter One. Linear Systems
We end with a recap. In Gauss' method we start with a matrix and then
derive a sequence of other matrices. We dened two matrices to be related if one
can be derived from the other. That relation is an equivalence relation, called
row equivalence, and so partitions the set of all matrices into row equivalence
classes.
. . . 1 3
2 7
1 3
0 1
(There are innitely many matrices in the pictured class, but we've only got
room to show two.) We have proved there is one and only one reduced echelon
form matrix in each row equivalence class. So the reduced echelon form is a
canonical formfor row equivalence: the reduced echelon form matrices are
representatives of the classes.
. . .??
?? 1 0
0 1
We can answer questions about the classes by translating them into questions
about the representatives.
2.7 Example We can decide if matrices are interreducible by seeing if Gauss-
Jordan reduction produces the same reduced echelon form result. Thus, these
are not row equivalent
1 3
2 6 1 3
2 5
because their reduced echelon forms are not equal.
1 3
0 0 1 0
0 1
2.8 Example Any nonsingular 3 3 matrix Gauss-Jordan reduces to this.
0
@1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 11
A
More information on canonical representatives is in the appendix.
Section III. Reduced Echelon Form 59
2.9 Example We can describe the classes by listing all possible reduced echelon
form matrices. Any 2 2 matrix lies in one of these: the class of matrices row
equivalent to this,0 0
0 0
the innitely many classes of matrices row equivalent to one of this type
1a
0 0
wherea2R(includinga= 0), the class of matrices row equivalent to this,
0 1
0 0
and the class of matrices row equivalent to this
1 0
0 1
(this is the class of nonsingular 2 2 matrices).
Exercises
X2.10 Decide if the matrices are row equivalent.
(a)1 2
4 8
;0 1
1 2
(b)0
@1 0 2
3 1 1
5 1 51
A;0
@1 0 2
0 2 10
2 0 41
A
(c)0
@2 1 1
1 1 0
4 3 11
A;1 0 2
0 2 10
(d)1 1 1
1 2 2
;0 3 1
2 2 5
(e)1 1 1
0 0 3
;0 1 2
1 1 1
2.11 Describe the matrices in each of the classes represented in Example 2.9.
2.12 Describe all matrices in the row equivalence class of these.
(a)1 0
0 0
(b)1 2
2 4
(c)1 1
1 3
2.13 How many row equivalence classes are there?
2.14 Can row equivalence classes contain dierent-sized matrices?
2.15 How big are the row equivalence classes?
(a)Show that for any matrix of all zeros, the class is nite.
(b)Do any other classes contain only nitely many members?
X2.16 Give two reduced echelon form matrices that have their leading entries in the
same columns, but that are not row equivalent.
X2.17 Show that any two nnnonsingular matrices are row equivalent. Are any
two singular matrices row equivalent?
X2.18 Describe all of the row equivalence classes containing these.
60 Chapter One. Linear Systems
(a)22 matrices (b)23 matrices (c)32 matrices
(d)33 matrices
2.19 (a) Show that a vector ~0is a linear combination of members of the set
f~1;:::;~ngif and only if there is a linear relationship ~0 =c0~0++cn~n
wherec0is not zero. ( Hint. Watch out for the ~0=~0 case.)
(b)Use that to simplify the proof of Lemma 2.4.
X2.20 Finish the proof of Lemma 2.4.
(a)First illustrate the inductive step by showing that c2= 0.
(b)Do the full inductive step: where 1 n < i 1, assume that ck= 0 for
1<k<n and deduce that cn+1= 0 also.
(c)Find the contradiction.
2.21 Finish the induction argument in Lemma 2.5.
(a)State the inductive hypothesis, Also state what must be shown to follow from
that hypothesis.
(b)Check that the inductive hypothesis implies that in the relationship r+1=
sr+1;11+sr+2;22++sr+1;mmthe coecients sr+1;1; ::: ;sr+1;rare each
zero.
(c)Finish the inductive step by arguing, as in the base case, that `r+1< kr+1
andkr+1<`r+1are impossible.
2.22 Why, in the proof of Theorem 2.6, do we bother to restrict to the nonzero rows?
Why not just stick to the relationship that we began with, i=ci;11++ci;mm,
withminstead ofr, and argue using it that the only nonzero coecient is ci;i,
which is 1?
X2.23 Three truck drivers went into a roadside cafe. One truck driver purchased
four sandwiches, a cup of coee, and ten doughnuts for $8 :45. Another driver
purchased three sandwiches, a cup of coee, and seven doughnuts for $6 :30. What
did the third truck driver pay for a sandwich, a cup of coee, and a doughnut?
[Trono]
2.24 The fact that Gaussian reduction disallows multiplication of a row by zero is
needed for the proof of uniqueness of reduced echelon form, or else every matrix
would be row equivalent to a matrix of all zeros. Where is it used?
X2.25 The Linear Combination Lemma says which equations can be gotten from
Gaussian reduction from a given linear system.
(1) Produce an equation not implied by this system.
3x+ 4y= 8
2x+y= 3
(2) Can any equation be derived from an inconsistent system?
2.26 Extend the denition of row equivalence to linear systems. Under your de-
nition, do equivalent systems have the same solution set? [Homan & Kunze]
X2.27 In this matrix 0
@1 2 3
3 0 3
1 4 51
A
the rst and second columns add to the third.
(a)Show that remains true under any row operation.
(b)Make a conjecture.
(c)Prove that it holds.
Topic: Computer Algebra Systems 61
Topic: Computer Algebra Systems
The linear systems in this chapter are small enough that their solution by hand
is easy. But large systems are easiest, and safest, to do on a computer. There
are special purpose programs such as LINPACK for this job. Another popular
tool is a general purpose computer algebra system, including both commercial
packages such as Maple, Mathematica, or MATLAB, or free packages such as
Sage.
For example, in the Topic on Networks, we need to solve this.
i0 i1 i2 = 0
i1 i3 i5 = 0
i2 i4+i5 = 0
i3+i4 i6= 0
5i1 + 10i3 = 10
2i2 + 4i4 = 10
5i1 2i2 + 50i5 = 0
It can be done by hand, but it would take a while and be error-prone. Using a
computer is better.
We illustrate by solving that system under Maple (for another system, a
user's manual would obviously detail the exact syntax needed). The array of
coecients can be entered in this way
> A:=array( [[1,-1,-1,0,0,0,0],
[0,1,0,-1,0,-1,0],
[0,0,1,0,-1,1,0],
[0,0,0,1,1,0,-1],
[0,5,0,10,0,0,0],
[0,0,2,0,4,0,0],
[0,5,-1,0,0,10,0]] );
(putting the rows on separate lines is not necessary, but is done for clarity).
The vector of constants is entered similarly.
> u:=array( [0,0,0,0,10,10,0] );
Then the system is solved, like magic.
> linsolve(A,u);
7 2 5 2 5 7
[ -, -, -, -, -, 0, - ]
3 3 3 3 3 3
Systems with innitely many solutions are solved in the same way | the com-
puter simply returns a parametrization.
Exercises
Answers for this Topic use Maple as the computer algebra system. In particular,
all of these were tested on Maple Vrunning under MS-DOS NT version 4:0. (On
all of them, the preliminary command to load the linear algebra package along with
Maple's responses to the Enter key, have been omitted.) Other systems have similar
commands.
62 Chapter One. Linear Systems
1Use the computer to solve the two problems that opened this chapter.
(a)This is the Statics problem.
40h+ 15c= 100
25c= 50 + 50h
(b)This is the Chemistry problem.
7h= 7j
8h+ 1i= 5j+ 2k
1i= 3j
3i= 6j+ 1k
2Use the computer to solve these systems from the rst subsection, or conclude
`many solutions' or `no solutions'.
(a)2x+ 2y= 5
x 4y= 0(b) x+y= 1
x+y= 2(c)x 3y+z= 1
x+y+ 2z= 14
(d) x y= 1
3x 3y= 2(e) 4y+z= 20
2x 2y+z= 0
x +z= 5
x+y z= 10(f)2x +z+w= 5
y w= 1
3x z w= 0
4x+y+ 2z+w= 9
3Use the computer to solve these systems from the second subsection.
(a)3x+ 6y= 18
x+ 2y= 6(b)x+y= 1
x y= 1(c)x1 +x3= 4
x1 x2+ 2x3= 5
4x1 x2+ 5x3= 17
(d)2a+b c= 2
2a +c= 3
a b = 0(e)x+ 2y z = 3
2x+y +w= 4
x y+z+w= 1(f)x +z+w= 4
2x+y w= 2
3x+y+z = 7
4What does the computer give for the solution of the general 2 2 system?
ax+cy=p
bx+dy=q
Topic: Input-Output Analysis 63
Topic: Input-Output Analysis
An economy is an immensely complicated network of interdependences. Changes
in one part can ripple out to aect other parts. Economists have struggled to
be able to describe, and to make predictions about, such a complicated object.
Mathematical models using systems of linear equations have emerged as a key
tool. One is Input-Output Analysis, pioneered by W. Leontief, who won the
1973 Nobel Prize in Economics.
Consider an economy with many parts, two of which are the steel industry
and the auto industry. As they work to meet the demand for their product from
other parts of the economy, that is, from users external to the steel and auto
sectors, these two interact tightly. For instance, should the external demand
for autos go up, that would lead to an increase in the auto industry's usage of
steel. Or, should the external demand for steel fall, then it would lead to a fall
in steel's purchase of autos. The type of Input-Output model we will consider
takes in the external demands and then predicts how the two interact to meet
those demands.
We start with a listing of production and consumption statistics. (These
numbers, giving dollar values in millions, are excerpted from [Leontief 1965],
describing the 1958 U.S. economy. Today's statistics would be quite dierent,
both because of in
ation and because of technical changes in the industries.)
used by
steelused by
autoused by
others total
value of
steel5 395 2 664 25 448
value of
auto48 9 030 30 346
For instance, the dollar value of steel used by the auto industry in this year is
2;664 million. Note that industries may consume some of their own output.
We can ll in the blanks for the external demand. This year's value of the
steel used by others this year is 17 ;389 and this year's value of the auto used
by others is 21 ;268. With that, we have a complete description of the external
demands and of how auto and steel interact, this year, to meet them.
Now, imagine that the external demand for steel has recently been going up
by 200 per year and so we estimate that next year it will be 17 ;589. Imagine
also that for similar reasons we estimate that next year's external demand for
autos will be down 25 to 21 ;243. We wish to predict next year's total outputs.
That prediction isn't as simple as adding 200 to this year's steel total and
subtracting 25 from this year's auto total. For one thing, a rise in steel will
cause that industry to have an increased demand for autos, which will mitigate,
to some extent, the loss in external demand for autos. On the other hand, the
drop in external demand for autos will cause the auto industry to use less steel,
and so lessen somewhat the upswing in steel's business. In short, these two
industries form a system, and we need to predict the totals at which the system
as a whole will settle.
64 Chapter One. Linear Systems
For that prediction, let sbe next years total production of steel and let abe
next year's total output of autos. We form these equations.
next year's production of steel = next year's use of steel by steel
+ next year's use of steel by auto
+ next year's use of steel by others
next year's production of autos = next year's use of autos by steel
+ next year's use of autos by auto
+ next year's use of autos by others
On the left side of those equations go the unknowns sanda. At the ends of the
right sides go our external demand estimates for next year 17 ;589 and 21;243.
For the remaining four terms, we look to the table of this year's information
about how the industries interact.
For instance, for next year's use of steel by steel, we note that this year the
steel industry used 5395 units of steel input to produce 25 ;448 units of steel
output. So next year, when the steel industry will produce sunits out, we
expect that doing so will take s(5395)=(25 448) units of steel input | this is
simply the assumption that input is proportional to output. (We are assuming
that the ratio of input to output remains constant over time; in practice, models
may try to take account of trends of change in the ratios.)
Next year's use of steel by the auto industry is similar. This year, the auto
industry uses 2664 units of steel input to produce 30346 units of auto output. So
next year, when the auto industry's total output is a, we expect it to consume
a(2664)=(30346) units of steel.
Filling in the other equation in the same way, we get this system of linear
equation.
5 395
25 448s+2 664
30 346a+ 17 589 = s
48
25 448s+9 030
30 346a+ 21 243 = a
Gauss' method on this system.
(20 053=25 448)s (2 664=30 346)a= 17 589
(48=25 448)s+ (21 316=30 346)a= 21 243
givess= 25 698 and a= 30 311.
Looking back, recall that above we described why the prediction of next
year's totals isn't as simple as adding 200 to last year's steel total and subtract-
ing 25 from last year's auto total. In fact, comparing these totals for next year
to the ones given at the start for the current year shows that, despite the drop
in external demand, the total production of the auto industry is predicted to
rise. The increase in internal demand for autos caused by steel's sharp rise in
business more than makes up for the loss in external demand for autos.
One of the advantages of having a mathematical model is that we can ask
\What if . . . ?" questions. For instance, we can ask \What if the estimates for
Topic: Input-Output Analysis 65
next year's external demands are somewhat o?" To try to understand how
much the model's predictions change in reaction to changes in our estimates, we
can try revising our estimate of next year's external steel demand from 17 ;589
down to 17 ;489, while keeping the assumption of next year's external demand
for autos xed at 21 ;243. The resulting system
(20 053=25 448)s (2 664=30 346)a= 17 489
(48=25 448)s+ (21 316=30 346)a= 21 243
when solved gives s= 25 571 and a= 30 311. This kind of exploration of the
model is sensitivity analysis . We are seeing how sensitive the predictions of our
model are to the accuracy of the assumptions.
Obviously, we can consider larger models that detail the interactions among
more sectors of an economy. These models are typically solved on a computer,
using the techniques of matrix algebra that we will develop in Chapter Three.
Some examples are given in the exercises. Obviously also, a single model does
not suit every case; expert judgment is needed to see if the assumptions un-
derlying the model are reasonable for a particular case. With those caveats,
however, this model has proven in practice to be a useful and accurate tool for
economic analysis. For further reading, try [Leontief 1951] and [Leontief 1965].
Exercises
Hint: these systems are easiest to solve on a computer.
1With the steel-auto system given above, estimate next year's total productions
in these cases.
(a)Next year's external demands are: up 200 from this year for steel, and un-
changed for autos.
(b)Next year's external demands are: up 100 for steel, and up 200 for autos.
(c)Next year's external demands are: up 200 for steel, and up 200 for autos.
2In the steel-auto system, the ratio for the use of steel by the auto industry is
2 664=30 346, about 0 :0878. Imagine that a new process for making autos reduces
this ratio to :0500.
(a)How will the predictions for next year's total productions change compared
to the rst example discussed above (i.e., taking next year's external demands
to be 17;589 for steel and 21 ;243 for autos)?
(b)Predict next year's totals if, in addition, the external demand for autos rises
to be 21;500 because the new cars are cheaper.
3This table gives the numbers for the auto-steel system from a dierent year, 1947
(see [Leontief 1951]). The units here are billions of 1947 dollars.
used by
steelused by
autoused by
others total
value of
steel6:90 1:28 18 :69
value of
autos0 4:40 14 :27
(a)Solve for total output if next year's external demands are: steel's demand up
10% and auto's demand up 15%.
(b)How do the ratios compare to those given above in the discussion for the
1958 economy?
66 Chapter One. Linear Systems
(c)Solve the 1947 equations with the 1958 external demands (note the dierence
in units; a 1947 dollar buys about what $1 :30 in 1958 dollars buys). How far o
are the predictions for total output?
4Predict next year's total productions of each of the three sectors of the hypothet-
ical economy shown below
used by
farmused by
railused by
shippingused by
others total
value of
farm25 50 100 800
value of
rail25 50 50 300
value of
shipping15 10 0 500
if next year's external demands are as stated.
(a)625 for farm, 200 for rail, 475 for shipping
(b)650 for farm, 150 for rail, 450 for shipping
5This table gives the interrelationships among three segments of an economy (see
[Clark & Coupe]).
used by
foodused by
wholesaleused by
retailused by
otherstotal
value of
food 0 2 318 4 679 11 869
value of
wholesale 393 1 089 22 459 122 242
value of
retail 3 53 75 116 041
We will do an Input-Output analysis on this system.
(a)Fill in the numbers for this year's external demands.
(b)Set up the linear system, leaving next year's external demands blank.
(c)Solve the system where next year's external demands are calculated by tak-
ing this year's external demands and in
ating them 10%. Do all three sectors
increase their total business by 10%? Do they all even increase at the same rate?
(d)Solve the system where next year's external demands are calculated by taking
this year's external demands and reducing them 7%. (The study from which
these numbers are taken concluded that because of the closing of a local military
facility, overall personal income in the area would fall 7%, so this might be a
rst guess at what would actually happen.)
Topic: Accuracy of Computations 67
Topic: Accuracy of Computations
Gauss' method lends itself nicely to computerization. The code below illustrates.
It operates on an nnmatrix a, doing row combinations using the rst row,
then the second row, etc.
for(row=1;row<=n-1;row++){
for(row_below=row+1;row_below<=n;row_below++){
multiplier=a[row_below,row]/a[row,row];
for(col=row; col<=n; col++){
a[row_below,col]-=multiplier*a[row,col];
}
}
}
(This code is in the C language. Here is a brief translation. The loop construct
for(row=1;row<=n-1;row++){ }setsrowto 1 and then iterates while rowis
less than or equal to n 1, each time through incrementing the variable row
by one with the ` ++' operation. The other non-obvious construct is that the
`-=' in the innermost loop amounts to the a[row below,col] = multiplier
a[row,col] +a[row below,col] operation.)
While this code provides a quick take on how Gauss' method can be mecha-
nized, it is not ready to use. It is naive in many ways. The most glaring way is
that it assumes that a nonzero number is always found in the row;rowposition.
To make it practical, one way in which this code needs to be reworked is to
cover the case where nding a zero in that location leads to a row swap, or to
the conclusion that the matrix is singular.
Adding some ifstatements to cover those cases is not hard, but we
will instead consider some more subtle ways in which the code is naive. There
are pitfalls arising from the computer's reliance on nite-precision
oating point
arithmetic.
For example, we have seen above that we must handle as a separate case a
system that is singular. But systems that are nearly singular also require care.
Consider this one.
x+ 2y= 3
1:000 000 01x+ 2y= 3:000 000 01
By eye we get the solution x= 1 andy= 1. But a computer has more trouble. A
computer that represents real numbers to eight signicant places (as is common,
usually called single precision ) will represent the second equation internally as
1:000 000 0x+ 2y= 3:000 000 0, losing the digits in the ninth place. Instead of
reporting the correct solution, this computer will report something that is not
even close | this computer thinks that the system is singular because the two
equations are represented internally as equal.
For some intuition about how the computer could come up with something
that far o, we can graph the system.
68 Chapter One. Linear Systems
(1;1)
At the scale of this graph, the two lines cannot be resolved apart. This system
is nearly singular in the sense that the two lines are nearly the same line. Near-
singularity gives this system the property that a small change in the system
can cause a large change in its solution; for instance, changing the 3 :000 000 01
to 3:000 000 03 changes the intersection point from (1 ;1) to (3;0). This system
changes radically depending on a ninth digit, which explains why the eight-
place computer has trouble. A problem that is very sensitive to inaccuracy or
uncertainties in the input values is ill-conditioned .
The above example gives one way in which a system can be dicult to solve
on a computer. It has the advantage that the picture of nearly-equal lines
gives a memorable insight into one way that numerical diculties can arise.
Unfortunately this insight isn't very useful when we wish to solve some large
system. We cannot, typically, hope to understand the geometry of an arbitrary
large system. In addition, there are ways that a computer's results may be
unreliable other than that the angle between some of the linear surfaces is quite
small.
For an example, consider the system below, from [Hamming].
0:001x+y= 1
x y= 0()
The second equation gives x=y, sox=y= 1=1:001 and thus both variables
have values that are just less than 1. A computer using two digits represents
the system internally in this way (we will do this example in two-digit
oating
point arithmetic, but a similar one with eight digits is easy to invent).
(1:010 2)x+ (1:0100)y= 1:0100
(1:0100)x (1:0100)y= 0:0100
The computer's row reduction step 10001+2produces a second equation
1001y= 999, which the computer rounds to two places as ( 1:0103)y=
1:0103. Then the computer decides from the second equation that y= 1
and from the rst equation that x= 0. Thisyvalue is fairly good, but the x
is quite bad. Thus, another cause of unreliable output is a mixture of
oating
point arithmetic and a reliance on using leading entries that are small.
An experienced programmer may respond that we should go to double pre-
cision where sixteen signicant digits are retained. This will indeed solve many
problems. However, there are some diculties with it as a general approach.
For one thing, double precision takes longer than single precision (on a '486
Topic: Accuracy of Computations 69
chip, multiplication takes eleven ticks in single precision but fourteen in dou-
ble precision [Programmer's Ref.]) and has twice the memory requirements. So
attempting to do all calculations in double precision is just not practical. And
besides, the above systems can obviously be tweaked to give the same trouble in
the seventeenth digit, so double precision won't x all problems. What we need
is a strategy to minimize the numerical trouble arising from solving systems
on a computer, and some guidance as to how far the reported solutions can be
trusted.
Mathematicians have made a careful study of how to get the most reliable
results. A basic improvement on the naive code above is to not simply take
the entry in the row;rowposition to determine the factor to use for the row
combination, but rather to look at all of the entries in the rowcolumn below
therowrow, and take the one that is most likely to give reliable results (e.g.,
take one that is not too small). This strategy is called partial pivoting .
For example, to solve the troublesome system ( ) above, we start by looking
at both equations for a best entry to use, and taking the 1 in the second equation
as more likely to give good results. Then, the combination step of :0012+
1gives a rst equation of 1 :001y= 1, which the computer will represent as
(1:0100)y= 1:0100, leading to the conclusion that y= 1 and, after back-
substitution, x= 1, both of which are close to right. The code from above can
be adapted to this purpose.
for(row=1;row<=n-1;row++){
/* find the largest entry in this column (in row max) */
max=row;
for(row_below=row+1;row_below<=n;row_below++){
if (abs(a[row_below,row]) > abs(a[max,row]));
max = row_below;
}
/* swap rows to move that best entry up */
for(col=row;col<=n;col++){
temp=a[row,col];
a[row,col]=a[max,col];
a[max,col]=temp;
}
/* proceed as before */
for(row_below=row+1;row_below<=n;row_below++){
multiplier=a[row_below,row]/a[row,row];
for(col=row;col<=n;col++){
a[row_below,col]-=multiplier*a[row,col];
}
}
}
A full analysis of the best way to implement Gauss' method is outside the
scope of the book (see [Wilkinson 1965]), but the method recommended by most
experts is a variation on the code above that rst nds the best entry among
the candidates, and then scales it to a number that is less likely to give trouble.
This is scaled partial pivoting .
70 Chapter One. Linear Systems
In addition to returning a result that is likely to be reliable, most well-done
code will return a number, called the conditioning number that describes the
factor by which uncertainties in the input numbers could be magnied to become
inaccuracies in the results returned (see [Rice]).
The lesson of this discussion is that just because Gauss' method always works
in theory, and just because computer code correctly implements that method,
doesn't mean that the answer is reliable. In practice, always use a package
where experts have worked hard to counter what can go wrong.
Exercises
1Using two decimal places, add 253 and 2 =3.
2This intersect-the-lines problem contrasts with the example discussed above.
(1;1)x+ 2y= 3
3x 2y= 1
Illustrate that in this system some small change in the numbers will produce only
a small change in the solution by changing the constant in the bottom equation to
1:008 and solving. Compare it to the solution of the unchanged system.
3Solve this system by hand ([Rice]).
0:000 3x+ 1:556y= 1:569
0:345 4x 2:346y= 1:018
(a)Solve it accurately, by hand. (b)Solve it by rounding at each step to
four signicant digits.
4Rounding inside the computer often has an eect on the result. Assume that
your machine has eight signicant digits.
(a)Show that the machine will compute (2 =3) + ((2=3) (1=3)) as unequal to
((2=3) + (2=3)) (1=3). Thus, computer arithmetic is not associative.
(b)Compare the computer's version of (1 =3)x+y= 0 and (2=3)x+ 2y= 0. Is
twice the rst equation the same as the second?
5Ill-conditioning is not only dependent on the matrix of coecients. This example
[Hamming] shows that it can arise from an interaction between the left and right
sides of the system. Let "be a small real.
3x+ 2y+z= 6
2x+ 2"y+ 2"z= 2 + 4"
x+ 2"y "z= 1 +"
(a)Solve the system by hand. Notice that the "'s divide out only because there
is an exact cancelation of the integer parts on the right side as well as on the
left.
(b)Solve the system by hand, rounding to two decimal places, and with "=
0:001.
Topic: Analyzing Networks 71
Topic: Analyzing Networks
The diagram below shows some of a car's electrical network. The battery is on
the left, drawn as stacked line segments. The wires are drawn as lines, shown
straight and with sharp right angles for neatness. Each light is a circle enclosing
a loop.
12VDome
Light
Door
Actuated
Switch
Brake
LightsL RBrake
Actuated
SwitchLight
Switch
O
Dimmer
Hi Lo
L R L R
HeadlightsL R
Rear
LightsL R
Parking
Lights
The designer of such a network needs to answer questions like: How much
electricity
ows when both the hi-beam headlights and the brake lights are
on? Below, we will use linear systems to analyze simpler versions of electrical
networks.
For the analysis we need two facts about electricity and two facts about
electrical networks.
The rst fact about electricity is that a battery is like a pump: it provides
a force impelling the electricity to
ow through the circuits connecting the bat-
tery's ends, if there are any such circuits. We say that the battery provides a
potential to
ow. Of course, this network accomplishes its function when, as
the electricity
ows through a circuit, it goes through a light. For instance,
when the driver steps on the brake then the switch makes contact and a cir-
cuit is formed on the left side of the diagram, and the electrical current
owing
through that circuit will make the brake lights go on, warning drivers behind.
The second electrical fact is that in some kinds of network components the
amount of
ow is proportional to the force provided by the battery. That is, for
each such component there is a number, it's resistance , such that the potential is
equal to the
ow times the resistance. The units of measurement are: potential
is described in volts, the rate of
ow is in amperes , and resistance to the
ow is
inohms . These units are dened so that volts = amperes ohms.
Components with this property, that the voltage-amperage response curve
is a line through the origin, are called resistors . (Light bulbs such as the ones
shown above are not this kind of component, because their ohmage changes as
they heat up.) For example, if a resistor measures 2 ohms then wiring it to a
12 volt battery results in a
ow of 6 amperes. Conversely, if we have
ow of
electrical current of 2 amperes through it then there must be a 4 volt potential
72 Chapter One. Linear Systems
dierence between it's ends. This is the voltage drop across the resistor. One
way to think of a electrical circuits like the one above is that the battery provides
a voltage rise while the other components are voltage drops.
The two facts that we need about networks are Kirchho's Laws.
Current Law. For any point in a network, the
ow in equals the
ow out.
Voltage Law. Around any circuit the total drop equals the total rise.
In the above network there is only one voltage rise, at the battery, but some
networks have more than one.
For a start we can consider the network below. It has a battery that provides
the potential to
ow and three resistors (resistors are drawn as zig-zags). When
components are wired one after another, as here, they are said to be in series .
20volt
potential2ohm
resistance
5ohm
resistance
3ohm
resistance
By Kirchho's Voltage Law, because the voltage rise is 20 volts, the total voltage
drop must also be 20 volts. Since the resistance from start to nish is 10 ohms
(the resistance of the wires is negligible), we get that the current is (20 =10) =
2 amperes. Now, by Kirchho's Current Law, there are 2 amperes through each
resistor. (And therefore the voltage drops are: 4 volts across the 2 oh m resistor,
10 volts across the 5 ohm resistor, and 6 volts across the 3 ohm resistor.)
The prior network is so simple that we didn't use a linear system, but the
next network is more complicated. In this one, the resistors are in parallel . This
network is more like the car lighting diagram shown earlier.
20volt 12ohm 8ohm
We begin by labeling the branches, shown below. Let the current through the
left branch of the parallel portion be i1and that through the right branch be i2,
and also let the current through the battery be i0. (We are following Kircho's
Current Law; for instance, all points in the right branch have the same current,
which we call i2. Note that we don't need to know the actual direction of
ow |
if current
ows in the direction opposite to our arrow then we will simply get a
negative number in the solution.)
Topic: Analyzing Networks 73
"i0 i1# # i2
The Current Law, applied to the point in the upper right where the
ow i0
meetsi1andi2, gives that i0=i1+i2. Applied to the lower right it gives
i1+i2=i0. In the circuit that loops out of the top of the battery, down the
left branch of the parallel portion, and back into the bottom of the battery,
the voltage rise is 20 while the voltage drop is i112, so the Voltage Law gives
that 12i1= 20. Similarly, the circuit from the battery to the right branch and
back to the battery gives that 8 i2= 20. And, in the circuit that simply loops
around in the left and right branches of the parallel portion (arbitrarily taken
clockwise), there is a voltage rise of 0 and a voltage drop of 8 i2 12i1so the
Voltage Law gives that 8 i2 12i1= 0.
i0 i1 i2= 0
i0+i1+i2= 0
12i1 = 20
8i2= 20
12i1+ 8i2= 0
The solution is i0= 25=6,i1= 5=3, andi2= 5=2, all in amperes. (Incidentally,
this illustrates that redundant equations do indeed arise in practice.)
Kirchho's laws can be used to establish the electrical properties of networks
of great complexity. The next diagram shows ve resistors, wired in a series-
parallel way.
10volt5ohm 2ohm
50ohm
10ohm 4ohm
This network is a Wheatstone bridge (see Exercise 4). To analyze it, we can
place the arrows in this way.
"i0i1. & i2
i5!
i3& . i4
74 Chapter One. Linear Systems
Kircho's Current Law, applied to the top node, the left node, the right node,
and the bottom node gives these.
i0=i1+i2
i1=i3+i5
i2+i5=i4
i3+i4=i0
Kirchho's Voltage Law, applied to the inside loop (the i0toi1toi3toi0loop),
the outside loop, and the upper loop not involving the battery, gives these.
5i1+ 10i3= 10
2i2+ 4i4= 10
5i1+ 50i5 2i2= 0
Those suce to determine the solution i0= 7=3,i1= 2=3,i2= 5=3,i3= 2=3,
i4= 5=3, andi5= 0.
Networks of other kinds, not just electrical ones, can also be analyzed in this
way. For instance, networks of streets are given in the exercises.
Exercises
Many of the systems for these problems are mostly easily solved on a computer.
1Calculate the amperages in each part of each network.
(a)This is a simple network.
9volt3ohm
2ohm
2ohm
(b)Compare this one with the parallel case discussed above.
9volt3ohm
2ohm 2ohm
2ohm
(c)This is a reasonably complicated network.
9volt3ohm
3ohm 2ohm
2ohm3ohm
4ohm
2ohm
Topic: Analyzing Networks 75
2In the rst network that we analyzed, with the three resistors in series, we just
added to get that they acted together like a single resistor of 10 ohms. We can do
a similar thing for parallel circuits. In the second circuit analyzed,
20volt 12ohm 8ohm
the electric current through the battery is 25 =6 amperes. Thus, the parallel portion
isequivalent to a single resistor of 20 =(25=6) = 4:8 ohms.
(a)What is the equivalent resistance if we change the 12 ohm resistor to 5 ohms?
(b)What is the equivalent resistance if the two are each 8 ohms?
(c)Find the formula for the equivalent resistance if the two resistors in parallel
arer1ohms andr2ohms.
3For the car dashboard example that opens this Topic, solve for these amperages
(assume that all resistances are 2 ohms).
(a)If the driver is stepping on the brakes, so the brake lights are on, and no
other circuit is closed.
(b)If the hi-beam headlights and the brake lights are on.
4Show that, in this Wheatstone Bridge,
r1 r3
rg
r2 r4
r2=r1equalsr4=r3if and only if the current
owing through rgis zero. (The
way that this device is used in practice is that an unknown resistance at r4is
compared to the other three r1,r2, andr3. Atrgis placed a meter that shows the
current. The three resistances r1,r2, andr3are varied | typically they each have
a calibrated knob | until the current in the middle reads 0, and then the above
equation gives the value of r4.)
There are networks other than electrical ones, and we can ask how well Kircho's
laws apply to them. The remaining questions consider an extension to networks of
streets.
5Consider this trac circle.
Main StreetNorth Avenue
Pier Boulevard
76 Chapter One. Linear Systems
This is the trac volume, in units of cars per ve minutes.
North Pier Main
into 100 150 25
out of 75 150 50
We can set up equations to model how the trac
ows.
(a)Adapt Kircho's Current Law to this circumstance. Is it a reasonable mod-
elling assumption?
(b)Label the three between-road arcs in the circle with a variable. Using the
(adapted) Current Law, for each of the three in-out intersections state an equa-
tion describing the trac
ow at that node.
(c)Solve that system.
(d)Interpret your solution.
(e)Restate the Voltage Law for this circumstance. How reasonable is it?
6This is a network of streets.
Shelburne St
Willow
Winooski AvewesteastJay Ln
The hourly
ow of cars into this network's entrances, and out of its exits can be
observed.
east Winooski west Winooski Willow Jay Shelburne
into 80 50 65 { 40
out of 30 5 70 55 75
(Note that to reach Jay a car must enter the network via some other road rst,
which is why there is no `into Jay' entry in the table. Note also that over a long
period of time, the total in must approximately equal the total out, which is why
both rows add to 235 cars.) Once inside the network, the trac may
ow in dier-
ent ways, perhaps lling Willow and leaving Jay mostly empty, or perhaps
owing
in some other way. Kirchho's Laws give the limits on that freedom.
(a)Determine the restrictions on the
ow inside this network of streets by setting
up a variable for each block, establishing the equations, and solving them. Notice
that some streets are one-way only. ( Hint: this will not yield a unique solution,
since trac can
ow through this network in various ways; you should get at
least one free variable.)
(b)Suppose that some construction is proposed for Winooski Avenue East be-
tween Willow and Jay, so trac on that block will be reduced. What is the least
amount of trac
ow that can be allowed on that block without disrupting the
hourly
ow into and out of the network?
Chapter Two
Vector Spaces
The rst chapter began by introducing Gauss' method and nished with a fair
understanding, keyed on the Linear Combination Lemma, of how it nds the
solution set of a linear system. Gauss' method systematically takes linear com-
binations of the rows. With that insight, we now move to a general study of
linear combinations.
We need a setting for this study. At times in the rst chapter, we've com-
bined vectors from R2, at other times vectors from R3, and at other times vectors
from even higher-dimensional spaces. Thus, our rst impulse might be to work
inRn, leavingnunspecied. This would have the advantage that any of the
results would hold for R2and for R3and for many other spaces, simultaneously.
But, if having the results apply to many spaces at once is advantageous then
sticking only to Rn's is overly restrictive. We'd like the results to also apply to
combinations of row vectors, as in the nal section of the rst chapter. We've
even seen some spaces that are not just a collection of all of the same-sized
column vectors or row vectors. For instance, we've seen a solution set of a
homogeneous system that is a plane, inside of R3. This solution set is a closed
system in the sense that a linear combination of these solutions is also a solution.
But it is not just a collection of all of the three-tall column vectors; only some
of them are in this solution set.
We want the results about linear combinations to apply anywhere that linear
combinations are sensible. We shall call any such set a vector space . Our results,
instead of being phrased as \Whenever we have a collection in which we can
sensibly take linear combinations . . . ", will be stated as \In any vector space
. . . ".
Such a statement describes at once what happens in many spaces. The step
up in abstraction from studying a single space at a time to studying a class
of spaces can be hard to make. To understand its advantages, consider this
analogy. Imagine that the government made laws one person at a time: \Leslie
Jones can't jay walk." That would be a bad idea; statements have the virtue of
economy when they apply to many cases at once. Or, suppose that they ruled,
\Kim Ke must stop when passing the scene of an accident." Contrast that with,
\Any doctor must stop when passing the scene of an accident." More general
statements, in some ways, are clearer.
77
78 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
I Denition of Vector Space
We shall study structures with two operations, an addition and a scalar multi-
plication, that are subject to some simple conditions. We will re
ect more on
the conditions later, but on rst reading notice how reasonable they are. For in-
stance, surely any operation that can be called an addition (e.g., column vector
addition, row vector addition, or real number addition) will satisfy conditions
(1) through (5) below.
I.1 Denition and Examples
1.1 Denition Avector space (overR) consists of a set Valong with two
operations `+' and ` ' subject to these conditions.
Where~ v;~ w2V, (1) their vector sum ~ v+~ wis an element of V. If~ u;~ v;~ w2V
then (2)~ v+~ w=~ w+~ vand (3) (~ v+~ w) +~ u=~ v+ (~ w+~ u). (4) There is a zero
vector~02Vsuch that~ v+~0 =~ vfor all~ v2V. (5) Each~ v2Vhas an additive
inverse~ w2Vsuch that~ w+~ v=~0.
Ifr;sarescalars , members of R, and~ v;~ w2Vthen (6) each scalar multiple
r~ vis inV. Ifr;s2Rand~ v;~ w2Vthen (7) (r+s)~ v=r~ v+s~ v, and
(8)r(~ v+~ w) =r~ v+r~ w, and (9) (rs)~ v=r(s~ v), and (10) 1~ v=~ v.
1.2 Remark Because it involves two kinds of addition and two kinds of mul-
tiplication, that denition may seem confused. For instance, in condition (7)
`(r+s)~ v=r~ v+s~ v', the rst `+' is the real number addition operator while
the `+' to the right of the equals sign represents vector addition in the structure
V. These expressions aren't ambiguous because, e.g., randsare real numbers
so `r+s' can only mean real number addition.
The best way to go through the examples below is to check all ten conditions
in the denition. That check is written out at length in the rst example. Use
it as a model for the others. Especially important are the rst condition ` ~ v+~ w
is inV' and the sixth condition ` r~ vis inV'. These are the closure conditions.
They specify that the addition and scalar multiplication operations are always
sensible | they are dened for every pair of vectors, and every scalar and vector,
and the result of the operation is a member of the set (see Example 1.4).
1.3 Example The set R2is a vector space if the operations `+' and ` ' have
their usual meaning.
x1
x2
+y1
y2
=x1+y1
x2+y2
rx1
x2
=rx1
rx2
We shall check all of the conditions.
Section I. Denition of Vector Space 79
There are ve conditions in item (1). For (1), closure of addition, note that
for anyv1;v2;w1;w22Rthe result of the sum
v1
v2
+w1
w2
=v1+w1
v2+w2
is a column array with two real entries, and so is in R2. For (2), that addition
of vectors commutes, take all entries to be real numbers and compute
v1
v2
+w1
w2
=v1+w1
v2+w2
=w1+v1
w2+v2
=w1
w2
+v1
v2
(the second equality follows from the fact that the components of the vectors are
real numbers, and the addition of real numbers is commutative). Condition (3),
associativity of vector addition, is similar.
(v1
v2
+w1
w2
) +u1
u2
=(v1+w1) +u1
(v2+w2) +u2
=
v1+ (w1+u1)
v2+ (w2+u2)
=v1
v2
+ (w1
w2
+u1
u2
)
For the fourth condition we must produce a zero element | the vector of zeroes
is it. v1
v2
+0
0
=v1
v2
For (5), to produce an additive inverse, note that for any v1;v22Rwe have
v1
v2
+v1
v2
=0
0
so the rst vector is the desired additive inverse of the second.
The checks for the ve conditions having to do with scalar multiplication are
just as routine. For (6), closure under scalar multiplication, where r;v1;v22R,
rv1
v2
=rv1
rv2
is a column array with two real entries, and so is in R2. Next, this checks (7).
(r+s)v1
v2
=(r+s)v1
(r+s)v2
=rv1+sv1
rv2+sv2
=rv1
v2
+sv1
v2
For (8), that scalar multiplication distributes from the left over vector addition,
we have this.
r(v1
v2
+w1
w2
) =r(v1+w1)
r(v2+w2)
=rv1+rw1
rv2+rw2
=rv1
v2
+rw1
w2
80 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
The ninth
(rs)v1
v2
=(rs)v1
(rs)v2
=r(sv1)
r(sv2)
=r(sv1
v2
)
and tenth conditions are also straightforward.
1v1
v2
=1v1
1v2
=v1
v2
In a similar way, each Rnis a vector space with the usual operations of
vector addition and scalar multiplication. (In R1, we usually do not write the
members as column vectors, i.e., we usually do not write `( )'. Instead we just
write `'.)
1.4 Example This subset of R3that is a plane through the origin
P=f0
@x
y
z1
Ax+y+z= 0g
is a vector space if `+' and ` ' are interpreted in this way.
0
@x1
y1
z11
A+0
@x2
y2
z21
A=0
@x1+x2
y1+y2
z1+z21
Ar0
@x
y
z1
A=0
@rx
ry
rz1
A
The addition and scalar multiplication operations here are just the ones of R3,
reused on its subset P. We say that Pinherits these operations from R3. This
example of an addition in P
0
@1
1
21
A+0
@ 1
0
11
A=0
@0
1
11
A
illustrates that Pis closed under addition. We've added two vectors from P|
that is, with the property that the sum of their three entries is zero | and the
result is a vector also in P. Of course, this example of closure is not a proof of
closure. To prove that Pis closed under addition, take two elements of P
0
@x1
y1
z11
A0
@x2
y2
z21
A
(membership in Pmeans that x1+y1+z1= 0 andx2+y2+z2= 0), and
observe that their sum 0
@x1+x2
y1+y2
z1+z21
A
Section I. Denition of Vector Space 81
is also inPsince its entries add ( x1+x2) + (y1+y2) + (z1+z2) = (x1+y1+
z1) + (x2+y2+z2) to 0. To show that Pis closed under scalar multiplication,
start with a vector from P0
@x
y
z1
A
(so thatx+y+z= 0) and then for r2Robserve that the scalar multiple
r0
@x
y
z1
A=0
@rx
ry
rz1
A
satises that rx+ry+rz=r(x+y+z) = 0. Thus the two closure conditions
are satised. Verication of the other conditions in the denition of a vector
space are just as straightforward.
1.5 Example Example 1.3 shows that the set of all two-tall vectors with real
entries is a vector space. Example 1.4 gives a subset of an Rnthat is also a
vector space. In contrast with those two, consider the set of two-tall columns
with entries that are integers (under the obvious operations). This is a subset
of a vector space, but it is not itself a vector space. The reason is that this set is
not closed under scalar multiplication, that is, it does not satisfy condition (6).
Here is a column with integer entries, and a scalar, such that the outcome of
the operation
0:54
3
=2
1:5
is not a member of the set, since its entries are not all integers.
1.6 Example The singleton set
f0
BB@0
0
0
01
CCAg
is a vector space under the operations
0
BB@0
0
0
01
CCA+0
BB@0
0
0
01
CCA=0
BB@0
0
0
01
CCAr0
BB@0
0
0
01
CCA=0
BB@0
0
0
01
CCA
that it inherits from R4.
A vector space must have at least one element, its zero vector. Thus a
one-element vector space is the smallest one possible.
1.7 Denition A one-element vector space is a trivial space.
82 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
Warning! The examples so far involve sets of column vectors with the usual
operations. But vector spaces need not be collections of column vectors, or even
of row vectors. Below are some other types of vector spaces. The term `vector
space' does not mean `collection of columns of reals'. It means something more
like `collection in which any linear combination is sensible'.
1.8 Example ConsiderP3=fa0+a1x+a2x2+a3x3a0;:::;a 32Rg, the
set of polynomials of degree three or less (in this book, we'll take constant
polynomials, including the zero polynomial, to be of degree zero). It is a vector
space under the operations
(a0+a1x+a2x2+a3x3) + (b0+b1x+b2x2+b3x3)
= (a0+b0) + (a1+b1)x+ (a2+b2)x2+ (a3+b3)x3
and
r(a0+a1x+a2x2+a3x3) = (ra0) + (ra1)x+ (ra2)x2+ (ra3)x3
(the verication is easy). This vector space is worthy of attention because these
are the polynomial operations familiar from high school algebra. For instance,
3(1 2x+ 3x2 4x3) 2(2 3x+x2 (1=2)x3) = 1 + 7x2 11x3.
Although this space is not a subset of any Rn, there is a sense in which we
can think ofP3as \the same" as R4. If we identify these two spaces's elements
in this way
a0+a1x+a2x2+a3x3corresponds to0
BB@a0
a1
a2
a31
CCA
then the operations also correspond. Here is an example of corresponding ad-
ditions.
1 2x+ 0x2+ 1x3
+ 2 + 3x+ 7x2 4x3
3 + 1x+ 7x2 3x3corresponds to0
BB@1
2
0
11
CCA+0
BB@2
3
7
41
CCA=0
BB@3
1
7
31
CCA
Things we are thinking of as \the same" add to \the same" sum. Chapter Three
makes precise this idea of vector space correspondence. For now we shall just
leave it as an intuition.
1.9 Example The setM22of 22 matrices with real number entries is a
vector space under the natural entry-by-entry operations.
a b
c d
+w x
y z
=a+w b +x
c+y d +z
ra b
c d
=ra rb
rc rd
As in the prior example, we can think of this space as \the same" as R4.
Section I. Denition of Vector Space 83
1.10 Example The setfff:N!Rgof all real-valued functions of one
natural number variable is a vector space under the operations
(f1+f2) (n) =f1(n) +f2(n) (rf) (n) =rf(n)
so that if, for example, f1(n) =n2+ 2 sin(n) andf2(n) = sin(n) + 0:5 then
(f1+ 2f2) (n) =n2+ 1.
We can view this space as a generalization of Example 1.3 | instead of 2-tall
vectors, these functions are like innitely-tall vectors.
nf(n) =n2+ 1
0 1
1 2
2 5
3 10
......corresponds to0
BBBBB@1
2
5
10
...1
CCCCCA
Addition and scalar multiplication are component-wise, as in Example 1.3. (We
can formalize \innitely-tall" by saying that it means an innite sequence, or
that it means a function from NtoR.)
1.11 Example The set of polynomials with real coecients
fa0+a1x++anxnn2Nanda0;:::;an2Rg
makes a vector space when given the natural `+'
(a0+a1x++anxn) + (b0+b1x++bnxn)
= (a0+b0) + (a1+b1)x++ (an+bn)xn
and `'.
r(a0+a1x+:::anxn) = (ra0) + (ra1)x+:::(ran)xn
This space diers from the space P3of Example 1.8. This space contains not just
degree three polynomials, but degree thirty polynomials and degree three hun-
dred polynomials, too. Each individual polynomial of course is of a nite degree,
but the set has no single bound on the degree of all of its members.
This example, like the prior one, can be thought of in terms of innite-tuples.
For instance, we can think of 1 + 3 x+ 5x2as corresponding to (1 ;3;5;0;0;:::).
However, this space diers from the one in Example 1.10. Here, each member of
the set has a nite degree, that is, under the correspondence there is no element
from this space matching (1 ;2;5;10; :::). Vectors in this space correspond to
innite-tuples that end in zeroes.
1.12 Example The setfff:R!Rgof all real-valued functions of one real
variable is a vector space under these.
(f1+f2) (x) =f1(x) +f2(x) (rf) (x) =rf(x)
The dierence between this and Example 1.10 is the domain of the functions.
84 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
1.13 Example The setF=facos+bsina;b2Rgof real-valued functions
of the real variable is a vector space under the operations
(a1cos+b1sin) + (a2cos+b2sin) = (a1+a2) cos+ (b1+b2) sin
and
r(acos+bsin) = (ra) cos+ (rb) sin
inherited from the space in the prior example. (We can think of Fas \the same"
asR2in thatacos+bsincorresponds to the vector with components aand
b.)
1.14 Example The set
ff:R!Rd2f
dx2+f= 0g
is a vector space under the, by now natural, interpretation.
(f+g) (x) =f(x) +g(x) (rf) (x) =rf(x)
In particular, notice that closure is a consequence
d2(f+g)
dx2+ (f+g) = (d2f
dx2+f) + (d2g
dx2+g)
and
d2(rf)
dx2+ (rf) =r(d2f
dx2+f)
of basic Calculus. This turns out to equal the space from the prior example |
functions satisfying this dierential equation have the form acos+bsin|
but this description suggests an extension to solutions sets of other dierential
equations.
1.15 Example The set of solutions of a homogeneous linear system in n
variables is a vector space under the operations inherited from Rn. For ex-
ample, for closure under addition consider a typical equation in that system
c1x1++cnxn= 0 and suppose that both these vectors
~ v=0
B@v1
...
vn1
CA~ w=0
B@w1
...
wn1
CA
satisfy the equation. Then their sum ~ v+~ walso satises that equation: c1(v1+
w1) ++cn(vn+wn) = (c1v1++cnvn) + (c1w1++cnwn) = 0. The
checks of the other vector space conditions are just as routine.
As we've done in those equations, we often omit the multiplication symbol ` '.
We can distinguish the multiplication in ` c1v1' from that in ` r~ v' since if both
multiplicands are real numbers then real-real multiplication must be meant,
while if one is a vector then scalar-vector multiplication must be meant.
The prior example has brought us full circle since it is one of our motivating
examples.
Section I. Denition of Vector Space 85
1.16 Remark Now, with some feel for the kinds of structures that satisfy the
denition of a vector space, we can re
ect on that denition. For example, why
specify in the denition the condition that 1 ~ v=~ vbut not a condition that
0~ v=~0?
One answer is that this is just a denition | it gives the rules of the game
from here on, and if you don't like it, put the book down and walk away.
Another answer is perhaps more satisfying. People in this area have worked
hard to develop the right balance of power and generality. This denition has
been shaped so that it contains the conditions needed to prove all of the interest-
ing and important properties of spaces of linear combinations. As we proceed,
we shall derive all of the properties natural to collections of linear combinations
from the conditions given in the denition.
The next result is an example. We do not need to include these properties
in the denition of vector space because they follow from the properties already
listed there.
1.17 Lemma In any vector space V, for any~ v2Vandr2R, we have
(1) 0~ v=~0, and (2) ( 1~ v) +~ v=~0, and (3)r~0 =~0.
Proof .For (1), note that ~ v= (1 + 0)~ v=~ v+ (0~ v). Add to both sides the
additive inverse of ~ v, the vector ~ wsuch that~ w+~ v=~0.
~ w+~ v=~ w+~ v+ 0~ v
~0 =~0 + 0~ v
~0 = 0~ v
The second item is easy: ( 1~ v) +~ v= ( 1 + 1)~ v= 0~ v=~0 shows that
we can write ` ~ v' for the additive inverse of ~ vwithout worrying about possible
confusion with ( 1)~ v.
For (3), this r~0 =r(0~0) = (r0)~0 =~0 will do. QED
We nish with a recap.
Our study in Chapter One of Gaussian reduction led us to consider collec-
tions of linear combinations. So in this chapter we have dened a vector space
to be a structure in which we can form such combinations, expressions of the
formc1~ v1++cn~ vn(subject to simple conditions on the addition and scalar
multiplication operations). In a phrase: vector spaces are the right context in
which to study linearity.
Finally, a comment. From the fact that it forms a whole chapter, and espe-
cially because that chapter is the rst one, a reader could come to think that
the study of linear systems is our purpose. The truth is, we will not so much
use vector spaces in the study of linear systems as we will instead have linear
systems start us on the study of vector spaces. The wide variety of examples
from this subsection shows that the study of vector spaces is interesting and im-
portant in its own right, aside from how it helps us understand linear systems.
Linear systems won't go away. But from now on our primary objects of study
will be vector spaces.
86 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
Exercises
1.18 Name the zero vector for each of these vector spaces.
(a)The space of degree three polynomials under the natural operations
(b)The space of 24 matrices
(c)The spaceff: [0::1]!Rfis continuousg
(d)The space of real-valued functions of one natural number variable
X1.19 Find the additive inverse, in the vector space, of the vector.
(a)InP3, the vector 3 2x+x2.
(b)In the space 22,1 1
0 3
:
(c)Infaex+be xa;b2Rg, the space of functions of the real variable xunder
the natural operations, the vector 3 ex 2e x.
X1.20 Show that each of these is a vector space.
(a)The set of linear polynomials P1=fa0+a1xa0;a12Rgunder the usual
polynomial addition and scalar multiplication operations.
(b)The set of 22 matrices with real entries under the usual matrix operations.
(c)The set of three-component row vectors with their usual operations.
(d)The set
L=f0
BB@x
y
z
w1
CCA2R4x+y z+w= 0g
under the operations inherited from R4.
X1.21 Show that each of these is not a vector space. ( Hint. Start by listing two
members of each set.)
(a)Under the operations inherited from R3, this set
f0
@x
y
z1
A2R3x+y+z= 1g
(b)Under the operations inherited from R3, this set
f0
@x
y
z1
A2R3x2+y2+z2= 1g
(c)Under the usual matrix operations,
fa1
b ca;b;c2Rg
(d)Under the usual polynomial operations,
fa0+a1x+a2x2a0;a1;a22R+g
where R+is the set of reals greater than zero
(e)Under the inherited operations,
fx
y
2R2x+ 3y= 4 and 2x y= 3 and 6x+ 4y= 10g
1.22 Dene addition and scalar multiplication operations to make the complex
numbers a vector space over R.
X1.23 Is the set of rational numbers a vector space over Runder the usual addition
and scalar multiplication operations?
Section I. Denition of Vector Space 87
1.24 Show that the set of linear combinations of the variables x;y;z is a vector
space under the natural addition and scalar multiplication operations.
1.25 Prove that this is not a vector space: the set of two-tall column vectors with
real entries subject to these operations.
x1
y1
+x2
y2
=x1 x2
y1 y2
rx
y
=rx
ry
1.26 Prove or disprove that R3is a vector space under these operations.
(a)0
@x1
y1
z11
A+0
@x2
y2
z21
A=0
@0
0
01
Aandr0
@x
y
z1
A=0
@rx
ry
rz1
A
(b)0
@x1
y1
z11
A+0
@x2
y2
z21
A=0
@0
0
01
Aandr0
@x
y
z1
A=0
@0
0
01
A
X1.27 For each, decide if it is a vector space; the intended operations are the natural
ones.
(a)The diagonal 22 matrices
fa0
0ba;b2Rg
(b)This set of 22 matrices
fx x +y
x+y yx;y2Rg
(c)This set
f0
BB@x
y
z
w1
CCA2R4x+y+w= 1g
(d)The set of functions ff:R!Rdf=dx + 2f= 0g
(e)The set of functions ff:R!Rdf=dx + 2f= 1g
X1.28 Prove or disprove that this is a vector space: the real-valued functions fof
one real variable such that f(7) = 0.
X1.29 Show that the set R+of positive reals is a vector space when ` x+y' is inter-
preted to mean the product of xandy(so that 2 + 3 is 6), and ` rx' is interpreted
as ther-th power of x.
1.30 Isf(x;y)x;y2Rga vector space under these operations?
(a)(x1;y1) + (x2;y2) = (x1+x2;y1+y2) andr(x;y) = (rx;y)
(b)(x1;y1) + (x2;y2) = (x1+x2;y1+y2) andr(x;y) = (rx;0)
1.31 Prove or disprove that this is a vector space: the set of polynomials of degree
greater than or equal to two, along with the zero polynomial.
1.32 At this point \the same" is only an intuition, but nonetheless for each vector
space identify the kfor which the space is \the same" as Rk.
(a)The 23 matrices under the usual operations
(b)Thenmmatrices (under their usual operations)
(c)This set of 22 matrices
fa0
b ca;b;c2Rg
88 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
(d)This set of 22 matrices
fa0
b ca+b+c= 0g
X1.33 Using~+ to represent vector addition and ~for scalar multiplication, restate
the denition of vector space.
X1.34 Prove these.
(a)Any vector is the additive inverse of the additive inverse of itself.
(b)Vector addition left-cancels: if ~ v;~ s;~t2Vthen~ v+~ s=~ v+~timplies that
~ s=~t.
1.35 The denition of vector spaces does not explicitly say that ~0+~ v=~ v(it instead
says that~ v+~0 =~ v). Show that it must nonetheless hold in any vector space.
X1.36 Prove or disprove that this is a vector space: the set of all matrices, under
the usual operations.
1.37 In a vector space every element has an additive inverse. Can some elements
have two or more?
1.38 (a) Prove that every point, line, or plane thru the origin in R3is a vector
space under the inherited operations.
(b)What if it doesn't contain the origin?
X1.39 Using the idea of a vector space we can easily reprove that the solution set of
a homogeneous linear system has either one element or innitely many elements.
Assume that ~ v2Vis not~0.
(a)Prove that r~ v=~0 if and only if r= 0.
(b)Prove that r1~ v=r2~ vif and only if r1=r2.
(c)Prove that any nontrivial vector space is innite.
(d)Use the fact that a nonempty solution set of a homogeneous linear system is
a vector space to draw the conclusion.
1.40 Is this a vector space under the natural operations: the real-valued functions
of one real variable that are dierentiable?
1.41 Avector space over the complex numbers Chas the same denition as a vector
space over the reals except that scalars are drawn from Cinstead of from R. Show
that each of these is a vector space over the complex numbers. (Recall how complex
numbers add and multiply: ( a0+a1i) + (b0+b1i) = (a0+b0) + (a1+b1)iand
(a0+a1i)(b0+b1i) = (a0b0 a1b1) + (a0b1+a1b0)i.)
(a)The set of degree two polynomials with complex coecients
(b)This set
f0a
b0a;b2Canda+b= 0 + 0ig
1.42 Name a property shared by all of the Rn's but not listed as a requirement for
a vector space.
X1.43 (a) Prove that a sum of four vectors ~ v1;:::;~ v 42Vcan be associated in any
way without changing the result.
((~ v1+~ v2) +~ v3) +~ v4= (~ v1+ (~ v2+~ v3)) +~ v4
= (~ v1+~ v2) + (~ v3+~ v4)
=~ v1+ ((~ v2+~ v3) +~ v4)
=~ v1+ (~ v2+ (~ v3+~ v4))
This allows us to simply write ` ~ v1+~ v2+~ v3+~ v4' without ambiguity.
Section I. Denition of Vector Space 89
(b)Prove that any two ways of associating a sum of any number of vectors give
the same sum. ( Hint. Use induction on the number of vectors.)
1.44 Example 1.5 gives a subset of R2that is not a vector space, under the obvious
operations, because while it is closed under addition, it is not closed under scalar
multiplication. Consider the set of vectors in the plane whose components have
the same sign or are 0. Show that this set is closed under scalar multiplication but
not addition.
1.45 For any vector space, a subset that is itself a vector space under the inherited
operations (e.g., a plane through the origin inside of R3) is a subspace .
(a)Show thatfa0+a1x+a2x2a0+a1+a2= 0gis a subspace of the vector
space of degree two polynomials.
(b)Show that this is a subspace of the 2 2 matrices.
fa b
c0a+b= 0g
(c)Show that a nonempty subset Sof a real vector space is a subspace if and only
if it is closed under linear combinations of pairs of vectors: whenever c1;c22R
and~ s1;~ s22Sthen the combination c1~ v1+c2~ v2is inS.
I.2 Subspaces and Spanning Sets
One of the examples that led us to introduce the idea of a vector space was the
solution set of a homogeneous system. For instance, we've seen in Example 1.4
such a space that is a planar subset of R3. There, the vector space R3contains
inside it another vector space, the plane.
2.1 Denition For any vector space, a subspace is a subset that is itself a
vector space, under the inherited operations.
2.2 Example The plane from the prior subsection,
P=f0
@x
y
z1
Ax+y+z= 0g
is a subspace of R3. As specied in the denition, the operations are the ones
that are inherited from the larger space, that is, vectors add in Pas they add
inR30
@x1
y1
z11
A+0
@x2
y2
z21
A=0
@x1+x2
y1+y2
z1+z21
A
and scalar multiplication is also the same as it is in R3. To show that Pis a
subspace, we need only note that it is a subset and then verify that it is a space.
Checking that Psatises the conditions in the denition of a vector space is
routine. For instance, for closure under addition, just note that if the summands
satisfy that x1+y1+z1= 0 andx2+y2+z2= 0 then the sum satises that
(x1+x2) + (y1+y2) + (z1+z2) = (x1+y1+z1) + (x2+y2+z2) = 0.
90 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
2.3 Example Thex-axis in R2is a subspace where the addition and scalar
multiplication operations are the inherited ones.
x1
0
+x2
0
=x1+x2
0
rx
0
=rx
0
As above, to verify that this is a subspace, we simply note that it is a subset
and then check that it satises the conditions in denition of a vector space.
For instance, the two closure conditions are satised: (1) adding two vectors
with a second component of zero results in a vector with a second component
of zero, and (2) multiplying a scalar times a vector with a second component of
zero results in a vector with a second component of zero.
2.4 Example Another subspace of R2is
f0
0
g
its trivial subspace.
Any vector space has a trivial subspace f~0g. At the opposite extreme, any
vector space has itself for a subspace. These two are the improper subspaces.
Other subspaces are proper .
2.5 Example The condition in the denition requiring that the addition and
scalar multiplication operations must be the ones inherited from the larger space
is important. Consider the subset f1gof the vector space R1. Under the opera-
tions 1+1 = 1 and r1 = 1 that set is a vector space, specically, a trivial space.
But it is not a subspace of R1because those aren't the inherited operations, since
of course R1has 1 + 1 = 2.
2.6 Example All kinds of vector spaces, not just Rn's, have subspaces. The
vector space of cubic polynomials fa+bx+cx2+dx3a;b;c;d2Rghas a sub-
space comprised of all linear polynomials fm+nxm;n2Rg.
2.7 Example Another example of a subspace not taken from an Rnis one
from the examples following the denition of a vector space. The space of all
real-valued functions of one real variable f:R!Rhas a subspace of functions
satisfying the restriction ( d2f=dx2) +f= 0.
2.8 Example Being vector spaces themselves, subspaces must satisfy the clo-
sure conditions. The set R+is not a subspace of the vector space R1because
with the inherited operations it is not closed under scalar multiplication: if
~ v= 1 then 1~ v62R+.
The next result says that Example 2.8 is prototypical. The only way that a
subset can fail to be a subspace (if it is nonempty and the inherited operations
are used) is if it isn't closed.
Section I. Denition of Vector Space 91
2.9 Lemma For a nonempty subset Sof a vector space, under the inherited
operations, the following are equivalent statements.
(1)Sis a subspace of that vector space
(2)Sis closed under linear combinations of pairs of vectors: for any vectors
~ s1;~ s22Sand scalars r1;r2the vectorr1~ s1+r2~ s2is inS
(3)Sis closed under linear combinations of any number of vectors: for any
vectors~ s1;:::;~ sn2Sand scalars r1;:::;rnthe vectorr1~ s1++rn~ snis
inS.
Brie
y, the way that a subset gets to be a subspace is by being closed under
linear combinations.
Proof .`The following are equivalent' means that each pair of statements are
equivalent.
(1)() (2) (2)() (3) (3)() (1)
We will show this equivalence by establishing that (1) = )(3) =)(2) =)
(1). This strategy is suggested by noticing that (1) = )(3) and (3) =)(2)
are easy and so we need only argue the single implication (2) = )(1).
For that argument, assume that Sis a nonempty subset of a vector space V
and thatSis closed under combinations of pairs of vectors. We will show that
Sis a vector space by checking the conditions.
The rst item in the vector space denition has ve conditions. First, for
closure under addition, if ~ s1;~ s22Sthen~ s1+~ s22S, as~ s1+~ s2= 1~ s1+ 1~ s2.
Second, for any ~ s1;~ s22S, because addition is inherited from V, the sum~ s1+~ s2
inSequals the sum ~ s1+~ s2inV, and that equals the sum ~ s2+~ s1inV(because
Vis a vector space, its addition is commutative), and that in turn equals the
sum~ s2+~ s1inS. The argument for the third condition is similar to that for the
second. For the fourth, consider the zero vector of Vand note that closure of S
under linear combinations of pairs of vectors gives that (where ~ sis any member
of the nonempty set S) 0~ s+ 0~ s=~0 is inS; showing that ~0 acts under the
inherited operations as the additive identity of Sis easy. The fth condition is
satised because for any ~ s2S, closure under linear combinations shows that
the vector 0~0 + ( 1)~ sis inS; showing that it is the additive inverse of ~ s
under the inherited operations is routine.
The checks for item (2) are similar and are saved for Exercise 32. QED
We usually show that a subset is a subspace with (2) = )(1).
2.10 Remark At the start of this chapter we introduced vector spaces as
collections in which linear combinations are \sensible". The above result speaks
to this.
The vector space denition has ten conditions but eight of them | the con-
ditions not about closure | simply ensure that referring to the operations as an
`addition' and a `scalar multiplication' is sensible. The proof above checks that
these eight are inherited from the surrounding vector space provided that the
More information on equivalence of statements is in the appendix.
92 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
nonempty set Ssatises Theorem 2.9's statement (2) (e.g., commutativity of
addition in Sfollows right from commutativity of addition in V). So, in this
context, this meaning of \sensible" is automatically satised.
In assuring us that this rst meaning of the word is met, the result draws
our attention to the second meaning of \sensible". It has to do with the two
remaining conditions, the closure conditions. Above, the two separate closure
conditions inherent in statement (1) are combined in statement (2) into the
single condition of closure under all linear combinations of two vectors, which
is then extended in statement (3) to closure under combinations of any number
of vectors. The latter two statements say that we can always make sense of an
expression like r1~ s1+r2~ s2, without restrictions on the r's | such expressions
are \sensible" in that the vector described is dened and is in the set S.
This second meaning suggests that a good way to think of a vector space
is as a collection of unrestricted linear combinations. The next two examples
take some spaces and describe them in this way. That is, in these examples
we parametrize, just as we did in Chapter One to describe the solution set of a
homogeneous linear system.
2.11 Example This subset of R3
S=f0
@x
y
z1
Ax 2y+z= 0g
is a subspace under the usual addition and scalar multiplication operations of
column vectors (the check that it is nonempty and closed under linear combi-
nations of two vectors is just like the one in Example 2.2). To parametrize, we
can takex 2y+z= 0 to be a one-equation linear system and expressing the
leading variable in terms of the free variables x= 2y z.
S=f0
@2y z
y
z1
Ay;z2Rg=fy0
@2
1
01
A+z0
@ 1
0
11
Ay;z2Rg
Now the subspace is described as the collection of unrestricted linear combi-
nations of those two vectors. Of course, in either description, this is a plane
through the origin.
2.12 Example This is a subspace of the 2 2 matrices
L=fa0
b ca+b+c= 0g
(checking that it is nonempty and closed under linear combinations is easy). To
parametrize, express the condition as a= b c.
L=f b c0
b cb;c2Rg=fb 1 0
1 0
+c 1 0
0 1b;c2Rg
As above, we've described the subspace as a collection of unrestricted linear
combinations (by coincidence, also of two elements).
Section I. Denition of Vector Space 93
Parametrization is an easy technique, but it is important. We shall use it
often.
2.13 Denition The span (orlinear closure ) of a nonempty subset Sof a
vector space is the set of all linear combinations of vectors from S.
[S] =fc1~ s1++cn~ snc1;:::;cn2Rand~ s1;:::;~ sn2Sg
The span of the empty subset of a vector space is the trivial subspace.
No notation for the span is completely standard. The square brackets used here
are common, but so are `span( S)' and `sp(S)'.
2.14 Remark In Chapter One, after we showed that the solution set of a ho-
mogeneous linear system can be written as fc1~1++ck~kc1;:::;ck2Rg,
we described that as the set `generated' by the ~'s. We now have the technical
term; we call that the `span' of the set f~1;:::;~kg.
Recall also the discussion of the \tricky point" in that proof. The span of
the empty set is dened to be the set f~0gbecause we follow the convention that
a linear combination of no vectors sums to ~0. Besides, dening the empty set's
span to be the trivial subspace is a convienence in that it keeps results like the
next one from having annoying exceptional cases.
2.15 Lemma In a vector space, the span of any subset is a subspace.
Proof .Call the subset S. IfSis empty then by denition its span is the trivial
subspace. If Sis not empty then by Lemma 2.9 we need only check that the
span [S] is closed under linear combinations. For a pair of vectors from that
span,~ v=c1~ s1++cn~ snand~ w=cn+1~ sn+1++cm~ sm, a linear combination
p(c1~ s1++cn~ sn) +r(cn+1~ sn+1++cm~ sm)
=pc1~ s1++pcn~ sn+rcn+1~ sn+1++rcm~ sm
(p,rscalars) is a linear combination of elements of Sand so is in [ S] (possibly
some of the ~ si's from~ vequal some of the ~ sj's from~ w, but it does not matter).
QED
The converse of the lemma holds: any subspace is the span of some set,
because a subspace is obviously the span of the set of its members. Thus a
subset of a vector space is a subspace if and only if it is a span. This ts the
intuition that a good way to think of a vector space is as a collection in which
linear combinations are sensible.
Taken together, Lemma 2.9 and Lemma 2.15 show that the span of a subset
Sof a vector space is the smallest subspace containing all the members of S.
2.16 Example In any vector space V, for any vector ~ v, the setfr~ vr2Rg
is a subspace of V. For instance, for any vector ~ v2R3, the line through the
origin containing that vector, fk~ vk2Rgis a subspace of R3. This is true even
when~ vis the zero vector, in which case the subspace is the degenerate line, the
trivial subspace.
94 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
2.17 Example The span of this set is all of R2.
f1
1
;1
1
g
To check this we must show that any member of R2is a linear combination of
these two vectors. So we ask: for which vectors (with real components xandy)
are there scalars c1andc2such that this holds?
c11
1
+c21
1
=x
y
Gauss' method
c1+c2=x
c1 c2=y 1+2 !c1+c2=x
2c2= x+y
with back substitution gives c2= (x y)=2 andc1= (x+y)=2. These two
equations show that for any xandythat we start with, there are appropriate
coecients c1andc2making the above vector equation true. For instance, for
x= 1 andy= 2 the coecients c2= 1=2 andc1= 3=2 will do. That is, any
vector in R2can be written as a linear combination of the two given vectors.
Since spans are subspaces, and we know that a good way to understand a
subspace is to parametrize its description, we can try to understand a set's span
in that way.
2.18 Example Consider, inP2, the span of the set f3x x2;2xg. By the
denition of span, it is the set of unrestricted linear combinations of the two
fc1(3x x2) +c2(2x)c1;c22Rg. Clearly polynomials in this span must have
a constant term of zero. Is that necessary condition also sucient?
We are asking: for which members a2x2+a1x+a0ofP2are therec1andc2
such thata2x2+a1x+a0=c1(3x x2) +c2(2x)? Since polynomials are equal
if and only if their coecients are equal, we are looking for conditions on a2,
a1, anda0satisfying these.
c1 =a2
3c1+ 2c2=a1
0 =a0
Gauss' method gives that c1= a2,c2= (3=2)a2+ (1=2)a1, and 0 =a0. Thus
the only condition on polynomials in the span is the condition that we knew
of | as long as a0= 0, we can give appropriate coecients c1andc2to describe
the polynomial a0+a1x+a2x2as in the span. For instance, for the polynomial
0 4x+ 3x2, the coecients c1= 3 andc2= 5=2 will do. So the span of the
given set isfa1x+a2x2a1;a22Rg.
This shows, incidentally, that the set fx;x2galso spans this subspace. A
space can have more than one spanning set. Two other sets spanning this sub-
space arefx;x2; x+ 2x2gandfx;x+x2;x+ 2x2;:::g. (Naturally, we usually
prefer to work with spanning sets that have only a few members.)
Section I. Denition of Vector Space 95
2.19 Example These are the subspaces of R3that we now know of, the trivial
subspace, the lines through the origin, the planes through the origin, and the
whole space (of course, the picture shows only a few of the innitely many
subspaces). In the next section we will prove that R3has no other type of
subspaces, so in fact this picture shows them all.
fx0
@1
0
01
A+y0
@0
1
01
A+z0
@0
0
11
Ag
fx0
@1
0
01
A+y0
@0
1
01
Ag
fx0
@1
0
01
A+z0
@0
0
11
Ag
fx0
@1
1
01
A+z0
@0
0
11
Ag . . .
fx0
@1
0
01
AgAA
fy0
@0
1
01
AgHHHH
fy0
@2
1
01
Ag
fy0
@1
1
11
Ag . . .
XXXXXXXXXXXXPPPPPPPPHHHHH@@
f0
@0
0
01
Ag
The subsets are described as spans of sets, using a minimal number of members,
and are shown connected to their supersets. Note that these subspaces fall
naturally into levels | planes on one level, lines on another, etc. | according to
how many vectors are in a minimal-sized spanning set.
So far in this chapter we have seen that to study the properties of linear
combinations, the right setting is a collection that is closed under these com-
binations. In the rst subsection we introduced such collections, vector spaces,
and we saw a great variety of examples. In this subsection we saw still more
spaces, ones that happen to be subspaces of others. In all of the variety we've
seen a commonality. Example 2.19 above brings it out: vector spaces and sub-
spaces are best understood as a span, and especially as a span of a small number
of vectors. The next section studies spanning sets that are minimal.
Exercises
X2.20 Which of these subsets of the vector space of 2 2 matrices are subspaces
under the inherited operations? For each one that is a subspace, parametrize its
description. For each that is not, give a condition that fails.
(a)fa0
0ba;b2Rg
(b)fa0
0ba+b= 0g
(c)fa0
0ba+b= 5g
(d)fa c
0ba+b= 0;c2Rg
X2.21 Is this a subspace of P2:fa0+a1x+a2x2a0+ 2a1+a2= 4g? If it is then
parametrize its description.
96 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
X2.22 Decide if the vector lies in the span of the set, inside of the space.
(a)0
@2
0
11
A,f0
@1
0
01
A;0
@0
0
11
Ag, inR3
(b)x x3,fx2;2x+x2;x+x3g, inP3
(c)0 1
4 2
,f1 0
1 1
;2 0
2 3
g, inM22
2.23 Which of these are members of the span [ fcos2x;sin2xg] in the vector space
of real-valued functions of one real variable?
(a)f(x) = 1 (b)f(x) = 3 +x2(c)f(x) = sinx(d)f(x) = cos(2x)
X2.24 Which of these sets spans R3? That is, which of these sets has the property
that any three-tall vector can be expressed as a suitable linear combination of the
set's elements?
(a)f0
@1
0
01
A;0
@0
2
01
A;0
@0
0
31
Ag(b)f0
@2
0
11
A;0
@1
1
01
A;0
@0
0
11
Ag(c)f0
@1
1
01
A;0
@3
0
01
Ag
(d)f0
@1
0
11
A;0
@3
1
01
A;0
@ 1
0
01
A;0
@2
1
51
Ag(e)f0
@2
1
11
A;0
@3
0
11
A;0
@5
1
21
A;0
@6
0
21
Ag
X2.25 Parametrize each subspace's description. Then express each subspace as a
span.
(a)The subsetf
a b ca c= 0gof the three-wide row vectors
(b)This subset ofM22
fa b
c da+d= 0g
(c)This subset ofM22
fa b
c d2a c d= 0 anda+ 3b= 0g
(d)The subsetfa+bx+cx3a 2b+c= 0gofP3
(e)The subset ofP2of quadratic polynomials psuch thatp(7) = 0
X2.26 Find a set to span the given subspace of the given space. ( Hint. Parametrize
each.)
(a)thexz-plane in R3
(b)f0
@x
y
z1
A3x+ 2y+z= 0ginR3
(c)f0
BB@x
y
z
w1
CCA2x+y+w= 0 andy+ 2z= 0ginR4
(d)fa0+a1x+a2x2+a3x3a0+a1= 0 anda2 a3= 0ginP3
(e)The setP4in the spaceP4
(f)M22inM22
2.27 IsR2a subspace of R3?
X2.28 Decide if each is a subspace of the vector space of real-valued functions of one
real variable.
(a)The even functionsff:R!Rf( x) =f(x) for allxg. For example, two
members of this set are f1(x) =x2andf2(x) = cos(x).
Section I. Denition of Vector Space 97
(b)The oddfunctionsff:R!Rf( x) = f(x) for allxg. Two members are
f3(x) =x3andf4(x) = sin(x).
2.29 Example 2.16 says that for any vector ~ vthat is an element of a vector space
V, the setfr~ vr2Rgis a subspace of V. (This is of course, simply the span of
the singleton setf~ vg.) Must any such subspace be a proper subspace, or can it be
improper?
2.30 An example following the denition of a vector space shows that the solution
set of a homogeneous linear system is a vector space. In the terminology of this
subsection, it is a subspace of Rnwhere the system has nvariables. What about
a non-homogeneous linear system; do its solutions form a subspace (under the
inherited operations)?
2.31 Example 2.19 shows that R3has innitely many subspaces. Does every non-
trivial space have innitely many subspaces?
2.32 Finish the proof of Lemma 2.9.
2.33 Show that each vector space has only one trivial subspace.
X2.34 Show that for any subset Sof a vector space, the span of the span equals the
span [[S]] = [S]. (Hint. Members of [ S] are linear combinations of members of S.
Members of [[ S]] are linear combinations of linear combinations of members of S.)
2.35 All of the subspaces that we've seen use zero in their description in some
way. For example, the subspace in Example 2.3 consists of all the vectors from R2
with a second component of zero. In contrast, the collection of vectors from R2
with a second component of one does not form a subspace (it is not closed under
scalar multiplication). Another example is Example 2.2, where the condition on
the vectors is that the three components add to zero. If the condition were that the
three components add to one then it would not be a subspace (again, it would fail
to be closed). This exercise shows that a reliance on zero is not strictly necessary.
Consider the set
f0
@x
y
z1
Ax+y+z= 1g
under these operations.0
@x1
y1
z11
A+0
@x2
y2
z21
A=0
@x1+x2 1
y1+y2
z1+z21
Ar0
@x
y
z1
A=0
@rx r+ 1
ry
rz1
A
(a)Show that it is not a subspace of R3. (Hint. See Example 2.5).
(b)Show that it is a vector space. Note that by the prior item, Lemma 2.9 can
not apply.
(c)Show that any subspace of R3must pass through the origin, and so any
subspace of R3must involve zero in its description. Does the converse hold?
Does any subset of R3that contains the origin become a subspace when given
the inherited operations?
2.36 We can give a justication for the convention that the sum of zero-many
vectors equals the zero vector. Consider this sum of three vectors ~ v1+~ v2+
~ v3.
(a)What is the dierence between this sum of three vectors and the sum of the
rst two of these three?
(b)What is the dierence between the prior sum and the sum of just the rst
one vector?
98 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
(c)What should be the dierence between the prior sum of one vector and the
sum of no vectors?
(d)So what should be the denition of the sum of no vectors?
2.37 Is a space determined by its subspaces? That is, if two vector spaces have the
same subspaces, must the two be equal?
2.38 (a) Give a set that is closed under scalar multiplication but not addition.
(b)Give a set closed under addition but not scalar multiplication.
(c)Give a set closed under neither.
2.39 Show that the span of a set of vectors does not depend on the order in which
the vectors are listed in that set.
2.40 Which trivial subspace is the span of the empty set? Is it
f0
@0
0
01
AgR3;orf0 + 0xgP 1;
or some other subspace?
2.41 Show that if a vector is in the span of a set then adding that vector to the set
won't make the span any bigger. Is that also `only if'?
X2.42 Subspaces are subsets and so we naturally consider how `is a subspace of'
interacts with the usual set operations.
(a)IfA;B are subspaces of a vector space, must their interesction A\Bbe a
subspace? Always? Sometimes? Never?
(b)Must the union A[Bbe a subspace?
(c)IfAis a subspace, must its complement be a subspace?
(Hint. Try some test subspaces from Example 2.19.)
X2.43 Does the span of a set depend on the enclosing space? That is, if Wis a
subspace of VandSis a subset of W(and so also a subset of V), might the span
ofSinWdier from the span of SinV?
2.44 Is the relation `is a subspace of' transitive? That is, if Vis a subspace of W
andWis a subspace of X, mustVbe a subspace of X?
X2.45 Because `span of' is an operation on sets we naturally consider how it interacts
with the usual set operations.
(a)IfSTare subsets of a vector space, is [ S][T]? Always? Sometimes?
Never?
(b)IfS;T are subsets of a vector space, is [ S[T] = [S][[T]?
(c)IfS;T are subsets of a vector space, is [ S\T] = [S]\[T]?
(d)Is the span of the complement equal to the complement of the span?
2.46 Reprove Lemma 2.15 without doing the empty set separately.
2.47 Find a structure that is closed under linear combinations, and yet is not a
vector space. ( Remark. This is a bit of a trick question.)
Section II. Linear Independence 99
II Linear Independence
The prior section shows that a vector space can be understood as an unrestricted
linear combination of some of its elements | that is, as a span. For example,
the space of linear polynomials fa+bxa;b2Rgis spanned by the set f1;xg.
The prior section also showed that a space can have many sets that span it.
The space of linear polynomials is also spanned by f1;2xgandf1;x;2xg.
At the end of that section we described some spanning sets as `minimal',
but we never precisely dened that word. We could take `minimal' to mean one
of two things. We could mean that a spanning set is minimal if it contains the
smallest number of members of any set with the same span. With this meaning
f1;x;2xgis not minimal because it has one member more than the other two.
Or we could mean that a spanning set is minimal when it has no elements that
can be removed without changing the span. Under this meaning f1;x;2xgis not
minimal because removing the 2 xand gettingf1;xgleaves the span unchanged.
The rst sense of minimality appears to be a global requirement, in that to
check if a spanning set is minimal we seemingly must look at all the spanning sets
of a subspace and nd one with the least number of elements. The second sense
of minimality is local in that we need to look only at the set under discussion
and consider the span with and without various elements. For instance, using
the second sense, we could compare the span of f1;x;2xgwith the span off1;xg
and note that the 2 xis a \repeat" in that its removal doesn't shrink the span.
In this section we will use the second sense of `minimal spanning set' because
of this technical convenience. However, the most important result of this book
is that the two senses coincide; we will prove that in the section after this one.
II.1 Denition and Examples
We rst characterize when a vector can be removed from a set without changing
the span of that set. For that, note that if a vector ~ vis not a member of a set S
then the union S[f~ vgand the set Sdier only in that the former contains ~ v.
1.1 Lemma WhereSis a subset of a vector space V,
[S] = [S[f~ vg] if and only if ~ v2[S]
for any~ v2V.
Proof .The left to right implication is easy. If [ S] = [S[f~ vg] then, since
~ v2[S[f~ vg], the equality of the two sets gives that ~ v2[S].
For the right to left implication assume that ~ v2[S] to show that [ S] = [S[
f~ vg] by mutual inclusion. The inclusion [ S][S[f~ vg] is obvious. For the other
inclusion [S][S[f~ vg], write an element of [ S[f~ vg] asd0~ v+d1~ s1++dm~ sm
and substitute ~ v's expansion as a linear combination of members of the same set
d0(c0~t0++ck~tk) +d1~ s1++dm~ sm. This is a linear combination of linear
100 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
combinations and so distributing d0results in a linear combination of vectors
fromS. Hence each member of [ S[f~ vg] is also a member of [ S]. QED
1.2 Example InR3, where
~ v1=0
@1
0
01
A~ v2=0
@0
1
01
A~ v3=0
@2
1
01
A
the spans [f~ v1;~ v2g] and [f~ v1;~ v2;~ v3g] are equal since ~ v3is in the span [f~ v1;~ v2g].
The lemma says that if we have a spanning set then we can remove a ~ vto
get a new set Swith the same span if and only if ~ vis a linear combination of
vectors from S. Thus, under the second sense described above, a spanning set
is minimal if and only if it contains no vectors that are linear combinations of
the others in that set. We have a term for this important property.
1.3 Denition A subset of a vector space is linearly independent if none
of its elements is a linear combination of the others. Otherwise it is linearly
dependent .
Here is an important observation: although this way of writing one vector
as a combination of the others
~ s0=c1~ s1+c2~ s2++cn~ sn
visually sets ~ s0o from the other vectors, algebraically there is nothing special
in that equation about ~ s0. For any~ siwith a coecient cithat is nonzero, we
can rewrite the relationship to set o ~ si.
~ si= (1=ci)~ s0+ ( c1=ci)~ s1++ ( cn=ci)~ sn
When we don't want to single out any vector by writing it alone on one side of the
equation we will instead say that ~ s0;~ s1;:::;~ snare in a linear relationship and
write the relationship with all of the vectors on the same side. The next result
rephrases the linear independence denition in this style. It gives what is usually
the easiest way to compute whether a nite set is dependent or independent.
1.4 Lemma A subsetSof a vector space is linearly independent if and only if
for any distinct ~ s1;:::;~ sn2Sthe only linear relationship among those vectors
c1~ s1++cn~ sn=~0c1;:::;cn2R
is the trivial one: c1= 0;:::; cn= 0.
Proof .This is a direct consequence of the observation above.
If the setSis linearly independent then no vector ~ sican be written as a linear
combination of the other vectors from Sso there is no linear relationship where
some of the ~ s's have nonzero coecients. If Sis not linearly independent then
some~ siis a linear combination ~ si=c1~ s1++ci 1~ si 1+ci+1~ si+1++cn~ snof
other vectors from S, and subtracting ~ sifrom both sides of that equation gives
a linear relationship involving a nonzero coecient, namely the 1 in front of
~ si. QED
Section II. Linear Independence 101
1.5 Example In the vector space of two-wide row vectors, the two-element set
f 40 15
; 50 25
gis linearly independent. To check this, set
c1 40 15
+c2 50 25
= 0 0
and solving the resulting system
40c1 50c2= 0
15c1+ 25c2= 0 (15=40)1+2 !40c1 50c2= 0
(175=4)c2= 0
shows that both c1andc2are zero. So the only linear relationship between the
two given row vectors is the trivial relationship.
In the same vector space, f 40 15
; 20 7:5
gis linearly dependent since
we can satisfy
c1 40 15
+c2 20 7:5
= 0 0
withc1= 1 andc2= 2.
1.6 Remark Recall the Statics example that began this book. We rst set the
unknown-mass objects at 40 cm and 15 cm and got a balance, and then we set
the objects at 50 cm and 25 cm and got a balance. With those two pieces of
information we could compute values of the unknown masses. Had we instead
rst set the unknown-mass objects at 40 cm and 15 cm, and then at 20 cm and
7:5 cm, we would not have been able to compute the values of the unknown
masses (try it). Intuitively, the problem is that the 20 7:5
information is a
\repeat" of the 40 15
information | that is, 20 7:5
is in the span of the
setf
40 15
g| and so we would be trying to solve a two-unknowns problem
with what is essentially one piece of information.
1.7 Example The setf1 +x;1 xgis linearly independent in P2, the space
of quadratic polynomials with real coecients, because
0 + 0x+ 0x2=c1(1 +x) +c2(1 x) = (c1+c2) + (c1 c2)x+ 0x2
gives
c1+c2= 0
c1 c2= 0 1+2 !c1+c2= 0
2c2= 0
since polynomials are equal only if their coecients are equal. Thus, the only
linear relationship between these two members of P2is the trivial one.
1.8 Example InR3, where
~ v1=0
@3
4
51
A~ v2=0
@2
9
21
A~ v3=0
@4
18
41
A
the setS=f~ v1;~ v2;~ v3gis linearly dependent because this is a relationship
0~ v1+ 2~ v2 1~ v3=~0
where not all of the scalars are zero (the fact that some of the scalars are zero
doesn't matter).
102 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
1.9 Remark That example illustrates why, although Denition 1.3 is a clearer
statement of what independence is, Lemma 1.4 is more useful for computations.
Working straight from the denition, someone trying to compute whether Sis
linearly independent would start by setting ~ v1=c2~ v2+c3~ v3and concluding
that there are no such c2andc3. But knowing that the rst vector is not
dependent on the other two is not enough. This person would have to go on to
try~ v2=c1~ v1+c3~ v3to nd the dependence c1= 0,c3= 1=2. Lemma 1.4 gets
the same conclusion with only one computation.
1.10 Example The empty subset of a vector space is linearly independent.
There is no nontrivial linear relationship among its members as it has no mem-
bers.
1.11 Example In any vector space, any subset containing the zero vector is
linearly dependent. For example, in the space P2of quadratic polynomials,
consider the subset f1 +x;x+x2;0g.
One way to see that this subset is linearly dependent is to use Lemma 1.4: we
have 0~ v1+0~ v2+1~0 =~0, and this is a nontrivial relationship as not all of the
coecients are zero. Another way to see that this subset is linearly dependent
is to go straight to Denition 1.3: we can express the third member of the subset
as a linear combination of the rst two, namely, c1~ v1+c2~ v2=~0 is satised by
takingc1= 0 andc2= 0 (in contrast to the lemma, the denition allows all of
the coecients to be zero).
(There is subtler way to see that this subset is dependent. The zero vector is
equal to the trivial sum, the sum of the empty set. So a set containing the zero
vector has an element that can be written as a combination of a set of other
vectors from the set, specically, the zero vector can be written as a combination
of the empty set.)
The above examples, especially Example 1.5, underline the discussion that
begins this section. The next result says that given a nite set, we can produce
a linearly independent subset by discarding what Remark 1.6 calls \repeats".
1.12 Theorem In a vector space, any nite subset has a linearly independent
subset with the same span.
Proof .If the setS=f~ s1;:::;~ sngis linearly independent then Sitself satises
the statement, so assume that it is linearly dependent.
By the denition of dependence, there is a vector ~ sithat is a linear combina-
tion of the others. Call that vector ~ v1. Discard it | dene the set S1=S f~ v1g.
By Lemma 1.1, the span does not shrink [ S1] = [S].
Now, ifS1is linearly independent then we are nished. Otherwise iterate the
prior paragraph: take a vector ~ v2that is a linear combination of other members
ofS1and discard it to derive S2=S1 f~ v2gsuch that [S2] = [S1]. Repeat this
until a linearly independent set Sjappears; one must appear eventually because
Sis nite and the empty set is linearly independent. (Formally, this argument
uses induction on n, the number of elements in the starting set. Exercise 37
asks for the details.) QED
Section II. Linear Independence 103
1.13 Example This set spans R3(the check of this is easy).
S=f0
@1
0
01
A;0
@0
2
01
A;0
@1
2
01
A;0
@0
1
11
A;0
@3
3
01
Ag
Looking for a linear relationship
c10
@1
0
01
A+c20
@0
2
01
A+c30
@1
2
01
A+c40
@0
1
11
A+c50
@3
3
01
A=0
@0
0
01
A ()
gives a system
c1 +c3+ + 3c5= 0
2c2+ 2c3 c4+ 3c5= 0
c4+ = 0
with leading variables c1,c2, andc4and free variables c3andc5. We can
paramatrize the solution set in this way.
f0
BBBB@c1
c2
c3
c4
c51
CCCCA=c30
BBBB@ 1
1
1
0
01
CCCCA+c50
BBBB@ 3
3=2
0
0
11
CCCCAc3;c52Rg
SoSis linearly dependent.
To nd something to discard, consider the vectors associated with the free
variablesc3andc5. Settingc3= 0 andc5= 1 shows that that c1= 3,
c2= 3=2,c3= 0,c4= 0, andc5= 1 is a linear dependence in equation ( )
above, that is, c5's vector is a linear combination of the rst two. Lemma 1.1
says that discarding this fth vector
S1=f0
@1
0
01
A;0
@0
2
01
A;0
@1
2
01
A;0
@0
1
11
Ag
leaves the span unchanged [ S1] = [S].
Similarly, setting c3= 1 andc5= 0 gives a linear dependence in equation ( )
above. Since c5= 0 this is a relationship among the rst four vectors, the
members of S1. Thus we can discard c3's vector from S1to get
S2=f0
@1
0
01
A;0
@0
2
01
A;0
@0
1
11
Ag
with the same span as S1, and therefore the same span as S, but with one
dierence. We can easily check that S2is linearly independent and so discarding
any of its elements will shrink the span.
104 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
That example makes clear the general method: given a nite set of vectors,
we rst write the system to nd a linear dependence. Then discarding any
vectors associated with the free variables of that system will leave the span
unchanged.
Theorem 1.12 describes producing a linearly independent set by shrinking,
that is, by taking subsets. We nish this subsection by considering how linear
independence and dependence, which are properties of sets, interact with the
subset relation between sets.
1.14 Lemma Any subset of a linearly independent set is also linearly inde-
pendent. Any superset of a linearly dependent set is also linearly dependent.
Proof .This is clear. QED
Restated, independence is preserved by subset and dependence is preserved
by superset.
Those are two of the four possible cases of interaction that we can consider.
The third case, whether linear dependence is preserved by the subset operation,
is covered by Example 1.13, which gives a linearly dependent set Swith a subset
S1that is linearly dependent and another subset S2that is linearly independent.
That leaves one case, whether linear independence is preserved by superset.
The next example shows what can happen.
1.15 Example In each of these three paragraphs the subset Sis linearly
independent.
For the set
S=f0
@1
0
01
Ag
the span [S] is thexaxis. Here are two supersets of S, one linearly dependent
and the other linearly independent.
dependent:f0
@1
0
01
A;0
@ 3
0
01
Ag independent:f0
@1
0
01
A;0
@0
1
01
Ag
Checking the dependence or independence of these sets is easy.
For
S=f0
@1
0
01
A;0
@0
1
01
Ag
the span [S] is thexyplane. These are two supersets.
dependent:f0
@1
0
01
A;0
@0
1
01
A;0
@3
2
01
Ag independent:f0
@1
0
01
A;0
@0
1
01
A;0
@0
0
11
Ag
Section II. Linear Independence 105
If
S=f0
@1
0
01
A;0
@0
1
01
A;0
@0
0
11
Ag
then [S] =R3. A linearly dependent superset is
dependent:f0
@1
0
01
A;0
@0
1
01
A;0
@0
0
11
A;0
@2
1
31
Ag
but there are no linearly independent supersets of S. The reason is that for any
vector that we would add to make a superset, the linear dependence equation
0
@x
y
z1
A=c10
@1
0
01
A+c20
@0
1
01
A+c30
@0
0
11
A
has a solution c1=x,c2=y, andc3=z.
So, in general, a linearly independent set may have a superset that is depen-
dent. And, in general, a linearly independent set may have a superset that is
independent. We can characterize when the superset is one and when it is the
other.
1.16 Lemma WhereSis a linearly independent subset of a vector space V,
S[f~ vgis linearly dependent if and only if ~ v2[S]
for any~ v2Vwith~ v62S.
Proof .One implication is clear: if ~ v2[S] then~ v=c1~ s1+c2~ s2++cn~ sn
where each ~ si2Sandci2R, and so~0 =c1~ s1+c2~ s2++cn~ sn+ ( 1)~ vis a
nontrivial linear relationship among elements of S[f~ vg.
The other implication requires the assumption that Sis linearly independent.
WithS[f~ vglinearly dependent, there is a nontrivial linear relationship c0~ v+
c1~ s1+c2~ s2++cn~ sn=~0 and independence of Sthen implies that c06= 0, or
else that would be a nontrivial relationship among members of S. Now rewriting
this equation as ~ v= (c1=c0)~ s1 (cn=c0)~ snshows that ~ v2[S]. QED
(Compare this result with Lemma 1.1. Both say, roughly, that ~ vis a \repeat"
if it is in the span of S. However, note the additional hypothesis here of linear
independence.)
1.17 Corollary A subsetS=f~ s1;:::;~ sngof a vector space is linearly depen-
dent if and only if some ~ siis a linear combination of the vectors ~ s1, . . . ,~ si 1
listed before it.
Proof .ConsiderS0=fg,S1=f~ s1g,S2=f~ s1;~ s2g, etc. Some index i1 is
the rst one with Si 1[f~ siglinearly dependent, and there ~ si2[Si 1].QED
106 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
Lemma 1.16 can be restated in terms of independence instead of dependence:
ifSis linearly independent and ~ v62Sthen the set S[f~ vgis also linearly
independent if and only if ~ v62[S]:Applying Lemma 1.1, we conclude that if S
is linearly independent and ~ v62SthenS[f~ vgis also linearly independent if
and only if [ S[f~ vg]6= [S]. Brie
y, when passing from Sto a superset S1, to
preserve linear independence we must expand the span [ S1][S].
Example 1.15 shows that some linearly independent sets are maximal | have
as many elements as possible | in that they have no supersets that are linearly
independent. By the prior paragraph, a linearly independent sets is maximal if
and only if it spans the entire space, because then no vector exists that is not
already in the span.
This table summarizes the interaction between the properties of indepen-
dence and dependence and the relations of subset and superset.
S1S S 1S
Sindependent S1must be independent S1may be either
Sdependent S1may be either S1must be dependent
In developing this table we've uncovered an intimate relationship between linear
independence and span. Complementing the fact that a spanning set is minimal
if and only if it is linearly independent, a linearly independent set is maximal if
and only if it spans the space.
In summary, we have introduced the denition of linear independence to
formalize the idea of the minimality of a spanning set. We have developed some
properties of this idea. The most important is Lemma 1.16, which tells us that
a linearly independent set is maximal when it spans the space.
Exercises
X1.18 Decide whether each subset of R3is linearly dependent or linearly indepen-
dent.
(a)f0
@1
3
51
A;0
@2
2
41
A;0
@4
4
141
Ag
(b)f0
@1
7
71
A;0
@2
7
71
A;0
@3
7
71
Ag
(c)f0
@0
0
11
A;0
@1
0
41
Ag
(d)f0
@9
9
01
A;0
@2
0
11
A;0
@3
5
41
A;0
@12
12
11
Ag
X1.19 Which of these subsets of P3are linearly dependent and which are indepen-
dent?
(a)f3 x+ 9x2;5 6x+ 3x2;1 + 1x 5x2g
(b)f x2;1 + 4x2g
(c)f2 +x+ 7x2;3 x+ 2x2;4 3x2g
Section II. Linear Independence 107
(d)f8 + 3x+ 3x2;x+ 2x2;2 + 2x+ 2x2;8 2x+ 5x2g
X1.20 Prove that each set ff;ggis linearly independent in the vector space of all
functions from R+toR.
(a)f(x) =xandg(x) = 1=x
(b)f(x) = cos(x) andg(x) = sin(x)
(c)f(x) =exandg(x) = ln(x)
X1.21 Which of these subsets of the space of real-valued functions of one real vari-
able is linearly dependent and which is linearly independent? (Note that we have
abbreviated some constant functions; e.g., in the rst item, the `2' stands for the
constant function f(x) = 2.)
(a)f2;4 sin2(x);cos2(x)g(b)f1;sin(x);sin(2x)g(c)fx;cos(x)g
(d)f(1 +x)2;x2+ 2x;3g(e)fcos(2x);sin2(x);cos2(x)g(f)f0;x;x2g
1.22 Does the equation sin2(x)=cos2(x) = tan2(x) show that this set of functions
fsin2(x);cos2(x);tan2(x)gis a linearly dependent subset of the set of all real-valued
functions with domain the interval ( =2::=2) of real numbers between =2 and
=2)?
1.23 Why does Lemma 1.4 say \distinct"?
X1.24 Show that the nonzero rows of an echelon form matrix form a linearly inde-
pendent set.
X1.25 (a) Show that if the set f~ u;~ v;~ wgis linearly independent set then so is the
setf~ u;~ u+~ v;~ u+~ v+~ wg.
(b)What is the relationship between the linear independence or dependence of
the setf~ u;~ v;~ wgand the independence or dependence of f~ u ~ v;~ v ~ w;~ w ~ ug?
1.26 Example 1.10 shows that the empty set is linearly independent.
(a)When is a one-element set linearly independent?
(b)How about a set with two elements?
1.27 In any vector space V, the empty set is linearly independent. What about all
ofV?
1.28 Show that iff~ x;~ y;~ zgis linearly independent then so are all of its proper
subsets:f~ x;~ yg,f~ x;~ zg,f~ y;~ zg,f~ xg,f~ yg,f~ zg, andfg. Is that `only if' also?
1.29 (a) Show that this
S=f0
@1
1
01
A;0
@ 1
2
01
Ag
is a linearly independent subset of R3.
(b)Show that0
@3
2
01
A
is in the span of Sby ndingc1andc2giving a linear relationship.
c10
@1
1
01
A+c20
@ 1
2
01
A=0
@3
2
01
A
Show that the pair c1;c2is unique.
(c)Assume that Sis a subset of a vector space and that ~ vis in [S], so that~ vis
a linear combination of vectors from S. Prove that if Sis linearly independent
then a linear combination of vectors from Sadding to~ vis unique (that is, unique
up to reordering and adding or taking away terms of the form 0 ~ s). ThusS
108 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
as a spanning set is minimal in this strong sense: each vector in [ S] is \hit" a
minimum number of times | only once.
(d)Prove that it can happen when Sis not linearly independent that distinct
linear combinations sum to the same vector.
1.30 Prove that a polynomial gives rise to the zero function if and only if it is
the zero polynomial. ( Comment. This question is not a Linear Algebra matter,
but we often use the result. A polynomial gives rise to a function in the obvious
way:x7!cnxn++c1x+c0.)
1.31 Return to Section 1.2 and redene point, line, plane, and other linear surfaces
to avoid degenerate cases.
1.32 (a) Show that any set of four vectors in R2is linearly dependent.
(b)Is this true for any set of ve? Any set of three?
(c)What is the most number of elements that a linearly independent subset of
R2can have?
X1.33 Is there a set of four vectors in R3, any three of which form a linearly inde-
pendent set?
1.34 Must every linearly dependent set have a subset that is dependent and a
subset that is independent?
1.35 InR4, what is the biggest linearly independent set you can nd? The smallest?
The biggest linearly dependent set? The smallest? (`Biggest' and `smallest' mean
that there are no supersets or subsets with the same property.)
X1.36 Linear independence and linear dependence are properties of sets. We can
thus naturally ask how those properties act with respect to the familiar elementary
set relations and operations. In this body of this subsection we have covered the
subset and superset relations. We can also consider the operations of intersection,
complementation, and union.
(a)How does linear independence relate to intersection: can an intersection of
linearly independent sets be independent? Must it be?
(b)How does linear independence relate to complementation?
(c)Show that the union of two linearly independent sets need not be linearly
independent.
(d)Characterize when the union of two linearly independent sets is linearly in-
dependent, in terms of the intersection of the span of each.
X1.37 For Theorem 1.12,
(a)ll in the induction for the proof;
(b)give an alternate proof that starts with the empty set and builds a sequence
of linearly independent subsets of the given nite set until one appears with the
same span as the given set.
1.38 With a little calculation we can get formulas to determine whether or not a
set of vectors is linearly independent.
(a)Show that this subset of R2
fa
c
;b
d
g
is linearly independent if and only if ad bc6= 0.
(b)Show that this subset of R3
f0
@a
d
g1
A;0
@b
e
h1
A;0
@c
f
i1
Ag
is linearly independent i aei+bfg+cdh hfa idb gec6= 0.
Section II. Linear Independence 109
(c)When is this subset of R3
f0
@a
d
g1
A;0
@b
e
h1
Ag
linearly independent?
(d)This is an opinion question: for a set of four vectors from R4, must there be
a formula involving the sixteen entries that determines independence of the set?
(You needn't produce such a formula, just decide if one exists.)
X1.39 (a) Prove that a set of two perpendicular nonzero vectors from Rnis linearly
independent when n>1.
(b)What ifn= 1?n= 0?
(c)Generalize to more than two vectors.
1.40 Consider the set of functions from the open interval ( 1::1) toR.
(a)Show that this set is a vector space under the usual operations.
(b)Recall the formula for the sum of an innite geometric series: 1+ x+x2+=
1=(1 x) for allx2( 1::1). Why does this not express a dependence inside of the
setfg(x) = 1=(1 x);f0(x) = 1;f1(x) =x;f2(x) =x2;:::g(in the vector space
that we are considering)? ( Hint. Review the denition of linear combination.)
(c)Show that the set in the prior item is linearly independent.
This shows that some vector spaces exist with linearly independent subsets that
are innite.
1.41 Show that, where Sis a subspace of V, if a subset TofSis linearly indepen-
dent inSthenTis also linearly independent in V. Is that `only if'?
110 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
III Basis and Dimension
The prior section ends with the statement that a spanning set is minimal when it
is linearly independent and a linearly independent set is maximal when it spans
the space. So the notions of minimal spanning set and maximal independent
set coincide. In this section we will name this idea and study its properties.
III.1 Basis
1.1 Denition Abasis for a vector space is a sequence of vectors that form
a set that is linearly independent and that spans the space.
We denote a basis with angle brackets h~1;~2;:::ito signify that this collec-
tion is a sequence| the order of the elements is signicant. (The requirement
that a basis be ordered will be needed, for instance, in Denition 1.13.)
1.2 Example This is a basis for R2.
h2
4
;1
1
i
It is linearly independent
c1
2
4
+c2
1
1
=0
0
=)2c1+ 1c2= 0
4c1+ 1c2= 0=)c1=c2= 0
and it spans R2.
2c1+ 1c2=x
4c1+ 1c2=y=)c2= 2x yandc1= (y x)=2
1.3 Example This basis for R2
h1
1
;2
4
i
diers from the prior one because the vectors are in a dierent order. The
verication that it is a basis is just as in the prior example.
1.4 Example The space R2has many bases. Another one is this.
h1
0
;0
1
i
The verication is easy.
More information on sequences is in the appendix.
Section III. Basis and Dimension 111
1.5 Denition For any Rn,
En=h0
BBB@1
0
...
01
CCCA;0
BBB@0
1
...
01
CCCA;:::;0
BBB@0
0
...
11
CCCAi
is the standard (ornatural ) basis. We denote these vectors by ~ e1;:::;~ en.
(Calculus books refer to R2's standard basis vectors ~ {and~ |instead of~ e1and
~ e2, and they refer to R3's standard basis vectors ~ {,~ |, and~kinstead of~ e1,~ e2,
and~ e3.) Note that the symbol ` ~ e1' means something dierent in a discussion of
R3than it means in a discussion of R2.
1.6 Example Consider the space facos+bsina;b2Rgof functions of
the real variable . This is a natural basis.
h1cos+ 0sin;0cos+ 1sini=hcos;sini
Another, more generic, basis is hcos sin;2 cos+ 3 sini. Vercation that
these two are bases is Exercise 22.
1.7 Example A natural basis for the vector space of cubic polynomials P3is
h1;x;x2;x3i. Two other bases for this space are hx3;3x2;6x;6iandh1;1+x;1+
x+x2;1 +x+x2+x3i. Checking that these are linearly independent and span
the space is easy.
1.8 Example The trivial space f~0ghas only one basis, the empty one hi.
1.9 Example The space of nite-degree polynomials has a basis with innitely
many elementsh1;x;x2;:::i.
1.10 Example We have seen bases before. In the rst chapter we described
the solution set of homogeneous systems such as this one
x+y w= 0
z+w= 0
by parametrizing.
f0
BB@ 1
1
0
01
CCAy+0
BB@1
0
1
11
CCAwy;w2Rg
That is, we described the vector space of solutions as the span of a two-element
set. We can easily check that this two-vector set is also linearly independent.
Thus the solution set is a subspace of R4with a two-element basis.
112 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
1.11 Example Parameterization helps nd bases for other vector spaces, not
just for solution sets of homogeneous systems. To nd a basis for this subspace
ofM22
f
a b
c0a+b 2c= 0g
we rewrite the condition as a= b+ 2c.
f
b+ 2c b
c 0b;c2Rg=fb
1 1
0 0
+c
2 0
1 0b;c2Rg
Thus, this is a natural candidate for a basis.
h 1 1
0 0
;2 0
1 0
i
The above work shows that it spans the space. To show that it is linearly
independent is routine.
Consider again Example 1.2. It involves two verications.
In the rst, to check that the set is linearly independent we looked at linear
combinations of the set's members that total to the zero vector c1~1+c2~2= 0
0
.
The resulting calculation shows that such a combination is unique, that c1must
be 0 andc2must be 0.
The second verication, that the set spans the space, looks at linear combi-
nations that total to any member of the space c1~1+c2~2= x
y
. In Example 1.2
we noted only that the resulting calculation shows that such a combination ex-
ists, that for each x;ythere is ac1;c2. However, in fact the calculation also
shows that the combination is unique: c1must be (y x)=2 andc2must be
2x y.
That is, the rst calculation is a special case of the second. The next result
says that this holds in general for a spanning set: the combination totaling to
the zero vector is unique if and only if the combination totaling to any vector
is unique.
1.12 Theorem In any vector space, a subset is a basis if and only if each
vector in the space can be expressed as a linear combination of elements of the
subset in a unique way.
We consider combinations to be the same if they dier only in the order of
summands or in the addition or deletion of terms of the form `0 ~'.
Proof .By denition, a sequence is a basis if and only if its vectors form both
a spanning set and a linearly independent set. A subset is a spanning set if
and only if each vector in the space is a linear combination of elements of that
subset in at least one way.
Thus, to nish we need only show that a subset is linearly independent if
and only if every vector in the space is a linear combination of elements from
the subset in at most one way. Consider two expressions of a vector as a linear
Section III. Basis and Dimension 113
combination of the members of the basis. We can rearrange the two sums, and
if necessary add some 0 ~iterms, so that the two sums combine the same ~'s in
the same order: ~ v=c1~1+c2~2++cn~nand~ v=d1~1+d2~2++dn~n.
Now
c1~1+c2~2++cn~n=d1~1+d2~2++dn~n
holds if and only if
(c1 d1)~1++ (cn dn)~n=~0
holds, and so asserting that each coecient in the lower equation is zero is the
same thing as asserting that ci=difor eachi. QED
1.13 Denition In a vector space with basis Btherepresentation of ~ vwith
respect toBis the column vector of the coecients used to express ~ vas a linear
combination of the basis vectors:
RepB(~ v) =0
BBB@c1
c2
...
cn1
CCCA
whereB=h~1;:::;~niand~ v=c1~1+c2~2++cn~n. Thec's are the
coordinates of ~ vwith respect to B.
We will later do representations in contexts that involve more than one basis.
To help with the bookkeeping, we shall often attach a subscript Bto the column
vector.
1.14 Example InP3, with respect to the basis B=h1;2x;2x2;2x3i, the
representation of x+x2is
RepB(x+x2) =0
BB@0
1=2
1=2
01
CCA
B
(note that the coordinates are scalars, not vectors). With respect to a dierent
basisD=h1 +x;1 x;x+x2;x+x3i, the representation
RepD(x+x2) =0
BB@0
0
1
01
CCA
D
is dierent.
114 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
1.15 Remark This use of column notation and the term `coordinates' has
both a down side and an up side.
The down side is that representations look like vectors from Rn, which can
be confusing when the vector space we are working with is Rn, especially since
we sometimes omit the subscript base. We must then infer the intent from the
context. For example, the phrase `in R2, where~ v= 3
2
' refers to the plane
vector that, when in canonical position, ends at (3 ;2). To nd the coordinates
of that vector with respect to the basis
B=h1
1
;0
2
i
we solve
c11
1
+c20
2
=3
2
to get that c1= 3 andc2= 1=2. Then we have this.
RepB(~ v) =3
1=2
Here, although we've ommited the subscript Bfrom the column, the fact that
the right side is a representation is clear from the context.
The up side of the notation and the term `coordinates' is that they generalize
the use that we are familiar with: in Rnand with respect to the standard
basisEn, the vector starting at the origin and ending at ( v1;:::;vn) has this
representation.
RepEn(0
B@v1
...
vn1
CA) =0
B@v1
...
vn1
CA
En
Our main use of representations will come in the third chapter. The de-
nition appears here because the fact that every vector is a linear combination
of basis vectors in a unique way is a crucial property of bases, and also to help
make two points. First, we x an order for the elements of a basis so that
coordinates can be stated in that order. Second, for calculation of coordinates,
among other things, we shall restrict our attention to spaces with bases having
only nitely many elements. We will see that in the next subsection.
Exercises
X1.16 Decide if each is a basis for R3.
(a)h0
@1
2
31
A;0
@3
2
11
A;0
@0
0
11
Ai(b)h0
@1
2
31
A;0
@3
2
11
Ai(c)h0
@0
2
11
A;0
@1
1
11
A;0
@2
5
01
Ai
(d)h0
@0
2
11
A;0
@1
1
11
A;0
@1
3
01
Ai
Section III. Basis and Dimension 115
X1.17 Represent the vector with respect to the basis.
(a)1
2
,B=h1
1
; 1
1
iR2
(b)x2+x3,D=h1;1 +x;1 +x+x2;1 +x+x2+x3iP 3
(c)0
BB@0
1
0
11
CCA,E4R4
1.18 Find a basis forP2, the space of all quadratic polynomials. Must any such
basis contain a polynomial of each degree: degree zero, degree one, and degree two?
1.19 Find a basis for the solution set of this system.
x1 4x2+ 3x3 x4= 0
2x1 8x2+ 6x3 2x4= 0
X1.20 Find a basis forM22, the space of 22 matrices.
X1.21 Find a basis for each.
(a)The subspacefa2x2+a1x+a0a2 2a1=a0gofP2
(b)The space of three-wide row vectors whose rst and second components add
to zero
(c)This subspace of the 2 2 matrices
fa b
0cc 2b= 0g
1.22 Check Example 1.6.
X1.23 Find the span of each set and then nd a basis for that span.
(a)f1 +x;1 + 2xginP2(b)f2 2x;3 + 4x2ginP2
X1.24 Find a basis for each of these subspaces of the space P3of cubic polynomi-
als.
(a)The subspace of cubic polynomials p(x) such that p(7) = 0
(b)The subspace of polynomials p(x) such that p(7) = 0 and p(5) = 0
(c)The subspace of polynomials p(x) such that p(7) = 0,p(5) = 0, and p(3) = 0
(d)The space of polynomials p(x) such that p(7) = 0,p(5) = 0,p(3) = 0,
andp(1) = 0
1.25 We've seen that it is possible for a basis to remain a basis when it is reordered.
Must it remain a basis?
1.26 Can a basis contain a zero vector?
X1.27 Leth~1;~2;~3ibe a basis for a vector space.
(a)Show thathc1~1;c2~2;c3~3iis a basis when c1;c2;c36= 0. What happens
when at least one ciis 0?
(b)Prove thath~ 1;~ 2;~ 3iis a basis where ~ i=~1+~i.
1.28 Find one vector ~ vthat will make each into a basis for the space.
(a)h1
1
;~ viinR2(b)h0
@1
1
01
A;0
@0
1
01
A;~ viinR3(c)hx;1 +x2;~ viinP2
X1.29 Whereh~1;:::;~niis a basis, show that in this equation
c1~1++ck~k=ck+1~k+1++cn~n
each of the ci's is zero. Generalize.
1.30 A basis contains some of the vectors from a vector space; can it contain them
all?
116 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
1.31 Theorem 1.12 shows that, with respect to a basis, every linear combination is
unique. If a subset is not a basis, can linear combinations be not unique? If so,
must they be?
X1.32 A square matrix is symmetric if for all indices iandj, entryi;jequals entry
j;i.
(a)Find a basis for the vector space of symmetric 2 2 matrices.
(b)Find a basis for the space of symmetric 3 3 matrices.
(c)Find a basis for the space of symmetric nnmatrices.
X1.33 We can show that every basis for R3contains the same number of vec-
tors.
(a)Show that no linearly independent subset of R3contains more than three
vectors.
(b)Show that no spanning subset of R3contains fewer than three vectors. Hint:
recall how to calculate the span of a set and show that this method cannot yield
all ofR3when it is applied to fewer than three vectors.
1.34 One of the exercises in the Subspaces subsection shows that the set
f0
@x
y
z1
Ax+y+z= 1g
is a vector space under these operations.0
@x1
y1
z11
A+0
@x2
y2
z21
A=0
@x1+x2 1
y1+y2
z1+z21
Ar0
@x
y
z1
A=0
@rx r+ 1
ry
rz1
A
Find a basis.
III.2 Dimension
In the prior subsection we dened the basis of a vector space, and we saw that
a space can have many dierent bases. For example, following the denition of
a basis, we saw three dierent bases for R2. So we cannot talk about \the" basis
for a vector space. True, some vector spaces have bases that strike us as more
natural than others, for instance, R2's basisE2orR3's basisE3orP2's basis
h1;x;x2i. But, for example in the space fa2x2+a1x+a02a2 a0=a1g, no
particular basis leaps out at us as the most natural one. We cannot, in general,
associate with a space any single basis that best describes that space.
We can, however, nd something about the bases that is uniquely associated
with the space. This subsection shows that any two bases for a space have the
same number of elements. So, with each space we can associate a number, the
number of vectors in any of its bases.
This brings us back to when we considered the two things that could be
meant by the term `minimal spanning set'. At that point we dened `minimal'
as linearly independent, but we noted that another reasonable interpretation of
the term is that a spanning set is `minimal' when it has the fewest number of
elements of any set with the same span. At the end of this subsection, after we
Section III. Basis and Dimension 117
have shown that all bases have the same number of elements, then we will have
shown that the two senses of `minimal' are equivalent.
Before we start, we rst limit our attention to spaces where at least one basis
has only nitely many members.
2.1 Denition A vector space is nite-dimensional if it has a basis with only
nitely many vectors.
(One reason for sticking to nite-dimensional spaces is so that the representation
of a vector with respect to a basis is a nitely-tall vector, and so can be easily
written.) From now on we study only nite-dimensional vector spaces. We shall
take the term `vector space' to mean `nite-dimensional vector space'. Other
spaces are interesting and important, but they lie outside of our scope.
To prove the main theorem we shall use a technical result, the Exchange
Lemma. We rst illustrate its conclusion with an example.
2.2 Example Here is a basis for R3and a vector given as a linear combination
of members of that basis.
B=h0
@1
0
01
A;0
@1
1
01
A;0
@0
0
21
Ai0
@1
2
01
A= ( 1)0
@1
0
01
A+ 20
@1
1
01
A+ 00
@0
0
21
A
In that combination two of the basis vectors have non-zero coecients. We
can pick either one, here we pick the rst. Replacing it with the vector we've
expressed as the combination
^B=h0
@1
2
01
A;0
@1
1
01
A;0
@0
0
21
Ai
gives a new basis for the space.
2.3 Lemma (Exchange Lemma) Assume that B=h~1;:::;~niis a basis
for a vector space, and that for the vector ~ vthe relationship ~ v=c1~1+c2~2+
+cn~nhasci6= 0. Then exchanging ~ifor~ vyields another basis for the
space.
Proof .Call the outcome of the exchange ^B=h~1;:::;~i 1;~ v;~i+1;:::;~ni.
We rst show that ^Bis linearly independent. Any relationship d1~1++
di~ v++dn~n=~0 among the members of ^B, after substitution for ~ v,
d1~1++di(c1~1++ci~i++cn~n) ++dn~n=~0 ()
gives a linear relationship among the members of B. The basis Bis linearly
independent, so the coecient diciof~iis zero. Because ciis assumed to be
nonzero,di= 0. Using this in equation ( ) above gives that all of the other d's
are also zero. Therefore ^Bis linearly independent.
118 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
We nish by showing that ^Bhas the same span as B. Half of this argument,
that [ ^B][B], is easy; any member d1~1++di~ v++dn~nof [^B] can
be written d1~1++di(c1~1++cn~n) ++dn~n, which is a linear
combination of linear combinations of members of B, and hence is in [ B]. For
the [B][^B] half of the argument, recall that when ~ v=c1~1++cn~nwith
ci6= 0, then the equation can be rearranged to ~i= ( c1=ci)~1++(1=ci)~ v+
+ ( cn=ci)~n. Now, consider any member d1~1++di~i++dn~n
of [B], substitute for ~iits expression as a linear combination of the members
of^B, and recognize (as in the rst half of this argument) that the result is a
linear combination of linear combinations, of members of ^B, and hence is in
[^B]. QED
2.4 Theorem In any nite-dimensional vector space, all of the bases have
the same number of elements.
Proof .Fix a vector space with at least one nite basis. Choose, from among
all of this space's bases, one B=h~1;:::;~niof minimal size. We will show
that any other basis D=h~1;~2;:::ialso has the same number of members, n.
BecauseBhas minimal size, Dhas no fewer than nvectors. We will argue that
it cannot have more than nvectors.
The basisBspans the space and ~1is in the space, so ~1is a nontrivial linear
combination of elements of B. By the Exchange Lemma, ~1can be swapped for
a vector from B, resulting in a basis B1, where one element is ~and all of the
n 1 other elements are ~'s.
The prior paragraph forms the basis step for an induction argument. The
inductive step starts with a basis Bk(for 1k<n ) containing kmembers of D
andn kmembers of B. We know that Dhas at least nmembers so there is a
~k+1. Represent it as a linear combination of elements of Bk. The key point: in
that representation, at least one of the nonzero scalars must be associated with
a~ior else that representation would be a nontrivial linear relationship among
elements of the linearly independent set D. Exchange ~k+1for~ito get a new
basisBk+1with one~more and one ~fewer than the previous basis Bk.
Repeat the inductive step until no ~'s remain, so that Bncontains~1;:::;~n.
Now,Dcannot have more than these nvectors because any ~n+1that remains
would be in the span of Bn(since it is a basis) and hence would be a linear com-
bination of the other ~'s, contradicting that Dis linearly independent. QED
2.5 Denition The dimension of a vector space is the number of vectors in
any of its bases.
2.6 Example Any basis for Rnhasnvectors since the standard basis Enhas
nvectors. Thus, this denition generalizes the most familiar use of term, that
Rnisn-dimensional.
2.7 Example The spacePnof polynomials of degree at most nhas dimension
n+1. We can show this by exhibiting any basis | h1;x;:::;xnicomes to mind |
and counting its members.
Section III. Basis and Dimension 119
2.8 Example A trivial space is zero-dimensional since its basis is empty.
Again, although we sometimes say `nite-dimensional' as a reminder, in the
rest of this book all vector spaces are assumed to be nite-dimensional. An
instance of this is that in the next result the word `space' should be taken to
mean `nite-dimensional vector space'.
2.9 Corollary No linearly independent set can have a size greater than the
dimension of the enclosing space.
Proof .Inspection of the above proof shows that it never uses that Dspans the
space, only that Dis linearly independent. QED
2.10 Example Recall the subspace diagram from the prior section showing
the subspaces of R3. Each subspace shown is described with a minimal spanning
set, for which we now have the term `basis'. The whole space has a basis with
three members, the plane subspaces have bases with two members, the line
subspaces have bases with one member, and the trivial subspace has a basis
with zero members. When we saw that diagram we could not show that these
are the only subspaces that this space has. We can show it now. The prior
corollary proves that the only subspaces of R3are either three-, two-, one-, or
zero-dimensional. Therefore, the diagram indicates all of the subspaces. There
are no subspaces somehow, say, between lines and planes.
2.11 Corollary Any linearly independent set can be expanded to make a basis.
Proof .If a linearly independent set is not already a basis then it must not
span the space. Adding to it a vector that is not in the span preserves linear
independence. Keep adding, until the resulting set does span the space, which
the prior corollary shows will happen after only a nite number of steps. QED
2.12 Corollary Any spanning set can be shrunk to a basis.
Proof .Call the spanning set S. IfSis empty then it is already a basis (the
space must be a trivial space). If S=f~0gthen it can be shrunk to the empty
basis, thereby making it linearly independent, without changing its span.
Otherwise, Scontains a vector ~ s1with~ s16=~0 and we can form a basis
B1=h~ s1i. If [B1] = [S] then we are done.
If not then there is a ~ s22[S] such that ~ s262[B1]. LetB2=h~ s1;~ s2i; if
[B2] = [S] then we are done.
We can repeat this process until the spans are equal, which must happen in
at most nitely many steps. QED
2.13 Corollary In ann-dimensional space, a set of nvectors is linearly inde-
pendent if and only if it spans the space.
Proof .First we will show that a subset with nvectors is linearly independent
if and only if it is a basis. `If' is trivially true | bases are linearly independent.
`Only if' holds because a linearly independent set can be expanded to a basis,
120 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
but a basis has nelements, so this expansion is actually the set that we began
with.
To nish, we will show that any subset with nvectors spans the space if and
only if it is a basis. Again, `if' is trivial. `Only if' holds because any spanning
set can be shrunk to a basis, but a basis has nelements and so this shrunken
set is just the one we started with. QED
The main result of this subsection, that all of the bases in a nite-dimensional
vector space have the same number of elements, is the single most important
result in this book because, as Example 2.10 shows, it describes what vector
spaces and subspaces there can be. We will see more in the next chapter.
2.14 Remark The case of innite-dimensional vector spaces is somewhat con-
troversial. The statement `any innite-dimensional vector space has a basis'
is known to be equivalent to a statement called the Axiom of Choice (see
[Blass 1984]). Mathematicians dier philosophically on whether to accept or
reject this statement as an axiom on which to base mathematics (although, the
great majority seem to accept it). Consequently the question about innite-
dimensional vector spaces is still somewhat up in the air. (A discussion of the
Axiom of Choice can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions list for the
Usenet group sci.math . Another accessible reference is [Rucker].)
Exercises
Assume that all spaces are nite-dimensional unless otherwise stated.
X2.15 Find a basis for, and the dimension of, P2.
2.16 Find a basis for, and the dimension of, the solution set of this system.
x1 4x2+ 3x3 x4= 0
2x1 8x2+ 6x3 2x4= 0
X2.17 Find a basis for, and the dimension of, M22, the vector space of 2 2 matrices.
2.18 Find the dimension of the vector space of matricesa b
c d
subject to each condition.
(a)a;b;c;d2R
(b)a b+ 2c= 0 andd2R
(c)a+b+c= 0,a+b c= 0, andd2R
X2.19 Find the dimension of each.
(a)The space of cubic polynomials p(x) such that p(7) = 0
(b)The space of cubic polynomials p(x) such that p(7) = 0 and p(5) = 0
(c)The space of cubic polynomials p(x) such that p(7) = 0,p(5) = 0, and p(3) =
0
(d)The space of cubic polynomials p(x) such that p(7) = 0,p(5) = 0,p(3) = 0,
andp(1) = 0
2.20 What is the dimension of the span of the set fcos2;sin2;cos 2;sin 2g? This
span is a subspace of the space of all real-valued functions of one real variable.
2.21 Find the dimension of C47, the vector space of 47-tuples of complex numbers.
Section III. Basis and Dimension 121
2.22 What is the dimension of the vector space M35of 35 matrices?
X2.23 Show that this is a basis for R4.
h0
BB@1
0
0
01
CCA;0
BB@1
1
0
01
CCA;0
BB@1
1
1
01
CCA;0
BB@1
1
1
11
CCAi
(The results of this subsection can be used to simplify this job.)
2.24 Refer to Example 2.10.
(a)Sketch a similar subspace diagram for P2.
(b)Sketch one forM22.
X2.25 WhereSis a set, the functions f:S!Rform a vector space under the
natural operations: the sum f+gis the function given by f+g(s) =f(s) +g(s)
and the scalar product is given by rf(s) =rf(s). What is the dimension of the
space resulting for each domain?
(a)S=f1g(b)S=f1;2g(c)S=f1;:::;ng
2.26 (See Exercise 25.) Prove that this is an innite-dimensional space: the set of
all functions f:R!Runder the natural operations.
2.27 (See Exercise 25.) What is the dimension of the vector space of functions
f:S!R, under the natural operations, where the domain Sis the empty set?
2.28 Show that any set of four vectors in R2is linearly dependent.
2.29 Show thath~ 1;~ 2;~ 3iR3is a basis if and only if there is no plane through
the origin containing all three vectors.
2.30 (a) Prove that any subspace of a nite dimensional space has a basis.
(b)Prove that any subspace of a nite dimensional space is nite dimensional.
2.31 Where is the niteness of Bused in Theorem 2.4?
X2.32 Prove that if UandWare both three-dimensional subspaces of R5thenU\W
is non-trivial. Generalize.
2.33 A basis for a space consists of elements of that space. So we are naturally
led to how the property `is a basis' interacts with operations and\and[. (Of
course, a basis is actually a sequence in that it is ordered, but there is a natural
extension of these operations.)
(a)Consider rst how bases might be related by . Assume that U;W are
subspaces of some vector space and that UW. Can there exist bases BUfor
UandBWforWsuch thatBUBW? Must such bases exist?
For any basis BUforU, must there be a basis BWforWsuch thatBUBW?
For any basis BWforW, must there be a basis BUforUsuch thatBUBW?
For any bases BU;BWforUandW, mustBUbe a subset of BW?
(b)Is the\of bases a basis? For what space?
(c)Is the[of bases a basis? For what space?
(d)What about the complement operation?
(Hint. Test any conjectures against some subspaces of R3.)
X2.34 Consider how `dimension' interacts with `subset'. Assume UandWare both
subspaces of some vector space, and that UW.
(a)Prove that dim( U)dim(W).
(b)Prove that equality of dimension holds if and only if U=W.
(c)Show that the prior item does not hold if they are innite-dimensional.
?2.35 For any vector ~ vinRnand any permutation of the numbers 1, 2, . . . , n
(that is,is a rearrangement of those numbers into a new order), dene (~ v)
122 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
to be the vector whose components are v(1),v(2), . . . , andv(n)(where(1) is
the rst number in the rearrangement, etc.). Now x ~ vand letVbe the span of
f(~ v)permutes 1, . . . , ng. What are the possibilities for the dimension of V?
[Wohascum no. 47]
III.3 Vector Spaces and Linear Systems
We will now reconsider linear systems and Gauss' method, aided by the tools
and terms of this chapter. We will make three points.
For the rst point, recall the rst chapter's Linear Combination Lemma and
its corollary: if two matrices are related by row operations A ! ! Bthen
each row of Bis a linear combination of the rows of A. That is, Gauss' method
works by taking linear combinations of rows. Therefore, the right setting in
which to study row operations in general, and Gauss' method in particular, is
the following vector space.
3.1 Denition The row space of a matrix is the span of the set of its rows. The
row rank is the dimension of the row space, the number of linearly independent
rows.
3.2 Example If
A=2 3
4 6
then Rowspace( A) is this subspace of the space of two-component row vectors.
fc1 2 3
+c2 4 6c1;c22Rg
The linear dependence of the second on the rst is obvious and so we can simplify
this description to fc 2 3c2Rg.
3.3 Lemma If the matrices AandBare related by a row operation
Ai$j !BorAki !BorAki+j !B
(fori6=jandk6= 0) then their row spaces are equal. Hence, row-equivalent
matrices have the same row space, and hence also, the same row rank.
Proof .By the Linear Combination Lemma's corollary, each row of Bis in the
row space of A. Further, Rowspace( B)Rowspace(A) because a member of
the set Rowspace( B) is a linear combination of the rows of B, which means it
is a combination of a combination of the rows of A, and hence, by the Linear
Combination Lemma, is also a member of Rowspace( A).
For the other containment, recall that row operations are reversible: A !B
if and only if B !A. With that, Rowspace( A)Rowspace(B) also follows
from the prior paragraph, and so the two sets are equal. QED
Section III. Basis and Dimension 123
Thus, row operations leave the row space unchanged. But of course, Gauss'
method performs the row operations systematically, with a specic goal in mind,
echelon form.
3.4 Lemma The nonzero rows of an echelon form matrix make up a linearly
independent set.
Proof .A result in the rst chapter, Lemma III.2.4, states that in an echelon
form matrix, no nonzero row is a linear combination of the other rows. This is
a restatement of that result into new terminology. QED
Thus, in the language of this chapter, Gaussian reduction works by elim-
inating linear dependences among rows, leaving the span unchanged, until no
nontrivial linear relationships remain (among the nonzero rows). That is, Gauss'
method produces a basis for the row space.
3.5 Example From any matrix, we can produce a basis for the row space by
performing Gauss' method and taking the nonzero rows of the resulting echelon
form matrix. For instance,
0
@1 3 1
1 4 1
2 0 51
A 1+2 !
21+362+3 !0
@1 3 1
0 1 0
0 0 31
A
produces the basis h 1 3 1
; 0 1 0
; 0 0 3
ifor the row space. This
is a basis for the row space of both the starting and ending matrices, since the
two row spaces are equal.
Using this technique, we can also nd bases for spans not directly involving
row vectors.
3.6 Denition The column space of a matrix is the span of the set of its
columns. The column rank is the dimension of the column space, the number
of linearly independent columns.
Our interest in column spaces stems from our study of linear systems. An
example is that this system
c1+ 3c2+ 7c3=d1
2c1+ 3c2+ 8c3=d2
c2+ 2c3=d3
4c1 + 4c3=d4
has a solution if and only if the vector of d's is a linear combination of the other
column vectors,
c10
BB@1
2
0
41
CCA+c20
BB@3
3
1
01
CCA+c30
BB@7
8
2
41
CCA=0
BB@d1
d2
d3
d41
CCA
meaning that the vector of d's is in the column space of the matrix of coecients.
124 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
3.7 Example Given this matrix,
0
BB@1 3 7
2 3 8
0 1 2
4 0 41
CCA
to get a basis for the column space, temporarily turn the columns into rows and
reduce.
0
@1 2 0 4
3 3 1 0
7 8 2 41
A 31+2 !
71+3 22+3 !0
@1 2 0 4
0 3 1 12
0 0 0 01
A
Now turn the rows back to columns.
h0
BB@1
2
0
41
CCA;0
BB@0
3
1
121
CCAi
The result is a basis for the column space of the given matrix.
3.8 Denition The transpose of a matrix is the result of interchanging the
rows and columns of that matrix. That is, column jof the matrix Ais rowj
ofAtrans, and vice versa.
So the instructions for the prior example are \transpose, reduce, and transpose
back".
We can even, at the price of tolerating the as-yet-vague idea of vector spaces
being \the same", use Gauss' method to nd bases for spans in other types of
vector spaces.
3.9 Example To get a basis for the span of fx2+x4;2x2+ 3x4; x2 3x4g
in the spaceP4, think of these three polynomials as \the same" as the row
vectors 0 0 1 0 1
, 0 0 2 0 3
, and 0 0 1 0 3
, apply
Gauss' method
0
@0 0 1 0 1
0 0 2 0 3
0 0 1 0 31
A 21+2 !
1+322+3 !0
@0 0 1 0 1
0 0 0 0 1
0 0 0 0 01
A
and translate back to get the basis hx2+x4;x4i. (As mentioned earlier, we will
make the phrase \the same" precise at the start of the next chapter.)
Thus, our rst point in this subsection is that the tools of this chapter give
us a more conceptual understanding of Gaussian reduction.
For the second point of this subsection, consider the eect on the column
space of this row reduction.
1 2
2 4
21+2 !1 2
0 0
Section III. Basis and Dimension 125
The column space of the left-hand matrix contains vectors with a second compo-
nent that is nonzero. But the column space of the right-hand matrix is dierent
because it contains only vectors whose second component is zero. It is this
knowledge that row operations can change the column space that makes next
result surprising.
3.10 Lemma Row operations do not change the column rank.
Proof .Restated, if Areduces to Bthen the column rank of Bequals the
column rank of A.
We will be done if we can show that row operations do not aect linear
relationships among columns because the column rank is just the size of the
largest set of unrelated columns. That is, we will show that a relationship
exists among columns (such as that the fth column is twice the second plus
the fourth) if and only if that relationship exists after the row operation. But
this is exactly the rst theorem of this book: in a relationship among columns,
c10
BBB@a1;1
a2;1
...
am;11
CCCA++cn0
BBB@a1;n
a2;n
...
am;n1
CCCA=0
BBB@0
0
...
01
CCCA
row operations leave unchanged the set of solutions ( c1;:::;cn). QED
Another way, besides the prior result, to state that Gauss' method has some-
thing to say about the column space as well as about the row space is to consider
again Gauss-Jordan reduction. Recall that it ends with the reduced echelon form
of a matrix, as here.
0
@1 3 1 6
2 6 3 16
1 3 1 61
A ! !0
@1 3 0 2
0 0 1 4
0 0 0 01
A
Consider the row space and the column space of this result. Our rst point
made above says that a basis for the row space is easy to get: simply collect
together all of the rows with leading entries. However, because this is a reduced
echelon form matrix, a basis for the column space is just as easy: take the
columns containing the leading entries, that is, h~ e1;~ e2i. (Linear independence
is obvious. The other columns are in the span of this set, since they all have a
third component of zero.) Thus, for a reduced echelon form matrix, bases for
the row and column spaces can be found in essentially the same way | by taking
the parts of the matrix, the rows or columns, containing the leading entries.
3.11 Theorem The row rank and column rank of a matrix are equal.
Proof .First bring the matrix to reduced echelon form. At that point, the
row rank equals the number of leading entries since each equals the number
of nonzero rows. Also at that point, the number of leading entries equals the
126 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
column rank because the set of columns containing leading entries consists of
some of the ~ ei's from a standard basis, and that set is linearly independent and
spans the set of columns. Hence, in the reduced echelon form matrix, the row
rank equals the column rank, because each equals the number of leading entries.
But Lemma 3.3 and Lemma 3.10 show that the row rank and column rank
are not changed by using row operations to get to reduced echelon form. Thus
the row rank and the column rank of the original matrix are also equal. QED
3.12 Denition The rank of a matrix is its row rank or column rank.
So our second point in this subsection is that the column space and row
space of a matrix have the same dimension. Our third and nal point is that
the concepts that we've seen arising naturally in the study of vector spaces are
exactly the ones that we have studied with linear systems.
3.13 Theorem For linear systems with nunknowns and with matrix of co-
ecientsA, the statements
(1) the rank of Aisr
(2) the space of solutions of the associated homogeneous system has dimen-
sionn r
are equivalent.
So if the system has at least one particular solution then for the set of solutions,
the number of parameters equals n r, the number of variables minus the rank
of the matrix of coecients.
Proof .The rank of Aisrif and only if Gaussian reduction on Aends withr
nonzero rows. That's true if and only if echelon form matrices row equivalent
toAhaver-many leading variables. That in turn holds if and only if there are
n rfree variables. QED
3.14 Remark [Munkres] Sometimes that result is mistakenly remembered to
say that the general solution of an nunknown system of mequations uses n m
parameters. The number of equations is not the relevant gure, rather, what
matters is the number of independent equations (the number of equations in
a maximal independent set). Where there are rindependent equations, the
general solution involves n rparameters.
3.15 Corollary Where the matrix Aisnn, the statements
(1) the rank of Aisn
(2)Ais nonsingular
(3) the rows of Aform a linearly independent set
(4) the columns of Aform a linearly independent set
(5) any linear system whose matrix of coecients is Ahas one and only one
solution
are equivalent.
Section III. Basis and Dimension 127
Proof .Clearly (1)() (2)() (3)() (4). The last, (4) () (5), holds
because a set of ncolumn vectors is linearly independent if and only if it is a
basis for Rn, but the system
c10
BBB@a1;1
a2;1
...
am;11
CCCA++cn0
BBB@a1;n
a2;n
...
am;n1
CCCA=0
BBB@d1
d2
...
dm1
CCCA
has a unique solution for all choices of d1;:::;dn2Rif and only if the vectors
ofa's form a basis. QED
Exercises
3.16 Transpose each.
(a)2 1
3 1
(b)2 1
1 3
(c)1 4 3
6 7 8
(d)0
@0
0
01
A
(e)
1 2
X3.17 Decide if the vector is in the row space of the matrix.
(a)2 1
3 1
,
1 0
(b)0
@0 1 3
1 0 1
1 2 71
A,
1 1 1
X3.18 Decide if the vector is in the column space.
(a)1 1
1 1
,1
3
(b)0
@1 3 1
2 0 4
1 3 31
A,0
@1
0
01
A
X3.19 Find a basis for the row space of this matrix.
0
BB@2 0 3 4
0 1 1 1
3 1 0 2
1 0 4 11
CCA
X3.20 Find the rank of each matrix.
(a)0
@2 1 3
1 1 2
1 0 31
A (b)0
@1 1 2
3 3 6
2 2 41
A (c)0
@1 3 2
5 1 1
6 4 31
A
(d)0
@0 0 0
0 0 0
0 0 01
A
X3.21 Find a basis for the span of each set.
(a)f
1 3
;
1 3
;
1 4
;
2 1
gM 12
(b)f0
@1
2
11
A;0
@3
1
11
A;0
@1
3
31
AgR3
(c)f1 +x;1 x2;3 + 2x x2gP 3
(d)f1 0 1
3 1 1
;1 0 3
2 1 4
; 1 0 5
1 1 9
gM 23
3.22 Which matrices have rank zero? Rank one?
128 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
X3.23 Givena;b;c2R, what choice of dwill cause this matrix to have the rank of
one? a b
c d
3.24 Find the column rank of this matrix.1 3 1 5 0 4
2 0 1 0 4 1
3.25 Show that a linear system with at least one solution has at most one solution
if and only if the matrix of coecients has rank equal to the number of its columns.
X3.26 If a matrix is 59, which set must be dependent, its set of rows or its set of
columns?
3.27 Give an example to show that, despite that they have the same dimension,
the row space and column space of a matrix need not be equal. Are they ever
equal?
3.28 Show that the set f(1; 1;2; 3);(1;1;2;0);(3; 1;6; 6)gdoes not have the
same span asf(1;0;1;0);(0;2;0;3)g. What, by the way, is the vector space?
X3.29 Show that this set of column vectors8
<
:0
@d1
d2
d31
Athere arex,y, andzsuch that3x+ 2y+ 4z=d1
x z=d2
2x+ 2y+ 5z=d39
=
;
is a subspace of R3. Find a basis.
3.30 Show that the transpose operation is linear :
(rA+sB)trans=rAtrans+sBtrans
forr;s2RandA;B2Mmn,
X3.31 In this subsection we have shown that Gaussian reduction nds a basis for
the row space.
(a)Show that this basis is not unique | dierent reductions may yield dierent
bases.
(b)Produce matrices with equal row spaces but unequal numbers of rows.
(c)Prove that two matrices have equal row spaces if and only if after Gauss-
Jordan reduction they have the same nonzero rows.
3.32 Why is there not a problem with Remark 3.14 in the case that ris bigger
thann?
3.33 Show that the row rank of an mnmatrix is at most m. Is there a better
bound?
X3.34 Show that the rank of a matrix equals the rank of its transpose.
3.35 True or false: the column space of a matrix equals the row space of its trans-
pose.
X3.36 We have seen that a row operation may change the column space. Must it?
3.37 Prove that a linear system has a solution if and only if that system's matrix
of coecients has the same rank as its augmented matrix.
3.38 Anmnmatrix has full row rank if its row rank is m, and it has full column
rank if its column rank is n.
(a)Show that a matrix can have both full row rank and full column rank only
if it is square.
(b)Prove that the linear system with matrix of coecients Ahas a solution for
anyd1, . . . ,dn's on the right side if and only if Ahas full row rank.
Section III. Basis and Dimension 129
(c)Prove that a homogeneous system has a unique solution if and only if its
matrix of coecients Ahas full column rank.
(d)Prove that the statement \if a system with matrix of coecients Ahas any
solution then it has a unique solution" holds if and only if Ahas full column
rank.
3.39 How would the conclusion of Lemma 3.3 change if Gauss' method is changed
to allow multiplying a row by zero?
X3.40 What is the relationship between rank( A) and rank( A)? Between rank( A)
and rank(kA)? What, if any, is the relationship between rank( A), rank(B), and
rank(A+B)?
III.4 Combining Subspaces
This subsection is optional. It is required only for the last sections of Chapter
Three and Chapter Five and for occasional exercises, and can be passed over
without loss of continuity.
This chapter opened with the denition of a vector space, and the mid-
dle consisted of a rst analysis of the idea. This subsection closes the chapter
by nishing the analysis, in the sense that `analysis' means \method of de-
termining the . . . essential features of something by separating it into parts"
[Macmillan Dictionary].
A common way to understand things is to see how they can be built from
component parts. For instance, we think of R3as put together, in some way,
from thex-axis, they-axis, andz-axis. In this subsection we will make this
precise; we will describe how to decompose a vector space into a combination of
some of its subspaces. In developing this idea of subspace combination, we will
keep the R3example in mind as a benchmark model.
Subspaces are subsets and sets combine via union. But taking the combi-
nation operation for subspaces to be the simple union operation isn't what we
want. For one thing, the union of the x-axis, they-axis, andz-axis is not all of
R3, so the benchmark model would be left out. Besides, union is all wrong for
this reason: a union of subspaces need not be a subspace (it need not be closed;
for instance, this R3vector
0
@1
0
01
A+0
@0
1
01
A+0
@0
0
11
A=0
@1
1
11
A
is in none of the three axes and hence is not in the union). In addition to
the members of the subspaces, we must at least also include all of the linear
combinations.
4.1 Denition WhereW1;:::;Wkare subspaces of a vector space, their sum
is the span of their union W1+W2++Wk= [W1[W2[:::Wk].
130 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
(The notation, writing the `+' between sets in addition to using it between
vectors, ts with the practice of using this symbol for any natural accumulation
operation.)
4.2 Example TheR3model ts with this operation. Any vector ~ w2R3can
be written as a linear combination c1~ v1+c2~ v2+c3~ v3where~ v1is a member of
thex-axis, etc., in this way
0
@w1
w2
w31
A= 10
@w1
0
01
A+ 10
@0
w2
01
A+ 10
@0
0
w31
A
and so R3=x-axis +y-axis +z-axis.
4.3 Example A sum of subspaces can be less than the entire space. Inside of
P4, letLbe the subspace of linear polynomials fa+bxa;b2Rgand letCbe
the subspace of purely-cubic polynomials fcx3c2Rg. ThenL+Cis not all
ofP4. Instead, it is the subspace L+C=fa+bx+cx3a;b;c2Rg.
4.4 Example A space can be described as a combination of subspaces in more
than one way. Besides the decomposition R3=x-axis +y-axis +z-axis, we can
also write R3=xy-plane +yz-plane. To check this, note that any ~ w2R3can
be written as a linear combination of a member of the xy-plane and a member
of theyz-plane; here are two such combinations.
0
@w1
w2
w31
A= 10
@w1
w2
01
A+ 10
@0
0
w31
A0
@w1
w2
w31
A= 10
@w1
w2=2
01
A+ 10
@0
w2=2
w31
A
The above denition gives one way in which a space can be thought of as a
combination of some of its parts. However, the prior example shows that there is
at least one interesting property of our benchmark model that is not captured by
the denition of the sum of subspaces. In the familiar decomposition of R3, we
often speak of a vector's ` xpart' or `ypart' or `zpart'. That is, in this model,
each vector has a unique decomposition into parts that come from the parts
making up the whole space. But in the decomposition used in Example 4.4, we
cannot refer to the \ xypart" of a vector | these three sums
0
@1
2
31
A=0
@1
2
01
A+0
@0
0
31
A=0
@1
0
01
A+0
@0
2
31
A=0
@1
1
01
A+0
@0
1
31
A
all describe the vector as comprised of something from the rst plane plus some-
thing from the second plane, but the \ xypart" is dierent in each.
That is, when we consider how R3is put together from the three axes \in
some way", we might mean \in such a way that every vector has at least one
decomposition", and that leads to the denition above. But if we take it to
mean \in such a way that every vector has one and only one decomposition"
Section III. Basis and Dimension 131
then we need another condition on combinations. To see what this condition
is, recall that vectors are uniquely represented in terms of a basis. We can use
this to break a space into a sum of subspaces such that any vector in the space
breaks uniquely into a sum of members of those subspaces.
4.5 Example The benchmark is R3with its standard basis E3=h~ e1;~ e2;~ e3i.
The subspace with the basis B1=h~ e1iis thex-axis. The subspace with the
basisB2=h~ e2iis they-axis. The subspace with the basis B3=h~ e3iis the
z-axis. The fact that any member of R3is expressible as a sum of vectors from
these subspaces0
@x
y
z1
A=0
@x
0
01
A+0
@0
y
01
A+0
@0
0
z1
A
is a re
ection of the fact that E3spans the space | this equation
0
@x
y
z1
A=c10
@1
0
01
A+c20
@0
1
01
A+c30
@0
0
11
A
has a solution for any x;y;z2R. And, the fact that each such expression is
unique re
ects that fact that E3is linearly independent | any equation like the
one above has a unique solution.
4.6 Example We don't have to take the basis vectors one at a time, the same
idea works if we conglomerate them into larger sequences. Consider again the
space R3and the vectors from the standard basis E3. The subspace with the
basisB1=h~ e1;~ e3iis thexz-plane. The subspace with the basis B2=h~ e2iis
they-axis. As in the prior example, the fact that any member of the space is a
sum of members of the two subspaces in one and only one way
0
@x
y
z1
A=0
@x
0
z1
A+0
@0
y
01
A
is a re
ection of the fact that these vectors form a basis | this system
0
@x
y
z1
A= (c10
@1
0
01
A+c30
@0
0
11
A) +c20
@0
1
01
A
has one and only one solution for any x;y;z2R.
These examples illustrate a natural way to decompose a space into a sum
of subspaces in such a way that each vector decomposes uniquely into a sum of
vectors from the parts. The next result says that this way is the only way.
4.7 Denition The concatenation of the sequences B1=h~1;1;:::;~1;n1i,
. . . ,Bk=h~k;1;:::;~k;nkiis their adjoinment.
B1_B2__Bk=h~1;1;:::;~1;n1;~2;1;:::;~k;nki
132 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
4.8 Lemma LetVbe a vector space that is the sum of some of its subspaces
V=W1++Wk. LetB1, . . . ,Bkbe any bases for these subspaces. Then
the following are equivalent.
(1) For every ~ v2V, the expression ~ v=~ w1++~ wk(with~ wi2Wi) is
unique.
(2) The concatenation B1__Bkis a basis for V.
(3) The nonzero members of f~ w1;:::;~ wkg(with~ wi2Wi) form a linearly
independent set | among nonzero vectors from dierent Wi's, every linear
relationship is trivial.
Proof .We will show that (1) = )(2), that (2) =)(3), and nally that
(3) =)(1). For these arguments, observe that we can pass from a combination
of~ w's to a combination of ~'s
d1~ w1++dk~ wk
=d1(c1;1~1;1++c1;n1~1;n1) ++dk(ck;1~k;1++ck;nk~k;nk)
=d1c1;1~1;1++dkck;nk~k;nk ()
and vice versa.
For (1) =)(2), assume that all decompositions are unique. We will show
thatB1__Bkspans the space and is linearly independent. It spans the
space because the assumption that V=W1++Wkmeans that every ~ v
can be expressed as ~ v=~ w1++~ wk, which translates by equation ( ) to an
expression of ~ vas a linear combination of the ~'s from the concatenation. For
linear independence, consider this linear relationship.
~0 =c1;1~1;1++ck;nk~k;nk
Regroup as in () (that is, take d1, . . . ,dkto be 1 and move from bottom to
top) to get the decomposition ~0 =~ w1++~ wk. Because of the assumption
that decompositions are unique, and because the zero vector obviously has the
decomposition ~0 =~0++~0, we now have that each ~ wiis the zero vector. This
means that ci;1~i;1++ci;ni~i;ni=~0. Thus, since each Biis a basis, we have
the desired conclusion that all of the c's are zero.
For (2) =)(3), assume that B1__Bkis a basis for the space. Consider
a linear relationship among nonzero vectors from dierent Wi's,
~0 =+di~ wi+
in order to show that it is trivial. (The relationship is written in this way
because we are considering a combination of nonzero vectors from only some of
theWi's; for instance, there might not be a ~ w1in this combination.) As in ( ),
~0 =+di(ci;1~i;1++ci;ni~i;ni)+=+dici;1~i;1++dici;ni~i;ni+
and the linear independence of B1__Bkgives that each coecient dici;jis
zero. Now, ~ wiis a nonzero vector, so at least one of the ci;j's is not zero, and
thusdiis zero. This holds for each di, and therefore the linear relationship is
trivial.
Section III. Basis and Dimension 133
Finally, for (3) = )(1), assume that, among nonzero vectors from dierent
Wi's, any linear relationship is trivial. Consider two decompositions of a vector
~ v=~ w1++~ wkand~ v=~ u1++~ ukin order to show that the two are the
same. We have
~0 = (~ w1++~ wk) (~ u1++~ uk) = (~ w1 ~ u1) ++ (~ wk ~ uk)
which violates the assumption unless each ~ wi ~ uiis the zero vector. Hence,
decompositions are unique. QED
4.9 Denition A collection of subspaces fW1;:::;Wkgisindependent if no
nonzero vector from any Wiis a linear combination of vectors from the other
subspacesW1;:::;Wi 1;Wi+1;:::;Wk.
4.10 Denition A vector space Vis the direct sum (orinternal direct sum )
of its subspaces W1;:::;WkifV=W1+W2++Wkand the collection
fW1;:::;Wkgis independent. We write V=W1W2:::Wk.
4.11 Example The benchmark model ts: R3=x-axisy-axisz-axis.
4.12 Example The space of 22 matrices is this direct sum.
fa0
0da;d2Rgf0b
0 0b2Rgf0 0
c0c2Rg
It is the direct sum of subspaces in many other ways as well; direct sum decom-
positions are not unique.
4.13 Corollary The dimension of a direct sum is the sum of the dimensions
of its summands.
Proof .In Lemma 4.8, the number of basis vectors in the concatenation equals
the sum of the number of vectors in the subbases that make up the concatena-
tion. QED
The special case of two subspaces is worth mentioning separately.
4.14 Denition When a vector space is the direct sum of two of its subspaces,
then they are said to be complements .
4.15 Lemma A vector space Vis the direct sum of two of its subspaces W1
andW2if and only if it is the sum of the two V=W1+W2and their intersection
is trivialW1\W2=f~0g.
Proof .Suppose rst that V=W1W2. By denition, Vis the sum of the
two. To show that the two have a trivial intersection, let ~ vbe a vector from
W1\W2and consider the equation ~ v=~ v. On the left side of that equation
is a member of W1, and on the right side is a linear combination of members
134 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
(actually, of only one member) of W2. But the independence of the spaces then
implies that ~ v=~0, as desired.
For the other direction, suppose that Vis the sum of two spaces with a trivial
intersection. To show that Vis a direct sum of the two, we need only show
that the spaces are independent | no nonzero member of the rst is expressible
as a linear combination of members of the second, and vice versa. This is
true because any relationship ~ w1=c1~ w2;1++dk~ w2;k(with~ w12W1and
~ w2;j2W2for allj) shows that the vector on the left is also in W2, since the
right side is a combination of members of W2. The intersection of these two
spaces is trivial, so ~ w1=~0. The same argument works for any ~ w2. QED
4.16 Example In the space R2, thex-axis and the y-axis are complements, that
is,R2=x-axisy-axis. A space can have more than one pair of complementary
subspaces; another pair here are the subspaces consisting of the lines y=xand
y= 2x.
4.17 Example In the space F=facos+bsina;b2Rg, the subspaces
W1=facosa2RgandW2=fbsinb2Rgare complements. In addition
to the fact that a space like Fcan have more than one pair of complementary
subspaces, inside of the space a single subspace like W1can have more than one
complement | another complement of W1isW3=fbsin+bcosb2Rg.
4.18 Example InR3, thexy-plane and the yz-planes are not complements,
which is the point of the discussion following Example 4.4. One complement of
thexy-plane is the z-axis. A complement of the yz-plane is the line through
(1;1;1).
4.19 Example Following Lemma 4.15, here is a natural question: is the simple
sumV=W1++Wkalso a direct sum if and only if the intersection of the
subspaces is trivial? The answer is that if there are more than two subspaces
then having a trivial intersection is not enough to guarantee unique decompo-
sition (i.e., is not enough to ensure that the spaces are independent). In R3, let
W1be thex-axis, letW2be they-axis, and let W3be this.
W3=f0
@q
q
r1
Aq;r2Rg
The check that R3=W1+W2+W3is easy. The intersection W1\W2\W3is
trivial, but decompositions aren't unique.
0
@x
y
z1
A=0
@0
0
01
A+0
@0
y x
01
A+0
@x
x
z1
A=0
@x y
0
01
A+0
@0
0
01
A+0
@y
y
z1
A
(This example also shows that this requirement is also not enough: that all
pairwise intersections of the subspaces be trivial. See Exercise 30.)
In this subsection we have seen two ways to regard a space as built up from
component parts. Both are useful; in particular, in this book the direct sum
denition is needed to do the Jordan Form construction in the fth chapter.
Section III. Basis and Dimension 135
Exercises
X4.20 Decide if R2is the direct sum of each W1andW2.
(a)W1=fx
0x2Rg,W2=fx
xx2Rg
(b)W1=fs
ss2Rg,W2=fs
1:1ss2Rg
(c)W1=R2,W2=f~0g
(d)W1=W2=ft
tt2Rg
(e)W1=f1
0
+x
0x2Rg,W2=f 1
0
+0
yy2Rg
X4.21 Show that R3is the direct sum of the xy-plane with each of these.
(a)thez-axis
(b)the line
f0
@z
z
z1
Az2Rg
4.22 IsP2the direct sum of fa+bx2a;b2Rgandfcxc2Rg?
X4.23 InPn, the even polynomials are the members of this set
E=fp2Pnp( x) =p(x) for allxg
and the oddpolynomials are the members of this set.
O=fp2Pnp( x) = p(x) for allxg
Show that these are complementary subspaces.
4.24 Which of these subspaces of R3
W1: thex-axis,W2: they-axis,W3: thez-axis,
W4: the plane x+y+z= 0,W5: theyz-plane
can be combined to
(a)sum to R3?(b)direct sum to R3?
X4.25 Show thatPn=fa0a02Rg:::fanxnan2Rg.
4.26 What isW1+W2ifW1W2?
4.27 Does Example 4.5 generalize? That is, is this true or false: if a vector space V
has a basish~1;:::;~nithen it is the direct sum of the spans of the one-dimensional
subspacesV= [f~1g]:::[f~ng]?
4.28 CanR4be decomposed as a direct sum in two dierent ways? Can R1?
4.29 This exercise makes the notation of writing `+' between sets more natural.
Prove that, where W1;:::;Wkare subspaces of a vector space,
W1++Wk=f~ w1+~ w2++~ wk~ w12W1;:::;~ wk2Wkg;
and so the sum of subspaces is the subspace of all sums.
4.30 (Refer to Example 4.19. This exercise shows that the requirement that pari-
wise intersections be trivial is genuinely stronger than the requirement only that
the intersection of all of the subspaces be trivial.) Give a vector space and three
subspacesW1,W2, andW3such that the space is the sum of the subspaces, the
intersection of all three subspaces W1\W2\W3is trivial, but the pairwise inter-
sectionsW1\W2,W1\W3, andW2\W3are nontrivial.
136 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
X4.31 Prove that if V=W1:::WkthenWi\Wjis trivial whenever i6=j. This
shows that the rst half of the proof of Lemma 4.15 extends to the case of more
than two subspaces. (Example 4.19 shows that this implication does not reverse;
the other half does not extend.)
4.32 Recall that no linearly independent set contains the zero vector. Can an
independent set of subspaces contain the trivial subspace?
X4.33 Does every subspace have a complement?
X4.34 LetW1;W2be subspaces of a vector space.
(a)Assume that the set S1spansW1, and that the set S2spansW2. CanS1[S2
spanW1+W2? Must it?
(b)Assume that S1is a linearly independent subset of W1and thatS2is a
linearly independent subset of W2. CanS1[S2be a linearly independent subset
ofW1+W2? Must it?
4.35 When a vector space is decomposed as a direct sum, the dimensions of the
subspaces add to the dimension of the space. The situation with a space that is
given as the sum of its subspaces is not as simple. This exercise considers the
two-subspace special case.
(a)For these subspaces of M22ndW1\W2, dim(W1\W2),W1+W2, and
dim(W1+W2).
W1=f0 0
c dc;d2RgW2=f0b
c0b;c2Rg
(b)Suppose that UandWare subspaces of a vector space. Suppose that the
sequenceh~1;:::;~kiis a basis for U\W. Finally, suppose that the prior
sequence has been expanded to give a sequence h~ 1;:::;~ j;~1;:::;~kithat is a
basis forU, and a sequenceh~1;:::;~k;~ !1;:::;~ !pithat is a basis for W. Prove
that this sequence
h~ 1;:::;~ j;~1;:::;~k;~ !1;:::;~ !pi
is a basis for for the sum U+W.
(c)Conclude that dim( U+W) = dim(U) + dim(W) dim(U\W).
(d)LetW1andW2be eight-dimensional subspaces of a ten-dimensional space.
List all values possible for dim( W1\W2).
4.36 LetV=W1:::Wkand for each index isuppose that Siis a linearly
independent subset of Wi. Prove that the union of the Si's is linearly independent.
4.37 A matrix is symmetric if for each pair of indices iandj, thei;jentry equals
thej;ientry. A matrix is antisymmetric if eachi;jentry is the negative of the j;i
entry.
(a)Give a symmetric 2 2 matrix and an antisymmetric 2 2 matrix. ( Remark.
For the second one, be careful about the entries on the diagional.)
(b)What is the relationship between a square symmetric matrix and its trans-
pose? Between a square antisymmetric matrix and its transpose?
(c)Show thatMnnis the direct sum of the space of symmetric matrices and
the space of antisymmetric matrices.
4.38 LetW1;W2;W3be subspaces of a vector space. Prove that ( W1\W2)+(W1\
W3)W1\(W2+W3). Does the inclusion reverse?
4.39 The example of the x-axis and the y-axis in R2shows that W1W2=Vdoes
not imply that W1[W2=V. CanW1W2=VandW1[W2=Vhappen?
X4.40 Consider Corollary 4.13. Does it work both ways | that is, supposing that
V=W1++Wk, isV=W1:::Wkif and only if dim( V) = dim(W1) +
+ dim(Wk)?
Section III. Basis and Dimension 137
4.41 We know that if V=W1W2then there is a basis for Vthat splits into a
basis forW1and a basis for W2. Can we make the stronger statement that every
basis forVsplits into a basis for W1and a basis for W2?
4.42 We can ask about the algebra of the `+' operation.
(a)Is it commutative; is W1+W2=W2+W1?
(b)Is it associative; is ( W1+W2) +W3=W1+ (W2+W3)?
(c)LetWbe a subspace of some vector space. Show that W+W=W.
(d)Must there be an identity element, a subspace Isuch thatI+W=W+I=
Wfor all subspaces W?
(e)Does left-cancelation hold: if W1+W2=W1+W3thenW2=W3? Right
cancelation?
4.43 Consider the algebraic properties of the direct sum operation.
(a)Does direct sum commute: does V=W1W2imply that V=W2W1?
(b)Prove that direct sum is associative: ( W1W2)W3=W1(W2W3).
(c)Show that R3is the direct sum of the three axes (the relevance here is that by
the previous item, we needn't specify which two of the threee axes are combined
rst).
(d)Does the direct sum operation left-cancel: does W1W2=W1W3imply
W2=W3? Does it right-cancel?
(e)There is an identity element with respect to this operation. Find it.
(f)Do some, or all, subspaces have inverses with respect to this operation: is
there a subspace Wof some vector space such that there is a subspace Uwith
the property that UWequals the identity element from the prior item?
138 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
Topic: Fields
Linear combinations involving only fractions or only integers are much easier
for computations than combinations involving real numbers, because computing
with irrational numbers is awkward. Could other number systems, like the
rationals or the integers, work in the place of Rin the denition of a vector
space?
Yes and no. If we take \work" to mean that the results of this chapter
remain true then an analysis of which properties of the reals we have used in
this chapter gives the following list of conditions an algebraic system needs in
order to \work" in the place of R.
Denition. Aeld is a setFwith two operations `+' and ` ' such that
(1) for any a;b2F the result of a+bis inFand
a+b=b+a
ifc2F thena+ (b+c) = (a+b) +c
(2) for any a;b2F the result of abis inFand
ab=ba
ifc2F thena(bc) = (ab)c
(3) ifa;b;c2F thena(b+c) =ab+ac
(4) there is an element 0 2F such that
ifa2F thena+ 0 =a
for eacha2F there is an element a2F such that ( a) +a= 0
(5) there is an element 1 2F such that
ifa2F thena1 =a
for each element a6= 0 ofFthere is an element a 12F such that
a 1a= 1.
The number system consisting of the set of real numbers along with the usual
addition and multiplication operation is a eld, naturally. Another eld is the
set of rational numbers with its usual addition and multiplication operations.
An example of an algebraic structure that is not a eld is the integer number
system|it fails the nal condition.
Some examples are surprising. The set f0;1gunder these operations:
+0 1
00 1
11 00 1
00 0
10 1
is a eld (see Exercise 4).
Topic: Fields 139
We could develop Linear Algebra as the theory of vector spaces with scalars
from an arbitrary eld, instead of sticking to taking the scalars only from R. In
that case, almost all of the statements in this book would carry over by replacing
`R' with `F', and thus by taking coecients, vector entries, and matrix entries
to be elements of F(\almost" because statements involving distances or angles
are exceptions). Here are some examples; each applies to a vector space Vover
a eldF.
For any~ v2Vanda2F, (i) 0~ v=~0, and (ii) 1~ v+~ v=~0, and
(iii)a~0 =~0.
The span (the set of linear combinations) of a subset of Vis a subspace
ofV.
Any subset of a linearly independent set is also linearly independent.
In a nite-dimensional vector space, any two bases have the same number
of elements.
(Even statements that don't explicitly mention Fuse eld properties in their
proof.)
We won't develop vector spaces in this more general setting because the
additional abstraction can be a distraction. The ideas we want to bring out
already appear when we stick to the reals.
The only exception is in Chapter Five. In that chapter we must factor
polynomials, so we will switch to considering vector spaces over the eld of
complex numbers. We will discuss this more, including a brief review of complex
arithmetic, when we get there.
Exercises
1Show that the real numbers form a eld.
2Prove that these are elds.
(a)The rational numbers Q(b)The complex numbers C
3Give an example that shows that the integer number system is not a eld.
4Consider the set f0;1gsubject to the operations given above. Show that it is a
eld.
5Give suitable operations to make the set f0;1;2ga eld.
140 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
Topic: Crystals
Everyone has noticed that table salt comes in little cubes.
Remarkably, the explanation for the cubical external shape is the simplest
one: the internal shape, the way the atoms lie, is also cubical. The internal
structure is pictured below. Salt is sodium cloride, and the small spheres shown
are sodium while the big ones are cloride. To simplify the view, it only shows
the sodiums and clorides on the front, top, and right.
The specks of salt that we see when we spread a little out on the table consist of
many repetitions of this fundamental unit. That is, these cubes of atoms stack
up to make the larger cubical structure that we see. A solid, such as table salt,
with a regular internal structure is a crystal .
We can restrict our attention to the front face. There, we have the square
repeated many times.
The distance between the corners of the square cell is about 3 :34Angstroms
(anAngstrom is 10 10meters). Obviously that unit is unwieldly. Instead, the
thing to do is to take as a unit the length of each side of the square. That is,
we naturally adopt this basis.
h3:34
0
;0
3:34
i
Then we can describe, say, the corner in the upper right of the picture above as
3~1+ 2~2.
Topic: Crystals 141
Another crystal from everyday experience is pencil lead. It is graphite,
formed from carbon atoms arranged in this shape.
This is a single plane of graphite. A piece of graphite consists of many of these
planes layered in a stack. (The chemical bonds between the planes are much
weaker than the bonds inside the planes, which explains why pencils write | the
graphite can be sheared so that the planes slide o and are left on the paper.)
We can get a convienent unit of length by decomposing the hexagonal ring into
three regions that are rotations of this unit cell .
Then a natural basis consists of the vectors that form the sides of that unit cell.
The distance along the bottom and slant is 1 :42Angstroms, so this
h
1:42
0
;
1:23
:71
i
is a good basis.
The selection of convienent bases extends to three dimensions. Another
familiar crystal formed from carbon is diamond. Like table salt, it is built from
cubes, but the structure inside each cube is more complicated than salt's. In
addition to carbons at each corner,
there are carbons in the middle of each face.
142 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
(To show the added face carbons clearly, the corner carbons have been reduced
to dots.) There are also four more carbons inside the cube, two that are a
quarter of the way up from the bottom and two that are a quarter of the way
down from the top.
(As before, carbons shown earlier have been reduced here to dots.) The dis-
tance along any edge of the cube is 2 :18Angstroms. Thus, a natural basis for
describing the locations of the carbons, and the bonds between them, is this.
h0
@2:18
0
01
A;0
@0
2:18
01
A;0
@0
0
2:181
Ai
Even the few examples given here show that the structures of crystals is com-
plicated enough that some organized system to give the locations of the atoms,
and how they are chemically bound, is needed. One tool for that organization
is a convienent basis. This application of bases is simple, but it shows a context
where the idea arises naturally. The work in this chapter just takes this simple
idea and develops it.
Exercises
1How many fundamental regions are there in one face of a speck of salt? (With a
ruler, we can estimate that face is a square that is 0 :1 cm on a side.)
2In the graphite picture, imagine that we are interested in a point 5 :67Angstroms
over and 3:14Angstroms up from the origin.
(a)Express that point in terms of the basis given for graphite.
(b)How many hexagonal shapes away is this point from the origin?
(c)Express that point in terms of a second basis, where the rst basis vector is
the same, but the second is perpendicular to the rst (going up the plane) and
of the same length.
3Give the locations of the atoms in the diamond cube both in terms of the basis,
and in Angstroms.
4This illustrates how the dimensions of a unit cell could be computed from the
shape in which a substance crystalizes ([Ebbing], p. 462).
(a)Recall that there are 6 :0221023atoms in a mole (this is Avagadro's number).
From that, and the fact that platinum has a mass of 195 :08 grams per mole,
calculate the mass of each atom.
(b)Platinum crystalizes in a face-centered cubic lattice with atoms at each lattice
point, that is, it looks like the middle picture given above for the diamond crystal.
Find the number of platinums per unit cell (hint: sum the fractions of platinums
that are inside of a single cell).
(c)From that, nd the mass of a unit cell.
(d)Platinum crystal has a density of 21 :45 grams per cubic centimeter. From
this, and the mass of a unit cell, calculate the volume of a unit cell.
Topic: Crystals 143
(e)Find the length of each edge.
(f)Describe a natural three-dimensional basis.
144 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
Topic: Voting Paradoxes
Imagine that a Political Science class studying the American presidential pro-
cess holds a mock election. Members of the class are asked to rank, from most
preferred to least preferred, the nominees from the Democratic Party, the Re-
publican Party, and the Third Party, and this is the result ( >means `is preferred
to').
preference ordernumber with
that preference
Democrat>Republican >Third 5
Democrat>Third>Republican 4
Republican >Democrat>Third 2
Republican >Third>Democrat 8
Third>Democrat>Republican 8
Third>Republican >Democrat 2
total 29
What is the preference of the group as a whole?
Overall, the group prefers the Democrat to the Republican by ve votes;
seventeen voters ranked the Democrat above the Republican versus twelve the
other way. And, overall, the group prefers the Republican to the Third's nomi-
nee, fteen to fourteen. But, strangely enough, the group also prefers the Third
to the Democrat, eighteen to eleven.
Democrat
Third Republican7 voters
1 voter5 voters
This is an example of a voting paradox , specically, a majority cycle .
Voting paradoxes are studied in part because of their implications for practi-
cal politics. For instance, the instructor can manipulate the class into choosing
the Democrat as the overall winner by rst asking the class to choose between
the Republican and the Third, and then asking the class to choose between the
winner of that contest, the Republican, and the Democrat. By similar manipu-
lations, any of the other two candidates can be made to come out as the winner.
(In this Topic we will stick to three-candidate elections, but similar results apply
to larger elections.)
Voting paradoxes are also studied simply because they are mathematically
interesting. One interesting aspect is that the group's overall majority cycle
occurs despite that each single voters's preference list is rational |in a straight-
line order. That is, the majority cycle seems to arise in the aggregate, without
being present in the elements of that aggregate, the preference lists. Recently,
Topic: Voting Paradoxes 145
however, linear algebra has been used [Zwicker] to argue that a tendency toward
cyclic preference is actually present in each voter's list, and that it surfaces when
there is more adding of the tendency than cancelling.
For this argument, abbreviating the choices as D,R, andT, we can describe
how a voter with preference order D>R>T contributes to the above cycle.
D
T R 1 voter
1 voter1 voter
(The negative sign is here because the arrow describes Tas preferred to D, but
this voter likes them the other way.) The descriptions for the other preference
lists are in the table on page 147.
Now, to conduct the election we linearly combine these descriptions; for
instance, the Political Science mock election
5D
T R 1
11
+ 4D
T R 1
11
++ 2D
T R1
1 1
yields the circular group preference shown earlier.
Of course, taking linear combinations is linear algebra. The above cycle no-
tation is suggestive but inconvienent, so we temporarily switch to using column
vectors by starting at the Dand taking the numbers from the cycle in coun-
terclockwise order. Thus, the mock election and a single D > R > T vote are
represented in this way.0
@7
1
51
Aand0
@ 1
1
11
A
We will decompose vote vectors into two parts, one cyclic and the other acyclic.
For the rst part, we say that a vector is purely cyclic if it is in this subspace
ofR3.
C=f0
@k
k
k1
Ak2Rg=fk0
@1
1
11
Ak2Rg
For the second part, consider the subspace (see Exercise 6) of vectors that are
perpendicular to all of the vectors in C.
C?=f0
@c1
c2
c31
A0
@c1
c2
c31
A0
@k
k
k1
A= 0 for allk2Rg
=f0
@c1
c2
c31
Ac1+c2+c3= 0g=fc20
@ 1
1
01
A+c30
@ 1
0
11
Ac2;c32Rg
146 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
(Read that aloud as \ Cperp".) So we are led to this basis for R3.
h0
@1
1
11
A;0
@ 1
1
01
A;0
@ 1
0
11
Ai
We can represent votes with respect to this basis, and thereby decompose them
into a cyclic part and an acyclic part. (Note for readers who have covered the
optional section in this chapter: that is, the space is the direct sum of CandC?.)
For example, consider the D>R>T voter discussed above. The represen-
tation in terms of the basis is easily found,
c1 c2 c3= 1
c1+c2 = 1
c1 +c3= 1 1+2 !
1+3( 1=2)2+3 !c1 c2 c3= 1
2c2+c3= 2
(3=2)c3= 1
so thatc1= 1=3,c2= 2=3, andc3= 2=3. Then
0
@ 1
1
11
A=1
30
@1
1
11
A+2
30
@ 1
1
01
A+2
30
@ 1
0
11
A=0
@1=3
1=3
1=31
A+0
@ 4=3
2=3
2=31
A
gives the desired decomposition into a cyclic part and and an acyclic part.
D
T R 1
11
=D
T R1=3
1=31=3
+D
T R 4=3
2=32=3
Thus, this D > R > T voter's rational preference list can indeed be seen to
have a cyclic part.
TheT >R>D voter is opposite to the one just considered in that the ` >'
symbols are reversed. This voter's decomposition
D
T R1
1 1
=D
T R 1=3
1=3 1=3
+D
T R4=3
2=3 2=3
shows that these opposite preferences have decompositions that are opposite.
We say that the rst voter has positive spin since the cycle part is with the
direction we have chosen for the arrows, while the second voter's spin is negative.
The fact that that these opposite voters cancel each other is re
ected in the
fact that their vote vectors add to zero. This suggests an alternate way to tally
an election. We could rst cancel as many opposite preference lists as possible,
and then determine the outcome by adding the remaining lists.
The rows of the table below contain the three pairs of opposite preference
lists. The columns group those pairs by spin. For instance, the rst row contains
the two voters just considered.
Topic: Voting Paradoxes 147
positive spin negative spin
Democrat>Republican >Third
D
T R 1
11
=D
T R1=3
1=31=3
+D
T R 4=3
2=32=3Third>Republican >Democrat
D
T R1
1 1
=D
T R 1=3
1=3 1=3
+D
T R4=3
2=3 2=3
Republican >Third>Democrat
D
T R1
1 1
=D
T R1=3
1=31=3
+D
T R2=3
2=3 4=3Democrat>Third>Republican
D
T R 1
11
=D
T R 1=3
1=3 1=3
+D
T R 2=3
2=34=3
Third>Democrat>Republican
D
T R1
11
=D
T R1=3
1=31=3
+D
T R2=3
4=32=3Republican >Democrat>Third
D
T R 1
1 1
=D
T R 1=3
1=3 1=3
+D
T R 2=3
4=3 2=3
If we conduct the election as just described then after the cancellation of as many
opposite pairs of voters as possible, there will be left three sets of preference
lists, one set from the rst row, one set from the second row, and one set from
the third row. We will nish by proving that a voting paradox can happen
only if the spins of these three sets are in the same direction. That is, for a
voting paradox to occur, the three remaining sets must all come from the left
of the table or all come from the right (see Exercise 3). This shows that there
is some connection between the majority cycle and the decomposition that we
are using|a voting paradox can happen only when the tendencies toward cyclic
preference reinforce each other.
For the proof, assume that opposite preference orders have been cancelled,
and we are left with one set of preference lists from each of the three rows.
Consider the sum of these three (here, the numbers a,b, andccould be positive,
negative, or zero).
D
T R a
aa
+D
T Rb
b b
+D
T Rc
cc
=D
T R a+b+c
a+b ca b+c
A voting paradox occurs when the three numbers on the right, a b+cand
a+b cand a+b+c, are all nonnegative or all nonpositive. On the left,
at least two of the three numbers, aandbandc, are both nonnegative or both
nonpositive. We can assume that they are aandb. That makes four cases: the
cycle is nonnegative and aandbare nonnegative, the cycle is nonpositive and
aandbare nonpositive, etc. We will do only the rst case, since the second is
similar and the other two are also easy.
So assume that the cycle is nonnegative and that aandbare nonnegative.
The conditions 0 a b+cand 0 a+b+cadd to give that 0 2c, which
implies that cis also nonnegative, as desired. That ends the proof.
This result says only that having all three spin in the same direction is a
necessary condition for a majority cycle. It is not sucient; see Exercise 4.
148 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
Voting theory and associated topics are the subject of current research.
There are many intriguing results, most notably the one produced by K. Arrow
[Arrow], who won the Nobel Prize in part for this work, showing that no voting
system is entirely fair (for a reasonable denition of \fair"). For more infor-
mation, some good introductory articles are [Gardner, 1970], [Gardner, 1974],
[Gardner, 1980], and [Neimi & Riker]. A quite readable recent book is [Taylor].
The long list of cases from recent American political history given in [Poundstone]
show that manipulation of these paradoxes is routine in practice (and the author
proposes a solution).
This Topic is largely drawn from [Zwicker]. (Author's Note: I would like to
thank Professor Zwicker for his kind and illuminating discussions.)
Exercises
1Here is a reasonable way in which a voter could have a cyclic preference. Suppose
that this voter ranks each candidate on each of three criteria.
(a)Draw up a table with the rows labelled `Democrat', `Republican', and `Third',
and the columns labelled `character', `experience', and `policies'. Inside each
column, rank some candidate as most preferred, rank another as in the middle,
and rank the remaining one as least preferred.
(b)In this ranking, is the Democrat preferred to the Republican in (at least) two
out of three criteria, or vice versa? Is the Republican preferred to the Third?
(c)Does the table that was just constructed have a cyclic preference order? If
not, make one that does.
So it is possible for a voter to have a cyclic preference among candidates. The
paradox described above, however, is that even if each voter has a straight-line
preference list, a cyclic preference can still arise for the entire group.
2Compute the values in the table of decompositions.
3Do the cancellations of opposite preference orders for the Political Science class's
mock election. Are all the remaining preferences from the left three rows of the
table or from the right?
4The necessary condition that is proved above|a voting paradox can happen only
if all three preference lists remaining after cancellation have the same spin|is not
also sucient.
(a)Continuing the positive cycle case considered in the proof, use the two in-
equalities 0a b+cand 0 a+b+cto show thatja bjc.
(b)Also show that ca+b, and hence that ja bjca+b.
(c)Give an example of a vote where there is a majority cycle, and addition of
one more voter with the same spin causes the cycle to go away.
(d)Can the opposite happen; can addition of one voter with a \wrong" spin
cause a cycle to appear?
(e)Give a condition that is both necessary and sucient to get a majority cycle.
5A one-voter election cannot have a majority cycle because of the requirement
that we've imposed that the voter's list must be rational.
(a)Show that a two-voter election may have a majority cycle. (We consider the
group preference a majority cycle if all three group totals are nonnegative or if
all three are nonpositive|that is, we allow some zero's in the group preference.)
(b)Show that for any number of voters greater than one, there is an election
involving that many voters that results in a majority cycle.
Topic: Voting Paradoxes 149
6LetUbe a subspace of R3. Prove that the set U?=f~ v~ v~ u= 0 for all~ u2Ug
of vectors that are perpendicular to each vector in Uis also subspace of R3. Does
this hold if Uis not a subspace?
150 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
Topic: Dimensional Analysis
\You can't add apples and oranges," the old saying goes. It re
ects our expe-
rience that in applications the quantities have units and keeping track of those
units is worthwhile. Everyone has done calculations such as this one that use
the units as a check.
60sec
min60min
hr24hr
day365day
year= 31 536 000sec
year
However, the idea of including the units can be taken beyond bookkeeping. It
can be used to draw conclusions about what relationships are possible among
the physical quantities.
To start, consider the physics equation: distance = 16 (time)2. If the
distance is in feet and the time is in seconds then this is a true statement about
falling bodies. However it is not correct in other unit systems; for instance, it
is not correct in the meter-second system. We can x that by making the 16 a
dimensional constant .
dist = 16ft
sec2(time)2
For instance, the above equation holds in the yard-second system.
distance in yards = 16(1=3) yd
sec2(time in sec)2=16
3yd
sec2(time in sec)2
So our rst point is that by \including the units" we mean that we are restricting
our attention to equations that use dimensional constants.
By using dimensional constants, we can be vague about units and say only
that all quantities are measured in combinations of some units of length L,
massM, and timeT. We shall refer to these three as dimensions (these are the
only three dimensions that we shall need in this Topic). For instance, velocity
could be measured in feet =second or fathoms =hour, but in all events it involves
some unit of length divided by some unit of time so the dimensional formula
of velocity is L=T. Similarly, the dimensional formula of density is M=L3. We
shall prefer using negative exponents over the fraction bars and we shall include
the dimensions with a zero exponent, that is, we shall write the dimensional
formula of velocity as L1M0T 1and that of density as L 3M1T0.
In this context, \You can't add apples to oranges" becomes the advice to
check that all of an equation's terms have the same dimensional formula. An ex-
ample is this version of the falling body equation: d gt2= 0. The dimensional
formula of the dterm isL1M0T0. For the other term, the dimensional for-
mula ofgisL1M0T 2(gis the dimensional constant given above as 16 ft =sec2)
and the dimensional formula of tisL0M0T1, so that of the entire gt2term is
L1M0T 2(L0M0T1)2=L1M0T0. Thus the two terms have the same dimen-
sional formula. An equation with this property is dimensionally homogeneous .
Quantities with dimensional formula L0M0T0aredimensionless . For ex-
ample, we measure an angle by taking the ratio of the subtended arc to the
radius
Topic: Dimensional Analysis 151
rarc
which is the ratio of a length to a length L1M0T0=L1M0T0and thus angles
have the dimensional formula L0M0T0.
The classic example of using the units for more than bookkeeping, using
them to draw conclusions, considers the formula for the period of a pendulum.
p= {some expression involving the length of the string, etc.{
The period is in units of time L0M0T1. So the quantities on the other side of
the equation must have dimensional formulas that combine in such a way that
theirL's andM's cancel and only a single Tremains. The table on page 152 has
the quantities that an experienced investigator would consider possibly relevant.
The only dimensional formulas involving Lare for the length of the string and
the acceleration due to gravity. For the L's of these two to cancel, when they
appear in the equation they must be in ratio, e.g., as ( `=g)2, or as cos(`=g), or
as (`=g) 1. Therefore the period is a function of `=g.
This is a remarkable result: with a pencil and paper analysis, before we ever
took out the pendulum and made measurements, we have determined something
about the relationship among the quantities.
To do dimensional analysis systematically, we need to know two things (ar-
guments for these are in [Bridgman], Chapter II and IV). The rst is that each
equation relating physical quantities that we shall see involves a sum of terms,
where each term has the form
mp1
1mp2
2mpk
k
for numbers m1, . . . ,mkthat measure the quantities.
For the second, observe that an easy way to construct a dimensionally ho-
mogeneous expression is by taking a product of dimensionless quantities or
by adding such dimensionless terms. Buckingham's Theorem states that any
complete relationship among quantities with dimensional formulas can be alge-
braically manipulated into a form where there is some function fsuch that
f(1;:::; n) = 0
for a complete set f1;:::; ngof dimensionless products. (The rst example
below describes what makes a set of dimensionless products `complete'.) We
usually want to express one of the quantities, m1for instance, in terms of the
others, and for that we will assume that the above equality can be rewritten
m1=m p2
2m pk
k^f(2;:::; n)
where 1=m1mp2
2mpk
kis dimensionless and the products 2, . . . , ndon't
involvem1(as withf, here ^fis just some function, this time of n 1 arguments).
Thus, to do dimensional analysis we should nd which dimensionless products
are possible.
For example, consider again the formula for a pendulum's period.
152 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
quantitydimensional
formula
periodpL0M0T1
length of string `L1M0T0
mass of bob mL0M1T0
acceleration due to gravity gL1M0T 2
arc of swing L0M0T0
By the rst fact cited above, we expect the formula to have (possibly sums
of terms of) the form pp1`p2mp3gp4p5. To use the second fact, to nd which
combinations of the powers p1, . . . ,p5yield dimensionless products, consider
this equation.
(L0M0T1)p1(L1M0T0)p2(L0M1T0)p3(L1M0T 2)p4(L0M0T0)p5=L0M0T0
It gives three conditions on the powers.
p2+p4= 0
p3 = 0
p1 2p4= 0
Note thatp3is 0 and so the mass of the bob does not aect the period. Gaussian
reduction and parametrization of that system gives this
f0
BBBB@p1
p2
p3
p4
p51
CCCCA=0
BBBB@1
1=2
0
1=2
01
CCCCAp1+0
BBBB@0
0
0
0
11
CCCCAp5p1;p52Rg
(we've taken p1as one of the parameters in order to express the period in terms
of the other quantities).
Here is the linear algebra. The set of dimensionless products contains all
termspp1`p2mp3ap4p5subject to the conditions above. This set forms a vector
space under the `+' operation of multiplying two such products and the ` '
operation of raising such a product to the power of the scalar (see Exercise 5).
The term `complete set of dimensionless products' in Buckingham's Theorem
means a basis for this vector space.
We can get a basis by rst taking p1= 1,p5= 0 and then p1= 0,p5= 1. The
associated dimensionless products are 1=p` 1=2g1=2and 2=. Because
the setf1;2gis complete, Buckingham's Theorem says that
p=`1=2g 1=2^f() =p
`=g^f()
where ^fis a function that we cannot determine from this analysis (a rst year
physics text will show by other means that for small angles it is approximately
the constant function ^f() = 2).
Topic: Dimensional Analysis 153
Thus, analysis of the relationships that are possible between the quantities
with the given dimensional formulas has produced a fair amount of informa-
tion: a pendulum's period does not depend on the mass of the bob, and it rises
with the square root of the length of the string.
For the next example we try to determine the period of revolution of two
bodies in space orbiting each other under mutual gravitational attraction. An
experienced investigator could expect that these are the relevant quantities.
quantitydimensional
formula
periodpL0M0T1
mean separation rL1M0T0
rst massm1L0M1T0
second mass m2L0M1T0
grav. constant GL3M 1T 2
To get the complete set of dimensionless products we consider the equation
(L0M0T1)p1(L1M0T0)p2(L0M1T0)p3(L0M1T0)p4(L3M 1T 2)p5=L0M0T0
which results in a system
p2 + 3p5= 0
p3+p4 p5= 0
p1 2p5= 0
with this solution.
f0
BBBB@1
3=2
1=2
0
1=21
CCCCAp1+0
BBBB@0
0
1
1
01
CCCCAp4p1;p42Rg
As earlier, the linear algebra here is that the set of dimensionless prod-
ucts of these quantities forms a vector space, and we want to produce a basis
for that space, a `complete' set of dimensionless products. One such set, got-
ten from setting p1= 1 andp4= 0, and also setting p1= 0 andp4= 1
isf1=pr 3=2m1=2
1G1=2;2=m 1
1m2g. With that, Buckingham's Theorem
says that any complete relationship among these quantities is stateable this
form.
p=r3=2m 1=2
1G 1=2^f(m 1
1m2) =r3=2
pGm1^f(m2=m1)
Remark. An important application of the prior formula is when m1is the
mass of the sun and m2is the mass of a planet. Because m1is very much greater
thanm2, the argument to ^fis approximately 0, and we can wonder whether
this part of the formula remains approximately constant as m2varies. One way
to see that it does is this. The sun is so much larger than the planet that the
154 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
mutual rotation is approximately about the sun's center. If we vary the planet's
massm2by a factor of x(e.g., Venus's mass is x= 0:815 times Earth's mass),
then the force of attraction is multiplied by x, andxtimes the force acting on
xtimes the mass gives, since F=ma, the same acceleration, about the same
center (approximately). Hence, the orbit will be the same and so its period
will be the same, and thus the right side of the above equation also remains
unchanged (approximately). Therefore, ^f(m2=m1) is approximately constant
asm2varies. This is Kepler's Third Law: the square of the period of a planet
is proportional to the cube of the mean radius of its orbit about the sun.
The nal example was one of the rst explicit applications of dimensional
analysis. Lord Raleigh considered the speed of a wave in deep water and sug-
gested these as the relevant quantities.
quantitydimensional
formula
velocity of the wave vL1M0T 1
density of the water dL 3M1T0
acceleration due to gravity gL1M0T 2
wavelength L1M0T0
The equation
(L1M0T 1)p1(L 3M1T0)p2(L1M0T 2)p3(L1M0T0)p4=L0M0T0
gives this system
p1 3p2+p3+p4= 0
p2 = 0
p1 2p3 = 0
with this solution space
f0
BB@1
0
1=2
1=21
CCAp1p12Rg
(as in the pendulum example, one of the quantities dturns out not to be involved
in the relationship). There is one dimensionless product, 1=vg 1=2 1=2, and
sovispgtimes a constant ( ^fis constant since it is a function of no arguments).
As the three examples above show, dimensional analysis can bring us far
toward expressing the relationship among the quantities. For further reading,
the classic reference is [Bridgman]|this brief book is delightful. Another source
is [Giordano, Wells, Wilde]. A description of dimensional analysis's place in
modeling is in [Giordano, Jaye, Weir].
Exercises
1Consider a projectile, launched with initial velocity v0, at an angle . An in-
vestigation of this motion might start with the guess that these are the relevant
Topic: Dimensional Analysis 155
quantities. [de Mestre]
quantitydimensional
formula
horizontal position xL1M0T0
vertical position yL1M0T0
initial speed v0L1M0T 1
angle of launch L0M0T0
acceleration due to gravity gL1M0T 2
timetL0M0T1
(a)Show thatfgt=v 0;gx=v2
0;gy=v2
0;gis a complete set of dimensionless prod-
ucts. ( Hint. This can be done by nding the appropriate free variables in the
linear system that arises, but there is a shortcut that uses the properties of a
basis.)
(b)These two equations of motion for projectiles are familiar: x=v0cos()tand
y=v0sin()t (g=2)t2. Manipulate each to rewrite it as a relationship among
the dimensionless products of the prior item.
2[Einstein] conjectured that the infrared characteristic frequencies of a solid may
be determined by the same forces between atoms as determine the solid's ordanary
elastic behavior. The relevant quantities are
quantitydimensional
formula
characteristic frequency L0M0T 1
compressibility kL1M 1T2
number of atoms per cubic cm NL 3M0T0
mass of an atom mL0M1T0
Show that there is one dimensionless product. Conclude that, in any complete
relationship among quantities with these dimensional formulas, kis a constant
times 2N 1=3m 1. This conclusion played an important role in the early study
of quantum phenomena.
3The torque produced by an engine has dimensional formula L2M1T 2. We may
rst guess that it depends on the engine's rotation rate (with dimensional formula
L0M0T 1), and the volume of air displaced (with dimensional formula L3M0T0).
[Giordano, Wells, Wilde]
(a)Try to nd a complete set of dimensionless products. What goes wrong?
(b)Adjust the guess by adding the density of the air (with dimensional formula
L 3M1T0). Now nd a complete set of dimensionless products.
4Dominoes falling make a wave. We may conjecture that the wave speed vdepends
on the the spacing dbetween the dominoes, the height hof each domino, and the
acceleration due to gravity g. [Tilley]
(a)Find the dimensional formula for each of the four quantities.
(b)Show thatf1=h=d;2=dg=v2gis a complete set of dimensionless prod-
ucts.
(c)Show that if h=dis xed then the propagation speed is proportional to the
square root of d.
5Prove that the dimensionless products form a vector space under the ~+ operation
of multiplying two such products and the ~operation of raising such the product
to the power of the scalar. (The vector arrows are a precaution against confusion.)
That is, prove that, for any particular homogeneous system, this set of products
156 Chapter Two. Vector Spaces
of powers of m1, . . . ,mk
fmp1
1:::mpk
kp1, . . . ,pksatisfy the system g
is a vector space under:
mp1
1:::mpk
k~+mq1
1:::mqk
k=mp1+q1
1:::mpk+qk
k
and
r~(mp1
1:::mpk
k) =mrp1
1:::mrpk
k
(assume that all variables represent real numbers).
6The advice about apples and oranges is not right. Consider the familiar equations
for a circle C= 2randA=r2.
(a)Check that CandAhave dierent dimensional formulas.
(b)Produce an equation that is not dimensionally homogeneous (i.e., it adds
apples and oranges) but is nonetheless true of any circle.
(c)The prior item asks for an equation that is complete but not dimensionally
homogeneous. Produce an equation that is dimensionally homogeneous but not
complete.
(Just because the old saying isn't strictly right, doesn't keep it from being a useful
strategy. Dimensional homogeneity is often used as a check on the plausibility
of equations used in models. For an argument that any complete equation can
easily be made dimensionally homogeneous, see [Bridgman], Chapter I, especially
page 15.)
Chapter Three
Maps Between Spaces
I Isomorphisms
In the examples following the denition of a vector space we developed the
intuition that some spaces are \the same" as others. For instance, the space
of two-tall column vectors and the space of two-wide row vectors are not equal
because their elements | column vectors and row vectors | are not equal, but
we have the idea that these spaces dier only in how their elements appear. We
will now make this idea precise.
This section illustrates a common aspect of a mathematical investigation.
With the help of some examples, we've gotten an idea. We will next give a formal
denition, and then we will produce some results backing our contention that
the denition captures the idea. We've seen this happen already, for instance, in
the rst section of the Vector Space chapter. There, the study of linear systems
led us to consider collections closed under linear combinations. We dened such
a collection as a vector space, and we followed it with some supporting results.
Of course, that denition wasn't an end point, instead it led to new insights
such as the idea of a basis. Here too, after producing a denition, and supporting
it, we will get two surprises (pleasant ones). First, we will nd that the denition
applies to some unforeseen, and interesting, cases. Second, the study of the
denition will lead to new ideas. In this way, our investigation will build a
momentum.
I.1 Definition and Examples
We start with two examples that suggest the right denition.
1.1 Example Consider the example mentioned above, the space of two-wide
row vectors and the space of two-tall column vectors. They are \the same" in
that if we associate the vectors that have the same components, e.g.,
1 2
!
1
2
157
158 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
then this correspondence preserves the operations, for instance this addition
1 2
+ 3 4
= 4 6
!
1
2
+
3
4
=
4
6
and this scalar multiplication.
5 1 2
= 5 10
! 51
2
=5
10
More generally stated, under the correspondence
a0a1
!a0
a1
both operations are preserved:
a0a1
+ b0b1
= a0+b0a1+b1
!a0
a1
+b0
b1
=a0+b0
a1+b1
and
r a0a1
= ra0ra1
!r
a0
a1
=
ra0
ra1
(all of the variables are real numbers).
1.2 Example Another two spaces we can think of as \the same" are P2, the
space of quadratic polynomials, and R3. A natural correspondence is this.
a0+a1x+a2x2 !0
@a0
a1
a21
A (e.g., 1 + 2x+ 3x2 !0
@1
2
31
A)
The structure is preserved: corresponding elements add in a corresponding way
a0+a1x+a2x2
+b0+b1x+b2x2
(a0+b0) + (a1+b1)x+ (a2+b2)x2 !0
@a0
a1
a21
A+0
@b0
b1
b21
A=0
@a0+b0
a1+b1
a2+b21
A
and scalar multiplication corresponds also.
r(a0+a1x+a2x2) = (ra0) + (ra1)x+ (ra2)x2 !r0
@a0
a1
a21
A=0
@ra0
ra1
ra21
A
Section I. Isomorphisms 159
1.3 Denition Anisomorphism between two vector spaces VandWis a
mapf:V!Wthat
(1) is a correspondence: fis one-to-one and onto;
(2)preserves structure: if~ v1;~ v22Vthen
f(~ v1+~ v2) =f(~ v1) +f(~ v2)
and if~ v2Vandr2Rthen
f(r~ v) =rf(~ v)
(we writeV=W, read \Vis isomorphic to W", when such a map exists).
(\Morphism" means map, so \isomorphism" means a map expressing sameness.)
1.4 Example The vector space G=fc1cos+c2sinc1;c22Rgof func-
tions ofis isomorphic to the vector space R2under this map.
c1cos+c2sinf7 !c1
c2
We will check this by going through the conditions in the denition.
We will rst verify condition (1), that the map is a correspondence between
the sets underlying the spaces.
To establish that fis one-to-one, we must prove that f(~ a) =f(~b) only when
~ a=~b. If
f(a1cos+a2sin) =f(b1cos+b2sin)
then, by the denition of f,
a1
a2
=
b1
b2
from which we can conclude that a1=b1anda2=b2because column vectors are
equal only when they have equal components. We've proved that f(~ a) =f(~b)
implies that ~ a=~b, which shows that fis one-to-one.
To check that fis onto we must check that any member of the codomain R2
is the image of some member of the domain G. But that's clear | any
x
y
2R2
is the image under fofxcos+ysin2G.
Next we will verify condition (2), that fpreserves structure.
More information on one-to-one and onto maps is in the appendix.
160 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
This computation shows that fpreserves addition.
f
(a1cos+a2sin) + (b1cos+b2sin)
=f
(a1+b1) cos+ (a2+b2) sin
=a1+b1
a2+b2
=
a1
a2
+
b1
b2
=f(a1cos+a2sin) +f(b1cos+b2sin)
A similar computation shows that fpreserves scalar multiplication.
f
r(a1cos+a2sin)
=f(ra1cos+ra2sin)
=ra1
ra2
=ra1
a2
=rf(a1cos+a2sin)
With that, conditions (1) and (2) are veried, so we know that fis an
isomorphism and we can say that the spaces are isomorphic G=R2.
1.5 Example LetVbe the spacefc1x+c2y+c3zc1;c2;c32Rgof linear
combinations of three variables x,y, andz, under the natural addition and
scalar multiplication operations. Then Vis isomorphic to P2, the space of
quadratic polynomials.
To show this we will produce an isomorphism map. There is more than one
possibility; for instance, here are four.
c1x+c2y+c3zf17 !c1+c2x+c3x2
f27 !c2+c3x+c1x2
f37 ! c1 c2x c3x2
f47 !c1+ (c1+c2)x+ (c1+c3)x2
The rst map is the more natural correspondence in that it just carries the
coecients over. However, below we shall verify that the second one is an iso-
morphism, to underline that there are isomorphisms other than just the obvious
one (showing that f1is an isomorphism is Exercise 12).
To show that f2is one-to-one, we will prove that if f2(c1x+c2y+c3z) =
f2(d1x+d2y+d3z) thenc1x+c2y+c3z=d1x+d2y+d3z. The assumption
thatf2(c1x+c2y+c3z) =f2(d1x+d2y+d3z) gives, by the denition of f2, that
c2+c3x+c1x2=d2+d3x+d1x2. Equal polynomials have equal coecients, so
c2=d2,c3=d3, andc1=d1. Thusf2(c1x+c2y+c3z) =f2(d1x+d2y+d3z)
implies that c1x+c2y+c3z=d1x+d2y+d3zand therefore f2is one-to-one.
Section I. Isomorphisms 161
The mapf2is onto because any member a+bx+cx2of the codomain is the
image of some member of the domain, namely it is the image of cx+ay+bz.
For instance, 2 + 3 x 4x2isf2( 4x+ 2y+ 3z).
The computations for structure preservation are like those in the prior ex-
ample. This map preserves addition
f2
(c1x+c2y+c3z) + (d1x+d2y+d3z)
=f2
(c1+d1)x+ (c2+d2)y+ (c3+d3)z
= (c2+d2) + (c3+d3)x+ (c1+d1)x2
= (c2+c3x+c1x2) + (d2+d3x+d1x2)
=f2(c1x+c2y+c3z) +f2(d1x+d2y+d3z)
and scalar multiplication.
f2
r(c1x+c2y+c3z)
=f2(rc1x+rc2y+rc3z)
=rc2+rc3x+rc1x2
=r(c2+c3x+c1x2)
=rf2(c1x+c2y+c3z)
Thusf2is an isomorphism and we write V=P2.
We are sometimes interested in an isomorphism of a space with itself, called
anautomorphism . An identity map is an automorphism. The next two examples
show that there are others.
1.6 Example Adilation mapds:R2!R2that multiplies all vectors by a
nonzero scalar sis an automorphism of R2.
~ u
~ vd1:5(~ u)
d1:5(~ v)d1:5 !
Arotation orturning map t:R2!R2that rotates all vectors through an angle
is an automorphism.
~ ut=6(~ u)t=6 !
A third type of automorphism of R2is a mapf`:R2!R2that
ips orre
ects
all vectors over a line `through the origin.
162 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
~ uf`(~ u)
f` !
See Exercise 29.
1.7 Example Consider the space P5of polynomials of degree 5 or less and the
mapfthat sends a polynomial p(x) top(x 1). For instance, under this map
x27!(x 1)2=x2 2x+1 andx3+2x7!(x 1)3+2(x 1) =x3 3x2+5x 3.
This map is an automorphism of this space; the check is Exercise 21.
This isomorphism of P5with itself does more than just tell us that the space
is \the same" as itself. It gives us some insight into the space's structure. For
instance, below is shown a family of parabolas, graphs of members of P5. Each
has a vertex at y= 1, and the left-most one has zeroes at 2:25 and 1:75,
the next one has zeroes at 1:25 and 0:75, etc.
p0p1
Geometrically, the substitution of x 1 forxin any function's argument shifts
its graph to the right by one. Thus, f(p0) =p1andf's action is to shift all of
the parabolas to the right by one. Notice that the picture before fis applied is
the same as the picture after fis applied, because while each parabola moves to
the right, another one comes in from the left to take its place. This also holds
true for cubics, etc. So the automorphism fgives us the insight that P5has a
certain horizontal-homogeneity; this space looks the same near x= 1 as near
x= 0.
As described in the preamble to this section, we will next produce some
results supporting the contention that the denition of isomorphism above cap-
tures our intuition of vector spaces being the same.
Of course the denition itself is persuasive: a vector space consists of two
components, a set and some structure, and the denition simply requires that
the sets correspond and that the structures correspond also. Also persuasive are
the examples above. In particular, Example 1.1, which gives an isomorphism
between the space of two-wide row vectors and the space of two-tall column
vectors, dramatizes our intuition that isomorphic spaces are the same in all
relevant respects. Sometimes people say, where V=W, that \Wis justV
painted green" | any dierences are merely cosmetic.
Further support for the denition, in case it is needed, is provided by the
following results that, taken together, suggest that all the things of interest in a
Section I. Isomorphisms 163
vector space correspond under an isomorphism. Since we studied vector spaces
to study linear combinations, \of interest" means \pertaining to linear combina-
tions". Not of interest is the way that the vectors are presented typographically
(or their color!).
As an example, although the denition of isomorphism doesn't explicitly say
that the zero vectors must correspond, it is a consequence of that denition.
1.8 Lemma An isomorphism maps a zero vector to a zero vector.
Proof .Wheref:V!Wis an isomorphism, x any ~ v2V. Thenf(~0V) =
f(0~ v) = 0f(~ v) =~0W. QED
The denition of isomorphism requires that sums of two vectors correspond
and that so do scalar multiples. We can extend that to say that all linear
combinations correspond.
1.9 Lemma For any map f:V!Wbetween vector spaces these statements
are equivalent.
(1)fpreserves structure
f(~ v1+~ v2) =f(~ v1) +f(~ v2) andf(c~ v) =cf(~ v)
(2)fpreserves linear combinations of two vectors
f(c1~ v1+c2~ v2) =c1f(~ v1) +c2f(~ v2)
(3)fpreserves linear combinations of any nite number of vectors
f(c1~ v1++cn~ vn) =c1f(~ v1) ++cnf(~ vn)
Proof .Since the implications (3) = )(2) and (2) =)(1) are clear, we need
only show that (1) = )(3). Assume statement (1). We will prove statement (3)
by induction on the number of summands n.
The one-summand base case, that f(c~ v1) =cf(~ v1), is covered by the as-
sumption of statement (1).
For the inductive step assume that statement (3) holds whenever there are k
or fewer summands, that is, whenever n= 1, orn= 2, . . . , or n=k. Consider
thek+ 1-summand case. The rst half of (1) gives
f(c1~ v1++ck~ vk+ck+1~ vk+1) =f(c1~ v1++ck~ vk) +f(ck+1~ vk+1)
by breaking the sum along the nal `+'. Then the inductive hypothesis lets us
break up the k-term sum.
=f(c1~ v1) ++f(ck~ vk) +f(ck+1~ vk+1)
Finally, the second half of statement (1) gives
=c1f(~ v1) ++ckf(~ vk) +ck+1f(~ vk+1)
when applied k+ 1 times. QED
164 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
In addition to adding to the intuition that the denition of isomorphism does
indeed preserve the things of interest in a vector space, that lemma's second item
is an especially handy way of checking that a map preserves structure.
We close with a summary. The material in this section augments the chapter
on Vector Spaces. There, after giving the denition of a vector space, we infor-
mally looked at what dierent things can happen. Here, we dened the relation
`=' between vector spaces and we have argued that it is the right way to split the
collection of vector spaces into cases because it preserves the features of interest
in a vector space | in particular, it preserves linear combinations. That is, we
have now said precisely what we mean by `the same', and by `dierent', and so
we have precisely classied the vector spaces.
Exercises
X1.10 Verify, using Example 1.4 as a model, that the two correspondences given
before the denition are isomorphisms.
(a)Example 1.1 (b)Example 1.2
X1.11 For the map f:P1!R2given by
a+bxf7 !a b
b
Find the image of each of these elements of the domain.
(a)3 2x(b)2 + 2x(c)x
Show that this map is an isomorphism.
1.12 Show that the natural map f1from Example 1.5 is an isomorphism.
X1.13 Decide whether each map is an isomorphism (if it is an isomorphism then
prove it and if it isn't then state a condition that it fails to satisfy).
(a)f:M22!Rgiven bya b
c d
7!ad bc
(b)f:M22!R4given by
a b
c d
7!0
BB@a+b+c+d
a+b+c
a+b
a1
CCA
(c)f:M22!P 3given bya b
c d
7!c+ (d+c)x+ (b+a)x2+ax3
(d)f:M22!P 3given bya b
c d
7!c+ (d+c)x+ (b+a+ 1)x2+ax3
1.14 Show that the map f:R1!R1given byf(x) =x3is one-to-one and onto.
Is it an isomorphism?
X1.15 Refer to Example 1.1. Produce two more isomorphisms (of course, you must
also verify that they satisfy the conditions in the denition of isomorphism).
1.16 Refer to Example 1.2. Produce two more isomorphisms (and verify that they
satisfy the conditions).
Section I. Isomorphisms 165
X1.17 Show that, although R2is not itself a subspace of R3, it is isomorphic to the
xy-plane subspace of R3.
1.18 Find two isomorphisms between R16andM44.
X1.19 For whatkisMmnisomorphic to Rk?
1.20 For whatkisPkisomorphic to Rn?
1.21 Prove that the map in Example 1.7, from P5toP5given byp(x)7!p(x 1),
is a vector space isomorphism.
1.22 Why, in Lemma 1.8, must there be a ~ v2V? That is, why must Vbe
nonempty?
1.23 Are any two trivial spaces isomorphic?
1.24 In the proof of Lemma 1.9, what about the zero-summands case (that is, if n
is zero)?
1.25 Show that any isomorphism f:P0!R1has the form a7!kafor some nonzero
real number k.
X1.26 These prove that isomorphism is an equivalence relation.
(a)Show that the identity map id: V!Vis an isomorphism. Thus, any vector
space is isomorphic to itself.
(b)Show that if f:V!Wis an isomorphism then so is its inverse f 1:W!V.
Thus, ifVis isomorphic to Wthen alsoWis isomorphic to V.
(c)Show that a composition of isomorphisms is an isomorphism: if f:V!Wis
an isomorphism and g:W!Uis an isomorphism then so also is gf:V!U.
Thus, ifVis isomorphic to WandWis isomorphic to U, then alsoVis isomor-
phic toU.
1.27 Suppose that f:V!Wpreserves structure. Show that fis one-to-one if and
only if the unique member of Vmapped by fto~0Wis~0V.
1.28 Suppose that f:V!Wis an isomorphism. Prove that the set f~ v1;:::;~ vkg
Vis linearly dependent if and only if the set of images ff(~ v1);:::;f (~ vk)gWis
linearly dependent.
X1.29 Show that each type of map from Example 1.6 is an automorphism.
(a)Dilationdsby a nonzero scalar s.
(b)Rotationtthrough an angle .
(c)Re
ectionf`over a line through the origin.
Hint. For the second and third items, polar coordinates are useful.
1.30 Produce an automorphism of P2other than the identity map, and other than
a shift map p(x)7!p(x k).
1.31 (a) Show that a function f:R1!R1is an automorphism if and only if it
has the form x7!kxfor somek6= 0.
(b)Letfbe an automorphism of R1such thatf(3) = 7. Find f( 2).
(c)Show that a function f:R2!R2is an automorphism if and only if it has
the form x
y
7!ax+by
cx+dy
for somea;b;c;d2Rwithad bc6= 0. Hint. Exercises in prior subsections
have shown that b
d
is not a multiple ofa
c
if and only if ad bc6= 0.
166 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
(d)Letfbe an automorphism of R2with
f(1
3
) =2
1
andf(1
4
) =0
1
:
Find
f(0
1
):
1.32 Refer to Lemma 1.8 and Lemma 1.9. Find two more things preserved by
isomorphism.
1.33 We show that isomorphisms can be tailored to t in that, sometimes, given
vectors in the domain and in the range we can produce an isomorphism associating
those vectors.
(a)LetB=h~1;~2;~3ibe a basis forP2so that any ~ p2P 2has a unique
representation as ~ p=c1~1+c2~2+c3~3, which we denote in this way.
RepB(~ p) =0
@c1
c2
c31
A
Show that the RepB() operation is a function from P2toR3(this entails showing
that with every domain vector ~ v2P 2there is an associated image vector in R3,
and further, that with every domain vector ~ v2P 2there is at most one associated
image vector).
(b)Show that this RepB() function is one-to-one and onto.
(c)Show that it preserves structure.
(d)Produce an isomorphism from P2toR3that ts these specications.
x+x27!0
@1
0
01
Aand 1 x7!0
@0
1
01
A
1.34 Prove that a space is n-dimensional if and only if it is isomorphic to Rn.
Hint. Fix a basis Bfor the space and consider the map sending a vector over to
its representation with respect to B.
1.35 (Requires the subsection on Combining Subspaces, which is optional.) LetU
andWbe vector spaces. Dene a new vector space, consisting of the set UW=
f(~ u;~ w)~ u2Uand~ w2Wgalong with these operations.
(~ u1;~ w1) + (~ u2;~ w2) = (~ u1+~ u2;~ w1+~ w2) andr(~ u;~ w) = (r~ u;r~ w )
This is a vector space, the external direct sum ofUandW.
(a)Check that it is a vector space.
(b)Find a basis for, and the dimension of, the external direct sum P2R2.
(c)What is the relationship among dim( U), dim(W), and dim( UW)?
(d)Suppose that UandWare subspaces of a vector space Vsuch thatV=
UW(in this case we say that Vis the internal direct sum ofUandW). Show
that the map f:UW!Vgiven by
(~ u;~ w)f7 !~ u+~ w
is an isomorphism. Thus if the internal direct sum is dened then the internal
and external direct sums are isomorphic.
Section I. Isomorphisms 167
I.2 Dimension Characterizes Isomorphism
In the prior subsection, after stating the denition of an isomorphism, we
gave some results supporting the intuition that such a map describes spaces as
\the same". Here we will formalize this intuition. While two spaces that are
isomorphic are not equal, we think of them as almost equal | as equivalent.
In this subsection we shall show that the relationship `is isomorphic to' is an
equivalence relation.
2.1 Theorem Isomorphism is an equivalence relation between vector spaces.
Proof .We must prove that this relation has the three properties of being sym-
metric, re
exive, and transitive. For each of the three we will use item (2)
of Lemma 1.9 and show that the map preserves structure by showing that it
preserves linear combinations of two members of the domain.
To check re
exivity, that any space is isomorphic to itself, consider the iden-
tity map. It is clearly one-to-one and onto. The calculation showing that it
preserves linear combinations is easy.
id(c1~ v1+c2~ v2) =c1~ v1+c2~ v2=c1id(~ v1) +c2id(~ v2)
To check symmetry, that if Vis isomorphic to Wvia some map f:V!W
then there is an isomorphism going the other way, consider the inverse map
f 1:W!V. As stated in the appendix, such an inverse function exists and it
is also a correspondence. Thus we have reduced the symmetry issue to checking
that, because fpreserves linear combinations, so also does f 1. Assume that
~ w1=f(~ v1) and~ w2=f(~ v2), i.e., that f 1(~ w1) =~ v1andf 1(~ w2) =~ v2.
f 1(c1~ w1+c2~ w2) =f 1
c1f(~ v1) +c2f(~ v2)
=f 1(f
c1~ v1+c2~ v2)
=c1~ v1+c2~ v2
=c1f 1(~ w1) +c2f 1(~ w2)
Finally, we must check transitivity, that if Vis isomorphic to Wvia some
mapfand ifWis isomorphic to Uvia some map gthen alsoVis isomorphic
toU. Consider the composition gf:V!U. The appendix notes that the
composition of two correspondences is a correspondence, so we need only check
that the composition preserves linear combinations.
gf
c1~ v1+c2~ v2
=g
f(c1~ v1+c2~ v2)
=g
c1f(~ v1) +c2f(~ v2)
=c1g
f(~ v1)) +c2g(f(~ v2)
=c1(gf) (~ v1) +c2(gf) (~ v2)
Thusgf:V!Uis an isomorphism. QED
More information on equivalence relations and equivalence classes is in the appendix.
168 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
As a consequence of that result, we know that the universe of vector spaces
is partitioned into classes: every space is in one and only one isomorphism class.
All nite dimensional
vector spaces:. . .V
WV=W
2.2 Theorem Vector spaces are isomorphic if and only if they have the same
dimension.
This follows from the next two lemmas.
2.3 Lemma If spaces are isomorphic then they have the same dimension.
Proof .We shall show that an isomorphism of two spaces gives a correspondence
between their bases. That is, where f:V!Wis an isomorphism and a basis
for the domain VisB=h~1;:::;~ni, then the image set D=hf(~1);:::;f (~n)i
is a basis for the codomain W. (The other half of the correspondence | that
for any basis of Wthe inverse image is a basis for V| follows on recalling that
iffis an isomorphism then f 1is also an isomorphism, and applying the prior
sentence to f 1.)
To see that DspansW, x any~ w2W, note that fis onto and so there is
a~ v2Vwith~ w=f(~ v), and expand ~ vas a combination of basis vectors.
~ w=f(~ v) =f(v1~1++vn~n) =v1f(~1) ++vnf(~n)
For linear independence of D, if
~0W=c1f(~1) ++cnf(~n) =f(c1~1++cn~n)
then, since fis one-to-one and so the only vector sent to ~0Wis~0V, we have
that~0V=c1~1++cn~n, implying that all of the c's are zero. QED
2.4 Lemma If spaces have the same dimension then they are isomorphic.
Proof .To show that any two spaces of dimension nare isomorphic, we can
simply show that any one is isomorphic to Rn. Then we will have shown that
they are isomorphic to each other, by the transitivity of isomorphism (which
was established in Theorem 2.1).
LetVben-dimensional. Fix a basis B=h~1;:::;~nifor the domain V.
Consider the representation of the members of that domain with respect to the
basis as a function from VtoRn
~ v=v1~1++vn~nRepB7 !0
B@v1
...
vn1
CA
Section I. Isomorphisms 169
(it is well-denedsince every ~ vhas one and only one such representation | see
Remark 2.5 below).
This function is one-to-one because if
RepB(u1~1++un~n) = RepB(v1~1++vn~n)
then 0
B@u1
...
un1
CA=0
B@v1
...
vn1
CA
and sou1=v1, . . . ,un=vn, and therefore the original arguments u1~1++
un~nandv1~1++vn~nare equal.
This function is onto; any n-tall vector
~ w=0
B@w1
...
wn1
CA
is the image of some ~ v2V, namely~ w= RepB(w1~1++wn~n).
Finally, this function preserves structure.
RepB(r~ u+s~ v) = RepB( (ru1+sv1)~1++ (run+svn)~n)
=0
B@ru1+sv1
...
run+svn1
CA
=r0
B@u1
...
un1
CA+s0
B@v1
...
vn1
CA
=rRepB(~ u) +sRepB(~ v)
Thus the RepBfunction is an isomorphism and thus any n-dimensional space is
isomorphic to the n-dimensional space Rn. Consequently, any two spaces with
the same dimension are isomorphic. QED
2.5 Remark The parenthetical comment in that proof about the role played
by the `one and only one representation' result requires some explanation. We
need to show that (for a xed B) each vector in the domain is associated by
RepBwith one and only one vector in the codomain.
A contrasting example, where an association doesn't have this property, is
illuminating. Consider this subset of P2, which is not a basis.
A=f1 + 0x+ 0x2;0 + 1x+ 0x2;0 + 0x+ 1x2;1 + 1x+ 2x2g
More information on well-denedness is in the appendix.
170 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
Call those four polynomials ~ 1, . . . ,~ 4. If, mimicing above proof, we try to
write the members of P2as~ p=c1~ 1+c2~ 2+c3~ 3+c4~ 4, and associate ~ pwith
the four-tall vector with components c1, . . . ,c4then there is a problem. For,
consider~ p(x) = 1 +x+x2. The setAspans the spaceP2, so there is at least
one four-tall vector associated with ~ p. ButAis not linearly independent and so
vectors do not have unique decompositions. In this case, both
~ p(x) = 1~ 1+ 1~ 2+ 1~ 3+ 0~ 4and~ p(x) = 0~ 1+ 0~ 2 1~ 3+ 1~ 4
and so there is more than one four-tall vector associated with ~ p.
0
BB@1
1
1
01
CCAand0
BB@0
0
1
11
CCA
That is, with input ~ pthis association does not have a well-dened (i.e., single)
output value.
Any map whose denition appears possibly ambiguous must be checked to
see that it is well-dened. For RepBin the above proof that check is Exercise 18.
That ends the proof of Theorem 2.2. We say that the isomorphism classes
arecharacterized by dimension because we can describe each class simply by
giving the number that is the dimension of all of the spaces in that class.
This subsection's results give us a collection of representatives of the isomor-
phism classes.
2.6 Corollary A nite-dimensional vector space is isomorphic to one and only
one of the Rn.
The proofs above pack many ideas into a small space. Through the rest of
this chapter we'll consider these ideas again, and ll them out. For a taste of
this, we will expand here on the proof of Lemma 2.4.
2.7 Example The spaceM22of 22 matrices is isomorphic to R4. With this
basis for the domain
B=h1 0
0 0
;0 1
0 0
;0 0
1 0
;0 0
0 1
i
the isomorphism given in the lemma, the representation map f1= RepB, simply
carries the entries over.
a b
c d
f17 !0
BB@a
b
c
d1
CCA
One way to think of the map f1is: x the basis Bfor the domain and the basis
E4for the codomain, and associate ~1with~ e1, and~2with~ e2, etc. Then extend
Section I. Isomorphisms 171
this association to all of the members of two spaces.
a b
c d
=a~1+b~2+c~3+d~4f17 !a~ e1+b~ e2+c~ e3+d~ e4=0
BB@a
b
c
d1
CCA
We say that the map has been extended linearly from the bases to the spaces.
We can do the same thing with dierent bases, for instance, taking this basis
for the domain.
A=h2 0
0 0
;0 2
0 0
;0 0
2 0
;0 0
0 2
i
Associating corresponding members of AandE4and extending linearly
a b
c d
= (a=2)~ 1+ (b=2)~ 2+ (c=2)~ 3+ (d=2)~ 4
f27 ! (a=2)~ e1+ (b=2)~ e2+ (c=2)~ e3+ (d=2)~ e4=0
BB@a=2
b=2
c=2
d=21
CCA
gives rise to an isomorphism that is dierent than f1.
The prior map arose by changing the basis for the domain. We can also
change the basis for the codomain. Starting with
BandD=h0
BB@1
0
0
01
CCA;0
BB@0
1
0
01
CCA;0
BB@0
0
0
11
CCA;0
BB@0
0
1
01
CCAi
associating ~1with~1, etc., and then linearly extending that correspondence to
all of the two spaces
a b
c d
=a~1+b~2+c~3+d~4f37 !a~1+b~2+c~3+d~4=0
BB@a
b
d
c1
CCA
gives still another isomorphism.
So there is a connection between the maps between spaces and bases for
those spaces. Later sections will explore that connection.
We will close this section with a summary.
Recall that in the rst chapter we dened two matrices as row equivalent
if they can be derived from each other by elementary row operations (this was
the meaning of same-ness that was of interest there). We showed that is an
172 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
equivalence relation and so the collection of matrices is partitioned into classes,
where all the matrices that are row equivalent fall together into a single class.
Then, for insight into which matrices are in each class, we gave representatives
for the classes, the reduced echelon form matrices.
In this section, except that the appropriate notion of same-ness here is vector
space isomorphism, we have followed much the same outline. First we dened
isomorphism, saw some examples, and established some properties. Then we
showed that it is an equivalence relation, and now we have a set of class repre-
sentatives, the real vector spaces R1,R2, etc.
All nite dimensional
vector spaces:. . .?R2?R0?R3
?R1One representative
per class
As before, the list of representatives helps us to understand the partition. It is
simply a classication of spaces by dimension.
In the second chapter, with the denition of vector spaces, we seemed to
have opened up our studies to many examples of new structures besides the
familiar Rn's. We now know that isn't the case. Any nite-dimensional vector
space is actually \the same" as a real space. We are thus considering exactly
the structures that we need to consider.
The rest of the chapter lls out the work in this section. In particular,
in the next section we will consider maps that preserve structure, but are not
necessarily correspondences.
Exercises
X2.8Decide if the spaces are isomorphic.
(a)R2,R4(b)P5,R5(c)M23,R6(d)P5,M23(e)M2k,Ck
X2.9Consider the isomorphism RepB():P1!R2whereB=h1;1 +xi. Find the
image of each of these elements of the domain.
(a)3 2x;(b)2 + 2x;(c)x
X2.10 Show that if m6=nthenRm6=Rn.
X2.11 IsMmn=Mnm?
X2.12 Are any two planes through the origin in R3isomorphic?
2.13 Find a set of equivalence class representatives other than the set of Rn's.
2.14 True or false: between any n-dimensional space and Rnthere is exactly one
isomorphism.
2.15 Can a vector space be isomorphic to one of its (proper) subspaces?
X2.16 This subsection shows that for any isomorphism, the inverse map is also an iso-
morphism. This subsection also shows that for a xed basis Bof ann-dimensional
vector space V, the map RepB:V!Rnis an isomorphism. Find the inverse of
this map.
X2.17 Prove these facts about matrices.
(a)The row space of a matrix is isomorphic to the column space of its transpose.
(b)The row space of a matrix is isomorphic to its column space.
Section I. Isomorphisms 173
2.18 Show that the function from Theorem 2.2 is well-dened.
2.19 Is the proof of Theorem 2.2 valid when n= 0?
2.20 For each, decide if it is a set of isomorphism class representatives.
(a)fCkk2Ng(b)fPkk2f 1;0;1;:::gg (c)fMmnm;n2Ng
2.21 Letfbe a correspondence between vector spaces VandW(that is, a map
that is one-to-one and onto). Show that the spaces VandWare isomorphic via f
if and only if there are bases BVandDWsuch that corresponding vectors
have the same coordinates: RepB(~ v) = RepD(f(~ v)).
2.22 Consider the isomorphism RepB:P3!R4.
(a)Vectors in a real space are orthogonal if and only if their dot product is zero.
Give a denition of orthogonality for polynomials.
(b)The derivative of a member of P3is inP3. Give a denition of the derivative
of a vector in R4.
X2.23 Does every correspondence between bases, when extended to the spaces, give
an isomorphism?
2.24 (Requires the subsection on Combining Subspaces, which is optional.) Suppose
thatV=V1V2and thatVis isomorphic to the space Uunder the map f. Show
thatU=f(V1)f(U2).
2.25 Show that this is not a well-dened function from the rational numbers to the
integers: with each fraction, associate the value of its numerator.
174 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
II Homomorphisms
The denition of isomorphism has two conditions. In this section we will con-
sider the second one, that the map must preserve the algebraic structure of the
space. We will focus on this condition by studying maps that are required only
to preserve structure; that is, maps that are not required to be correspondences.
Experience shows that this kind of map is tremendously useful in the study
of vector spaces. For one thing, as we shall see in the second subsection below,
while isomorphisms describe how spaces are the same, these maps describe how
spaces can be thought of as alike.
II.1 Denition
1.1 Denition A function between vector spaces h:V!Wthat preserves
the operations of addition
if~ v1;~ v22Vthenh(~ v1+~ v2) =h(~ v1) +h(~ v2)
and scalar multiplication
if~ v2Vandr2Rthenh(r~ v) =rh(~ v)
is ahomomorphism orlinear map .
1.2 Example The projection map :R3!R2
0
@x
y
z1
A7 !x
y
is a homomorphism. It preserves addition
(0
@x1
y1
z11
A+0
@x2
y2
z21
A) =(0
@x1+x2
y1+y2
z1+z21
A) =x1+x2
y1+y2
=(0
@x1
y1
z11
A) +(0
@x2
y2
z21
A)
and scalar multiplication.
(r0
@x1
y1
z11
A) =(0
@rx1
ry1
rz11
A) =rx1
ry1
=r(0
@x1
y1
z11
A)
This map is not an isomorphism since it is not one-to-one. For instance, both
~0 and~ e3inR3are mapped to the zero vector in R2.
Section II. Homomorphisms 175
1.3 Example Of course, the domain and codomain might be other than spaces
of column vectors. Both of these are homomorphisms; the verications are
straightforward.
(1)f1:P2!P 3given by
a0+a1x+a2x27!a0x+ (a1=2)x2+ (a2=3)x3
(2)f2:M22!Rgiven bya b
c d
7!a+d
1.4 Example Between any two spaces there is a zero homomorphism , mapping
every vector in the domain to the zero vector in the codomain.
1.5 Example These two suggest why we use the term `linear map'.
(1) The map g:R3!Rgiven by
0
@x
y
z1
Ag7 !3x+ 2y 4:5z
is linear (i.e., is a homomorphism). In contrast, the map ^ g:R3!Rgiven
by0
@x
y
z1
A^g7 !3x+ 2y 4:5z+ 1
is not; for instance,
^g(0
@0
0
01
A+0
@1
0
01
A) = 4 while ^ g(0
@0
0
01
A) + ^g(0
@1
0
01
A) = 5
(to show that a map is not linear we need only produce one example of a
linear combination that is not preserved).
(2) The rst of these two maps t1;t2:R3!R2is linear while the second is
not.0
@x
y
z1
At17 !5x 2y
x+y
and0
@x
y
z1
At27 !5x 2y
xy
Finding an example that the second fails to preserve structure is easy.
What distinguishes the homomorphisms is that the coordinate functions are
linear combinations of the arguments. See also Exercise 23.
176 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
Obviously, any isomorphism is a homomorphism | an isomorphism is a ho-
momorphism that is also a correspondence. So, one way to think of the `ho-
momorphism' idea is that it is a generalization of `isomorphism', motivated by
the observation that many of the properties of isomorphisms have only to do
with the map's structure preservation property and not to do with it being
a correspondence. As examples, these two results from the prior section do
not use one-to-one-ness or onto-ness in their proof, and therefore apply to any
homomorphism.
1.6 Lemma A homomorphism sends a zero vector to a zero vector.
1.7 Lemma Each of these is a necessary and sucient condition for f:V!W
to be a homomorphism.
(1)f(c1~ v1+c2~ v2) =c1f(~ v1) +c2f(~ v2) for anyc1;c22Rand~ v1;~ v22V
(2)f(c1~ v1++cn~ vn) =c1f(~ v1) ++cnf(~ vn) for anyc1;:::;cn2R
and~ v1;:::;~ vn2V
Part (1) is often used to check that a function is linear.
1.8 Example The mapf:R2!R4given by
x
y
f7 !0
BB@x=2
0
x+y
3y1
CCA
satises (1) of the prior result
0
BB@r1(x1=2) +r2(x2=2)
0
r1(x1+y1) +r2(x2+y2)
r1(3y1) +r2(3y2)1
CCA=r10
BB@x1=2
0
x1+y1
3y11
CCA+r20
BB@x2=2
0
x2+y2
3y21
CCA
and so it is a homomorphism.
However, some of the results that we have seen for isomorphisms fail to hold
for homomorphisms in general. Consider the theorem that an isomorphism be-
tween spaces gives a correspondence between their bases. Homomorphisms do
not give any such correspondence; Example 1.2 shows that there is no such cor-
respondence, and another example is the zero map between any two nontrivial
spaces. Instead, for homomorphisms a weaker but still very useful result holds.
1.9 Theorem A homomorphism is determined by its action on a basis. That
is, ifh~1;:::;~niis a basis of a vector space Vand~ w1;:::;~ wnare (perhaps
not distinct) elements of a vector space Wthen there exists a homomorphism
fromVtoWsending~1to~ w1, . . . , and~nto~ wn, and that homomorphism is
unique.
Section II. Homomorphisms 177
Proof .We will dene the map by associating ~1with~ w1, etc., and then ex-
tending linearly to all of the domain. That is, where ~ v=c1~1++cn~n,
the maph:V!Wis given by h(~ v) =c1~ w1++cn~ wn. This is well-dened
because, with respect to the basis, the representation of each domain vector ~ v
is unique.
This map is a homomorphism since it preserves linear combinations; where
~ v1=c1~1++cn~nand~ v2=d1~1++dn~n, we have this.
h(r1~ v1+r2~ v2) =h((r1c1+r2d1)~1++ (r1cn+r2dn)~n)
= (r1c1+r2d1)~ w1++ (r1cn+r2dn)~ wn
=r1h(~ v1) +r2h(~ v2)
And, this map is unique since if ^h:V!Wis another homomorphism such
that ^h(~i) =~ wifor eachithenhand^hagree on all of the vectors in the domain.
^h(~ v) =^h(c1~1++cn~n)
=c1^h(~1) ++cn^h(~n)
=c1~ w1++cn~ wn
=h(~ v)
Thus,hand^hare the same map. QED
1.10 Example This result says that we can construct a homomorphism by
xing a basis for the domain and specifying where the map sends those basis
vectors. For instance, if we specify a map h:R2!R2that acts on the standard
basisE2in this way
h(1
0
) = 1
1
andh(0
1
) = 4
4
then the action of hon any other member of the domain is also specied. For
instance, the value of hon this argument
h(3
2
) =h(31
0
20
1
) = 3h(1
0
) 2h(0
1
) =5
5
is a direct consequence of the value of hon the basis vectors.
Later in this chapter we shall develop a scheme, using matrices, that is
convienent for computations like this one.
Just as the isomorphisms of a space with itself are useful and interesting, so
too are the homomorphisms of a space with itself.
1.11 Denition A linear map from a space into itself t:V!Vis a linear
transformation .
178 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
1.12 Remark In this book we use `linear transformation' only in the case
where the codomain equals the domain, but it is widely used in other texts as
a general synonym for `homomorphism'.
1.13 Example The map on R2that projects all vectors down to the x-axis
x
y
7!x
0
is a linear transformation.
1.14 Example The derivative map d=dx :Pn!Pn
a0+a1x++anxnd=dx7 !a1+ 2a2x+ 3a3x2++nanxn 1
is a linear transformation, as this result from calculus notes: d(c1f+c2g)=dx=
c1(df=dx ) +c2(dg=dx ).
1.15 Example The matrix transpose map
a b
c d
7!a c
b d
is a linear transformation of M22. Note that this transformation is one-to-one
and onto, and so in fact it is an automorphism.
We nish this subsection about maps by recalling that we can linearly com-
bine maps. For instance, for these maps from R2to itself
x
y
f7 !
2x
3x 2y
and
x
y
g7 !
0
5x
the linear combination 5 f 2gis also a map from R2to itself.
x
y
5f 2g7 !10x
5x 10y
1.16 Lemma For vector spaces VandW, the set of linear functions from V
toWis itself a vector space, a subspace of the space of all functions from Vto
W. It is denotedL(V;W ).
Proof .This set is non-empty because it contains the zero homomorphism. So
to show that it is a subspace we need only check that it is closed under linear
combinations. Let f;g:V!Wbe linear. Then their sum is linear
(f+g)(c1~ v1+c2~ v2) =f(c1~ v1+c2~ v2) +g(c1~ v1+c2~ v2)
=c1f(~ v1) +c2f(~ v2) +c1g(~ v1) +c2g(~ v2)
=c1
f+g
(~ v1) +c2
f+g
(~ v2)
and any scalar multiple is also linear.
(rf)(c1~ v1+c2~ v2) =r(c1f(~ v1) +c2f(~ v2))
=c1(rf)(~ v1) +c2(rf)(~ v2)
HenceL(V;W ) is a subspace. QED
Section II. Homomorphisms 179
We started this section by isolating the structure preservation property of
isomorphisms. That is, we dened homomorphisms as a generalization of iso-
morphisms. Some of the properties that we studied for isomorphisms carried
over unchanged, while others were adapted to this more general setting.
It would be a mistake, though, to view this new notion of homomorphism as
derived from, or somehow secondary to, that of isomorphism. In the rest of this
chapter we shall work mostly with homomorphisms, partly because any state-
ment made about homomorphisms is automatically true about isomorphisms,
but more because, while the isomorphism concept is perhaps more natural, ex-
perience shows that the homomorphism concept is actually more fruitful and
more central to further progress.
Exercises
X1.17 Decide if each h:R3!R2is linear.
(a)h(0
@x
y
z1
A) =x
x+y+z
(b)h(0
@x
y
z1
A) =0
0
(c)h(0
@x
y
z1
A) =1
1
(d)h(0
@x
y
z1
A) =2x+y
3y 4z
X1.18 Decide if each map h:M22!Ris linear.
(a)h(a b
c d
) =a+d
(b)h(a b
c d
) =ad bc
(c)h(a b
c d
) = 2a+ 3b+c d
(d)h(a b
c d
) =a2+b2
X1.19 Show that these two maps are homomorphisms.
(a)d=dx :P3!P 2given bya0+a1x+a2x2+a3x3maps toa1+ 2a2x+ 3a3x2
(b)R
:P2!P 3given byb0+b1x+b2x2maps tob0x+ (b1=2)x2+ (b2=3)x3
Are these maps inverse to each other?
1.20 Is (perpendicular) projection from R3to thexz-plane a homomorphism? Pro-
jection to the yz-plane? To the x-axis? The y-axis? The z-axis? Projection to the
origin?
1.21 Show that, while the maps from Example 1.3 preserve linear operations, they
are not isomorphisms.
1.22 Is an identity map a linear transformation?
X1.23 Stating that a function is `linear' is dierent than stating that its graph is a
line.
(a)The function f1:R!Rgiven byf1(x) = 2x 1 has a graph that is a line.
Show that it is not a linear function.
(b)The function f2:R2!Rgiven by
x
y
7!x+ 2y
does not have a graph that is a line. Show that it is a linear function.
180 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
X1.24 Part of the denition of a linear function is that it respects addition. Does a
linear function respect subtraction?
1.25 Assume that his a linear transformation of Vand thath~1;:::;~niis a basis
ofV. Prove each statement.
(a)Ifh(~i) =~0 for each basis vector then his the zero map.
(b)Ifh(~i) =~ifor each basis vector then his the identity map.
(c)If there is a scalar rsuch thath(~i) =r~ifor each basis vector then
h(~ v) =r~ vfor all vectors in V.
X1.26 Consider the vector space R+where vector addition and scalar multiplication
are not the ones inherited from Rbut rather are these: a+bis the product of
aandb, andrais ther-th power of a. (This was shown to be a vector space
in an earlier exercise.) Verify that the natural logarithm map ln: R+!Ris a
homomorphism between these two spaces. Is it an isomorphism?
X1.27 Consider this transformation of R2.x
y
7!x=2
y=3
Find the image under this map of this ellipse.
fx
y(x2=4) + (y2=9) = 1g
X1.28 Imagine a rope wound around the earth's equator so that it ts snugly (sup-
pose that the earth is a sphere). How much extra rope must be added to raise the
circle to a constant six feet o the ground?
X1.29 Verify that this map h:R3!R0
@x
y
z1
A7!0
@x
y
z1
A0
@3
1
11
A= 3x y z
is linear. Generalize.
1.30 Show that every homomorphism from R1toR1acts via multiplication by a
scalar. Conclude that every nontrivial linear transformation of R1is an isomor-
phism. Is that true for transformations of R2?Rn?
1.31 (a) Show that for any scalars a1;1;:::;am;nthis maph:Rn!Rmis a ho-
momorphism.0
B@x1
...
xn1
CA7!0
B@a1;1x1++a1;nxn
...
am;1x1++am;nxn1
CA
(b)Show that for each i, thei-th derivative operator di=dxiis a linear trans-
formation ofPn. Conclude that for any scalars ck;:::;c 0this map is a linear
transformation of that space.
f7!dk
dxkf+ck 1dk 1
dxk 1f++c1d
dxf+c0f
1.32 Lemma 1.16 shows that a sum of linear functions is linear and that a scalar
multiple of a linear function is linear. Show also that a composition of linear
functions is linear.
X1.33 Wheref:V!Wis linear, suppose that f(~ v1) =~ w1, . . . ,f(~ vn) =~ wnfor
some vectors ~ w1, . . . ,~ wnfromW.
(a)If the set of ~ w's is independent, must the set of ~ v's also be independent?
Section II. Homomorphisms 181
(b)If the set of ~ v's is independent, must the set of ~ w's also be independent?
(c)If the set of ~ w's spansW, must the set of ~ v's spanV?
(d)If the set of ~ v's spansV, must the set of ~ w's spanW?
1.34 Generalize Example 1.15 by proving that the matrix transpose map is linear.
What is the domain and codomain?
1.35 (a) Where~ u;~ v2Rn, the line segment connecting them is dened to be
the set`=ft~ u+ (1 t)~ vt2[0::1]g. Show that the image, under a homo-
morphismh, of the segment between ~ uand~ vis the segment between h(~ u) and
h(~ v).
(b)A subset of Rnisconvex if, for any two points in that set, the line segment
joining them lies entirely in that set. (The inside of a sphere is convex while the
skin of a sphere is not.) Prove that linear maps from RntoRmpreserve the
property of set convexity.
X1.36 Leth:Rn!Rmbe a homomorphism.
(a)Show that the image under hof a line in Rnis a (possibly degenerate) line
inRm.
(b)What happens to a k-dimensional linear surface?
1.37 Prove that the restriction of a homomorphism to a subspace of its domain is
another homomorphism.
1.38 Assume that h:V!Wis linear.
(a)Show that the rangespace of this mapfh(~ v)~ v2Vgis a subspace of the
codomainW.
(b)Show that the nullspace of this mapf~ v2Vh(~ v) =~0Wgis a subspace of
the domain V.
(c)Show that if Uis a subspace of the domain Vthen its imagefh(~ u)~ u2Ug
is a subspace of the codomain W. This generalizes the rst item.
(d)Generalize the second item.
1.39 Consider the set of isomorphisms from a vector space to itself. Is this a
subspace of the space L(V;V) of homomorphisms from the space to itself?
1.40 Does Theorem 1.9 need that h~1;:::;~niis a basis? That is, can we still get
a well-dened and unique homomorphism if we drop either the condition that the
set of~'s be linearly independent, or the condition that it span the domain?
1.41 LetVbe a vector space and assume that the maps f1;f2:V!R1are lin-
ear.
(a)Dene a map F:V!R2whose component functions are the given linear
ones.
~ v7!f1(~ v)
f2(~ v)
Show thatFis linear.
(b)Does the converse hold | is any linear map from VtoR2made up of two
linear component maps to R1?
(c)Generalize.
II.2 Rangespace and Nullspace
Isomorphisms and homomorphisms both preserve structure. The dierence is
182 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
that homomorphisms needn't be onto and needn't be one-to-one. This means
that homomorphisms are a more general kind of map, subject to fewer restric-
tions than isomorphisms. We will examine what can happen with a homomor-
phism that is prevented by the extra restrictions satised by an isomorphism.
We rst consider the eect of dropping the onto requirement, of not requir-
ing as part of the denition that a homomorphism be onto its codomain. For
instance, the injection map :R2!R3
x
y
7!0
@x
y
01
A
is not an isomorphism because it is not onto. Of course, being a function, a
homomorphism is onto some set, namely its range; the map is onto the xy-
plane subset of R3.
2.1 Lemma Under a homomorphism, the image of any subspace of the domain
is a subspace of the codomain. In particular, the image of the entire space, the
range of the homomorphism, is a subspace of the codomain.
Proof .Leth:V!Wbe linear and let Sbe a subspace of the domain V.
The image h(S) is a subset of the codomain W. It is nonempty because Sis
nonempty and thus to show that h(S) is a subspace of Wwe need only show
that it is closed under linear combinations of two vectors. If h(~ s1) andh(~ s2) are
members of h(S) thenc1h(~ s1)+c2h(~ s2) =h(c1~ s1)+h(c2~ s2) =h(c1~ s1+c2~ s2)
is also a member of h(S) because it is the image of c1~ s1+c2~ s2fromS.QED
2.2 Denition The rangespace of a homomorphism h:V!Wis
R(h) =fh(~ v)~ v2Vg
sometimes denoted h(V). The dimension of the rangespace is the map's rank.
(We shall soon see the connection between the rank of a map and the rank of a
matrix.)
2.3 Example Recall that the derivative map d=dx :P3!P 3given bya0+
a1x+a2x2+a3x37!a1+ 2a2x+ 3a3x2is linear. The rangespace R(d=dx ) is
the set of quadratic polynomials fr+sx+tx2r;s;t2Rg. Thus, the rank of
this map is three.
2.4 Example With this homomorphism h:M22!P 3
a b
c d
7!(a+b+ 2d) + 0x+cx2+cx3
an image vector in the range can have any constant term, must have an x
coecient of zero, and must have the same coecient of x2as ofx3. That is,
the rangespace is R(h) =fr+ 0x+sx2+sx3r;s2Rgand so the rank is two.
Section II. Homomorphisms 183
The prior result shows that, in passing from the denition of isomorphism to
the more general denition of homomorphism, omitting the `onto' requirement
doesn't make an essential dierence. Any homomorphism is onto its rangespace.
However, omitting the `one-to-one' condition does make a dierence. A
homomorphism may have many elements of the domain that map to one element
of the codomain. Below is a \bean" sketch of a many-to-one map between
sets.It shows three elements of the codomain that are each the image of many
members of the domain.
Recall that for any function h:V!W, the set of elements of Vthat are mapped
to~ w2Wis the inverse image h 1(~ w) =f~ v2Vh(~ v) =~ wg. Above, the three
sets of many elements on the left are inverse images.
2.5 Example Consider the projection :R3!R2
0
@x
y
z1
A7 !x
y
which is a homomorphism that is many-to-one. In this instance, an inverse
image set is a vertical line of vectors in the domain.
R3R2
~ w
2.6 Example This homomorphism h:R2!R1
x
y
h7 !x+y
is also many-to-one; for a xed w2R1, the inverse image h 1(w)
R2R1
w
More information on many-to-one maps is in the appendix.
184 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
is the set of plane vectors whose components add to w.
The above examples have only to do with the fact that we are considering
functions, specically, many-to-one functions. They show the inverse images as
sets of vectors that are related to the image vector ~ w. But these are more than
just arbitrary functions, they are homomorphisms; what do the two preservation
conditions say about the relationships?
In generalizing from isomorphisms to homomorphisms by dropping the one-
to-one condition, we lose the property that we've stated intuitively as: the
domain is \the same as" the range. That is, we lose that the domain corresponds
perfectly to the range in a one-vector-by-one-vector way. What we shall keep,
as the examples below illustrate, is that a homomorphism describes a way in
which the domain is \like", or \analgous to", the range.
2.7 Example We think of R3as being like R2, except that vectors have an
extra component. That is, we think of the vector with components x,y, andz
as like the vector with components xandy. In dening the projection map ,
we make precise which members of the domain we are thinking of as related to
which members of the codomain.
Understanding in what way the preservation conditions in the denition of
homomorphism show that the domain elements are like the codomain elements
is easiest if we draw R2as thexy-plane inside of R3. (Of course, R2is a set
of two-tall vectors while the xy-plane is a set of three-tall vectors with a third
component of zero, but there is an obvious correspondence.) Then, (~ v) is the
\shadow" of ~ vin the plane and the preservation of addition property says that
0
@x1
y1
z11
Aabovex1
y1
plus0
@x2
y2
z21
Aabovex2
y2
equals0
@x1+y1
y1+y2
z1+z21
Aabovex1+x2
y1+y2
Brie
y, the shadow of a sum (~ v1+~ v2) equals the sum of the shadows (~ v1) +
(~ v2). (Preservation of scalar multiplication has a similar interpretation.)
Redrawing by separating the two spaces, moving the codomain R2to the
right, gives an uglier picture but one that is more faithful to the \bean" sketch.
~ w1~ w2
~ w1+~ w2
Section II. Homomorphisms 185
Again in this drawing, the vectors that map to ~ w1lie in the domain in a vertical
line (only one such vector is shown, in gray). Call any such member of this
inverse image a \ ~ w1vector". Similarly, there is a vertical line of \ ~ w2vectors"
and a vertical line of \ ~ w1+~ w2vectors". Now, has the property that if
(~ v1) =~ w1and(~ v2) =~ w2then(~ v1+~ v2) =(~ v1) +(~ v2) =~ w1+~ w2.
This says that the vector classes add, in the sense that any ~ w1vector plus any
~ w2vector equals a ~ w1+~ w2vector, (A similar statement holds about the classes
under scalar multiplication.)
Thus, although the two spaces R3andR2are not isomorphic, describes a
way in which they are alike: vectors in R3add as do the associated vectors in
R2| vectors add as their shadows add.
2.8 Example A homomorphism can be used to express an analogy between
spaces that is more subtle than the prior one. For the map
x
y
h7 !x+y
from Example 2.6 x two numbers w1;w2in the range R. A~ v1that maps to
w1has components that add to w1, that is, the inverse image h 1(w1) is the
set of vectors with endpoint on the diagonal line x+y=w1. Call these the \ w1
vectors". Similarly, we have the \ w2vectors" and the \ w1+w2vectors". Then
the addition preservation property says that
~ v1~ v2~ v1+~ v2
a \w1vector" plus a \ w2vector" equals a \ w1+w2vector".
Restated, if a w1vector is added to a w2vector then the result is mapped by
hto aw1+w2vector. Brie
y, the image of a sum is the sum of the images.
Even more brie
y, h(~ v1+~ v2) =h(~ v1) +h(~ v2). (The preservation of scalar
multiplication condition has a similar restatement.)
2.9 Example The inverse images can be structures other than lines. For the
linear map h:R3!R20
@x
y
z1
A7!x
x
the inverse image sets are planes x= 0,x= 1, etc., perpendicular to the x-axis.
186 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
We won't describe how every homomorphism that we will use is an analogy
because the formal sense that we make of \alike in that . . . " is `a homomorphism
exists such that . . . '. Nonetheless, the idea that a homomorphism between two
spaces expresses how the domain's vectors fall into classes that act like the
range's vectors is a good way to view homomorphisms.
Another reason that we won't treat all of the homomorphisms that we see as
above is that many vector spaces are hard to draw (e.g., a space of polynomials).
However, there is nothing bad about gaining insights from those spaces that we
are able to draw, especially when those insights extend to all vector spaces. We
derive two such insights from the three examples 2.7, 2.8, and 2.9.
First, in all three examples, the inverse images are lines or planes, that is,
linear surfaces. In particular, the inverse image of the range's zero vector is a
line or plane through the origin | a subspace of the domain.
2.10 Lemma For any homomorphism, the inverse image of a subspace of the
range is a subspace of the domain. In particular, the inverse image of the trivial
subspace of the range is a subspace of the domain.
Proof .Leth:V!Wbe a homomorphism and let Sbe a subspace of the
rangespace h. Consider h 1(S) =f~ v2Vh(~ v)2Sg, the inverse image of the
setS. It is nonempty because it contains ~0V, sinceh(~0V) =~0W, which is an
elementS, asSis a subspace. To show that h 1(S) is closed under linear
combinations, let ~ v1and~ v2be elements, so that h(~ v1) andh(~ v2) are elements
ofS, and thenc1~ v1+c2~ v2is also in the inverse image because h(c1~ v1+c2~ v2) =
c1h(~ v1) +c2h(~ v2) is a member of the subspace S. QED
2.11 Denition The nullspace orkernel of a linear map h:V!Wis the
inverse image of 0 W
N(h) =h 1(~0W) =f~ v2Vh(~ v) =~0Wg:
The dimension of the nullspace is the map's nullity .
0V 0W
2.12 Example The map from Example 2.3 has this nullspace N(d=dx ) =
fa0+ 0x+ 0x2+ 0x3a02Rg.
2.13 Example The map from Example 2.4 has this nullspace.
N(h) =fa b
0 (a+b)=2a;b2Rg
Section II. Homomorphisms 187
Now for the second insight from the above pictures. In Example 2.7, each
of the vertical lines is squashed down to a single point | , in passing from the
domain to the range, takes all of these one-dimensional vertical lines and \zeroes
them out", leaving the range one dimension smaller than the domain. Similarly,
in Example 2.8, the two-dimensional domain is mapped to a one-dimensional
range by breaking the domain into lines (here, they are diagonal lines), and
compressing each of those lines to a single member of the range. Finally, in
Example 2.9, the domain breaks into planes which get \zeroed out", and so the
map starts with a three-dimensional domain but ends with a one-dimensional
range | this map \subtracts" two from the dimension. (Notice that, in this
third example, the codomain is two-dimensional but the range of the map is
only one-dimensional, and it is the dimension of the range that is of interest.)
2.14 Theorem A linear map's rank plus its nullity equals the dimension of
its domain.
Proof .Leth:V!Wbe linear and let BN=h~1;:::;~kibe a basis for the
nullspace. Extend that to a basis BV=h~1;:::;~k;~k+1;:::;~nifor the en-
tire domain. We shall show that BR=hh(~k+1);:::;h (~n)iis a basis for the
rangespace. Then counting the size of these bases gives the result.
To see that BRis linearly independent, consider the equation ck+1h(~k+1)+
+cnh(~n) =~0W. This gives that h(ck+1~k+1++cn~n) =~0Wand so
ck+1~k+1++cn~nis in the nullspace of h. AsBNis a basis for this nullspace,
there are scalars c1;:::;ck2Rsatisfying this relationship.
c1~1++ck~k=ck+1~k+1++cn~n
ButBVis a basis for Vso each scalar equals zero. Therefore BRis linearly
independent.
To show that BRspans the rangespace, consider h(~ v)2R(h) and write ~ v
as a linear combination ~ v=c1~1++cn~nof members of BV. This gives
h(~ v) =h(c1~1++cn~n) =c1h(~1)++ckh(~k)+ck+1h(~k+1)++cnh(~n)
and since~1, . . . ,~kare in the nullspace, we have that h(~ v) =~0 ++~0 +
ck+1h(~k+1) ++cnh(~n). Thus,h(~ v) is a linear combination of members of
BR, and soBRspans the space. QED
2.15 Example Whereh:R3!R4is
0
@x
y
z1
Ah7 !0
BB@x
0
y
01
CCA
the rangespace and nullspace are
R(h) =f0
BB@a
0
b
01
CCAa;b2RgandN(h) =f0
@0
0
z1
Az2Rg
188 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
and so the rank of his two while the nullity is one.
2.16 Example Ift:R!Ris the linear transformation x7! 4x;then the
range is R(t) =R1, and so the rank of tis one and the nullity is zero.
2.17 Corollary The rank of a linear map is less than or equal to the dimension
of the domain. Equality holds if and only if the nullity of the map is zero.
We know that an isomorphism exists between two spaces if and only if their
dimensions are equal. Here we see that for a homomorphism to exist, the
dimension of the range must be less than or equal to the dimension of the
domain. For instance, there is no homomorphism from R2ontoR3. There are
many homomorphisms from R2intoR3, but none is onto all of three-space.
The rangespace of a linear map can be of dimension strictly less than the
dimension of the domain (Example 2.3's derivative transformation on P3has
a domain of dimension four but a range of dimension three). Thus, under a
homomorphism, linearly independent sets in the domain may map to linearly
dependent sets in the range (for instance, the derivative sends f1;x;x2;x3gto
f0;1;2x;3x2g). That is, under a homomorphism, independence may be lost. In
contrast, dependence stays.
2.18 Lemma Under a linear map, the image of a linearly dependent set is
linearly dependent.
Proof .Suppose that c1~ v1++cn~ vn=~0V, with some cinonzero. Then,
becauseh(c1~ v1++cn~ vn) =c1h(~ v1)++cnh(~ vn) and because h(~0V) =~0W,
we have that c1h(~ v1) ++cnh(~ vn) =~0Wwith some nonzero ci. QED
When is independence not lost? One obvious sucient condition is when
the homomorphism is an isomorphism. This condition is also necessary; see
Exercise 35. We will nish this subsection comparing homomorphisms with
isomorphisms by observing that a one-to-one homomorphism is an isomorphism
from its domain onto its range.
2.19 Denition A linear map that is one-to-one is nonsingular .
(In the next section we will see the connection between this use of `nonsingular'
for maps and its familiar use for matrices.)
2.20 Example This nonsingular homomorphism :R2!R3
x
y
7 !0
@x
y
01
A
gives the obvious correspondence between R2and thexy-plane inside of R3.
The prior observation allows us to adapt some results about isomorphisms
to this setting.
Section II. Homomorphisms 189
2.21 Theorem In ann-dimensional vector space V, these:
(1)his nonsingular, that is, one-to-one
(2)hhas a linear inverse
(3)N(h) =f~0g, that is, nullity( h) = 0
(4) rank(h) =n
(5) ifh~1;:::;~niis a basis for Vthenhh(~1);:::;h (~n)iis a basis for R(h)
are equivalent statements about a linear map h:V!W.
Proof .We will rst show that (1) () (2). We will then show that (1) = )
(3) =)(4) =)(5) =)(2).
For (1) =)(2), suppose that the linear map his one-to-one, and so has an
inverse. The domain of that inverse is the range of hand so a linear combina-
tion of two members of that domain has the form c1h(~ v1) +c2h(~ v2). On that
combination, the inverse h 1gives this.
h 1(c1h(~ v1) +c2h(~ v2)) =h 1(h(c1~ v1+c2~ v2))
=h 1h(c1~ v1+c2~ v2)
=c1~ v1+c2~ v2
=c1h 1h(~ v1) +c2h 1h(~ v2)
=c1h 1(h(~ v1)) +c2h 1(h(~ v2))
Thus the inverse of a one-to-one linear map is automatically linear. But this also
gives the (2) =)(1) implication, because the inverse itself must be one-to-one.
Of the remaining implications, (1) = )(3) holds because any homomor-
phism maps ~0Vto~0W, but a one-to-one map sends at most one member of V
to~0W.
Next, (3) =)(4) is true since rank plus nullity equals the dimension of the
domain.
For (4) =)(5), to show thathh(~1);:::;h (~n)iis a basis for the rangespace
we need only show that it is a spanning set, because by assumption the range
has dimension n. Consider h(~ v)2R(h). Expressing ~ vas a linear combination
of basis elements produces h(~ v) =h(c1~1+c2~2++cn~n), which gives that
h(~ v) =c1h(~1) ++cnh(~n), as desired.
Finally, for the (5) = )(2) implication, assume that h~1;:::;~niis a basis
forVso thathh(~1);:::;h (~n)iis a basis for R(h). Then every ~ w2R(h) a the
unique representation ~ w=c1h(~1) ++cnh(~n). Dene a map from R(h) to
Vby
~ w7!c1~1+c2~2++cn~n
(uniqueness of the representation makes this well-dened). Checking that it is
linear and that it is the inverse of hare easy. QED
We've now seen that a linear map shows how the structure of the domain is
like that of the range. Such a map can be thought to organize the domain space
into inverse images of points in the range. In the special case that the map is
190 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
one-to-one, each inverse image is a single point and the map is an isomorphism
between the domain and the range.
Exercises
X2.22 Leth:P3!P 4be given by p(x)7!xp(x). Which of these are in the
nullspace? Which are in the rangespace?
(a)x3(b)0(c)7(d)12x 0:5x3(e)1 + 3x2 x3
X2.23 Find the nullspace, nullity, rangespace, and rank of each map.
(a)h:R2!P 3given bya
b
7!a+ax+ax2
(b)h:M22!Rgiven bya b
c d
7!a+d
(c)h:M22!P 2given bya b
c d
7!a+b+c+dx2
(d)the zero map Z:R3!R4
X2.24 Find the nullity of each map.
(a)h:R5!R8of rank ve (b)h:P3!P 3of rank one
(c)h:R6!R3, an onto map (d)h:M33!M 33, onto
X2.25 What is the nullspace of the dierentiation transformation d=dx :Pn!Pn?
What is the nullspace of the second derivative, as a transformation of Pn? The
k-th derivative?
2.26 Example 2.7 restates the rst condition in the denition of homomorphism as
`the shadow of a sum is the sum of the shadows'. Restate the second condition in
the same style.
2.27 For the homomorphism h:P3!P 3given byh(a0+a1x+a2x2+a3x3) =
a0+ (a0+a1)x+ (a2+a3)x3nd these.
(a)N(h)(b)h 1(2 x3)(c)h 1(1 +x2)
X2.28 For the map f:R2!Rgiven by
f(x
y
) = 2x+y
sketch these inverse image sets: f 1( 3),f 1(0), andf 1(1).
X2.29 Each of these transformations of P3is nonsingular. Find the inverse function
of each.
(a)a0+a1x+a2x2+a3x37!a0+a1x+ 2a2x2+ 3a3x3
(b)a0+a1x+a2x2+a3x37!a0+a2x+a1x2+a3x3
(c)a0+a1x+a2x2+a3x37!a1+a2x+a3x2+a0x3
(d)a0+a1x+a2x2+a3x37!a0+(a0+a1)x+(a0+a1+a2)x2+(a0+a1+a2+a3)x3
2.30 Describe the nullspace and rangespace of a transformation given by ~ v7!2~ v.
2.31 List all pairs (rank( h);nullity(h)) that are possible for linear maps from R5
toR3.
2.32 Does the dierentiation map d=dx :Pn!Pnhave an inverse?
X2.33 Find the nullity of the map h:Pn!Rgiven by
a0+a1x++anxn7!Zx=1
x=0a0+a1x++anxndx:
Section II. Homomorphisms 191
2.34 (a) Prove that a homomorphism is onto if and only if its rank equals the
dimension of its codomain.
(b)Conclude that a homomorphism between vector spaces with the same di-
mension is one-to-one if and only if it is onto.
2.35 Show that a linear map is nonsingular if and only if it preserves linear inde-
pendence.
2.36 Corollary 2.17 says that for there to be an onto homomorphism from a vector
spaceVto a vector space W, it is necessary that the dimension of Wbe less
than or equal to the dimension of V. Prove that this condition is also sucient;
use Theorem 1.9 to show that if the dimension of Wis less than or equal to the
dimension of V, then there is a homomorphism from VtoWthat is onto.
X2.37 Recall that the nullspace is a subset of the domain and the rangespace is a
subset of the codomain. Are they necessarily distinct? Is there a homomorphism
that has a nontrivial intersection of its nullspace and its rangespace?
2.38 Prove that the image of a span equals the span of the images. That is, where
h:V!Wis linear, prove that if Sis a subset of Vthenh([S]) equals [h(S)]. This
generalizes Lemma 2.1 since it shows that if Uis any subspace of Vthen its image
fh(~ u)~ u2Ugis a subspace of W, because the span of the set UisU.
X2.39 (a) Prove that for any linear map h:V!Wand any~ w2W, the set
h 1(~ w) has the form
f~ v+~ n~ n2N(h)g
for~ v2Vwithh(~ v) =~ w(ifhis not onto then this set may be empty). Such a
set is a coset ofN(h) and is denoted ~ v+N(h).
(b)Consider the map t:R2!R2given byx
y
t7 !ax+by
cx+dy
for some scalars a,b,c, andd. Prove that tis linear.
(c)Conclude from the prior two items that for any linear system of the form
ax+by=e
cx+dy=f
the solution set can be written (the vectors are members of R2)
f~ p+~h~hsatises the associated homogeneous system g
where~ pis a particular solution of that linear system (if there is no particular
solution then the above set is empty).
(d)Show that this map h:Rn!Rmis linear0
B@x1
...
xn1
CA7!0
B@a1;1x1++a1;nxn
...
am;1x1++am;nxn1
CA
for any scalars a1;1, . . . ,am;n. Extend the conclusion made in the prior item.
(e)Show that the k-th derivative map is a linear transformation of Pnfor each
k. Prove that this map is a linear transformation of that space
f7!dk
dxkf+ck 1dk 1
dxk 1f++c1d
dxf+c0f
for any scalars ck, . . . ,c0. Draw a conclusion as above.
2.40 Prove that for any transformation t:V!Vthat is rank one, the map given
by composing the operator with itself tt:V!Vsatisestt=rtfor some
real number r.
192 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
2.41 Leth:V!Rbe a homomorphism, but not the zero homomorphism. Prove
that ifh~1;:::;~niis a basis for the nullspace and if ~ v2Vis not in the nullspace
thenh~ v;~1;:::;~niis a basis for the entire domain V.
2.42 Show that for any space Vof dimension n, the dual space
L(V;R) =fh:V!Rhis linearg
is isomorphic to Rn. It is often denoted V. Conclude that V=V.
2.43 Show that any linear map is the sum of maps of rank one.
2.44 Is `is homomorphic to' an equivalence relation? ( Hint: the diculty is to
decide on an appropriate meaning for the quoted phrase.)
2.45 Show that the rangespaces and nullspaces of powers of linear maps t:V!V
form descending
VR(t)R(t2):::
and ascending
f~0gN(t)N(t2):::
chains. Also show that if kis such that R(tk) =R(tk+1) then all following
rangespaces are equal: R(tk) =R(tk+1) =R(tk+2):::. Similarly, if N(tk) =
N(tk+1) thenN(tk) =N(tk+1) =N(tk+2) =:::.
Section III. Computing Linear Maps 193
III Computing Linear Maps
The prior section shows that a linear map is determined by its action on a basis.
In fact, the equation
h(~ v) =h(c1~1++cn~n) =c1h(~1) ++cnh(~n)
shows that, if we know the value of the map on the vectors in a basis, then we
can compute the value of the map on any vector ~ vat all. We just need to nd
thec's to express ~ vwith respect to the basis.
This section gives the scheme that computes, from the representation of a
vector in the domain RepB(~ v), the representation of that vector's image in the
codomain RepD(h(~ v)), using the representations of h(~1), . . . ,h(~n).
III.1 Representing Linear Maps with Matrices
1.1 Example Consider a map hwith domain R2and codomain R3, xing
B=h2
0
;1
4
iandD=h0
@1
0
01
A;0
@0
2
01
A;0
@1
0
11
Ai
as the bases for these spaces, that is determined by this action on the vectors
in the domain's basis.
2
0
h7 !0
@1
1
11
A1
4
h7 !0
@1
2
01
A
To compute the action of this map on any vector at all from the domain, we
rst express h(~1) andh(~2) with respect to the codomain's basis:
0
@1
1
11
A= 00
@1
0
01
A 1
20
@0
2
01
A+ 10
@1
0
11
Aso RepD(h(~1)) =0
@0
1=2
11
A
D
and
0
@1
2
01
A= 10
@1
0
01
A 10
@0
2
01
A+ 00
@1
0
11
Aso RepD(h(~2)) =0
@1
1
01
A
D
(these are easy to check). Then, as described in the preamble, for any member
194 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
~ vof the domain, we can express the image h(~ v) in terms of the h(~)'s.
h(~ v) =h(c12
0
+c21
4
)
=c1h(2
0
) +c2h(1
4
)
=c1(00
@1
0
01
A 1
20
@0
2
01
A+ 10
@1
0
11
A) +c2(10
@1
0
01
A 10
@0
2
01
A+ 00
@1
0
11
A)
= (0c1+ 1c2)0
@1
0
01
A+ ( 1
2c1 1c2)0
@0
2
01
A+ (1c1+ 0c2)0
@1
0
11
A
Thus,
with RepB(~ v) =c1
c2
then RepD(h(~ v) ) =0
@0c1+ 1c2
(1=2)c1 1c2
1c1+ 0c21
A.
For instance,
with RepB(
4
8
) =
1
2
Bthen RepD(h(
4
8
) ) =0
@2
5=2
11
A.
We will express computations like the one above with a matrix notation.
0
@0 1
1=2 1
1 01
A
B;D
c1
c2
B=0
@0c1+ 1c2
( 1=2)c1 1c2
1c1+ 0c21
A
D
In the middle is the argument ~ vto the map, represented with respect to the
domain's basis Bby a column vector with components c1andc2. On the right
is the value h(~ v) of the map on that argument, represented with respect to the
codomain's basis Dby a column vector with components 0 c1+ 1c2, etc. The
matrix on the left is the new thing. It consists of the coecients from the vector
on the right, 0 and 1 from the rst row, 1=2 and 1 from the second row, and
1 and 0 from the third row.
This notation simply breaks the parts from the right, the coecients and the
c's, out separately on the left, into a vector that represents the map's argument
and a matrix that we will take to represent the map itself.
Section III. Computing Linear Maps 195
1.2 Denition Suppose that VandWare vector spaces of dimensions nand
mwith bases BandD, and thath:V!Wis a linear map. If
RepD(h(~1)) =0
BBB@h1;1
h2;1
...
hm;11
CCCA
D:::RepD(h(~n)) =0
BBB@h1;n
h2;n
...
hm;n1
CCCA
D
then
RepB;D(h) =0
BBB@h1;1h1;2::: h 1;n
h2;1h2;2::: h 2;n
...
hm;1hm;2::: hm;n1
CCCA
B;D
is the matrix representation of hwith respect to B;D .
Brie
y, the vectors representing the h(~)'s are adjoined to make the matrix
representing the map.
RepB;D(h) =0
BB@......
RepD(h(~1) ) RepD(h(~n) )
......1
CCA
Observe that the number of columns nof the matrix is the dimension of the
domain of the map and the number of rows mis the dimension of the codomain.
1.3 Example Ifh:R3!P 1is given by
0
@a1
a2
a31
Ah7 !(2a1+a2) + ( a3)x
then where
B=h0
@0
0
11
A;0
@0
2
01
A;0
@2
0
01
AiandD=h1 +x; 1 +xi
the action of honBis given by
0
@0
0
11
Ah7 ! x0
@0
2
01
Ah7 !20
@2
0
01
Ah7 !4
and a simple calculation gives
RepD( x) =
1=2
1=2
DRepD(2) =
1
1
DRepD(4) =
2
2
D
196 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
showing that this is the matrix representing hwith respect to the bases.
RepB;D(h) = 1=2 1 2
1=2 1 2
B;D
We will use lower case letters for a map, upper case for the matrix, and
lower case again for the entries of the matrix. Thus for the map h, the matrix
representing it is H, with entries hi;j.
1.4 Theorem Assume that VandWare vector spaces of dimensions nand
mwith basesBandD, and thath:V!Wis a linear map. If his represented
by
RepB;D(h) =0
BBB@h1;1h1;2::: h 1;n
h2;1h2;2::: h 2;n
...
hm;1hm;2::: hm;n1
CCCA
B;D
and~ v2Vis represented by
RepB(~ v) =0
BBB@c1
c2
...
cn1
CCCA
B
then the representation of the image of ~ vis this.
RepD(h(~ v) ) =0
BBB@h1;1c1+h1;2c2++h1;ncn
h2;1c1+h2;2c2++h2;ncn
...
hm;1c1+hm;2c2++hm;ncn1
CCCA
D
Proof .This formalizes Example 1.1; see Exercise 28. QED
1.5 Denition The matrix-vector product of amnmatrix and a n1 vector
is this.
0
BBB@a1;1a1;2::: a 1;n
a2;1a2;2::: a 2;n
...
am;1am;2::: am;n1
CCCA0
B@c1
...
cn1
CA=0
BBB@a1;1c1+a1;2c2++a1;ncn
a2;1c1+a2;2c2++a2;ncn
...
am;1c1+am;2c2++am;ncn1
CCCA
The point of Denition 1.2 is to generalize Example 1.1. That is, the point
of the denition is Theorem 1.4: the product of the matrix RepB;D(h) and the
vector RepB(~ v) is the vector RepD(h(~ v)). Brie
y, application of a linear map is
represented by the matrix-vector product of the map's representative and the
vector's representative.
Section III. Computing Linear Maps 197
1.6 Example With the matrix from Example 1.3 we can calculate where that
map sends this vector.
~ v=0
@4
1
01
A
This vector is represented, with respect to the domain basis B, by
RepB(~ v) =0
@0
1=2
21
A
B
and so this is the representation of the value h(~ v) with respect to the codomain
basisD.
RepD(h(~ v)) = 1=2 1 2
1=2 1 2
B;D0
@0
1=2
21
A
B
=( 1=2)0 + 1(1=2) + 22
( 1=2)0 1(1=2) 22
D=9=2
9=2
D
To ndh(~ v) itself, not its representation, take (9 =2)(1+x) (9=2)( 1+x) = 9.
1.7 Example Let:R3!R2be projection onto the xy-plane. To give a
matrix representing this map, we rst x bases.
B=h0
@1
0
01
A;0
@1
1
01
A;0
@ 1
0
11
AiD=h2
1
;1
1
i
For each vector in the domain's basis, we nd its image under the map.
0
@1
0
01
A7 !
1
00
@1
1
01
A7 !
1
10
@ 1
0
11
A7 !
1
0
Then we nd the representation of each image with respect to the codomain's
basis
RepD(
1
0
) =
1
1
RepD(
1
1
) =
0
1
RepD( 1
0
) = 1
1
(these are easily checked). Finally, adjoining these representations gives the
matrix representing with respect to B;D .
RepB;D() =1 0 1
1 1 1
B;D
198 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
We can illustrate Theorem 1.4 by computing the matrix-vector product repre-
senting the following statement about the projection map.
(0
@2
2
11
A) =2
2
Representing this vector from the domain with respect to the domain's basis
RepB(0
@2
2
11
A) =0
@1
2
11
A
B
gives this matrix-vector product.
RepD((0
@2
1
11
A) ) =1 0 1
1 1 1
B;D0
@1
2
11
A
B=0
2
D
Expanding this representation into a linear combination of vectors from D
0
2
1
+ 2
1
1
=
2
2
checks that the map's action is indeed re
ected in the operation of the matrix.
(We will sometimes compress these three displayed equations into one
0
@2
2
11
A=0
@1
2
11
A
Bh7 !
H0
2
D=2
2
in the course of a calculation.)
We now have two ways to compute the eect of projection, the straight-
forward formula that drops each three-tall vector's third component to make
a two-tall vector, and the above formula that uses representations and matrix-
vector multiplication. Compared to the rst way, the second way might seem
complicated. However, it has advantages. The next example shows that giving
a formula for some maps is simplied by this new scheme.
1.8 Example To represent a rotation mapt:R2!R2that turns all vectors
in the plane counterclockwise through an angle
~ ut=6(~ u)t=6 !
Section III. Computing Linear Maps 199
we start by xing bases. Using E2both as a domain basis and as a codomain
basis is natural, Now, we nd the image under the map of each vector in the
domain's basis.
1
0
t7 !cos
sin 0
1
t7 ! sin
cos
Then we represent these images with respect to the codomain's basis. Because
this basis isE2, vectors are represented by themselves. Finally, adjoining the
representations gives the matrix representing the map.
RepE2;E2(t) =
cos sin
sincos
The advantage of this scheme is that just by knowing how to represent the image
of the two basis vectors, we get a formula that tells us the image of any vector
at all; here a vector rotated by ==6.
3
2
t=67 !p
3=2 1=2
1=2p
3=2
3
2
3:598
0:232
(Again, we are using the fact that, with respect to E2, vectors represent them-
selves.)
We have already seen the addition and scalar multiplication operations of
matrices and the dot product operation of vectors. Matrix-vector multiplication
is a new operation in the arithmetic of vectors and matrices. Nothing in De-
nition 1.5 requires us to view it in terms of representations. We can get some
insight into this operation by turning away from what is being represented, and
instead focusing on how the entries combine.
1.9 Example In the denition the width of the matrix equals the height of
the vector. Hence, the rst product below is dened while the second is not.
1 0 0
4 3 10
@1
0
21
A=1
6 1 0 0
4 3 11
0
One reason that this product is not dened is purely formal: the denition
requires that the sizes match, and these sizes don't match. Behind the formality,
though, is a reason why we will leave it undened | the matrix represents a map
with a three-dimensional domain while the vector represents a member of a two-
dimensional space.
A good way to view a matrix-vector product is as the dot products of the
rows of the matrix with the column vector.
0
BB@...
ai;1ai;2::: ai;n
...1
CCA0
BBB@c1
c2
...
cn1
CCCA=0
BB@...
ai;1c1+ai;2c2+:::+ai;ncn
...1
CCA
200 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
Looked at in this row-by-row way, this new operation generalizes dot product.
Matrix-vector product can also be viewed column-by-column.
0
BBB@h1;1h1;2::: h 1;n
h2;1h2;2::: h 2;n
...
hm;1hm;2::: hm;n1
CCCA0
BBB@c1
c2
...
cn1
CCCA=0
BBB@h1;1c1+h1;2c2++h1;ncn
h2;1c1+h2;2c2++h2;ncn
...
hm;1c1+hm;2c2++hm;ncn1
CCCA
=c10
BBB@h1;1
h2;1
...
hm;11
CCCA++cn0
BBB@h1;n
h2;n
...
hm;n1
CCCA
1.10 Example
1 0 1
2 0 30
@2
1
11
A= 2
1
2
1
0
0
+ 1
1
3
=
1
7
The result has the columns of the matrix weighted by the entries of the
vector. This way of looking at it brings us back to the objective stated at the
start of this section, to compute h(c1~1++cn~n) asc1h(~1) ++cnh(~n).
We began this section by noting that the equality of these two enables us
to compute the action of hon any argument knowing only h(~1), . . . ,h(~n).
We have developed this into a scheme to compute the action of the map by
taking the matrix-vector product of the matrix representing the map and the
vector representing the argument. In this way, any linear map is represented
with respect to some bases by a matrix. In the next subsection, we will show
the converse, that any matrix represents a linear map.
Exercises
X1.11 Multiply the matrix0
@1 3 1
0 1 2
1 1 01
A
by each vector (or state \not dened").
(a)0
@2
1
01
A (b) 2
2
(c)0
@0
0
01
A
1.12 Perform, if possible, each matrix-vector multiplication.
(a)2 1
3 1=24
2
(b)1 1 0
2 1 00
@1
3
11
A (c)1 1
2 10
@1
3
11
A
X1.13 Solve this matrix equation.0
@2 1 1
0 1 3
1 1 21
A0
@x
y
z1
A=0
@8
4
41
A
Section III. Computing Linear Maps 201
X1.14 For a homomorphism from P2toP3that sends
17!1 +x; x7!1 + 2x;andx27!x x3
where does 1 3x+ 2x2go?
X1.15 Assume that h:R2!R3is determined by this action.
1
0
7!0
@2
2
01
A0
1
7!0
@0
1
11
A
Using the standard bases, nd
(a)the matrix representing this map;
(b)a general formula for h(~ v).
X1.16 Letd=dx :P3!P 3be the derivative transformation.
(a)Representd=dx with respect to B;B whereB=h1;x;x2;x3i.
(b)Representd=dx with respect to B;D whereD=h1;2x;3x2;4x3i.
X1.17 Represent each linear map with respect to each pair of bases.
(a)d=dx :Pn!Pnwith respect to B;B whereB=h1;x;:::;xni, given by
a0+a1x+a2x2++anxn7!a1+ 2a2x++nanxn 1
(b)R
:Pn!Pn+1with respect to Bn;Bn+1whereBi=h1;x;:::;xii, given by
a0+a1x+a2x2++anxn7!a0x+a1
2x2++an
n+ 1xn+1
(c)R1
0:Pn!Rwith respect to B;E1whereB=h1;x;:::;xniandE1=h1i,
given by
a0+a1x+a2x2++anxn7!a0+a1
2++an
n+ 1
(d)eval 3:Pn!Rwith respect to B;E1whereB=h1;x;:::;xniandE1=h1i,
given by
a0+a1x+a2x2++anxn7!a0+a13 +a232++an3n
(e)slide 1:Pn!Pnwith respect to B;B whereB=h1;x;:::;xni, given by
a0+a1x+a2x2++anxn7!a0+a1(x+ 1) ++an(x+ 1)n
1.18 Represent the identity map on any nontrivial space with respect to B;B,
whereBis any basis.
1.19 Represent, with respect to the natural basis, the transpose transformation on
the spaceM22of 22 matrices.
1.20 Assume that B=h~1;~2;~3;~4iis a basis for a vector space. Represent with
respect toB;B the transformation that is determined by each.
(a)~17!~2,~27!~3,~37!~4,~47!~0
(b)~17!~2,~27!~0,~37!~4,~47!~0
(c)~17!~2,~27!~3,~37!~0,~47!~0
1.21 Example 1.8 shows how to represent the rotation transformation of the plane
with respect to the standard basis. Express these other transformations also with
respect to the standard basis.
(a)thedilation mapds, which multiplies all vectors by the same scalar s
(b)there
ection mapf`, which re
ects all all vectors across a line `through
the origin
X1.22 Consider a linear transformation of R2determined by these two.1
1
7!2
0 1
0
7! 1
0
(a)Represent this transformation with respect to the standard bases.
202 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
(b)Where does the transformation send this vector?
0
5
(c)Represent this transformation with respect to these bases.
B=h1
1
;1
1
iD=h2
2
; 1
1
i
(d)UsingBfrom the prior item, represent the transformation with respect to
B;B.
1.23 Suppose that h:V!Wis nonsingular so that by Theorem 2.21, for any
basisB=h~1;:::;~niVthe imageh(B) =hh(~1);:::;h (~n)iis a basis for
W.
(a)Represent the map hwith respect to B;h(B).
(b)For a member ~ vof the domain, where the representation of ~ vhas components
c1, . . . ,cn, represent the image vector h(~ v) with respect to the image basis h(B).
1.24 Give a formula for the product of a matrix and ~ ei, the column vector that is
all zeroes except for a single one in the i-th position.
X1.25 For each vector space of functions of one real variable, represent the derivative
transformation with respect to B;B.
(a)facosx+bsinxa;b2Rg,B=hcosx;sinxi
(b)faex+be2xa;b2Rg,B=hex;e2xi
(c)fa+bx+cex+dxexa;b;c;d2Rg,B=h1;x;ex;xexi
1.26 Find the range of the linear transformation of R2represented with respect to
the standard bases by each matrix.
(a)1 0
0 0
(b)0 0
3 2
(c)a matrix of the forma b
2a2b
X1.27 Can one matrix represent two dierent linear maps? That is, can RepB;D(h) =
Rep ^B;^D(^h)?
1.28 Prove Theorem 1.4.
X1.29 Example 1.8 shows how to represent rotation of all vectors in the plane through
an angleabout the origin, with respect to the standard bases.
(a)Rotation of all vectors in three-space through an angle about thex-axis is a
transformation of R3. Represent it with respect to the standard bases. Arrange
the rotation so that to someone whose feet are at the origin and whose head is
at (1;0;0), the movement appears clockwise.
(b)Repeat the prior item, only rotate about the y-axis instead. (Put the person's
head at~ e2.)
(c)Repeat, about the z-axis.
(d)Extend the prior item to R4. (Hint: `rotate about the z-axis' can be restated
as `rotate parallel to the xy-plane'.)
1.30 (Schur's Triangularization Lemma)
(a)LetUbe a subspace of Vand x bases BUBV. What is the relationship
between the representation of a vector from Uwith respect to BUand the
representation of that vector (viewed as a member of V) with respect to BV?
(b)What about maps?
(c)Fix a basis B=h~1;:::;~niforVand observe that the spans
[f~0g] =f~0g[f~1g][f~1;~2g] [B] =V
Section III. Computing Linear Maps 203
form a strictly increasing chain of subspaces. Show that for any linear map
h:V!Wthere is a chain W0=f~0gW1Wm=Wof subspaces of
Wsuch that
h([f~1;:::;~ig])Wi
for eachi.
(d)Conclude that for every linear map h:V!Wthere are bases B;D so the
matrix representing hwith respect to B;D is upper-triangular (that is, each
entryhi;jwithi>j is zero).
(e)Is an upper-triangular representation unique?
III.2 Any Matrix Represents a Linear Map
The prior subsection shows that the action of a linear map his described by
a matrixH, with respect to appropriate bases, in this way.
~ v=0
B@v1
...
vn1
CA
Bh7 !
H0
B@h1;1v1++h1;nvn
...
hm;1v1++hm;nvn1
CA
D=h(~ v)
In this subsection, we will show the converse, that each matrix represents a
linear map.
Recall that, in the denition of the matrix representation of a linear map,
the number of columns of the matrix is the dimension of the map's domain and
the number of rows of the matrix is the dimension of the map's codomain. Thus,
for instance, a 23 matrix cannot represent a map from R5toR4. The next
result says that, beyond this restriction on the dimensions, there are no other
limitations: the 23 matrix represents a map from any three-dimensional space
to any two-dimensional space.
2.1 Theorem Any matrix represents a homomorphism between vector spaces
of appropriate dimensions, with respect to any pair of bases.
Proof .For the matrix
H=0
BBB@h1;1h1;2::: h 1;n
h2;1h2;2::: h 2;n
...
hm;1hm;2::: hm;n1
CCCA
x anyn-dimensional domain space Vand anym-dimensional codomain space
W. Also x bases B=h~1;:::;~niandD=h~1;:::;~mifor those spaces.
Dene a function h:V!Wby: where~ vin the domain is represented as
RepB(~ v) =0
B@v1
...
vn1
CA
B
204 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
then its image h(~ v) is the member the codomain represented by
RepD(h(~ v) ) =0
B@h1;1v1++h1;nvn
...
hm;1v1++hm;nvn1
CA
D
that is,h(~ v) =h(v1~1++vn~n) is dened to be ( h1;1v1++h1;nvn)~1+
+ (hm;1v1++hm;nvn)~m. (This is well-dened by the uniqueness of the
representation RepB(~ v).)
Observe that hhas simply been dened to make it the map that is repre-
sented with respect to B;D by the matrix H. So to nish, we need only check
thathis linear. If ~ v;~ u2Vare such that
RepB(~ v) =0
B@v1
...
vn1
CAand RepB(~ u) =0
B@u1
...
un1
CA
andc;d2Rthen the calculation
h(c~ v+d~ u) =
h1;1(cv1+du1) ++h1;n(cvn+dun)
~1+
+
hm;1(cv1+du1) ++hm;n(cvn+dun)
~m
=ch(~ v) +dh(~ u)
provides this verication. QED
2.2 Example Which map the matrix represents depends on which bases are
used. If
H=1 0
0 0
; B 1=D1=h1
0
;0
1
i;andB2=D2=h0
1
;1
0
i;
thenh1:R2!R2represented by Hwith respect to B1;D1maps
c1
c2
=c1
c2
B17!c1
0
D1=c1
0
whileh2:R2!R2represented by Hwith respect to B2;D2is this map.
c1
c2
=c2
c1
B27!c2
0
D2=0
c2
These two are dierent. The rst is projection onto the xaxis, while the second
is projection onto the yaxis.
So not only is any linear map described by a matrix but any matrix describes
a linear map. This means that we can, when convenient, handle linear maps
entirely as matrices, simply doing the computations, without have to worry that
Section III. Computing Linear Maps 205
a matrix of interest does not represent a linear map on some pair of spaces of
interest. (In practice, when we are working with a matrix but no spaces or
bases have been specied, we will often take the domain and codomain to be Rn
andRmand use the standard bases. In this case, because the representation is
transparent | the representation with respect to the standard basis of ~ vis~ v|
the column space of the matrix equals the range of the map. Consequently, the
column space of His often denoted by R(H).)
With the theorem, we have characterized linear maps as those maps that act
in this matrix way. Each linear map is described by a matrix and each matrix
describes a linear map. We nish this section by illustrating how a matrix can
be used to tell things about its maps.
2.3 Theorem The rank of a matrix equals the rank of any map that it
represents.
Proof .Suppose that the matrix Hismn. Fix domain and codomain spaces
VandWof dimension nandm, with bases B=h~1;:::;~niandD. ThenH
represents some linear map hbetween those spaces with respect to these bases
whose rangespace
fh(~ v)~ v2Vg=fh(c1~1++cn~n)c1;:::;cn2Rg
=fc1h(~1) ++cnh(~n)c1;:::;cn2Rg
is the span [fh(~1);:::;h (~n)g]. The rank of his the dimension of this range-
space.
The rank of the matrix is its column rank (or its row rank; the two are
equal). This is the dimension of the column space of the matrix, which is the
span of the set of column vectors [ fRepD(h(~1));:::; RepD(h(~n))g].
To see that the two spans have the same dimension, recall that a represen-
tation with respect to a basis gives an isomorphism RepD:W!Rm. Under
this isomorphism, there is a linear relationship among members of the range-
space if and only if the same relationship holds in the column space, e.g, ~0 =
c1h(~1)++cnh(~n) if and only if ~0 =c1RepD(h(~1))++cnRepD(h(~n)).
Hence, a subset of the rangespace is linearly independent if and only if the cor-
responding subset of the column space is linearly independent. This means that
the size of the largest linearly independent subset of the rangespace equals the
size of the largest linearly independent subset of the column space, and so the
two spaces have the same dimension. QED
2.4 Example Any map represented by
0
BB@1 2 2
1 2 1
0 0 3
0 0 21
CCA
must, by denition, be from a three-dimensional domain to a four-dimensional
codomain. In addition, because the rank of this matrix is two (we can spot this
206 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
by eye or get it with Gauss' method), any map represented by this matrix has
a two-dimensional rangespace.
2.5 Corollary Lethbe a linear map represented by a matrix H. Thenh
is onto if and only if the rank of Hequals the number of its rows, and his
one-to-one if and only if the rank of Hequals the number of its columns.
Proof .For the rst half, the dimension of the rangespace of his the rank of h,
which equals the rank of Hby the theorem. Since the dimension of the codomain
ofhis the number of rows in H, if the rank of Hequals the number of rows, then
the dimension of the rangespace equals the dimension of the codomain. But a
subspace with the same dimension as its superspace must equal that superspace
(a basis for the rangespace is a linearly independent subset of the codomain,
whose size is equal to the dimension of the codomain, and so this set is a basis
for the codomain).
For the second half, a linear map is one-to-one if and only if it is an isomor-
phism between its domain and its range, that is, if and only if its domain has the
same dimension as its range. But the number of columns in his the dimension
ofh's domain, and by the theorem the rank of Hequals the dimension of h's
range. QED
The above results end any confusion caused by our use of the word `rank' to
mean apparently dierent things when applied to matrices and when applied to
maps. We can also justify the dual use of `nonsingular'. We've dened a matrix
to be nonsingular if it is square and is the matrix of coecients of a linear system
with a unique solution, and we've dened a linear map to be nonsingular if it is
one-to-one.
2.6 Corollary A square matrix represents nonsingular maps if and only if it
is a nonsingular matrix. Thus, a matrix represents an isomorphism if and only
if it is square and nonsingular.
Proof .Immediate from the prior result. QED
2.7 Example Any map from R2toP1represented with respect to any pair of
bases by1 2
0 3
is nonsingular because this matrix has rank two.
2.8 Example Any mapg:V!Wrepresented by
1 2
3 6
is not nonsingular because this matrix is not nonsingular.
Section III. Computing Linear Maps 207
We've now seen that the relationship between maps and matrices goes both
ways: for a particular pair of bases, any linear map is represented by a matrix
and any matrix describes a linear map. That is, by xing spaces and bases we
get a correspondence between maps and matrices. In the rest of this chapter
we will explore this correspondence. For instance, we've dened for linear maps
the operations of addition and scalar multiplication and we shall see what the
corresponding matrix operations are. We shall also see the matrix operation
that represent the map operation of composition. And, we shall see how to nd
the matrix that represents a map's inverse.
Exercises
X2.9Decide if the vector is in the column space of the matrix.
(a)2 1
2 5
,1
3
(b)4 8
2 4
,0
1
(c)0
@1 1 1
1 1 1
1 1 11
A,0
@2
0
01
A
X2.10 Decide if each vector lies in the range of the map from R3toR2represented
with respect to the standard bases by the matrix.
(a)1 1 3
0 1 4
,1
3
(b)2 0 3
4 0 6
,1
1
X2.11 Consider this matrix, representing a transformation of R2, and these bases for
that space.
1
21 1
1 1
B=h0
1
;1
0
iD=h1
1
;1
1
i
(a)To what vector in the codomain is the rst member of Bmapped?
(b)The second member?
(c)Where is a general vector from the domain (a vector with components xand
y) mapped? That is, what transformation of R2is represented with respect to
B;D by this matrix?
2.12 What transformation of F=facos+bsina;b2Rgis represented with
respect toB=hcos sin;siniandD=hcos+ sin;cosiby this matrix?0 0
1 0
X2.13 Decide if 1 + 2 xis in the range of the map from R3toP2represented with
respect toE3andh1;1 +x2;xiby this matrix.
0
@1 3 0
0 1 0
1 0 11
A
2.14 Example 2.8 gives a matrix that is nonsingular, and is therefore associated
with maps that are nonsingular.
(a)Find the set of column vectors representing the members of the nullspace of
any map represented by this matrix.
(b)Find the nullity of any such map.
(c)Find the set of column vectors representing the members of the rangespace
of any map represented by this matrix.
(d)Find the rank of any such map.
(e)Check that rank plus nullity equals the dimension of the domain.
208 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
X2.15 Because the rank of a matrix equals the rank of any map it represents, if
one matrix represents two dierent maps H= RepB;D(h) = Rep ^B;^D(^h) (where
h;^h:V!W) then the dimension of the rangespace of hequals the dimension of
the rangespace of ^h. Must these equal-dimensioned rangespaces actually be the
same?
X2.16 LetVbe ann-dimensional space with bases BandD. Consider a map that
sends, for~ v2V, the column vector representing ~ vwith respect to Bto the column
vector representing ~ vwith respect to D. Show that map is a linear transformation
ofRn.
2.17 Example 2.2 shows that changing the pair of bases can change the map that
a matrix represents, even though the domain and codomain remain the same.
Could the map ever not change? Is there a matrix H, vector spaces VandW,
and associated pairs of bases B1;D1andB2;D2(withB16=B2orD16=D2or
both) such that the map represented by Hwith respect to B1;D1equals the map
represented by Hwith respect to B2;D2?
X2.18 A square matrix is a diagonal matrix if it is all zeroes except possibly for the
entries on its upper-left to lower-right diagonal | its 1 ;1 entry, its 2 ;2 entry, etc.
Show that a linear map is an isomorphism if there are bases such that, with respect
to those bases, the map is represented by a diagonal matrix with no zeroes on the
diagonal.
2.19 Describe geometrically the action on R2of the map represented with respect
to the standard bases E2;E2by this matrix.3 0
0 2
Do the same for these.1 0
0 0 0 1
1 0 1 3
0 1
2.20 The fact that for any linear map the rank plus the nullity equals the dimension
of the domain shows that a necessary condition for the existence of a homomor-
phism between two spaces, onto the second space, is that there be no gain in
dimension. That is, where h:V!Wis onto, the dimension of Wmust be less
than or equal to the dimension of V.
(a)Show that this (strong) converse holds: no gain in dimension implies that
there is a homomorphism and, further, any matrix with the correct size and
correct rank represents such a map.
(b)Are there bases for R3such that this matrix
H=0
@1 0 0
2 0 0
0 1 01
A
represents a map from R3toR3whose range is the xyplane subspace of R3?
2.21 LetVbe ann-dimensional space and suppose that ~ x2Rn. Fix a basis
BforVand consider the map h~ x:V!Rgiven~ v7!~ xRepB(~ v) by the dot
product.
(a)Show that this map is linear.
(b)Show that for any linear map g:V!Rthere is an~ x2Rnsuch thatg=h~ x.
(c)In the prior item we xed the basis and varied the ~ xto get all possible linear
maps. Can we get all possible linear maps by xing an ~ xand varying the basis?
Section III. Computing Linear Maps 209
2.22 LetV;W;X be vector spaces with bases B;C;D .
(a)Suppose that h:V!Wis represented with respect to B;C by the matrix
H. Give the matrix representing the scalar multiple rh(wherer2R) with
respect toB;C by expressing it in terms of H.
(b)Suppose that h;g:V!Ware represented with respect to B;C byHand
G. Give the matrix representing h+gwith respect to B;C by expressing it in
terms ofHandG.
(c)Suppose that h:V!Wis represented with respect to B;C byHand
g:W!Xis represented with respect to C;D byG. Give the matrix repre-
sentingghwith respect to B;D by expressing it in terms of HandG.
210 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
IV Matrix Operations
The prior section shows how matrices represent linear maps. A good strategy,
on seeing a new idea, is to explore how it interacts with some already-established
ideas. In the rst subsection we will ask how the representation of the sum of
two mapsf+gis related to the representations of the two maps, and how the
representation of a scalar product rhof a map is related to the representation
of that map. In later subsections we will see how to represent map composition
and map inverse.
IV.1 Sums and Scalar Products
Recall that for two maps fandgwith the same domain and codomain, the
map sumf+ghas this denition.
~ vf+g7 !f(~ v) +g(~ v)
The easiest way to see how the representations of the maps combine to represent
the map sum is with an example.
1.1 Example Suppose that f;g:R2!R3are represented with respect to the
basesBandDby these matrices.
F= RepB;D(f) =0
@1 3
2 0
1 01
A
B;DG= RepB;D(g) =0
@0 0
1 2
2 41
A
B;D
Then, for any ~ v2Vrepresented with respect to B, computation of the repre-
sentation of f(~ v) +g(~ v)
0
@1 3
2 0
1 01
Av1
v2
+0
@0 0
1 2
2 41
Av1
v2
=0
@1v1+ 3v2
2v1+ 0v2
1v1+ 0v21
A+0
@0v1+ 0v2
1v1 2v2
2v1+ 4v21
A
gives this representation of f+g(~ v).
0
@(1 + 0)v1+ (3 + 0)v2
(2 1)v1+ (0 2)v2
(1 + 2)v1+ (0 + 4)v21
A=0
@1v1+ 3v2
1v1 2v2
3v1+ 4v21
A
Thus, the action of f+gis described by this matrix-vector product.
0
@1 3
1 2
3 41
A
B;Dv1
v2
B=0
@1v1+ 3v2
1v1 2v2
3v1+ 4v21
A
D
This matrix is the entry-by-entry sum of original matrices, e.g., the 1 ;1 entry
of RepB;D(f+g) is the sum of the 1 ;1 entry ofFand the 1;1 entry ofG.
Section IV. Matrix Operations 211
Representing a scalar multiple of a map works the same way.
1.2 Example Iftis a transformation represented by
RepB;D(t) =1 0
1 1
B;Dso that~ v=v1
v2
B7!v1
v1+v2
D=t(~ v)
then the scalar multiple map 5 tacts in this way.
~ v=v1
v2
B7 !5v1
5v1+ 5v2
D= 5t(~ v)
Therefore, this is the matrix representing 5 t.
RepB;D(5t) =
5 0
5 5
B;D
1.3 Denition The sum of two same-sized matrices is their entry-by-entry
sum. The scalar multiple of a matrix is the result of entry-by-entry scalar
multiplication.
1.4 Remark These extend the vector addition and scalar multiplication oper-
ations that we dened in the rst chapter.
1.5 Theorem Leth;g:V!Wbe linear maps represented with respect to
basesB;D by the matrices HandG, and letrbe a scalar. Then the map
h+g:V!Wis represented with respect to B;D byH+G, and the map
rh:V!Wis represented with respect to B;D byrH.
Proof .Exercise 9; generalize the examples above. QED
A special case of scalar multiplication is multiplication by zero. For any map
0his the zero homomorphism and for any matrix 0 His the matrix with all
entries zero.
1.6 Denition Azero matrix has all entries 0. We write Znm, or simply Z
(another, very common, notation is to use 0 nmor just 0).
1.7 Example The zero map from any three-dimensional space to any two-
dimensional space is represented by the 2 3 zero matrix
Z=0 0 0
0 0 0
no matter which domain and codomain bases are used.
212 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
Exercises
X1.8Perform the indicated operations, if dened.
(a)5 1 2
6 1 1
+2 1 4
3 0 5
(b)62 1 1
1 2 3
(c)2 1
0 3
+2 1
0 3
(d)41 2
3 1
+ 5 1 4
2 1
(e)32 1
3 0
+ 21 1 4
3 0 5
1.9Prove Theorem 1.5.
(a)Prove that matrix addition represents addition of linear maps.
(b)Prove that matrix scalar multiplication represents scalar multiplication of
linear maps.
X1.10 Prove each, where the operations are dened, where G,H, andJare matrices,
whereZis the zero matrix, and where randsare scalars.
(a)Matrix addition is commutative G+H=H+G.
(b)Matrix addition is associative G+ (H+J) = (G+H) +J.
(c)The zero matrix is an additive identity G+Z=G.
(d)0G=Z
(e)(r+s)G=rG+sG
(f)Matrices have an additive inverse G+ ( 1)G=Z.
(g)r(G+H) =rG+rH
(h)(rs)G=r(sG)
1.11 Fix domain and codomain spaces. In general, one matrix can represent many
dierent maps with respect to dierent bases. However, prove that a zero matrix
represents only a zero map. Are there other such matrices?
X1.12 LetVandWbe vector spaces of dimensions nandm. Show that the space
L(V;W ) of linear maps from VtoWis isomorphic toMmn.
X1.13 Show that it follows from the prior questions that for any six transformations
t1;:::;t 6:R2!R2there are scalars c1;:::;c 62Rsuch thatc1t1++c6t6is
the zero map. ( Hint: this is a bit of a misleading question.)
1.14 The trace of a square matrix is the sum of the entries on the main diagonal
(the 1;1 entry plus the 2 ;2 entry, etc.; we will see the signicance of the trace in
Chapter Five). Show that trace( H+G) = trace(H) + trace(G). Is there a similar
result for scalar multiplication?
1.15 Recall that the transpose of a matrix Mis another matrix, whose i;jentry is
thej;ientry ofM. Veriy these identities.
(a)(G+H)trans=Gtrans+Htrans
(b)(rH)trans=rHtrans
X1.16 A square matrix is symmetric if eachi;jentry equals the j;ientry, that is, if
the matrix equals its transpose.
(a)Prove that for any H, the matrix H+Htransis symmetric. Does every
symmetric matrix have this form?
(b)Prove that the set of nnsymmetric matrices is a subspace of Mnn.
X1.17 (a) How does matrix rank interact with scalar multiplication | can a scalar
product of a rank nmatrix have rank less than n? Greater?
Section IV. Matrix Operations 213
(b)How does matrix rank interact with matrix addition | can a sum of rank n
matrices have rank less than n? Greater?
IV.2 Matrix Multiplication
After representing addition and scalar multiplication of linear maps in the prior
subsection, the natural next map operation to consider is composition.
2.1 Lemma A composition of linear maps is linear.
Proof . (This argument has appeared earlier, as part of the proof that isomor-
phism is an equivalence relation between spaces.) Leth:V!Wandg:W!U
be linear. The calculation
gh
c1~ v1+c2~ v2
=g
h(c1~ v1+c2~ v2)
=g
c1h(~ v1) +c2h(~ v2)
=c1g
h(~ v1)) +c2g(h(~ v2)
=c1(gh)(~ v1) +c2(gh)(~ v2)
shows that gh:V!Upreserves linear combinations. QED
To see how the representation of the composite arises out of the representa-
tions of the two compositors, consider an example.
2.2 Example Leth:R4!R2andg:R2!R3, x basesBR4,CR2,
DR3, and let these be the representations.
H= RepB;C(h) =
4 6 8 2
5 7 9 3
B;CG= RepC;D(g) =0
@1 1
0 1
1 01
A
C;D
To represent the composition gh:R4!R3we x a~ v, represent hof~ v, and
then represent gof that. The representation of h(~ v) is the product of h's matrix
and~ v's vector.
RepC(h(~ v) ) =4 6 8 2
5 7 9 3
B;C0
BB@v1
v2
v3
v41
CCA
B=4v1+ 6v2+ 8v3+ 2v4
5v1+ 7v2+ 9v3+ 3v4
C
The representation of g(h(~ v) ) is the product of g's matrix and h(~ v)'s vector.
RepD(g(h(~ v)) )=0
@1 1
0 1
1 01
A
C;D4v1+ 6v2+ 8v3+ 2v4
5v1+ 7v2+ 9v3+ 3v4
C
=0
@1(4v1+ 6v2+ 8v3+ 2v4) + 1(5v1+ 7v2+ 9v3+ 3v4)
0(4v1+ 6v2+ 8v3+ 2v4) + 1(5v1+ 7v2+ 9v3+ 3v4)
1(4v1+ 6v2+ 8v3+ 2v4) + 0(5v1+ 7v2+ 9v3+ 3v4)1
A
D
214 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
Distributing and regrouping on the v's gives
=0
@(14 + 15)v1+ (16 + 17)v2+ (18 + 19)v3+ (12 + 13)v4
(04 + 15)v1+ (06 + 17)v2+ (08 + 19)v3+ (02 + 13)v4
(14 + 05)v1+ (16 + 07)v2+ (18 + 09)v3+ (12 + 03)v41
A
D
which we recognizing as the result of this matrix-vector product.
=0
@14 + 15 16 + 17 18 + 19 12 + 13
04 + 15 06 + 17 08 + 19 02 + 13
14 + 05 16 + 07 18 + 09 12 + 031
A
B;D0
BB@v1
v2
v3
v41
CCA
D
Thus, the matrix representing ghhas the rows of Gcombined with the columns
ofH.
2.3 Denition The matrix-multiplicative product of themrmatrixGand
thernmatrixHis themnmatrixP, where
pi;j=gi;1h1;j+gi;2h2;j++gi;rhr;j
that is, the i;j-th entry of the product is the dot product of the i-th row and
thej-th column.
GH=0
BB@...
gi;1gi;2::: gi;r
...1
CCA0
BBB@h1;j
::: h 2;j:::
...
hr;j1
CCCA=0
BB@...
::: pi;j:::
...1
CCA
2.4 Example The matrices from Example 2.2 combine in this way.
0
@14 + 15 16 + 17 18 + 19 12 + 13
04 + 15 06 + 17 08 + 19 02 + 13
14 + 05 16 + 07 18 + 09 12 + 031
A=0
@9 13 17 5
5 7 9 3
4 6 8 21
A
2.5 Example
0
@2 0
4 6
8 21
A1 3
5 7
=0
@21 + 05 23 + 07
41 + 65 43 + 67
81 + 25 83 + 271
A=0
@2 6
34 54
18 381
A
2.6 Theorem A composition of linear maps is represented by the matrix
product of the representatives.
Proof . (This argument parallels Example 2.2.) Leth:V!Wandg:W!X
be represented by HandGwith respect to bases BV,CW, andDX,
of sizesn,r, andm. For any~ v2V, thek-th component of RepC(h(~ v) ) is
hk;1v1++hk;nvn
Section IV. Matrix Operations 215
and so the i-th component of RepD(gh(~ v) ) is this.
gi;1(h1;1v1++h1;nvn) +gi;2(h2;1v1++h2;nvn)
++gi;r(hr;1v1++hr;nvn)
Distribute and regroup on the v's.
= (gi;1h1;1+gi;2h2;1++gi;rhr;1)v1
++ (gi;1h1;n+gi;2h2;n++gi;rhr;n)vn
Finish by recognizing that the coecient of each vj
gi;1h1;j+gi;2h2;j++gi;rhr;j
matches the denition of the i;jentry of the product GH. QED
The theorem is an example of a result that supports a denition. We can
picture what the denition and theorem together say with this arrow diagram
(`wrt' abbreviates `with respect to').
Vwrt BWwrt C
Xwrt Dh
Hg
G
gh
GH
Above the arrows, the maps show that the two ways of going from VtoX,
straight over via the composition or else by way of W, have the same eect
~ vgh7 !g(h(~ v))~ vh7 !h(~ v)g7 !g(h(~ v))
(this is just the denition of composition). Below the arrows, the matrices indi-
cate that the product does the same thing | multiplying GHinto the column
vector RepB(~ v) has the same eect as multiplying the column rst by Hand
then multiplying the result by G.
RepB;D(gh) =GH= RepC;D(g) RepB;C(h)
The denition of the matrix-matrix product operation does not restrict us
to view it as a representation of a linear map composition. We can get insight
into this operation by studying it as a mechanical procedure. The striking thing
is the way that rows and columns combine.
One aspect of that combination is that the sizes of the matrices involved is
signicant. Brie
y, mrtimesrnequalsmn.
2.7 Example This product is not dened
1 2 0
0 10 1:10 0
0 2
because the number of columns on the left does not equal the number of rows
on the right.
216 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
In terms of the underlying maps, the fact that the sizes must match up re
ects
the fact that matrix multiplication is dened only when a corresponding function
composition
dimensionnspaceh ! dimensionrspaceg ! dimensionmspace
is possible.
2.8 Remark The order in which these things are written can be confusing. In
the `mrtimesrnequalsmn' equation, the number written rst mis the
dimension of g's codomain and is thus the number that appears last in the map
dimension description above. The explanation is that while fis done rst and
thengis applied, that composition is written gf, from the notation ` g(f(~ v))'.
(Some people try to lessen confusion by reading ` gf' aloud as \ gfollowing
f".) That order then carries over to matrices: gfis represented by GF.
Another aspect of the way that rows and columns combine in the matrix
product operation is that in the denition of the i;jentry
pi;j=gi;1h1;j+gi;2h2;j++gi;rhr;j
the boxed subscripts on the g's are column indicators while those on the h's
indicate rows. That is, summation takes place over the columns of Gbut over
the rows of H; left is treated dierently than right, so GHmay be unequal to
HG. Matrix multiplication is not commutative.
2.9 Example Matrix multiplication hardly ever commutes. Test that by mul-
tiplying randomly chosen matrices both ways.
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
=
19 22
43 50
5 6
7 8
1 2
3 4
=
23 34
31 46
2.10 Example Commutativity can fail more dramatically:
5 6
7 8
1 2 0
3 4 0
=
23 34 0
31 46 0
while 1 2 0
3 4 05 6
7 8
isn't even dened.
2.11 Remark The fact that matrix multiplication is not commutative may
be puzzling at rst sight, perhaps just because most algebraic operations in
elementary mathematics are commutative. But on further re
ection, it isn't
so surprising. After all, matrix multiplication represents function composition,
which is not commutative | if f(x) = 2xandg(x) =x+1 thengf(x) = 2x+1
whilefg(x) = 2(x+ 1) = 2x+ 2. True, this gis not linear and we might
have hoped that linear functions commute, but this perspective shows that the
failure of commutativity for matrix multiplication ts into a larger context.
Section IV. Matrix Operations 217
Except for the lack of commutativity, matrix multiplication is algebraically
well-behaved. Below are some nice properties and more are in Exercise 23 and
Exercise 24.
2.12 Theorem IfF,G, andHare matrices, and the matrix products are
dened, then the product is associative ( FG)H=F(GH) and distributes over
matrix addition F(G+H) =FG+FHand (G+H)F=GF+HF.
Proof .Associativity holds because matrix multiplication represents function
composition, which is associative: the maps ( fg)handf(gh) are equal
as both send ~ vtof(g(h(~ v))).
Distributivity is similar. For instance, the rst one goes f(g+h) (~ v) =
f
(g+h)(~ v)
=f
g(~ v) +h(~ v)
=f(g(~ v)) +f(h(~ v)) =fg(~ v) +fh(~ v) (the
third equality uses the linearity of f). QED
2.13 Remark We could alternatively prove that result by slogging through
the indices. For example, associativity goes: the i;j-th entry of ( FG)His
(fi;1g1;1+fi;2g2;1++fi;rgr;1)h1;j
+ (fi;1g1;2+fi;2g2;2++fi;rgr;2)h2;j
...
+ (fi;1g1;s+fi;2g2;s++fi;rgr;s)hs;j
(whereF,G, andHaremr,rs, andsnmatrices), distribute
fi;1g1;1h1;j+fi;2g2;1h1;j++fi;rgr;1h1;j
+fi;1g1;2h2;j+fi;2g2;2h2;j++fi;rgr;2h2;j
...
+fi;1g1;shs;j+fi;2g2;shs;j++fi;rgr;shs;j
and regroup around the f's
fi;1(g1;1h1;j+g1;2h2;j++g1;shs;j)
+fi;2(g2;1h1;j+g2;2h2;j++g2;shs;j)
...
+fi;r(gr;1h1;j+gr;2h2;j++gr;shs;j)
to get thei;jentry ofF(GH).
Contrast these two ways of verifying associativity, the one in the proof and
the one just above. The argument just above is hard to understand in the sense
that, while the calculations are easy to check, the arithmetic seems unconnected
to any idea (it also essentially repeats the proof of Theorem 2.6 and so is ine-
cient). The argument in the proof is shorter, clearer, and says why this property
\really" holds. This illustrates the comments made in the preamble to the chap-
ter on vector spaces | at least some of the time an argument from higher-level
constructs is clearer.
218 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
We have now seen how the representation of the composition of two linear
maps is derived from the representations of the two maps. We have called
the combination the product of the two matrices. This operation is extremely
important. Before we go on to study how to represent the inverse of a linear
map, we will explore it some more in the next subsection.
Exercises
X2.14 Compute, or state \not dened".
(a)3 1
4 20 5
0 0:5
(b)1 1 1
4 0 30
@2 1 1
3 1 1
3 1 11
A
(c)2 7
7 40
@1 0 5
1 1 1
3 8 41
A (d)5 2
3 1 1 2
3 5
X2.15 Where
A=1 1
2 0
B=5 2
4 4
C= 2 3
4 1
compute or state `not dened'.
(a)AB (b)(AB)C (c)BC (d)A(BC)
2.16 Which products are dened?
(a)32 times 23(b)23 times 32(c)22 times 33
(d)33 times 22
X2.17 Give the size of the product or state \not dened".
(a)a 23 matrix times a 3 1 matrix
(b)a 112 matrix times a 12 1 matrix
(c)a 23 matrix times a 2 1 matrix
(d)a 22 matrix times a 2 2 matrix
X2.18 Find the system of equations resulting from starting with
h1;1x1+h1;2x2+h1;3x3=d1
h2;1x1+h2;2x2+h2;3x3=d2
and making this change of variable (i.e., substitution).
x1=g1;1y1+g1;2y2
x2=g2;1y1+g2;2y2
x3=g3;1y1+g3;2y2
2.19 As Denition 2.3 points out, the matrix product operation generalizes the dot
product. Is the dot product of a 1 nrow vector and a n1 column vector the
same as their matrix-multiplicative product?
X2.20 Represent the derivative map on Pnwith respect to B;B whereBis the
natural basish1;x;:::;xni. Show that the product of this matrix with itself is
dened; what the map does it represent?
2.21 Show that composition of linear transformations on R1is commutative. Is
this true for any one-dimensional space?
2.22 Why is matrix multiplication not dened as entry-wise multiplication? That
would be easier, and commutative too.
X2.23 (a) Prove that HpHq=Hp+qand (Hp)q=Hpqfor positive integers p;q.
(b)Prove that ( rH)p=rpHpfor any positive integer pand scalarr2R.
X2.24 (a) How does matrix multiplication interact with scalar multiplication: is
r(GH) = (rG)H? IsG(rH) =r(GH)?
Section IV. Matrix Operations 219
(b)How does matrix multiplication interact with linear combinations: is F(rG+
sH) =r(FG) +s(FH)? Is (rF+sG)H=rFH +sGH ?
2.25 We can ask how the matrix product operation interacts with the transpose
operation.
(a)Show that ( GH)trans=HtransGtrans.
(b)A square matrix is symmetric if eachi;jentry equals the j;ientry, that is,
if the matrix equals its own transpose. Show that the matrices HHtransand
HtransHare symmetric.
X2.26 Rotation of vectors in R3about an axis is a linear map. Show that linear
maps do not commute by showing geometrically that rotations do not commute.
2.27 In the proof of Theorem 2.12 some maps are used. What are the domains and
codomains?
2.28 How does matrix rank interact with matrix multiplication?
(a)Can the product of rank nmatrices have rank less than n? Greater?
(b)Show that the rank of the product of two matrices is less than or equal to
the minimum of the rank of each factor.
2.29 Is `commutes with' an equivalence relation among nnmatrices?
X2.30 (This will be used in the Matrix Inverses exercises.) Here is another property
of matrix multiplication that might be puzzling at rst sight.
(a)Prove that the composition of the projections x;y:R3!R3onto thex
andyaxes is the zero map despite that neither one is itself the zero map.
(b)Prove that the composition of the derivatives d2=dx2; d3=dx3:P4!P 4is
the zero map despite that neither is the zero map.
(c)Give a matrix equation representing the rst fact.
(d)Give a matrix equation representing the second.
When two things multiply to give zero despite that neither is zero, each is said to
be a zero divisor .
2.31 Show that, for square matrices, ( S+T)(S T) need not equal S2 T2.
X2.32 Represent the identity transformation id: V!Vwith respect to B;B for any
basisB. This is the identity matrix I. Show that this matrix plays the role in
matrix multiplication that the number 1 plays in real number multiplication: HI=
IH=H(for all matrices Hfor which the product is dened).
2.33 In real number algebra, quadratic equations have at most two solutions. That
is not so with matrix algebra. Show that the 2 2 matrix equation T2=Ihas
more than two solutions, where Iis the identity matrix (this matrix has ones in
its 1;1 and 2;2 entries and zeroes elsewhere; see Exercise 32).
2.34 (a) Prove that for any 2 2 matrixTthere are scalars c0;:::;c 4that are
not all 0 such that the combination c4T4+c3T3+c2T2+c1T+c0Iis the zero
matrix (where Iis the 22 identity matrix, with 1's in its 1 ;1 and 2;2 entries
and zeroes elsewhere; see Exercise 32).
(b)Letp(x) be a polynomial p(x) =cnxn++c1x+c0. IfTis a square
matrix we dene p(T) to be the matrix cnTn++c1T+I(whereIis the
appropriately-sized identity matrix). Prove that for any square matrix there is
a polynomial such that p(T) is the zero matrix.
(c)The minimal polynomial m(x) of a square matrix is the polynomial of least
degree, and with leading coecient 1, such that m(T) is the zero matrix. Find
the minimal polynomial of this matrix.p
3=2 1=2
1=2p
3=2
220 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
(This is the representation with respect to E2;E2, the standard basis, of a rotation
through=6 radians counterclockwise.)
2.35 The innite-dimensional space Pof all nite-degree polynomials gives a mem-
orable example of the non-commutativity of linear maps. Let d=dx :P!P be the
usual derivative and let s:P!P be the shift map.
a0+a1x++anxns7 ! 0 +a0x+a1x2++anxn+1
Show that the two maps don't commute d=dxs6=sd=dx ; in fact, not only is
(d=dxs) (sd=dx ) not the zero map, it is the identity map.
2.36 Recall the notation for the sum of the sequence of numbers a1;a2;:::;an.
nX
i=1ai=a1+a2++an
In this notation, the i;jentry of the product of GandHis this.
pi;j=rX
k=1gi;khk;j
Using this notation,
(a)reprove that matrix multiplication is associative;
(b)reprove Theorem 2.6.
IV.3 Mechanics of Matrix Multiplication
In this subsection we consider matrix multiplication as a mechanical process,
putting aside for the moment any implications about the underlying maps. As
described earlier, the striking thing about matrix multiplication is the way rows
and columns combine. The i;jentry of the matrix product is the dot product
of rowiof the left matrix with column jof the right one. For instance, here a
second row and a third column combine to make a 2 ;3 entry.
0
B@1 1
0 1
1 01
CA
4
56
78
92
3!
=0
@9 13 17 5
5 7 93
4 6 8 21
A
We can view this as the left matrix acting by multiplying its rows, one at a time,
into the columns of the right matrix. Of course, another perspective is that the
right matrix uses its columns to act on the left matrix's rows. Below, we will
examine actions from the left and from the right for some simple matrices.
The rst case, the action of a zero matrix, is very easy.
3.1 Example Multiplying by an appropriately-sized zero matrix from the left
or from the right
0 0
0 01 3 2
1 1 1
=0 0 0
0 0 0 2 3
1 40 0
0 0
=0 0
0 0
results in a zero matrix.
Section IV. Matrix Operations 221
After zero matrices, the matrices whose actions are easiest to understand
are the ones with a single nonzero entry.
3.2 Denition A matrix with all zeroes except for a one in the i;jentry is
ani;junit matrix.
3.3 Example This is the 1 ;2 unit matrix with three rows and two columns,
multiplying from the left.
0
@0 1
0 0
0 01
A5 6
7 8
=0
@7 8
0 0
0 01
A
Acting from the left, an i;junit matrix copies row jof the multiplicand into
rowiof the result. From the right an i;junit matrix copies column iof the
multiplicand into column jof the result.
0
@1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 91
A0
@0 1
0 0
0 01
A=0
@0 1
0 4
0 71
A
3.4 Example Rescaling these matrices simply rescales the result. This is the
action from the left of the matrix that is twice the one in the prior example.
0
@0 2
0 0
0 01
A5 6
7 8
=0
@14 16
0 0
0 01
A
And this is the action of the matrix that is minus three times the one from the
prior example.0
@1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 91
A0
@0 3
0 0
0 01
A=0
@0 3
0 12
0 211
A
Next in complication are matrices with two nonzero entries. There are two
cases. If a left-multiplier has entries in dierent rows then their actions don't
interact.
3.5 Example
0
@1 0 0
0 0 2
0 0 01
A0
@1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 91
A= (0
@1 0 0
0 0 0
0 0 01
A+0
@0 0 0
0 0 2
0 0 01
A)0
@1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 91
A
=0
@1 2 3
0 0 0
0 0 01
A+0
@0 0 0
14 16 18
0 0 01
A
=0
@1 2 3
14 16 18
0 0 01
A
222 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
But if the left-multiplier's nonzero entries are in the same row then that row of
the result is a combination.
3.6 Example
0
@1 0 2
0 0 0
0 0 01
A0
@1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 91
A= (0
@1 0 0
0 0 0
0 0 01
A+0
@0 0 2
0 0 0
0 0 01
A)0
@1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 91
A
=0
@1 2 3
0 0 0
0 0 01
A+0
@14 16 18
0 0 0
0 0 01
A
=0
@15 18 21
0 0 0
0 0 01
A
Right-multiplication acts in the same way, with columns.
These observations about matrices that are mostly zeroes extend to arbitrary
matrices.
3.7 Lemma In a product of two matrices GandH, the columns of GHare
formed by taking Gtimes the columns of H
G0
BB@......
~h1~hn
......1
CCA=0
BB@......
G~h1G~hn
......1
CCA
and the rows of GHare formed by taking the rows of GtimesH
0
BB@~ g1
...
~ gr1
CCAH=0
BB@~ g1H
...
~ grH1
CCA
(ignoring the extra parentheses).
Proof .We will show the 2 2 case and leave the general case as an exercise.
GH=g1;1g1;2
g2;1g2;2h1;1h1;2
h2;1h2;2
=g1;1h1;1+g1;2h2;1g1;1h1;2+g1;2h2;2
g2;1h1;1+g2;2h2;1g2;1h1;2+g2;2h2;2
The right side of the rst equation in the result
Gh1;1
h2;1
G
h1;2
h2;2
=
g1;1h1;1+g1;2h2;1
g2;1h1;1+g2;2h2;1
g1;1h1;2+g1;2h2;2
g2;1h1;2+g2;2h2;2
is indeed the same as the right side of GH, except for the extra parentheses (the
ones marking the columns as column vectors). The other equation is similarly
easy to recognize. QED
Section IV. Matrix Operations 223
An application of those observations is that there is a matrix that just copies
out the rows and columns.
3.8 Denition The main diagonal (orprinciple diagonal ordiagonal ) of a
square matrix goes from the upper left to the lower right.
3.9 Denition Anidentity matrix is square and has with all entries zero
except for ones in the main diagonal.
Inn=0
BBB@1 0::: 0
0 1::: 0
...
0 0::: 11
CCCA
3.10 Example Here is the 22 identity matrix leaving its multiplicand un-
chaged when it acts from the right.
0
BB@1 2
0 2
1 1
4 31
CCA1 0
0 1
=0
BB@1 2
0 2
1 1
4 31
CCA
3.11 Example Here the 33 identity leaves its multiplicand unchanged both
from the left 0
@1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 11
A0
@2 3 6
1 3 8
7 1 01
A=0
@2 3 6
1 3 8
7 1 01
A
and from the right.
0
@2 3 6
1 3 8
7 1 01
A0
@1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 11
A=0
@2 3 6
1 3 8
7 1 01
A
In short, an identity matrix is the identity element of the set of nnmatrices
with respect to the operation of matrix multiplication.
We next see two ways to generalize the identity matrix.
The rst is that if the ones are relaxed to arbitrary reals, the resulting matrix
will rescale whole rows or columns.
3.12 Denition Adiagonal matrix is square and has zeros o the main
diagonal.0
BBB@a1;10::: 0
0a2;2::: 0
...
0 0::: an;n1
CCCA
224 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
3.13 Example From the left, the action of multiplication by a diagonal matrix
is to rescales the rows.
2 0
0 12 1 4 1
1 3 4 4
=4 2 8 2
1 3 4 4
From the right such a matrix rescales the columns.
1 2 1
2 2 20
@3 0 0
0 2 0
0 0 21
A=3 4 2
6 4 4
The second generalization of identity matrices is that we can put a single one
in each row and column in ways other than putting them down the diagonal.
3.14 Denition Apermutation matrix is square and is all zeros except for a
single one in each row and column.
3.15 Example From the left these matrices permute rows.
0
@0 0 1
1 0 0
0 1 01
A0
@1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 91
A=0
@7 8 9
1 2 3
4 5 61
A
From the right they permute columns.
0
@1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 91
A0
@0 0 1
1 0 0
0 1 01
A=0
@2 3 1
5 6 4
8 9 71
A
We nish this subsection by applying these observations to get matrices that
perform Gauss' method and Gauss-Jordan reduction.
3.16 Example We have seen how to produce a matrix that will rescale rows.
Multiplying by this diagonal matrix rescales the second row of the other by a
factor of three.
0
@1 0 0
0 3 0
0 0 11
A0
@0 2 1 1
0 1=3 1 1
1 0 2 01
A=0
@0 2 1 1
0 1 3 3
1 0 2 01
A
We have seen how to produce a matrix that will swap rows. Multiplying by this
permutation matrix swaps the rst and third rows.
0
@0 0 1
0 1 0
1 0 01
A0
@0 2 1 1
0 1 3 3
1 0 2 01
A=0
@1 0 2 0
0 1 3 3
0 2 1 11
A
Section IV. Matrix Operations 225
To see how to perform a row combination, we observe something about those
two examples. The matrix that rescales the second row by a factor of three arises
in this way from the identity.
0
@1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 11
A32 !0
@1 0 0
0 3 0
0 0 11
A
Similarly, the matrix that swaps rst and third rows arises in this way.
0
@1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 11
A1$3 !0
@0 0 1
0 1 0
1 0 01
A
3.17 Example The 33 matrix that arises as
0
@1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 11
A 22+3 !0
@1 0 0
0 1 0
0 2 11
A
will, when it acts from the left, perform the combination operation 22+3.
0
@1 0 0
0 1 0
0 2 11
A0
@1 0 2 0
0 1 3 3
0 2 1 11
A=0
@1 0 2 0
0 1 3 3
0 0 5 71
A
3.18 Denition The elementary reduction matrices are obtained from iden-
tity matrices with one Gaussian operation. We denote them:
(1)Iki !Mi(k) fork6= 0;
(2)Ii$j !Pi;jfori6=j;
(3)Iki+j !Ci;j(k) fori6=j.
3.19 Lemma Gaussian reduction can be done through matrix multiplication.
(1) IfHki !GthenMi(k)H=G.
(2) IfHi$j !GthenPi;jH=G.
(3) IfHki+j !GthenCi;j(k)H=G.
Proof .Clear. QED
226 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
3.20 Example This is the rst system, from the rst chapter, on which we
performed Gauss' method.
3x3= 9
x1+ 5x2 2x3= 2
(1=3)x1+ 2x2 = 3
It can be reduced with matrix multiplication. Swap the rst and third rows,
0
@0 0 1
0 1 0
1 0 01
A0
@0 0 3 9
1 5 22
1=3 2 0 31
A=0
@1=3 2 0 3
1 5 22
0 0 3 91
A
triple the rst row,
0
@3 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 11
A0
@1=3 2 0 3
1 5 22
0 0 3 91
A=0
@1 6 0 9
1 5 22
0 0 3 91
A
and then add 1 times the rst row to the second.
0
@1 0 0
1 1 0
0 0 11
A0
@1 6 0 9
1 5 22
0 0 3 91
A=0
@1 6 0 9
0 1 2 7
0 0 3 91
A
Now back substitution will give the solution.
3.21 Example Gauss-Jordan reduction works the same way. For the matrix
ending the prior example, rst adjust the leading entries
0
@1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 1=31
A0
@1 6 0 9
0 1 2 7
0 0 3 91
A=0
@1 6 0 9
0 1 2 7
0 0 1 31
A
and to nish, clear the third column and then the second column.
0
@1 6 0
0 1 0
0 0 11
A0
@1 0 0
0 1 2
0 0 11
A0
@1 6 0 9
0 1 2 7
0 0 1 31
A=0
@1 0 0 3
0 1 0 1
0 0 1 31
A
We have observed the following result, which we shall use in the next sub-
section.
3.22 Corollary For any matrix Hthere are elementary reduction matrices
R1, . . . ,Rrsuch thatRrRr 1R1His in reduced echelon form.
Until now we have taken the point of view that our primary objects of study
are vector spaces and the maps between them, and have adopted matrices only
for computational convenience. This subsection show that this point of view
isn't the whole story. Matrix theory is a fascinating and fruitful area.
In the rest of this book we shall continue to focus on maps as the primary
objects, but we will be pragmatic | if the matrix point of view gives some clearer
idea then we shall use it.
Section IV. Matrix Operations 227
Exercises
X3.23 Predict the result of each multiplication by an elementary reduction matrix,
and then check by multiplying it out.
(a)3 0
0 01 2
3 4
(b)4 0
0 21 2
3 4
(c)1 0
2 11 2
3 4
(d)1 2
3 41 1
0 1
(e)1 2
3 40 1
1 0
X3.24 The need to take linear combinations of rows and columns in tables of numbers
arises often in practice. For instance, this is a map of part of Vermont and New
York.
In part because of Lake Champlain,
there are no roads directly connect-
ing some pairs of towns. For in-
stance, there is no way to go from
Winooski to Grand Isle without go-
ing through Colchester. (Of course,
many other roads and towns have
been left o to simplify the graph.
From top to bottom of this map is
about forty miles.)
BurlingtonColchesterGrand IsleSwanton
Winooski
(a)The incidence matrix of a map is the square matrix whose i;jentry is the
number of roads from city ito cityj. Produce the incidence matrix of this map
(take the cities in alphabetical order).
(b)A matrix is symmetric if it equals its transpose. Show that an incidence
matrix is symmetric. (These are all two-way streets. Vermont doesn't have
many one-way streets.)
(c)What is the signicance of the square of the incidence matrix? The cube?
X3.25 This table gives the number of hours of each type done by each worker, and
the associated pay rates. Use matrices to compute the wages due.
regular overtime
Alan 40 12
Betty 35 6
Catherine 40 18
Donald 28 0wage
regular $25:00
overtime $45:00
(Remark. This illustrates, as did the prior problem, that in practice we often want
to compute linear combinations of rows and columns in a context where we really
aren't interested in any associated linear maps.)
3.26 Find the product of this matrix with its transpose.cos sin
sincos
228 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
X3.27 Prove that the diagonal matrices form a subspace of Mnn. What is its
dimension?
3.28 Does the identity matrix represent the identity map if the bases are unequal?
3.29 Show that every multiple of the identity commutes with every square matrix.
Are there other matrices that commute with all square matrices?
3.30 Prove or disprove: nonsingular matrices commute.
X3.31 Show that the product of a permutation matrix and its transpose is an identity
matrix.
3.32 Show that if the rst and second rows of Gare equal then so are the rst and
second rows of GH. Generalize.
3.33 Describe the product of two diagonal matrices.
3.34 Write 1 0
3 3
as the product of two elementary reduction matrices.
X3.35 Show that if Ghas a row of zeros then GH(if dened) has a row of zeros.
Does that work for columns?
3.36 Show that the set of unit matrices forms a basis for Mnm.
3.37 Find the formula for the n-th power of this matrix.1 1
1 0
X3.38 The trace of a square matrix is the sum of the entries on its diagonal (its
signicance appears in Chapter Five). Show that trace( GH) = trace(HG).
X3.39 A square matrix is upper triangular if its only nonzero entries lie above, or
on, the diagonal. Show that the product of two upper triangular matrices is upper
triangular. Does this hold for lower triangular also?
3.40 A square matrix is a Markov matrix if each entry is between zero and one
and the sum along each row is one. Prove that a product of Markov matrices is
Markov.
X3.41 Give an example of two matrices of the same rank with squares of diering
rank.
3.42 Combine the two generalizations of the identity matrix, the one allowing en-
tires to be other than ones, and the one allowing the single one in each row and
column to be o the diagonal. What is the action of this type of matrix?
3.43 On a computer multiplications are more costly than additions, so people are
interested in reducing the number of multiplications used to compute a matrix
product.
(a)How many real number multiplications are needed in formula we gave for the
product of a mrmatrix and a rnmatrix?
(b)Matrix multiplication is associative, so all associations yield the same result.
The cost in number of multiplications, however, varies. Find the association
requiring the fewest real number multiplications to compute the matrix product
of a 510 matrix, a 1020 matrix, a 205 matrix, and a 5 1 matrix.
(c)(Very hard.) Find a way to multiply two 2 2 matrices using only seven
multiplications instead of the eight suggested by the naive approach.
?3.44 IfAandBare square matrices of the same size such that ABAB = 0, does
it follow that BABA = 0? [Putnam, 1990, A-5]
Section IV. Matrix Operations 229
3.45 Demonstrate these four assertions to get an alternate proof that column rank
equals row rank. [Am. Math. Mon., Dec. 1966]
(a)~ y~ y=~0 i~ y=~0.
(b)A~ x=~0 iAtransA~ x=~0.
(c)dim(R(A)) = dim( R(AtransA)).
(d)col rank(A) = col rank( Atrans) = row rank( A).
3.46 Prove (where Ais annnmatrix and so denes a transformation of any
n-dimensional space Vwith respect to B;B whereBis a basis) that dim( R(A)\
N(A)) = dim( R(A)) dim(R(A2)). Conclude
(a)N(A)R(A) i dim( N(A)) = dim( R(A)) dim(R(A2));
(b)R(A)N(A) iA2= 0;
(c)R(A) =N(A) iA2= 0 and dim( N(A)) = dim( R(A)) ;
(d)dim(R(A)\N(A)) = 0 i dim( R(A)) = dim( R(A2)) ;
(e)(Requires the Direct Sum subsection, which is optional.) V=R(A)N(A)
i dim( R(A)) = dim( R(A2)).
[Ackerson]
IV.4 Inverses
We now consider how to represent the inverse of a linear map.
We start by recalling some facts about function inverses.Some functions
have no inverse, or have an inverse on the left side or right side only.
4.1 Example Where:R3!R2is the projection map
0
@x
y
z1
A7!x
y
and:R2!R3is the embedding
x
y
7!0
@x
y
01
A
the composition is the identity map on R2.
x
y
7 !0
@x
y
01
A7 !x
y
We sayis aleft inverse map ofor, what is the same thing, that is aright
inverse map of. However, composition in the other order doesn't give
the identity map | here is a vector that is not sent to itself under .
0
@0
0
11
A7 !0
0
7 !0
@0
0
01
A
More information on function inverses is in the appendix.
230 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
In fact, the projection has no left inverse at all. For, if fwere to be a left
inverse ofthen we would have
0
@x
y
z1
A7 !x
y
f7 !0
@x
y
z1
A
for all of the innitely many z's. But no function fcan send a single argument
to more than one value.
(An example of a function with no inverse on either side is the zero transfor-
mation on R2.) Some functions have a two-sided inverse map , another function
that is the inverse of the rst, both from the left and from the right. For in-
stance, the map given by ~ v7!2~ vhas the two-sided inverse ~ v7!(1=2)~ v. In
this subsection we will focus on two-sided inverses. The appendix shows that
a function has a two-sided inverse if and only if it is both one-to-one and onto.
The appendix also shows that if a function fhas a two-sided inverse then it is
unique, and so it is called `the' inverse, and is denoted f 1. So our purpose
in this subsection is, where a linear map hhas an inverse, to nd the rela-
tionship between RepB;D(h) and RepD;B(h 1) (recall that we have shown, in
Theorem 2.21 of Section II of this chapter, that if a linear map has an inverse
then the inverse is a linear map also).
4.2 Denition A matrixGis aleft inverse matrix of the matrix HifGHis
the identity matrix. It is a right inverse matrix ifHGis the identity. A matrix
Hwith a two-sided inverse is an invertible matrix . That two-sided inverse is
called the inverse matrix and is denoted H 1.
Because of the correspondence between linear maps and matrices, statements
about map inverses translate into statements about matrix inverses.
4.3 Lemma If a matrix has both a left inverse and a right inverse then the
two are equal.
4.4 Theorem A matrix is invertible if and only if it is nonsingular.
Proof . (For both results.) Given a matrix H, x spaces of appropriate dimen-
sion for the domain and codomain. Fix bases for these spaces. With respect to
these bases, Hrepresents a map h. The statements are true about the map and
therefore they are true about the matrix. QED
4.5 Lemma A product of invertible matrices is invertible | if GandHare
invertible and if GHis dened then GHis invertible and ( GH) 1=H 1G 1.
Proof . (This is just like the prior proof except that it requires two maps.) Fix
appropriate spaces and bases and consider the represented maps handg. Note
thath 1g 1is a two-sided map inverse of ghsince (h 1g 1)(gh) =h 1(id)h=
h 1h= id and (gh)(h 1g 1) =g(id)g 1=gg 1= id. This equality is re
ected
in the matrices representing the maps, as required. QED
Section IV. Matrix Operations 231
Here is the arrow diagram giving the relationship between map inverses and
matrix inverses. It is a special case of the diagram for function composition and
matrix multiplication.
Vwrt BWwrt C
Vwrt Bh
Hh 1
H 1
id
I
Beyond its place in our general program of seeing how to represent map
operations, another reason for our interest in inverses comes from solving linear
systems. A linear system is equivalent to a matrix equation, as here.
x1+x2= 3
2x1 x2= 2()1 1
2 1x1
x2
=3
2
()
By xing spaces and bases (e.g., R2;R2andE2;E2), we take the matrix Hto
represent some map h. Then solving the system is the same as asking: what
domain vector ~ xis mapped by hto the result ~d? If we could invert hthen we
could solve the system by multiplying RepD;B(h 1)RepD(~d) to get RepB(~ x).
4.6 Example We can nd a left inverse for the matrix just given
m n
p q1 1
2 1
=1 0
0 1
by using Gauss' method to solve the resulting linear system.
m+ 2n = 1
m n = 0
p+ 2q= 0
p q= 1
Answer:m= 1=3,n= 1=3,p= 2=3, andq= 1=3. This matrix is actually
the two-sided inverse of H, as can easily be checked. With it we can solve the
system () above by applying the inverse.
x
y
=1=3 1=3
2=3 1=33
2
=5=3
4=3
4.7 Remark Why solve systems this way, when Gauss' method takes less
arithmetic (this assertion can be made precise by counting the number of arith-
metic operations, as computer algorithm designers do)? Beyond its conceptual
appeal of tting into our program of discovering how to represent the various
map operations, solving linear systems by using the matrix inverse has at least
two advantages.
232 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
First, once the work of nding an inverse has been done, solving a system
with the same coecients but dierent constants is easy and fast: if we change
the entries on the right of the system ( ) then we get a related problem
1 1
2 1x
y
=5
1
with a related solution method.
x
y
=1=3 1=3
2=3 1=35
1
=2
3
In applications, solving many systems having the same matrix of coecients is
common.
Another advantage of inverses is that we can explore a system's sensitivity
to changes in the constants. For example, tweaking the 3 on the right of the
system () to1 1
2 1x1
x2
=3:01
2
can be solved with the inverse.
1=3 1=3
2=3 1=33:01
2
=(1=3)(3:01) + (1=3)(2)
(2=3)(3:01) (1=3)(2)
to show that x1changes by 1 =3 of the tweak while x2moves by 2 =3 of that
tweak. This sort of analysis is used, for example, to decide how accurately data
must be specied in a linear model to ensure that the solution has a desired
accuracy.
We nish by describing the computational procedure usually used to nd
the inverse matrix.
4.8 Lemma A matrix is invertible if and only if it can be written as the
product of elementary reduction matrices. The inverse can be computed by
applying to the identity matrix the same row steps, in the same order, as are
used to Gauss-Jordan reduce the invertible matrix.
Proof .A matrixHis invertible if and only if it is nonsingular and thus Gauss-
Jordan reduces to the identity. By Corollary 3.22 this reduction can be done
with elementary matrices RrRr 1:::R 1H=I. This equation gives the two
halves of the result.
First, elementary matrices are invertible and their inverses are also elemen-
tary. Applying R 1
rto the left of both sides of that equation, then R 1
r 1, etc.,
givesHas the product of elementary matrices H=R 1
1R 1
rI(theIis
here to cover the trivial r= 0 case).
Second, matrix inverses are unique and so comparison of the above equation
withH 1H=Ishows that H 1=RrRr 1:::R 1I. Therefore, applying R1
to the identity, followed by R2, etc., yields the inverse of H. QED
Section IV. Matrix Operations 233
4.9 Example To nd the inverse of
1 1
2 1
we do Gauss-Jordan reduction, meanwhile performing the same operations on
the identity. For clerical convenience we write the matrix and the identity side-
by-side, and do the reduction steps together.
1 1 1 0
2 10 1
21+2 !1 1 1 0
0 3 2 1
1=32 !1 1 1 0
0 1 2=3 1=3
2+1 !1 0 1=3 1=3
0 1 2=3 1=3
This calculation has found the inverse.
1 1
2 1 1
=
1=3 1=3
2=3 1=3
4.10 Example This one happens to start with a row swap.
0
@0 3 11 0 0
1 0 1 0 1 0
1 1 0 0 0 11
A1$2 !0
@1 0 1 0 1 0
0 3 11 0 0
1 1 0 0 0 11
A
1+3 !0
@1 0 1 0 1 0
0 3 11 0 0
0 1 10 1 11
A
...
!0
@1 0 0 1=4 1=4 3=4
0 1 0 1=4 1=4 1=4
0 0 1 1=4 3=4 3=41
A
4.11 Example A non-invertible matrix is detected by the fact that the left
half won't reduce to the identity.
1 1 1 0
2 2 0 1
21+2 !1 1 1 0
0 0 2 1
This procedure will nd the inverse of a general nnmatrix. The 22 case
is handy.
4.12 Corollary The inverse for a 2 2 matrix exists and equals
a b
c d 1
=1
ad bcd b
c a
if and only if ad bc6= 0.
234 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
Proof .This computation is Exercise 22. QED
We have seen here, as in the Mechanics of Matrix Multiplication subsection,
that we can exploit the correspondence between linear maps and matrices. So
we can fruitfully study both maps and matrices, translating back and forth to
whichever helps us the most.
Over the entire four subsections of this section we have developed an algebra
system for matrices. We can compare it with the familiar algebra system for
the real numbers. Here we are working not with numbers but with matrices.
We have matrix addition and subtraction operations, and they work in much
the same way as the real number operations, except that they only combine
same-sized matrices. We also have a matrix multiplication operation and an
operation inverse to multiplication. These are somewhat like the familiar real
number operations (associativity, and distributivity over addition, for example),
but there are dierences (failure of commutativity, for example). And, we have
scalar multiplication, which is in some ways another extension of real number
multiplication. This matrix system provides an example that algebra systems
other than the elementary one can be interesting and useful.
Exercises
4.13 Supply the intermediate steps in Example 4.10.
X4.14 Use Corollary 4.12 to decide if each matrix has an inverse.
(a)2 1
1 1
(b)0 4
1 3
(c)2 3
4 6
X4.15 For each invertible matrix in the prior problem, use Corollary 4.12 to nd its
inverse.
X4.16 Find the inverse, if it exists, by using the Gauss-Jordan method. Check the
answers for the 2 2 matrices with Corollary 4.12.
(a)3 1
0 2
(b)2 1=2
3 1
(c)2 4
1 2
(d)0
@1 1 3
0 2 4
1 1 01
A
(e)0
@0 1 5
0 2 4
2 3 21
A (f)0
@2 2 3
1 2 3
4 2 31
A
X4.17 What matrix has this one for its inverse?1 3
2 5
4.18 How does the inverse operation interact with scalar multiplication and addi-
tion of matrices?
(a)What is the inverse of rH?
(b)Is (H+G) 1=H 1+G 1?
X4.19 Is (Tk) 1= (T 1)k?
4.20 IsH 1invertible?
4.21 For each real number lett:R2!R2be represented with respect to the
standard bases by this matrix.cos sin
sincos
Show thatt1+2=t1t2. Show also that t 1=t .
Section IV. Matrix Operations 235
4.22 Do the calculations for the proof of Corollary 4.12.
4.23 Show that this matrix
H=1 0 1
0 1 0
has innitely many right inverses. Show also that it has no left inverse.
4.24 In Example 4.1, how many left inverses has ?
4.25 If a matrix has innitely many right-inverses, can it have innitely many
left-inverses? Must it have?
X4.26 Assume that His invertible and that HGis the zero matrix. Show that Gis
a zero matrix.
4.27 Prove that if His invertible then the inverse commutes with a matrix GH 1=
H 1Gif and only if Hitself commutes with that matrix GH=HG.
X4.28 Show that if Tis square and if T4is the zero matrix then ( I T) 1=
I+T+T2+T3. Generalize.
X4.29 LetDbe diagonal. Describe D2,D3, . . . , etc. Describe D 1,D 2, . . . , etc.
DeneD0appropriately.
4.30 Prove that any matrix row-equivalent to an invertible matrix is also invertible.
4.31 The rst question below appeared as Exercise 28.
(a)Show that the rank of the product of two matrices is less than or equal to
the minimum of the rank of each.
(b)Show that if TandSare square then TS=Iif and only if ST=I.
4.32 Show that the inverse of a permutation matrix is its transpose.
4.33 The rst two parts of this question appeared as Exercise 25.
(a)Show that ( GH)trans=HtransGtrans.
(b)A square matrix is symmetric if eachi;jentry equals the j;ientry (that is, if
the matrix equals its transpose). Show that the matrices HHtransandHtransH
are symmetric.
(c)Show that the inverse of the transpose is the transpose of the inverse.
(d)Show that the inverse of a symmetric matrix is symmetric.
X4.34 The items starting this question appeared as Exercise 30.
(a)Prove that the composition of the projections x;y:R3!R3is the zero
map despite that neither is the zero map.
(b)Prove that the composition of the derivatives d2=dx2; d3=dx3:P4!P 4is
the zero map despite that neither map is the zero map.
(c)Give matrix equations representing each of the prior two items.
When two things multiply to give zero despite that neither is zero, each is said to
be a zero divisor . Prove that no zero divisor is invertible.
4.35 In real number algebra, there are exactly two numbers, 1 and 1, that are
their own multiplicative inverse. Does H2=Ihave exactly two solutions for 2 2
matrices?
4.36 Is the relation `is a two-sided inverse of' transitive? Re
exive? Symmetric?
4.37 Prove: if the sum of the elements of a square matrix is k, then the sum of the
elements in each row of the inverse matrix is 1 =k. [Am. Math. Mon., Nov. 1951]
236 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
V Change of Basis
Representations, whether of vectors or of maps, vary with the bases. For in-
stance, with respect to the two bases E2and
B=h1
1
;1
1
i
forR2, the vector ~ e1has two dierent representations.
RepE2(~ e1) =1
0
RepB(~ e1) =1=2
1=2
Similarly, with respect to E2;E2andE2;B, the identity map has two dierent
representations.
RepE2;E2(id) =1 0
0 1
RepE2;B(id) =1=2 1=2
1=2 1=2
With our point of view that the objects of our studies are vectors and maps, in
xing bases we are adopting a scheme of tags or names for these objects, that
are convienent for computation. We will now see how to translate among these
names | we will see exactly how representations vary as the bases vary.
V.1 Changing Representations of Vectors
In converting RepB(~ v) to RepD(~ v) the underlying vector ~ vdoesn't change.
Thus, this translation is accomplished by the identity map on the space, de-
scribed so that the domain space vectors are represented with respect to Band
the codomain space vectors are represented with respect to D.
Vw.r.t.B
id??y
Vw.r.t.D
(The diagram is vertical to t with the ones in the next subsection.)
1.1 Denition The change of basis matrix for basesB;DVis the repre-
sentation of the identity map id: V!Vwith respect to those bases.
RepB;D(id) =0
BB@......
RepD(~1) RepD(~n)
......1
CCA
Section V. Change of Basis 237
1.2 Lemma Left-multiplication by the change of basis matrix for B;D converts
a representation with respect to Bto one with respect to D. Conversly, if left-
multiplication by a matrix changes bases MRepB(~ v) = RepD(~ v) thenMis a
change of basis matrix.
Proof .For the rst sentence, for each ~ v, as matrix-vector multiplication repre-
sents a map application, RepB;D(id)RepB(~ v) = RepD( id(~ v) ) = RepD(~ v). For
the second sentence, with respect to B;D the matrix Mrepresents some linear
map, whose action is ~ v7!~ v, and is therefore the identity map. QED
1.3 Example With these bases for R2,
B=h
2
1
;
1
0
iD=h
1
1
;
1
1
i
because
RepD( id(2
1
)) = 1=2
3=2
DRepD( id(1
0
)) = 1=2
1=2
D
the change of basis matrix is this.
RepB;D(id) =
1=2 1=2
3=2 1=2
We can see this matrix at work by nding the two representations of ~ e2
RepB(
0
1
) =
1
2
RepD(
0
1
) =
1=2
1=2
and checking that the conversion goes as expected.
1=2 1=2
3=2 1=21
2
=1=2
1=2
We nish this subsection by recognizing that the change of basis matrices
are familiar.
1.4 Lemma A matrix changes bases if and only if it is nonsingular.
Proof .For one direction, if left-multiplication by a matrix changes bases then
the matrix represents an invertible function, simply because the function is
inverted by changing the bases back. Such a matrix is itself invertible, and so
nonsingular.
To nish, we will show that any nonsingular matrix Mperforms a change of
basis operation from any given starting basis Bto some ending basis. Because
the matrix is nonsingular, it will Gauss-Jordan reduce to the identity, so there
are elementatry reduction matrices such that RrR1M=I. Elementary
matrices are invertible and their inverses are also elementary, so multiplying
from the left rst by Rr 1, then byRr 1 1, etc., gives Mas a product of
238 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
elementary matrices M=R1 1Rr 1. Thus, we will be done if we show
that elementary matrices change a given basis to another basis, for then Rr 1
changesBto some other basis Br, andRr 1 1changesBrto someBr 1,
. . . , and the net eect is that MchangesBtoB1. We will prove this about
elementary matrices by covering the three types as separate cases.
Applying a row-multiplication matrix
Mi(k)0
BBBBBB@c1
...
ci
...
cn1
CCCCCCA=0
BBBBBB@c1
...
kci
...
cn1
CCCCCCA
changes a representation with respect to h~1;:::;~i;:::;~nito one with respect
toh~1;:::; (1=k)~i;:::;~niin this way.
~ v=c1~1++ci~i++cn~n
7!c1~1++kci(1=k)~i++cn~n=~ v
Similarly, left-multiplication by a row-swap matrix Pi;jchanges a representation
with respect to the basis h~1;:::;~i;:::;~j;:::;~niinto one with respect to the
basish~1;:::;~j;:::;~i;:::;~niin this way.
~ v=c1~1++ci~i++cj~j++cn~n
7!c1~1++cj~j++ci~i++cn~n=~ v
And, a representation with respect to h~1;:::;~i;:::;~j;:::;~nichanges via
left-multiplication by a row-combination matrix Ci;j(k) into a representation
with respect toh~1;:::;~i k~j;:::;~j;:::;~ni
~ v=c1~1++ci~i+cj~j++cn~n
7!c1~1++ci(~i k~j) ++ (kci+cj)~j++cn~n=~ v
(the denition of reduction matrices species that i6=kandk6= 0 and so this
last one is a basis). QED
1.5 Corollary A matrix is nonsingular if and only if it represents the identity
map with respect to some pair of bases.
In the next subsection we will see how to translate among representations
of maps, that is, how to change RepB;D(h) to Rep ^B;^D(h). The above corollary
is a special case of this, where the domain and range are the same space, and
where the map is the identity map.
Section V. Change of Basis 239
Exercises
X1.6InR2, where
D=h2
1
; 2
4
i
nd the change of basis matrices from DtoE2and fromE2toD. Multiply the
two.
X1.7Find the change of basis matrix for B;DR2.
(a)B=E2,D=h~ e2;~ e1i(b)B=E2,D=h1
2
;1
4
i
(c)B=h1
2
;1
4
i,D=E2(d)B=h 1
1
;2
2
i,D=h0
4
;1
3
i
1.8For the bases in Exercise 7, nd the change of basis matrix in the other direction,
fromDtoB.
X1.9Find the change of basis matrix for each B;DP 2.
(a)B=h1;x;x2i;D=hx2;1;xi(b)B=h1;x;x2i;D=h1;1+x;1+x+x2i
(c)B=h2;2x;x2i;D=h1 +x2;1 x2;x+x2i
X1.10 Decide if each changes bases on R2. To what basis is E2changed?
(a)5 0
0 4
(b)2 1
3 1
(c) 1 4
2 8
(d)1 1
1 1
1.11 Find bases such that this matrix represents the identity map with respect to
those bases. 0
@3 1 4
2 1 1
0 0 41
A
1.12 Conside the vector space of real-valued functions with basis hsin(x);cos(x)i.
Show thath2 sin(x)+cos(x);3 cos(x)iis also a basis for this space. Find the change
of basis matrix in each direction.
1.13 Where does this matrixcos(2) sin(2)
sin(2) cos(2)
send the standard basis for R2? Any other bases? Hint. Consider the inverse.
X1.14 What is the change of basis matrix with respect to B;B?
1.15 Prove that a matrix changes bases if and only if it is invertible.
1.16 Finish the proof of Lemma 1.4.
X1.17 LetHbe annnonsingular matrix. What basis of RndoesHchange to the
standard basis?
X1.18 (a) InP3with basisB=h1 +x;1 x;x2+x3;x2 x3iwe have this repre-
senatation.
RepB(1 x+ 3x2 x3) =0
BB@0
1
1
21
CCA
B
Find a basis Dgiving this dierent representation for the same polynomial.
RepD(1 x+ 3x2 x3) =0
BB@1
0
2
01
CCA
D
240 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
(b)State and prove that any nonzero vector representation can be changed to
any other.
Hint. The proof of Lemma 1.4 is constructive | it not only says the bases change,
it shows how they change.
1.19 LetV;W be vector spaces, and let B;^Bbe bases for VandD;^Dbe bases for
W. Whereh:V!Wis linear, nd a formula relating RepB;D(h) to Rep ^B;^D(h).
X1.20 Show that the columns of an nnchange of basis matrix form a basis for
Rn. Do all bases appear in that way: can the vectors from any Rnbasis make the
columns of a change of basis matrix?
X1.21 Find a matrix having this eect.1
3
7!4
1
That is, nd a Mthat left-multiplies the starting vector to yield the ending vector.
Is there a matrix having these two eects?
(a)1
3
7!1
1 2
1
7! 1
1
(b)1
3
7!1
1 2
6
7! 1
1
Give a necessary and sucient condition for there to be a matrix such that ~ v17!~ w1
and~ v27!~ w2.
V.2 Changing Map Representations
The rst subsection shows how to convert the representation of a vector with
respect to one basis to the representation of that same vector with respect to
another basis. Here we will see how to convert the representation of a map with
respect to one pair of bases to the representation of that map with respect to a
dierent pair, how to change RepB;D(h) to Rep ^B;^D(h).
That is, we want the relationship between the matrices in this arrow diagram.
Vw.r.t.Bh !
HWw.r.t.D
id??y id??y
Vw.r.t. ^Bh !
^HWw.r.t. ^D
To move from the lower-left of this diagram to the lower-right we can either
go straight over, or else up to VBthen over to WDand then down. So we
can calculate ^H= Rep ^B;^D(h) either by simply using ^Band ^D, or else by rst
changing bases with Rep ^B;B(id) then multiplying by H= RepB;D(h) and then
changing bases with RepD;^D(id).
This equation summarizes.
^H= RepD;^D(id)HRep ^B;B(id) ( )
(To compare this equation with the sentence before it, remember that the equa-
tion is read from right to left because function composition is read right to left
and matrix multiplication represent the composition.)
Section V. Change of Basis 241
2.1 Example The matrix
T=cos(=6) sin(=6)
sin(=6) cos(=6)
=p
3=2 1=2
1=2p
3=2
represents, with respect to E2;E2, the transformation t:R2!R2that rotates
vectors=6 radians counterclockwise.
1
3
( 3 +p
3)=2
(1 + 3p
3)=2
t=6 !
We can translate that representation with respect to E2;E2to one with respect
to
^B=h1
10
2
i ^D=h 1
02
3
i
by using the arrow diagram and formula ( ) above.
R2
w.r.t.E2t !
TR2
w.r.t.E2
id??y id??y
R2
w.r.t. ^Bt !
^TR2
w.r.t. ^D^T= RepE2;^D(id)TRep ^B;E2(id)
Note that RepE2;^D(id) can be calculated as the matrix inverse of Rep ^D;E2(id).
Rep ^B;^D(t) = 1 2
0 3 1p
3=2 1=2
1=2p
3=21 0
1 2
=(5 p
3)=6 (3 + 2p
3)=3
(1 +p
3)=6p
3=3
Although the new matrix is messier-appearing, the map that it represents is the
same. For instance, to replicate the eect of tin the picture, start with ^B,
Rep ^B(
1
3
) =
1
1
^B
apply ^T,
(5 p
3)=6 (3 + 2p
3)=3
(1 +p
3)=6p
3=3
^B;^D1
1
^B=(11 + 3p
3)=6
(1 + 3p
3)=6
^D
and check it against ^D
11 + 3p
3
6 1
0
+1 + 3p
3
62
3
=( 3 +p
3)=2
(1 + 3p
3)=2
to see that it is the same result as above.
242 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
2.2 Example One reason to change bases is that the matrix may be simpler.
OnR3the map0
@x
y
z1
At7 !0
@y+z
x+z
x+y1
A
that is represented with respect to the standard basis in this way
RepE3;E3(t) =0
@0 1 1
1 0 1
1 1 01
A
can also be represented with respect to another basis
ifB=h0
@1
1
01
A;0
@1
1
21
A;0
@1
1
11
Ai then RepB;B(t) =0
@ 1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 21
A
in a way that is simpler, in that the action of a diagonal matrix is easy to
understand.
Naturally, we usually prefer basis changes that make the representation eas-
ier to understand. When the representation with respect to equal starting and
ending bases is a diagonal matrix we say the map or matrix has been diagonal-
ized. In Chaper Five we shall see which maps and matrices are diagonalizable,
and where one is not, we shall see how to get a representation that is nearly
diagonal.
We nish this subsection by considering the easier case where representa-
tions are with respect to possibly dierent starting and ending bases. Recall
that the prior subsection shows that a matrix changes bases if and only if it
is nonsingular. That gives us another version of the above arrow diagram and
equation ().
2.3 Denition Same-sized matrices Hand ^Harematrix equivalent if there
are nonsingular matrices PandQsuch that ^H=PHQ .
2.4 Corollary Matrix equivalent matrices represent the same map, with re-
spect to appropriate pairs of bases.
Exercise 19 checks that matrix equivalence is an equivalence relation. Thus
it partitions the set of matrices into matrix equivalence classes.
All matrices:
. . .H
^HHmatrix equivalent
to^H
Section V. Change of Basis 243
We can get some insight into the classes by comparing matrix equivalence with
row equivalence (recall that matrices are row equivalent when they can be re-
duced to each other by row operations). In ^H=PHQ , the matrices Pand
Qare nonsingular and thus each can be written as a product of elementary
reduction matrices (Lemma 4.8). Left-multiplication by the reduction matrices
making up Phas the eect of performing row operations. Right-multiplication
by the reduction matrices making up Qperforms column operations. Therefore,
matrix equivalence is a generalization of row equivalence | two matrices are row
equivalent if one can be converted to the other by a sequence of row reduction
steps, while two matrices are matrix equivalent if one can be converted to the
other by a sequence of row reduction steps followed by a sequence of column
reduction steps.
Thus, if matrices are row equivalent then they are also matrix equivalent
(since we can take Qto be the identity matrix and so perform no column
operations). The converse, however, does not hold: two matrices can be matrix
equivalent but not row equivalent.
2.5 Example These two
1 0
0 0 1 1
0 0
are matrix equivalent because the second can be reduced to the rst by the
column operation of taking 1 times the rst column and adding to the second.
They are not row equivalent because they have dierent reduced echelon forms
(in fact, both are already in reduced form).
We will close this section by nding a set of representatives for the matrix
equivalence classes.
2.6 Theorem Anymnmatrix of rank kis matrix equivalent to the mn
matrix that is all zeros except that the rst kdiagonal entries are ones.
0
BBBBBBBBBB@1 0::: 0 0::: 0
0 1::: 0 0::: 0
...
0 0::: 1 0::: 0
0 0::: 0 0::: 0
...
0 0::: 0 0::: 01
CCCCCCCCCCA
Sometimes this is described as a block partial-identity form.
IZ
ZZ
More information on class representatives is in the appendix.
244 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
Proof .As discussed above, Gauss-Jordan reduce the given matrix and combine
all the reduction matrices used there to make P. Then use the leading entries to
do column reduction and nish by swapping columns to put the leading ones on
the diagonal. Combine the reduction matrices used for those column operations
intoQ. QED
2.7 Example We illustrate the proof by nding the PandQfor this matrix.
0
@1 2 1 1
0 0 1 1
2 4 2 21
A
First Gauss-Jordan row-reduce.
0
@1 1 0
0 1 0
0 0 11
A0
@1 0 0
0 1 0
2 0 11
A0
@1 2 1 1
0 0 1 1
2 4 2 21
A=0
@1 2 0 0
0 0 1 1
0 0 0 01
A
Then column-reduce, which involves right-multiplication.
0
@1 2 0 0
0 0 1 1
0 0 0 01
A0
BB@1 2 0 0
0 1 0 0
0 0 1 0
0 0 0 11
CCA0
BB@1 0 0 0
0 1 0 0
0 0 1 1
0 0 0 11
CCA=0
@1 0 0 0
0 0 1 0
0 0 0 01
A
Finish by swapping columns.
0
@1 0 0 0
0 0 1 0
0 0 0 01
A0
BB@1 0 0 0
0 0 1 0
0 1 0 0
0 0 0 11
CCA=0
@1 0 0 0
0 1 0 0
0 0 0 01
A
Finally, combine the left-multipliers together as Pand the right-multipliers
together as Qto get thePHQ equation.
0
@1 1 0
0 1 0
2 0 11
A0
@1 2 1 1
0 0 1 1
2 4 2 21
A0
BB@1 0 2 0
0 0 1 0
0 1 0 1
0 0 0 11
CCA=0
@1 0 0 0
0 1 0 0
0 0 0 01
A
2.8 Corollary Two same-sized matrices are matrix equivalent if and only if
they have the same rank. That is, the matrix equivalence classes are character-
ized by rank.
Proof .Two same-sized matrices with the same rank are equivalent to the same
block partial-identity matrix. QED
2.9 Example The 22 matrices have only three possible ranks: zero, one,
or two. Thus there are three matrix-equivalence classes.
Section V. Change of Basis 245
All 22 matrices:?0 0
0 0
?1 0
0 0
?1 0
0 1Three equivalence
classes
Each class consists of all of the 2 2 matrices with the same rank. There is only
one rank zero matrix, so that class has only one member, but the other two
classes each have innitely many members.
In this subsection we have seen how to change the representation of a map
with respect to a rst pair of bases to one with respect to a second pair. That
led to a denition describing when matrices are equivalent in this way. Finally
we noted that, with the proper choice of (possibly dierent) starting and ending
bases, any map can be represented in block partial-identity form.
One of the nice things about this representation is that, in some sense, we
can completely understand the map when it is expressed in this way: if the
bases areB=h~1;:::;~niandD=h~1;:::;~mithen the map sends
c1~1++ck~k+ck+1~k+1++cn~n7 !c1~1++ck~k+~0 ++~0
wherekis the map's rank. Thus, we can understand any linear map as a kind
of projection.0
BBBBBBBB@c1
...
ck
ck+1
...
cn1
CCCCCCCCA
B7!0
BBBBBBBB@c1
...
ck
0
...
01
CCCCCCCCA
D
Of course, \understanding" a map expressed in this way requires that we un-
derstand the relationship between BandD. However, despite that diculty,
this is a good classication of linear maps.
Exercises
X2.10 Decide if these matrices are matrix equivalent.
(a)1 3 0
2 3 0
,2 2 1
0 5 1
(b)0 3
1 1
,4 0
0 5
(c)1 3
2 6
,1 3
2 6
X2.11 Find the canonical representative of the matrix-equivalence class of each ma-
trix.
246 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
(a)2 1 0
4 2 0
(b)0
@0 1 0 2
1 1 0 4
3 3 3 11
A
2.12 Suppose that, with respect to
B=E2D=h1
1
;1
1
i
the transformation t:R2!R2is represented by this matrix.1 2
3 4
Use change of basis matrices to represent twith respect to each pair.
(a) ^B=h0
1
;1
1
i,^D=h 1
0
;2
1
i
(b) ^B=h1
2
;1
0
i,^D=h1
2
;2
1
i
X2.13 What sizes are PandQin the equation ^H=PHQ ?
X2.14 Use Theorem 2.6 to show that a square matrix is nonsingular if and only if it
is equivalent to an identity matrix.
X2.15 Show that, where Ais a nonsingular square matrix, if PandQare nonsingular
square matrices such that PAQ =IthenQP=A 1.
X2.16 Why does Theorem 2.6 not show that every matrix is diagonalizable (see
Example 2.2)?
2.17 Must matrix equivalent matrices have matrix equivalent transposes?
2.18 What happens in Theorem 2.6 if k= 0?
X2.19 Show that matrix-equivalence is an equivalence relation.
X2.20 Show that a zero matrix is alone in its matrix equivalence class. Are there
other matrices like that?
2.21 What are the matrix equivalence classes of matrices of transformations on R1?
R3?
2.22 How many matrix equivalence classes are there?
2.23 Are matrix equivalence classes closed under scalar multiplication? Addition?
2.24 Lett:Rn!Rnrepresented by Twith respect toEn;En.
(a)Find RepB;B(t) in this specic case.
T=1 1
3 1
B=h1
2
; 1
1
i
(b)Describe RepB;B(t) in the general case where B=h~1;:::;~ni.
2.25 (a) LetVhave basesB1andB2and suppose that Whas the basis D. Where
h:V!W, nd the formula that computes RepB2;D(h) from RepB1;D(h).
(b)Repeat the prior question with one basis for Vand two bases for W.
2.26 (a) If two matrices are matrix-equivalent and invertible, must their inverses
be matrix-equivalent?
(b)If two matrices have matrix-equivalent inverses, must the two be matrix-
equivalent?
(c)If two matrices are square and matrix-equivalent, must their squares be
matrix-equivalent?
(d)If two matrices are square and have matrix-equivalent squares, must they be
matrix-equivalent?
Section V. Change of Basis 247
X2.27 Square matrices are similar if they represent the same transformation, but
each with respect to the same ending as starting basis. That is, RepB1;B1(t) is
similar to RepB2;B2(t).
(a)Give a denition of matrix similarity like that of Denition 2.3.
(b)Prove that similar matrices are matrix equivalent.
(c)Show that similarity is an equivalence relation.
(d)Show that if Tis similar to ^TthenT2is similar to ^T2, the cubes are similar,
etc. Contrast with the prior exercise.
(e)Prove that there are matrix equivalent matrices that are not similar.
248 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
VI Projection
This section is optional; only the last two sections of Chapter Five require this
material.
We have described the projection fromR3into itsxyplane subspace as
a `shadow map'. This shows why, but it also shows that some shadows fall
upward.
0
@1
2
21
A
0
@1
2
11
A
So perhaps a better description is: the projection of ~ vis the~ pin the plane with
the property that someone standing on ~ pand looking straight up or down sees
~ v. In this section we will generalize this to other projections, both orthogonal
(i.e., `straight up and down') and nonorthogonal.
VI.1 Orthogonal Projection Into a Line
We rst consider orthogonal projection into a line. To orthogonally project a
vector~ vinto a line `, darken a point on the line if someone on that line and
looking straight up or down (from that person's point of view) sees ~ v.
The picture shows someone who has walked out on the line until the tip of
~ vis straight overhead. That is, where the line is described as the span of
some nonzero vector `=fc~ sc2Rg, the person has walked out to nd the
coecientc~ pwith the property that ~ v c~ p~ sis orthogonal to c~ p~ s.
c~ p~ s~ v~ v c~ p~ s
We can solve for this coecient by noting that because ~ v c~ p~ sis orthogonal to
a scalar multiple of ~ sit must be orthogonal to ~ sitself, and then the consequent
fact that the dot product ( ~ v c~ p~ s)~ sis zero gives that c~ p=~ v~ s=~ s~ s.
Section VI. Projection 249
1.1 Denition The orthogonal projection of ~ vinto the line spanned by a
nonzero~ sis this vector.
proj[~ s](~ v) =~ v~ s
~ s~ s~ s
Exercise 19 checks that the outcome of the calculation depends only on the line
and not on which vector ~ shappens to be used to describe that line.
1.2 Remark The wording of that denition says `spanned by ~ s' instead the
more formal `the span of the set f~ sg'. This casual rst phrase is common.
1.3 Example To orthogonally project the vector 2
3
into the line y= 2x, we
rst pick a direction vector for the line. For instance,
~ s=1
2
will do. Then the calculation is routine.
0
@2
31
A0
@1
21
A
0
@1
21
A0
@1
21
A1
2
=8
51
2
=8=5
16=5
1.4 Example InR3, the orthogonal projection of a general vector
0
@x
y
z1
A
into they-axis is0
@x
y
z1
A0
@0
1
01
A
0
@0
1
01
A0
@0
1
01
A0
@0
1
01
A=0
@0
y
01
A
which matches our intuitive expectation.
The picture above with the stick gure walking out on the line until ~ v's tip
is overhead is one way to think of the orthogonal projection of a vector into a
line. We nish this subsection with two other ways.
1.5 Example A railroad car left on an east-west track without its brake is
pushed by a wind blowing toward the northeast at fteen miles per hour; what
speed will the car reach?
250 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
For the wind we use a vector of length 15 that points toward the northeast.
~ v=
15p
1=2
15p
1=2
The car can only be aected by the part of the wind blowing in the east-west
direction | the part of ~ vin the direction of the x-axis is this (the picture has
the same perspective as the railroad car picture above).
eastnorth
~ p=
15p
1=2
0
So the car will reach a velocity of 15p
1=2 miles per hour toward the east.
Thus, another way to think of the picture that precedes the denition is that
it shows~ vas decomposed into two parts, the part with the line (here, the part
with the tracks, ~ p), and the part that is orthogonal to the line (shown here lying
on the north-south axis). These two are \not interacting" or \independent", in
the sense that the east-west car is not at all aected by the north-south part
of the wind (see Exercise 11). So the orthogonal projection of ~ vinto the line
spanned by ~ scan be thought of as the part of ~ vthat lies in the direction of ~ s.
Finally, another useful way to think of the orthogonal projection is to have
the person stand not on the line, but on the vector that is to be projected to the
line. This person has a rope over the line and pulls it tight, naturally making
the rope orthogonal to the line.
That is, we can think of the projection ~ pas being the vector in the line that is
closest to~ v(see Exercise 17).
1.6 Example A submarine is tracking a ship moving along the line y= 3x+2.
Torpedo range is one-half mile. Can the sub stay where it is, at the origin on
the chart below, or must it move to reach a place where the ship will pass within
range?
eastnorth
Section VI. Projection 251
The formula for projection into a line does not immediately apply because the
line doesn't pass through the origin, and so isn't the span of any ~ s. To adjust
for this, we start by shifting the entire map down two units. Now the line is
y= 3x, which is a subspace, and we can project to get the point ~ pof closest
approach, the point on the line through the origin closest to
~ v=0
2
the sub's shifted position.
~ p=0
2
1
3
1
3
1
31
3
= 3=5
9=5
The distance between ~ vand~ pis approximately 0 :63 miles and so the sub must
move to get in range.
This subsection has developed a natural projection map: orthogonal projec-
tion into a line. As suggested by the examples, it is often called for in appli-
cations. The next subsection shows how the denition of orthogonal projection
into a line gives us a way to calculate especially convienent bases for vector
spaces, again something that is common in applications. The nal subsection
completely generalizes projection, orthogonal or not, into any subspace at all.
Exercises
X1.7Project the rst vector orthogonally into the line spanned by the second vec-
tor.
(a)2
1
,3
2
(b)2
1
,3
0
(c)0
@1
1
41
A,0
@1
2
11
A (d)0
@1
1
41
A,0
@3
3
121
A
X1.8Project the vector orthogonally into the line.
(a)0
@2
1
41
A;fc0
@ 3
1
31
Ac2Rg(b) 1
1
, the liney= 3x
1.9Although the development of Denition 1.1 is guided by the pictures, we are
not restricted to spaces that we can draw. In R4project this vector into this line.
~ v=0
BB@1
2
1
31
CCA`=fc0
BB@ 1
1
1
11
CCAc2Rg
X1.10 Denition 1.1 uses two vectors ~ sand~ v. Consider the transformation of R2
resulting from xing
~ s=3
1
and projecting ~ vinto the line that is the span of ~ s. Apply it to these vec-
tors.
252 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
(a)1
2
(b)0
4
Show that in general the projection tranformation is this.
x1
x2
7!(x1+ 3x2)=10
(3x1+ 9x2)=10
Express the action of this transformation with a matrix.
1.11 Example 1.5 suggests that projection breaks ~ vinto two parts, proj[~ s](~ v) and
~ v proj[~ s](~ v), that are \not interacting". Recall that the two are orthogonal.
Show that any two nonzero orthogonal vectors make up a linearly independent
set.
1.12 (a) What is the orthogonal projection of ~ vinto a line if ~ vis a member of
that line?
(b)Show that if ~ vis not a member of the line then the set f~ v;~ v proj[~ s](~ v)gis
linearly independent.
1.13 Denition 1.1 requires that ~ sbe nonzero. Why? What is the right denition
of the orthogonal projection of a vector into the (degenerate) line spanned by the
zero vector?
1.14 Are all vectors the projection of some other vector into some line?
X1.15 Show that the projection of ~ vinto the line spanned by ~ shas length equal to
the absolute value of the number ~ v~ sdivided by the length of the vector ~ s.
1.16 Find the formula for the distance from a point to a line.
1.17 Find the scalar csuch that ( cs1;cs2) is a minimum distance from the point
(v1;v2) by using calculus (i.e., consider the distance function, set the rst derivative
equal to zero, and solve). Generalize to Rn.
X1.18 Prove that the orthogonal projection of a vector into a line is shorter than the
vector.
X1.19 Show that the denition of orthogonal projection into a line does not depend
on the spanning vector: if ~ sis a nonzero multiple of ~ qthen (~ v~ s=~ s~ s)~ sequals
(~ v~ q=~ q~ q)~ q.
X1.20 Consider the function mapping to plane to itself that takes a vector to its
projection into the line y=x. These two each show that the map is linear, the
rst one in a way that is bound to the coordinates (that is, it xes a basis and
then computes) and the second in a way that is more conceptual.
(a)Produce a matrix that describes the function's action.
(b)Show also that this map can be obtained by rst rotating everything in the
plane=4 radians clockwise, then projecting into the x-axis, and then rotating
=4 radians counterclockwise.
1.21 For~ a;~b2Rnlet~ v1be the projection of ~ ainto the line spanned by ~b, let~ v2be
the projection of ~ v1into the line spanned by ~ a, let~ v3be the projection of ~ v2into
the line spanned by ~b, etc., back and forth between the spans of ~ aand~b. That is,
~ vi+1is the projection of ~ viinto the span of ~ aifi+ 1 is even, and into the span of ~b
ifi+ 1 is odd. Must that sequence of vectors eventually settle down | must there
be a suciently large isuch that~ vi+2equals~ viand~ vi+3equals~ vi+1? If so, what
is the earliest such i?
Section VI. Projection 253
VI.2 Gram-Schmidt Orthogonalization
This subsection is optional. It requires material from the prior, also optional,
subsection. The work done here will only be needed in the nal two sections of
Chapter Five.
The prior subsection suggests that projecting into the line spanned by ~ s
decomposes a vector ~ vinto two parts
proj[~ s](~ p)~ v~ v proj[~ s](~ p)
~ v= proj[~ s](~ v) +
~ v proj[~ s](~ v)
that are orthogonal and so are \not interacting". We will now develop that
suggestion.
2.1 Denition Vectors~ v1;:::;~ vk2Rnaremutually orthogonal when any
two are orthogonal: if i6=jthen the dot product ~ vi~ vjis zero.
2.2 Theorem If the vectors in a set f~ v1;:::;~ vkgRnare mutually orthog-
onal and nonzero then that set is linearly independent.
Proof .Consider a linear relationship c1~ v1+c2~ v2++ck~ vk=~0. Ifi2[1::k]
then taking the dot product of ~ viwith both sides of the equation
~ vi(c1~ v1+c2~ v2++ck~ vk) =~ vi~0
ci(~ vi~ vi) = 0
shows, since ~ viis nonzero, that ciis zero. QED
2.3 Corollary If the vectors in a size ksubset of a kdimensional space are
mutually orthogonal and nonzero then that set is a basis for the space.
Proof .Any linearly independent size ksubset of a kdimensional space is a
basis. QED
Of course, the converse of Corollary 2.3 does not hold | not every basis of
every subspace of Rnis made of mutually orthogonal vectors. However, we can
get the partial converse that for every subspace of Rnthere is at least one basis
consisting of mutually orthogonal vectors.
2.4 Example The members ~1and~2of this basis for R2are not orthogonal.
B=h4
2
;1
3
i ~1~2
254 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
However, we can derive from Ba new basis for the same space that does have
mutually orthogonal members. For the rst member of the new basis we simply
use~1.
~ 1=4
2
For the second member of the new basis, we take away from ~2its part in the
direction of ~ 1,
~ 2=1
3
proj[~ 1](1
3
) =1
3
2
1
= 1
2 ~ 2
which leaves the part, ~ 2pictured above, of ~2that is orthogonal to ~ 1(it is
orthogonal by the denition of the projection into the span of ~ 1). Note that,
by the corollary,f~ 1;~ 2gis a basis for R2.
2.5 Denition Anorthogonal basis for a vector space is a basis of mutually
orthogonal vectors.
The next result gives a way to produce an orthogonal basis from any given
starting basis. We rst see an example.
2.6 Example To turn this basis for R3
h0
@1
1
11
A;0
@0
2
01
A;0
@1
0
31
Ai
into an orthogonal basis, we take the rst vector as it is given.
~ 1=0
@1
1
11
A
We get~ 2by starting with the given second vector ~2and subtracting away the
part of it in the direction of ~ 1.
~ 2=0
@0
2
01
A proj[~ 1](0
@0
2
01
A) =0
@0
2
01
A 0
@2=3
2=3
2=31
A=0
@ 2=3
4=3
2=31
A
Finally, we get ~ 3by taking the third given vector and subtracting the part of
it in the direction of ~ 1, and also the part of it in the direction of ~ 2.
~ 3=0
@1
0
31
A proj[~ 1](0
@1
0
31
A) proj[~ 2](0
@1
0
31
A) =0
@ 1
0
11
A
Section VI. Projection 255
Again the corollary gives that
h0
@1
1
11
A;0
@ 2=3
4=3
2=31
A;0
@ 1
0
11
Ai
is a basis for the space.
The next result veries that the process used in those examples works with
any basis for any subspace of an Rn(we are restricted to Rnonly because we
have not given a denition of orthogonality for other vector spaces).
2.7 Theorem (Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization) Ifh~1;:::~kiis a basis
for a subspace of Rnthen, where
~ 1=~1
~ 2=~2 proj[~ 1](~2)
~ 3=~3 proj[~ 1](~3) proj[~ 2](~3)
...
~ k=~k proj[~ 1](~k) proj[~ k 1](~k)
the~ 's form an orthogonal basis for the same subspace.
Proof .We will use induction to check that each ~ iis nonzero, is in the span of
h~1;:::~iiand is orthogonal to all preceding vectors: ~ 1~ i==~ i 1~ i= 0.
With those, and with Corollary 2.3, we will have that h~ 1;:::~ kiis a basis for
the same space as h~1;:::~ki.
We shall cover the cases up to i= 3, which give the sense of the argument.
Completing the details is Exercise 23.
Thei= 1 case is trivial | setting ~ 1equal to~1makes it a nonzero vector
since~1is a member of a basis, it is obviously in the desired span, and the
`orthogonal to all preceding vectors' condition is vacuously met.
For thei= 2 case, expand the denition of ~ 2.
~ 2=~2 proj[~ 1](~2) =~2 ~2~ 1
~ 1~ 1~ 1=~2 ~2~ 1
~ 1~ 1~1
This expansion shows that ~ 2is nonzero or else this would be a non-trivial linear
dependence among the ~'s (it is nontrivial because the coecient of ~2is 1) and
also shows that ~ 2is in the desired span. Finally, ~ 2is orthogonal to the only
preceding vector
~ 1~ 2=~ 1(~2 proj[~ 1](~2)) = 0
because this projection is orthogonal.
256 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
Thei= 3 case is the same as the i= 2 case except for one detail. As in the
i= 2 case, expanding the denition
~ 3=~3 ~3~ 1
~ 1~ 1~ 1 ~3~ 2
~ 2~ 2~ 2
=~3 ~3~ 1
~ 1~ 1~1 ~3~ 2
~ 2~ 2 ~2 ~2~ 1
~ 1~ 1~1
shows that ~ 3is nonzero and is in the span. A calculation shows that ~ 3is
orthogonal to the preceding vector ~ 1.
~ 1~ 3=~ 1 ~3 proj[~ 1](~3) proj[~ 2](~3)
=~ 1 ~3 proj[~ 1](~3)
~ 1proj[~ 2](~3)
= 0
(Here's the dierence from the i= 2 case | the second line has two kinds of
terms. The rst term is zero because this projection is orthogonal, as in the
i= 2 case. The second term is zero because ~ 1is orthogonal to ~ 2and so is
orthogonal to any vector in the line spanned by ~ 2.) The check that ~ 3is also
orthogonal to the other preceding vector ~ 2is similar. QED
Beyond having the vectors in the basis be orthogonal, we can do more; we
can arrange for each vector to have length one by dividing each by its own length
(we can normalize the lengths).
2.8 Example Normalizing the length of each vector in the orthogonal basis of
Example 2.6 produces this orthonormal basis .
h0
@1=p
3
1=p
3
1=p
31
A;0
@ 1=p
6
2=p
6
1=p
61
A;0
@ 1=p
2
0
1=p
21
Ai
Besides its intuitive appeal, and its analogy with the standard basis EnforRn,
an orthonormal basis also simplies some computations. See Exercise 17, for
example.
Exercises
2.9Perform the Gram-Schmidt process on each of these bases for R2.
(a)h1
1
;2
1
i(b)h0
1
; 1
3
i(c)h0
1
; 1
0
i
Then turn those orthogonal bases into orthonormal bases.
X2.10 Perform the Gram-Schmidt process on each of these bases for R3.
Section VI. Projection 257
(a)h0
@2
2
21
A;0
@1
0
11
A;0
@0
3
11
Ai(b)h0
@1
1
01
A;0
@0
1
01
A;0
@2
3
11
Ai
Then turn those orthogonal bases into orthonormal bases.
X2.11 Find an orthonormal basis for this subspace of R3: the plane x y+z= 0.
2.12 Find an orthonormal basis for this subspace of R4.
f0
BB@x
y
z
w1
CCAx y z+w= 0 andx+z= 0g
2.13 Show that any linearly independent subset of Rncan be orthogonalized with-
out changing its span.
X2.14 What happens if we apply the Gram-Schmidt process to a basis that is already
orthogonal?
2.15 Leth~ 1;:::;~ kibe a set of mutually orthogonal vectors in Rn.
(a)Prove that for any ~ vin the space, the vector ~ v (proj[~ 1](~ v)++proj[~ vk](~ v))
is orthogonal to each of ~ 1, . . . ,~ k.
(b)Illustrate the prior item in R3by using~ e1as~ 1, using~ e2as~ 2, and taking
~ vto have components 1, 2, and 3.
(c)Show that proj[~ 1](~ v) ++ proj[~ vk](~ v) is the vector in the span of the set
of~ 's that is closest to ~ v.Hint. To the illustration done for the prior part,
add a vector d1~ 1+d2~ 2and apply the Pythagorean Theorem to the resulting
triangle.
2.16 Find a vector in R3that is orthogonal to both of these.0
@1
5
11
A0
@2
2
01
A
X2.17 One advantage of orthogonal bases is that they simplify nding the represen-
tation of a vector with respect to that basis.
(a)For this vector and this non-orthogonal basis for R2
~ v=2
3
B=h1
1
;1
0
i
rst represent the vector with respect to the basis. Then project the vector into
the span of each basis vector [ ~1] and [~2].
(b)With this orthogonal basis for R2
K=h1
1
;1
1
i
represent the same vector ~ vwith respect to the basis. Then project the vector
into the span of each basis vector. Note that the coecients in the representation
and the projection are the same.
(c)LetK=h~ 1;:::;~ kibe an orthogonal basis for some subspace of Rn. Prove
that for any ~ vin the subspace, the i-th component of the representation RepK(~ v)
is the scalar coecient ( ~ v~ i)=(~ i~ i) from proj[~ i](~ v).
(d)Prove that ~ v= proj[~ 1](~ v) ++ proj[~ k](~ v).
2.18 Bessel's Inequality . Consider these orthonormal sets
B1=f~ e1gB2=f~ e1;~ e2gB3=f~ e1;~ e2;~ e3gB4=f~ e1;~ e2;~ e3;~ e4g
along with the vector ~ v2R4whose components are 4, 3, 2, and 1.
(a)Find the coecient c1for the projection of ~ vinto the span of the vector in
B1. Check thatk~ vk2jc1j2.
258 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
(b)Find the coecients c1andc2for the projection of ~ vinto the spans of the
two vectors in B2. Check thatk~ vk2jc1j2+jc2j2.
(c)Findc1,c2, andc3associated with the vectors in B3, andc1,c2,c3, andc4
for the vectors in B4. Check thatk~ vk2jc1j2++jc3j2and thatk~ vk2
jc1j2++jc4j2.
Show that this holds in general: where f~ 1;:::;~ kgis an orthonormal set and ciis
coecient of the projection of a vector ~ vfrom the space then k~ vk2jc1j2++
jckj2.Hint. One way is to look at the inequality 0 k~ v (c1~ 1++ck~ k)k2
and expand the c's.
2.19 Prove or disprove: every vector in Rnis in some orthogonal basis.
2.20 Show that the columns of an nnmatrix form an orthonormal set if and only
if the inverse of the matrix is its transpose. Produce such a matrix.
2.21 Does the proof of Theorem 2.2 fail to consider the possibility that the set of
vectors is empty (i.e., that k= 0)?
2.22 Theorem 2.7 describes a change of basis from any basis B=h~1;:::;~kito
one that is orthogonal K=h~ 1;:::;~ ki. Consider the change of basis matrix
RepB;K(id).
(a)Prove that the matrix RepK;B(id) changing bases in the direction opposite
to that of the theorem has an upper triangular shape | all of its entries below
the main diagonal are zeros.
(b)Prove that the inverse of an upper triangular matrix is also upper triangular
(if the matrix is invertible, that is). This shows that the matrix RepB;K(id)
changing bases in the direction described in the theorem is upper triangular.
2.23 Complete the induction argument in the proof of Theorem 2.7.
VI.3 Projection Into a Subspace
This subsection, like the others in this section, is optional. It also requires
material from the optional earlier subsection on Combining Subspaces.
The prior subsections project a vector into a line by decomposing it into two
parts: the part in the line proj[~ s](~ v) and the rest ~ v proj[~ s](~ v). To generalize
projection to arbitrary subspaces, we follow this idea.
3.1 Denition For any direct sum V=MNand any~ v2V, the projection
of~ vintoMalongNis
projM;N(~ v) =~ m
where~ v=~ m+~ nwith~ m2M;~ n2N.
This denition doesn't involve a sense of `orthogonal' so we can apply it to
spaces other than subspaces of an Rn. (Denitions of orthogonality for other
spaces are perfectly possible, but we haven't seen any in this book.)
3.2 Example The spaceM22of 22 matrices is the direct sum of these two.
M=f
a b
0 0a;b2RgN=f
0 0
c dc;d2Rg
Section VI. Projection 259
To project
A=3 1
0 4
intoMalongN, we rst x bases for the two subspaces.
BM=h1 0
0 0
;0 1
0 0
iBN=h0 0
1 0
;0 0
0 1
i
The concatenation of these
B=BM_BN=h
1 0
0 0
;
0 1
0 0
;
0 0
1 0
;
0 0
0 1
i
is a basis for the entire space, because the space is the direct sum, so we can
use it to represent A.
3 1
0 4
= 31 0
0 0
+ 10 1
0 0
+ 00 0
1 0
+ 40 0
0 1
Now the projection of AintoMalongNis found by keeping the Mpart of this
sum and dropping the Npart.
projM;N(3 1
0 4
) = 31 0
0 0
+ 10 1
0 0
=3 1
0 0
3.3 Example Both subscripts on projM;N(~ v) are signicant. The rst sub-
scriptMmatters because the result of the projection is an ~ m2M, and changing
this subspace would change the possible results. For an example showing that
the second subscript matters, x this plane subspace of R3and its basis
M=f0
@x
y
z1
Ay 2z= 0gBM=h0
@1
0
01
A;0
@0
2
11
Ai
and compare the projections along two dierent subspaces.
N=fk0
@0
0
11
Ak2Rg ^N=fk0
@0
1
21
Ak2Rg
(Verication that R3=MNandR3=M^Nis routine.) We will check
that these projections are dierent by checking that they have dierent eects
on this vector.
~ v=0
@2
2
51
A
For the rst one we nd a basis for N
BN=h0
@0
0
11
Ai
260 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
and represent ~ vwith respect to the concatenation BM_BN.
0
@2
2
51
A= 20
@1
0
01
A+ 10
@0
2
11
A+ 40
@0
0
11
A
The projection of ~ vintoMalongNis found by keeping the Mpart and dropping
theNpart.
projM;N(~ v) = 20
@1
0
01
A+ 10
@0
2
11
A=0
@2
2
11
A
For the other subspace ^N, this basis is natural.
B^N=h0
@0
1
21
Ai
Representing ~ vwith respect to the concatenation
0
@2
2
51
A= 20
@1
0
01
A+ (9=5)0
@0
2
11
A (8=5)0
@0
1
21
A
and then keeping only the Mpart gives this.
projM;^N(~ v) = 20
@1
0
01
A+ (9=5)0
@0
2
11
A=0
@2
18=5
9=51
A
Therefore projection along dierent subspaces may yield dierent results.
These pictures compare the two maps. Both show that the projection is
indeed `into' the plane and `along' the line.
MN
M^N
Notice that the projection along Nis not orthogonal | there are members of
the planeMthat are not orthogonal to the dotted line. But the projection
along ^Nis orthogonal.
A natural question is: what is the relationship between the projection op-
eration dened above, and the operation of orthogonal projection into a line?
The second picture above suggests the answer | orthogonal projection into a
line is a special case of the projection dened above; it is just projection along
a subspace perpendicular to the line.
Section VI. Projection 261
N
M
In addition to pointing out that projection along a subspace is a generalization,
this scheme shows how to dene orthogonal projection into any subspace of Rn,
of any dimension.
3.4 Denition The orthogonal complement of a subspace MofRnis
M?=f~ v2Rn~ vis perpendicular to all vectors in Mg
(read \Mperp"). The orthogonal projection projM(~ v) of a vector is its pro-
jection into MalongM?.
3.5 Example InR3, to nd the orthogonal complement of the plane
P=f0
@x
y
z1
A3x+ 2y z= 0g
we start with a basis for P.
B=h0
@1
0
31
A;0
@0
1
21
Ai
Any~ vperpendicular to every vector in Bis perpendicular to every vector in the
span ofB(the proof of this assertion is Exercise 19). Therefore, the subspace
P?consists of the vectors that satisfy these two conditions.
0
@1
0
31
A0
@v1
v2
v31
A= 00
@0
1
21
A0
@v1
v2
v31
A= 0
We can express those conditions more compactly as a linear system.
P?=f0
@v1
v2
v31
A1 0 3
0 1 20
@v1
v2
v31
A=0
0
g
We are thus left with nding the nullspace of the map represented by the matrix,
that is, with calculating the solution set of a homogeneous linear system.
P?=f0
@v1
v2
v31
Av1+ 3v3= 0
v2+ 2v3= 0g=fk0
@ 3
2
11
Ak2Rg
Instead of the term orthogonal complement, in some contexts this is called the
linenormal to the plane.
262 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
3.6 Example WhereMis thexy-plane subspace of R3, what isM?? A
common rst reaction is that M?is theyz-plane, but that's not right. Some
vectors from the yz-plane are not perpendicular to every vector in the xy-plane.
0
@1
1
01
A6?0
@0
3
21
A = arccos(10 + 13 + 02p
2p
13)0:94 rad
InsteadM?is thez-axis, since proceeding as in the prior example and taking
the natural basis for the xy-plane gives this.
M?=f0
@x
y
z1
A1 0 0
0 1 00
@x
y
z1
A=0
0
g=f0
@x
y
z1
Ax= 0 andy= 0g
The two examples that we've seen since Denition 3.4 illustrate the rst
sentence in that denition. The next result justies the second sentence.
3.7 Lemma LetMbe a subspace of Rn. The orthogonal complement of Mis
also a subspace. The space is the direct sum of the two Rn=MM?. And,
for any~ v2Rn, the vector ~ v projM(~ v) is perpendicular to every vector in M.
Proof .First, the orthogonal complement M?is a subspace of Rnbecause, as
noted in the prior two examples, it is a nullspace.
Next, we can start with any basis BM=h~ 1;:::;~ kiforMand expand it to
a basis for the entire space. Apply the Gram-Schmidt process to get an orthog-
onal basisK=h~ 1;:::;~ niforRn. ThisKis the concatenation of two bases
h~ 1;:::;~ ki(with the same number of members as BM) andh~ k+1;:::;~ ni.
The rst is a basis for M, so if we show that the second is a basis for M?then
we will have that the entire space is the direct sum of the two subspaces.
Exercise 17 from the prior subsection proves this about any orthogonal ba-
sis: each vector ~ vin the space is the sum of its orthogonal projections onto the
lines spanned by the basis vectors.
~ v= proj[~ 1](~ v) ++ proj[~ n](~ v) ( )
To check this, represent the vector ~ v=r1~ 1++rn~ n, apply~ ito both sides
~ v~ i= (r1~ 1++rn~ n)~ i=r10 ++ri(~ i~ i) ++rn0, and
solve to get ri= (~ v~ i)=(~ i~ i), as desired.
Since obviously any member of the span of h~ k+1;:::;~ niis orthogonal to
any vector in M, to show that this is a basis for M?we need only show the
other containment | that any ~ w2M?is in the span of this basis. The prior
paragraph does this. On projections into basis vectors from M, any~ w2M?
gives proj[~ 1](~ w) =~0;:::; proj[~ k](~ w) =~0 and therefore ( ) gives that ~ wis a
linear combination of ~ k+1;:::;~ n. Thus this is a basis for M?andRnis the
direct sum of the two.
Section VI. Projection 263
The nal sentence is proved in much the same way. Write ~ v= proj[~ 1](~ v) +
+ proj[~ n](~ v). Then projM(~ v) is gotten by keeping only the Mpart and
dropping the M?part projM(~ v) = proj[~ k+1](~ v) ++ proj[~ k](~ v). Therefore
~ v projM(~ v) consists of a linear combination of elements of M?and so is
perpendicular to every vector in M. QED
We can nd the orthogonal projection into a subspace by following the steps
of the proof, but the next result gives a formula.
3.8 Theorem Let~ vbe a vector in Rnand letMbe a subspace of Rn
with basish~1;:::;~ki. IfAis the matrix whose columns are the ~'s then
projM(~ v) =c1~1++ck~kwhere the coecients ciare the entries of the
vector (AtransA) 1Atrans~ v. That is, projM(~ v) =A(AtransA) 1Atrans~ v.
Proof .The vector projM(~ v) is a member of Mand so it is a linear combination
of basis vectors c1~1++ck~k. SinceA's columns are the ~'s, that can
be expressed as: there is a ~ c2Rksuch that projM(~ v) =A~ c(this is expressed
compactly with matrix multiplication as in Example 3.5 and 3.6). Because
~ v projM(~ v) is perpendicular to each member of the basis, we have this (again,
expressed compactly).
~0 =Atrans
~ v A~ c
=Atrans~ v AtransA~ c
Solving for ~ c(showing that AtransAis invertible is an exercise)
~ c=
AtransA 1Atrans~ v
gives the formula for the projection matrix as projM(~ v) =A~ c. QED
3.9 Example To orthogonally project this vector into this subspace
~ v=0
@1
1
11
AP=f0
@x
y
z1
Ax+z= 0g
rst make a matrix whose columns are a basis for the subspace
A=0
@0 1
1 0
0 11
A
and then compute.
A
AtransA 1Atrans=0
@0 1
1 0
0 11
A
1 0
0 1=2
0 1 0
1 0 1
=0
@1=2 0 1=2
0 1 0
1=2 0 1=21
A
264 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
With the matrix, calculating the orthogonal projection of any vector into Pis
easy.
projP(~ v) =0
@1=2 0 1=2
0 1 0
1=2 0 1=21
A0
@1
1
11
A=0
@0
1
01
A
Note, as a check, that this result is indeed in P.
Exercises
X3.10 Project the vectors into MalongN.
(a)3
2
; M =fx
yx+y= 0g; N =fx
y x 2y= 0g
(b)1
2
; M =fx
yx y= 0g; N =fx
y2x+y= 0g
(c)0
@3
0
11
A; M =f0
@x
y
z1
Ax+y= 0g; N =fc0
@1
0
11
Ac2Rg
X3.11 FindM?.
(a)M=fx
yx+y= 0g(b)M=fx
y 2x+ 3y= 0g
(c)M=fx
yx y= 0g(d)M=f~0g(e)M=fx
yx= 0g
(f)M=f0
@x
y
z1
A x+ 3y+z= 0g(g)M=f0
@x
y
z1
Ax= 0 andy+z= 0g
3.12 This subsection shows how to project orthogonally in two ways, the method of
Example 3.2 and 3.3, and the method of Theorem 3.8. To compare them, consider
the planePspecied by 3 x+ 2y z= 0 in R3.
(a)Find a basis for P.
(b)FindP?and a basis for P?.
(c)Represent this vector with respect to the concatenation of the two bases from
the prior item.
~ v=0
@1
1
21
A
(d)Find the orthogonal projection of ~ vintoPby keeping only the Ppart from
the prior item.
(e)Check that against the result from applying Theorem 3.8.
X3.13 We have three ways to nd the orthogonal projection of a vector into a line,
the Denition 1.1 way from the rst subsection of this section, the Example 3.2
and 3.3 way of representing the vector with respect to a basis for the space and
then keeping the Mpart, and the way of Theorem 3.8. For these cases, do all
three ways.
(a)~ v=1
3
; M =fx
yx+y= 0g
(b)~ v=0
@0
1
21
A; M =f0
@x
y
z1
Ax+z= 0 andy= 0g
Section VI. Projection 265
3.14 Check that the operation of Denition 3.1 is well-dened. That is, in Exam-
ple 3.2 and 3.3, doesn't the answer depend on the choice of bases?
3.15 What is the orthogonal projection into the trivial subspace?
3.16 What is the projection of ~ vintoMalongNif~ v2M?
3.17 Show that if MRnis a subspace with orthonormal basis h~ 1;:::;~ nithen
the orthogonal projection of ~ vintoMis this.
(~ v~ 1)~ 1++ (~ v~ n)~ n
X3.18 Prove that the map p:V!Vis the projection into MalongNif and only
if the map id pis the projection into NalongM. (Recall the denition of the
dierence of two maps: (id p) (~ v) = id(~ v) p(~ v) =~ v p(~ v).)
X3.19 Show that if a vector is perpendicular to every vector in a set then it is
perpendicular to every vector in the span of that set.
3.20 True or false: the intersection of a subspace and its orthogonal complement is
trivial.
3.21 Show that the dimensions of orthogonal complements add to the dimension
of the entire space.
X3.22 Suppose that ~ v1;~ v22Rnare such that for all complements M;NRn, the
projections of ~ v1and~ v2intoMalongNare equal. Must ~ v1equal~ v2? (If so, what
if we relax the condition to: all orthogonal projections of the two are equal?)
X3.23 LetM;N be subspaces of Rn. The perp operator acts on subspaces; we can
ask how it interacts with other such operations.
(a)Show that two perps cancel: ( M?)?=M.
(b)Prove that MNimplies that N?M?.
(c)Show that ( M+N)?=M?\N?.
X3.24 The material in this subsection allows us to express a geometric relationship
that we have not yet seen between the rangespace and the nullspace of a linear
map.
(a)Representf:R3!Rgiven by0
@v1
v2
v31
A7!1v1+ 2v2+ 3v3
with respect to the standard bases and show that0
@1
2
31
A
is a member of the perp of the nullspace. Prove that N(f)?is equal to the
span of this vector.
(b)Generalize that to apply to any f:Rn!R.
(c)Representf:R3!R2
0
@v1
v2
v31
A7!1v1+ 2v2+ 3v3
4v1+ 5v2+ 6v3
with respect to the standard bases and show that0
@1
2
31
A;0
@4
5
61
A
are both members of the perp of the nullspace. Prove that N(f)?is the span
of these two. ( Hint. See the third item of Exercise 23.)
266 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
(d)Generalize that to apply to any f:Rn!Rm.
This, and related results, is called the Fundamental Theorem of Linear Algebra in
[Strang 93].
3.25 Dene a projection to be a linear transformation t:V!Vwith the property
that repeating the projection does nothing more than does the projection alone: ( t
t) (~ v) =t(~ v) for all~ v2V.
(a)Show that orthogonal projection into a line has that property.
(b)Show that projection along a subspace has that property.
(c)Show that for any such tthere is a basis B=h~1;:::;~niforVsuch that
t(~i) =(~ii= 1;2;:::; r
~0i=r+ 1;r+ 2;:::; n
whereris the rank of t.
(d)Conclude that every projection is a projection along a subspace.
(e)Also conclude that every projection has a representation
RepB;B(t) =IZ
ZZ
in block partial-identity form.
3.26 A square matrix is symmetric if eachi;jentry equals the j;ientry (i.e., if the
matrix equals its transpose). Show that the projection matrix A(AtransA) 1Atrans
is symmetric. [Strang 80] Hint. Find properties of transposes by looking in the
index under `transpose'.
Topic: Line of Best Fit 267
Topic: Line of Best Fit
This Topic requires the formulas from the subsections on Orthogonal Projection
Into a Line, and Projection Into a Subspace.
Scientists are often presented with a system that has no solution and they
must nd an answer anyway. More precisely stated, they must nd a best
answer.
For instance, this is the result of
ipping a penny, including some interme-
diate numbers.
number of
ips 30 60 90
number of heads 16 34 51
In an experiment we can expect that samples will vary | here, sometimes the
experimental ratio of heads to
ips overestimates this penny's long-term ratio
and sometimes it underestimates. So we expect that the system derived from
the experiment has no solution.
30m= 16
60m= 34
90m= 51
That is, the vector of experimental data is not in the subspace of solutions.
0
@16
34
511
A62fm0
@30
60
901
Am2Rg
However, we want to nd the mthat most nearly works. An orthogonal projec-
tion of the data vector into the line subspace gives our best guess.
0
@16
34
511
A0
@30
60
901
A
0
@30
60
901
A0
@30
60
901
A0
@30
60
901
A=7110
126000
@30
60
901
A
The estimate ( m= 7110=126000:56) is a bit high but not much, so probably
the penny is fair enough.
The line with the slope m0:56 is the line of best t for this data.
ips30 60 90heads
3060
268 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
Minimizing the distance between the given vector and the vector used as the
right-hand side minimizes the total of these vertical lengths, and consequently
we say that the line has been obtained through tting by least-squares
(the vertical scale here has been exaggerated ten times to make the lengths
visible).
We arranged the equation above so that the line must pass through (0 ;0)
because we take it to be the line whose slope is this coin's true proportion of
heads to
ips. We can also handle cases where the line need not pass through
the origin.
For example, the dierent denominations of U.S. money have dierent aver-
age times in circulation (the $2 bill is left o as a special case). How long should
we expect a $25 bill to last?
denomination 1 5 10 20 50 100
average life (years) 1:5 2 3 5 9 20
The plot (see below) looks roughly linear. It isn't a perfect line, i.e., the linear
system with equations b+ 1m= 1:5, . . . ,b+ 100m= 20 has no solution, but
we can again use orthogonal projection to nd a best approximation. Consider
the matrix of coecients of that linear system and also its vector of constants,
the experimentally-determined values.
A=0
BBBBBB@1 1
1 5
1 10
1 20
1 50
1 1001
CCCCCCA~ v=0
BBBBBB@1:5
2
3
5
9
201
CCCCCCA
The ending result in the subsection on Projection into a Subspace says that
coecients bandmso that the linear combination of the columns of Ais as
close as possible to the vector ~ vare the entries of ( AtransA) 1Atrans~ v. Some
calculation gives an intercept of b= 1:05 and a slope of m= 0:18.
denom10 30 50 70 90avg life
515
Pluggingx= 25 into the equation of the line shows that such a bill should last
between ve and six years.
Topic: Line of Best Fit 269
We close by considering the progression of world record times for the men's
mile race.[Oakley & Baker] In the early 1900's many people wondered when
this record would fall below the four minute mark. Here are the times that
were in force on January rst of each decade through the rst half of that
century. (Restricting ourselves to the times at the start of each decade reduces
the data entry burden and gives much the same result. There are a number
of dierent sequences of times from competing standards bodies but these are
from [WikipediaMensMile].)
year 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950
secs 268:8 264:5 258:4 255:6 255:6 252:6 250:4 246:4 241:4
We can use this data to predict the date for 240 seconds, and we can then
compare to the actual date.
A few minutes in Sage gives the slope and intercept.
sage: data=[[1870,268.8], [1880,264.5], [1890,258.4], [1900,255.6],
....: [1910,255.6], [1920,252.6], [1930,250.4], [1940,246.4],
....: [1950,241.4]]
sage: var('slope,intercept')
(slope, intercept)
sage: model(x) = slope*x+intercept
sage: find_fit(data,model)
[intercept == 837.0872267857003, slope == -0.30483333572258886]
Plotting the data along with the line of best t
sage: points(data)+plot(model(intercept=find_fit(data,model)[0].rhs(),
....: slope=find_fit(data,model)[1].rhs()),(x,1860,1960),color='red')
gives this graph.
Note that the progression is surprisingly linear. Our prediction is 1958 :73; the
actual date of Roger Bannister's record was 1954-May-06.
Exercises
The calculations here are best done on a computer. Some of the problems require
more data that is available in your library, on the Internet, or in the Answers to
the Exercises.
270 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
1Use least-squares to judge if the coin in this experiment is fair.
ips 8 16 24 32 40
heads 4 9 13 17 20
2For the men's mile record, rather than give each of the many records and its
exact date, we've \smoothed" the data somewhat by taking a periodic sample. Do
the longer calculation and compare the conclusions.
3Find the line of best t for the men's 1500 meter run. How does the slope
compare with that for the men's mile? (The distances are close; a mile is about
1609 meters.)
4Find the line of best t for the records for women's mile.
5Do the lines of best t for the men's and women's miles cross?
6When the space shuttle Challenger exploded in 1986, one of the criticisms made of
NASA's decision to launch was in the way the analysis of number of O-ring failures
versus temperature was made (of course, O-ring failure caused the explosion). Four
O-ring failures will cause the rocket to explode. NASA had data from 24 previous
ights.
tempF 53 75 57 58 63 70 70 66 67 67 67
failures 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
68 69 70 70 72 73 75 76 76 78 79 80 81
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
The temperature that day was forecast to be 31F.
(a)NASA based the decision to launch partially on a chart showing only the
ights that had at least one O-ring failure. Find the line that best ts these
seven
ights. On the basis of this data, predict the number of O-ring failures
when the temperature is 31, and when the number of failures will exceed four.
(b)Find the line that best ts all 24
ights. On the basis of this extra data,
predict the number of O-ring failures when the temperature is 31, and when the
number of failures will exceed four.
Which do you think is the more accurate method of predicting? (An excellent
discussion appears in [Dalal, et. al.].)
7This table lists the average distance from the sun to each of the rst seven planets,
using earth's average as a unit.
Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus
0:39 0:72 1:00 1:52 5:20 9:54 19:2
(a)Plot the number of the planet (Mercury is 1, etc.) versus the distance. Note
that it does not look like a line, and so nding the line of best t is not fruitful.
(b)It does, however look like an exponential curve. Therefore, plot the number
of the planet versus the logarithm of the distance. Does this look like a line?
(c)The asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter is thought to be what is left of a
planet that broke apart. Renumber so that Jupiter is 6, Saturn is 7, and Uranus
is 8, and plot against the log again. Does this look better?
(d)Use least squares on that data to predict the location of Neptune.
(e)Repeat to predict where Pluto is.
(f)Is the formula accurate for Neptune and Pluto?
This method was used to help discover Neptune (although the second item is mis-
leading about the history; actually, the discovery of Neptune in position 9 prompted
people to look for the \missing planet" in position 5). See [Gardner, 1970]
Topic: Line of Best Fit 271
8William Bennett has proposed an Index of Leading Cultural Indicators for the
US ([Bennett], in 1993). Among the statistics cited are the average daily hours
spent watching TV, and the average combined SAT scores.
1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1992
TV 5:06 5:29 5:56 6:07 6:36 7:07 6:55 7:04
SAT 975 969 948 910 890 906 900 899
Suppose that a cause and eect relationship is proposed between the time spent
watching TV and the decline in SAT scores (in this article, Mr. Bennett does not
argue that there is a direct connection).
(a)Find the line of best t relating the independent variable of average daily
TV hours to the dependent variable of SAT scores.
(b)Find the most recent estimate of the average daily TV hours (Bennett's cites
Neilsen Media Research as the source of these estimates). Estimate the associ-
ated SAT score. How close is your estimate to the actual average? (Warning: a
change has been made recently in the SAT, so you should investigate whether
some adjustment needs to be made to the reported average to make a valid
comparison.)
272 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
Topic: Geometry of Linear Maps
The pictures below contrast f1(x) =exandf2(x) =x2, which are nonlinear,
withh1(x) = 2xandh2(x) = x, which are linear. Each of the four pictures
shows the domain R1on the left mapped to the codomain R1on the right.
Arrows trace out where each map sends x= 0,x= 1,x= 2,x= 1, and
x= 2. Note how the nonlinear maps distort the domain in transforming it
into the range. For instance, f1(1) is further from f1(2) than it is from f1(0) |
the map is spreading the domain out unevenly so that an interval near x= 2 is
spread apart more than is an interval near x= 0 when they are carried over to
the range.
-505
-505
-505
-505
The linear maps are nicer, more regular, in that for each map all of the domain
is spread by the same factor.
-505
-505
-505
-505
The only linear maps from R1toR1are multiplications by a scalar. In
higher dimensions more can happen. For instance, this linear transformation of
R2, rotates vectors counterclockwise, and is not just a scalar multiplication.
Topic: Geometry of Linear Maps 273
x
y
7!xcos ysin
xsin+ycos
7 !
The transformation of R3which projects vectors into the xz-plane is also not
just a rescaling.
0
@x
y
z1
A7!0
@x
0
z1
A
7 !
Nonetheless, even in higher dimensions the situation isn't too complicated.
Below, we use the standard bases to represent each linear map h:Rn!Rm
by a matrix H. Recall that any Hcan be factored H=PBQ , wherePandQare
nonsingular and Bis a partial-identity matrix. Further, recall that nonsingular
matrices factor into elementary matrices PBQ =TnTn 1TjBTj 1T1,
which are matrices that are obtained from the identity Iwith one Gaussian
step
Iki !Mi(k)Ii$j !Pi;jIki+j !Ci;j(k)
(i6=j,k6= 0). So if we understand the eect of a linear map described
by a partial-identity matrix, and the eect of linear mapss described by the
elementary matrices, then we will in some sense understand the eect of any
linear map. (The pictures below stick to transformations of R2for ease of
drawing, but the statements hold for maps from any Rnto any Rm.)
The geometric eect of the linear transformation represented by a partial-
identity matrix is projection.
0
@x
y
z1
A0
@1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 01
A
E3;E3
!0
@x
y
01
A
For theMi(k) matrices, the geometric action of a transformation represented
by such a matrix (with respect to the standard basis) is to stretch vectors by
a factor ofkalong thei-th axis. This map stretches by a factor of 3 along the
x-axis.
x
y
7!3x
y
7 !
274 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
Note that if 0k<1 or ifk<0 then thei-th component goes the other way;
here, toward the left.
x
y
7! 2x
y
7 !
Either of these is a dilation .
The action of a transformation represented by a Pi;jpermutation matrix is
to interchange the i-th andj-th axes; this is a particular kind of re
ection.
x
y
7!y
x
7 !
In higher dimensions, permutations involving many axes can be decomposed
into a combination of swaps of pairs of axes | see Exercise 5.
The remaining case is that of matrices of the form Ci;j(k). Recall that, for
instance, that C1;2(2) performs 2 1+2.
x
y
1 0
2 1
E2;E2
!x
2x+y
In the picture below, the vector ~ uwith the rst component of 1 is aected less
than the vector ~ vwith the rst component of 2 | h(~ u) is only 2 higher than ~ u
whileh(~ v) is 4 higher than ~ v.
x
y
7!x
2x+y
7 !~ u
~ vh(~ u)h(~ v)
Any vector with a rst component of 1 would be aected as is ~ u; it would be slid
up by 2. And any vector with a rst component of 2 would be slid up 4, as was
~ v. That is, the transformation represented by Ci;j(k) aects vectors depending
on theiri-th component.
Another way to see this same point is to consider the action of this map
on the unit square. In the next picture, vectors with a rst component of 0,
like the origin, are not pushed vertically at all but vectors with a positive rst
component are slid up. Here, all vectors with a rst component of 1 | the entire
right side of the square | is aected to the same extent. More generally, vectors
on the same vertical line are slid up the same amount, namely, they are slid up
by twice their rst component. The resulting shape, a rhombus, has the same
base and height as the square (and thus the same area) but the right angles are
gone.
Topic: Geometry of Linear Maps 275
x
y
7!x
2x+y
7 !
For contrast the next picture shows the eect of the map represented by C2;1(1).
In this case, vectors are aected according to their second component. The
vector x
y
is slid horozontally by twice y.
x
y
7!x+ 2y
y
7 !
Because of this action, this kind of map is called a skew.
With that, we have covered the geometric eect of the four types of com-
ponents in the expansion H=TnTn 1TjBTj 1T1, the partial-identity
projectionBand the elementary Ti's. Since we understand its components,
we in some sense understand the action of any H. As an illustration of this
assertion, recall that under a linear map, the image of a subspace is a subspace
and thus the linear transformation hrepresented by Hmaps lines through the
origin to lines through the origin. (The dimension of the image space cannot
be greater than the dimension of the domain space, so a line can't map onto,
say, a plane.) We will extend that to show that any line, not just those through
the origin, is mapped by hto a line. The proof is simply that the partial-
identity projection Band the elementary Ti's each turn a line input into a line
output (verifying the four cases is Exercise 6), and therefore their composition
also preserves lines. Thus, by understanding its components we can understand
arbitrary square matrices H, in the sense that we can prove things about them.
An understanding of the geometric eect of linear transformations on Rnis
very important in mathematics. Here is a familiar application from calculus.
On the left is a picture of the action of the nonlinear function y(x) =x2+x. As
at that start of this Topic, overall the geometric eect of this map is irregular
in that at dierent domain points it has dierent eects (e.g., as the domain
pointxgoes from 2 to 2, the associated range point f(x) at rst decreases,
then pauses instantaneously, and then increases).
05
05
276 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
But in calculus we don't focus on the map overall, we focus instead on the local
eect of the map. At x= 1 the derivative is y0(1) = 3, so that near x= 1
we have y3x. That is, in a neighborhood of x= 1, in carrying the
domain to the codomain this map causes it to grow by a factor of 3 | it is,
locally, approximately, a dilation. The picture below shows a small interval
in the domain ( x x::x + x) carried over to an interval in the codomain
(y y::y + y) that is three times as wide: y3x.
x= 1y= 2
(When the above picture is drawn in the traditional cartesian way then the
prior sentence about the rate of growth of y(x) is usually stated: the derivative
y0(1) = 3 gives the slope of the line tangent to the graph at the point (1 ;2).)
In higher dimensions, the idea is the same but the approximation is not just
theR1-to-R1scalar multiplication case. Instead, for a function y:Rn!Rm
and a point ~ x2Rn, the derivative is dened to be the linear map h:Rn!Rm
best approximating how ychanges near y(~ x). So the geometry studied above
applies.
We will close this Topic by remarking how this point of view makes clear an
often-misunderstood, but very important, result about derivatives: the deriva-
tive of the composition of two functions is computed by using the Chain Rule
for combining their derivatives. Recall that (with suitable conditions on the two
functions)
d(gf)
dx(x) =dg
dx(f(x))df
dx(x)
so that, for instance, the derivative of sin( x2+3x) is cos(x2+3x)(2x+3). How
does this combination arise? From this picture of the action of the composition.
xf(x)g(f(x))
Topic: Geometry of Linear Maps 277
The rst map fdilates the neighborhood of xby a factor of
df
dx(x)
and the second map gdilates some more, this time dilating a neighborhood of
f(x) by a factor of
dg
dx(f(x) )
and as a result, the composition dilates by the product of these two.
In higher dimensions the map expressing how a function changes near a
point is a linear map, and is expressed as a matrix. (So we understand the
basic geometry of higher-dimensional derivatives; they are compositions of dila-
tions, interchanges of axes, shears, and a projection). And, the Chain Rule just
multiplies the matrices.
Thus, the geometry of linear maps h:Rn!Rmis appealing both for its
simplicity and for its usefulness.
Exercises
1Leth:R2!R2be the transformation that rotates vectors clockwise by =4 ra-
dians.
(a)Find the matrix Hrepresenting hwith respect to the standard bases. Use
Gauss' method to reduce Hto the identity.
(b)Translate the row reduction to to a matrix equation TjTj 1T1H=I(the
prior item shows both that His similar to I, and that no column operations are
needed to derive IfromH).
(c)Solve this matrix equation for H.
(d)Sketch the geometric eect matrix, that is, sketch how His expressed as a
combination of dilations,
ips, skews, and projections (the identity is a trivial
projection).
2What combination of dilations,
ips, skews, and projections produces a rotation
counterclockwise by 2 =3 radians?
3What combination of dilations,
ips, skews, and projections produces the map
h:R3!R3represented with respect to the standard bases by this matrix?0
@1 2 1
3 6 0
1 2 21
A
4Show that any linear transformation of R1is the map that multiplies by a scalar
x7!kx.
5Show that for any permutation (that is, reordering) pof the numbers 1, . . . , n,
the map0
BBB@x1
x2
...
xn1
CCCA7!0
BBB@xp(1)
xp(2)
...
xp(n)1
CCCA
can be accomplished with a composition of maps, each of which only swaps a single
pair of coordinates. Hint: it can be done by induction on n. (Remark: in the fourth
278 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
chapter we will show this and we will also show that the parity of the number of
swaps used is determined by p. That is, although a particular permutation could
be accomplished in two dierent ways with two dierent numbers of swaps, either
both ways use an even number of swaps, or both use an odd number.)
6Show that linear maps preserve the linear structures of a space.
(a)Show that for any linear map from RntoRm, the image of any line is a line.
The image may be a degenerate line, that is, a single point.
(b)Show that the image of any linear surface is a linear surface. This generalizes
the result that under a linear map the image of a subspace is a subspace.
(c)Linear maps preserve other linear ideas. Show that linear maps preserve
\betweeness": if the point Bis betweenAandCthen the image of Bis between
the image of Aand the image of C.
7Use a picture like the one that appears in the discussion of the Chain Rule to
answer: if a function f:R!Rhas an inverse, what's the relationship between how
the function | locally, approximately | dilates space, and how its inverse dilates
space (assuming, of course, that it has an inverse)?
Topic: Markov Chains 279
Topic: Markov Chains
Here is a simple game: a player bets on coin tosses, a dollar each time, and the
game ends either when the player has no money left or is up to ve dollars. If
the player starts with three dollars, what is the chance that the game takes at
least ve
ips? Twenty-ve
ips?
At any point, this player has either $0, or $1, . . . , or $5. We say that the
player is in the states0,s1, . . . , ors5. A game consists of moving from state to
state. For instance, a player now in state s3has on the next
ip a :5 chance of
moving to state s2and a:5 chance of moving to s4. The boundary states are a
bit dierent; once in state s0or states5, the player never leaves.
Letpi(n) be the probability that the player is in state siaftern
ips. Then,
for instance, we have that the probability of being in state s0after
ipn+ 1 is
p0(n+ 1) =p0(n) + 0:5p1(n). This matrix equation sumarizes.
0
BBBBBB@1:5 0 0 0 0
0 0:5 0 0 0
0:5 0:5 0 0
0 0:5 0:5 0
0 0 0 :5 0 0
0 0 0 0 :5 11
CCCCCCA0
BBBBBB@p0(n)
p1(n)
p2(n)
p3(n)
p4(n)
p5(n)1
CCCCCCA=0
BBBBBB@p0(n+ 1)
p1(n+ 1)
p2(n+ 1)
p3(n+ 1)
p4(n+ 1)
p5(n+ 1)1
CCCCCCA
With the initial condition that the player starts with three dollars, calculation
gives this.
n= 0n= 1n= 2n= 3n= 4n= 240
BBBBBB@0
0
0
1
0
01
CCCCCCA0
BBBBBB@0
0
:5
0
:5
01
CCCCCCA0
BBBBBB@0
:25
0
:5
0
:251
CCCCCCA0
BBBBBB@:125
0
:375
0
:25
:251
CCCCCCA0
BBBBBB@:125
:1875
0
:3125
0
:3751
CCCCCCA0
BBBBBB@:39600
:00276
0
:00447
0
:596761
CCCCCCA
As this computational exploration suggests, the game is not likely to go on for
long, with the player quickly ending in either state s0or states5. For instance,
after the fourth
ip there is a probability of 0 :50 that the game is already over.
(Because a player who enters either of the boundary states never leaves, they
are said to be absorbtive .)
This game is an example of a Markov chain , named for A.A. Markov, who
worked in the rst half of the 1900's. Each vector of p's is a probability vector
and the matrix is a transition matrix . The notable feature of a Markov chain
model is that it is historyless in that with a xed transition matrix, the next
state depends only on the current state, not on any prior states. Thus a player,
say, who arrives at s2by starting in state s3, then going to state s2, then to
s1, and then to s2has at this point exactly the same chance of moving next to
states3as does a player whose history was to start in s3, then go to s4, and to
s3, and then to s2.
280 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
Here is a Markov chain from sociology. A study ([Macdonald & Ridge],
p. 202) divided occupations in the United Kingdom into upper level (executives
and professionals), middle level (supervisors and skilled manual workers), and
lower level (unskilled). To determine the mobility across these levels in a gen-
eration, about two thousand men were asked, \At which level are you, and at
which level was your father when you were fourteen years old?" This equation
summarizes the results.
0
@:60:29:16
:26:37:27
:14:34:571
A0
@pU(n)
pM(n)
pL(n)1
A=0
@pU(n+ 1)
pM(n+ 1)
pL(n+ 1)1
A
For instance, a child of a lower class worker has a :27 probability of growing up to
be middle class. Notice that the Markov model assumption about history seems
reasonable | we expect that while a parent's occupation has a direct in
uence
on the occupation of the child, the grandparent's occupation has no such direct
in
uence. With the initial distribution of the respondents's fathers given below,
this table lists the distributions for the next ve generations.
n= 0n= 1n= 2n= 3n= 4n= 50
@:12
:32
:561
A0
@:23
:34
:421
A0
@:29
:34
:371
A0
@:31
:34
:351
A0
@:32
:33
:341
A0
@:33
:33
:341
A
One more example, from a very important subject, indeed. The World Series
of American baseball is played between the team winning the American League
and the team winning the National League (we follow [Brunner] but see also
[Woodside]). The series is won by the rst team to win four games. That means
that a series is in one of twenty-four states: 0-0 (no games won yet by either
team), 1-0 (one game won for the American League team and no games for the
National League team), etc. If we assume that there is a probability pthat the
American League team wins each game then we have the following transition
matrix.
0
BBBBBBBBB@0 0 0 0 :::
p 0 0 0 :::
1 p 0 0 0 :::
0p 0 0:::
0 1 p p 0:::
0 0 1 p0:::
............1
CCCCCCCCCA0
BBBBBBBBB@p0-0(n)
p1-0(n)
p0-1(n)
p2-0(n)
p1-1(n)
p0-2(n)
...1
CCCCCCCCCA=0
BBBBBBBBB@p0-0(n+ 1)
p1-0(n+ 1)
p0-1(n+ 1)
p2-0(n+ 1)
p1-1(n+ 1)
p0-2(n+ 1)
...1
CCCCCCCCCA
An especially interesting special case is p= 0:50; this table lists the resulting
components of the n= 0 through n= 7 vectors. (The code to generate this
table in the computer algebra system Octave follows the exercises.)
Topic: Markov Chains 281
n= 0n= 1n= 2n= 3n= 4n= 5n= 6n= 7
0 0
1 0
0 1
2 0
1 1
0 2
3 0
2 1
1 2
0 3
4 0
3 1
2 2
1 3
0 4
4 1
3 2
2 3
1 4
4 2
3 3
2 4
4 3
3 41
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
00
0:5
0:5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
00
0
0
0:25
0:5
0:25
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
00
0
0
0
0
0
0:125
0:375
0:375
0:125
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
00
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0:0625
0:25
0:375
0:25
0:0625
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
00
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0:0625
0
0
0
0:0625
0:125
0:3125
0:3125
0:125
0
0
0
0
00
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0:0625
0
0
0
0:0625
0:125
0
0
0:125
0:15625
0:3125
0:15625
0
00
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0:0625
0
0
0
0:0625
0:125
0
0
0:125
0:15625
0
0:15625
0:15625
0:15625
Note that evenly-matched teams are likely to have a long series | there is a
probability of 0 :625 that the series goes at least six games.
One reason for the inclusion of this Topic is that Markov chains are one
of the most widely-used applications of matrix operations. Another reason is
that it provides an example of the use of matrices where we do not consider
the signicance of the maps represented by the matrices. For more on Markov
chains, there are many sources such as [Kemeny & Snell] and [Iosifescu].
Exercises
Use a computer for these problems. You can, for instance, adapt the Octave script
given below.
1These questions refer to the coin-
ipping game.
(a)Check the computations in the table at the end of the rst paragraph.
(b)Consider the second row of the vector table. Note that this row has alter-
nating 0's. Must p1(j) be 0 when jis odd? Prove that it must be, or produce a
counterexample.
(c)Perform a computational experiment to estimate the chance that the player
ends at ve dollars, starting with one dollar, two dollars, and four dollars.
2We consider throws of a die, and say the system is in state siif the largest number
yet appearing on the die was i.
(a)Give the transition matrix.
(b)Start the system in state s1, and run it for ve throws. What is the vector
at the end?
282 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
[Feller], p. 424
3There has been much interest in whether industries in the United States are
moving from the Northeast and North Central regions to the South and West,
motivated by the warmer climate, by lower wages, and by less unionization. Here is
the transition matrix for large rms in Electric and Electronic Equipment ([Kelton],
p. 43)
NE NC S W Z
NE
NC
S
W
Z0:787
0
0
0
0:0210
0:966
0:063
0
0:0090
0:034
0:937
0:074
0:0050:111
0
0
0:612
0:0100:102
0
0
0:314
0:954
For example, a rm in the Northeast region will be in the West region next year
with probability 0 :111. (The Zentry is a \birth-death" state. For instance, with
probability 0 :102 a large Electric and Electronic Equipment rm from the North-
east will move out of this system next year: go out of business, move abroad, or
move to another category of rm. There is a 0 :021 probability that a rm in the
National Census of Manufacturers will move into Electronics, or be created, or
move in from abroad, into the Northeast. Finally, with probability 0 :954 a rm
out of the categories will stay out, according to this research.)
(a)Does the Markov model assumption of lack of history seem justied?
(b)Assume that the initial distribution is even, except that the value at Zis
0:9. Compute the vectors for n= 1 through n= 4.
(c)Suppose that the initial distribution is this.
NE NC S W Z
0:0000 0:6522 0:3478 0:0000 0:0000
Calculate the distributions for n= 1 through n= 4.
(d)Find the distribution for n= 50 andn= 51. Has the system settled down
to an equilibrium?
4This model has been suggested for some kinds of learning ([Wickens], p. 41). The
learner starts in an undecided state sU. Eventually the learner has to decide to do
either response A(that is, end in state sA) or response B(ending insB). However,
the learner doesn't jump right from being undecided to being sure Ais the correct
thing to do (or B). Instead, the learner spends some time in a \tentative- A"
state, or a \tentative- B" state, trying the response out (denoted here tAandtB).
Imagine that once the learner has decided, it is nal, so once sAorsBis entered
it is never left. For the other state changes, imagine a transition is made with
probability pin either direction.
(a)Construct the transition matrix.
(b)Takep= 0:25 and take the initial vector to be 1 at sU. Run this for ve
steps. What is the chance of ending up at sA?
(c)Do the same for p= 0:20.
(d)Graphpversus the chance of ending at sA. Is there a threshold value for p,
above which the learner is almost sure not to take longer than ve steps?
5A certain town is in a certain country (this is a hypothetical problem). Each year
ten percent of the town dwellers move to other parts of the country. Each year
one percent of the people from elsewhere move to the town. Assume that there
are two states sT, living in town, and sC, living elsewhere.
(a)Construct the transistion matrix.
Topic: Markov Chains 283
(b)Starting with an initial distribution sT= 0:3 andsC= 0:7, get the results
for the rst ten years.
(c)Do the same for sT= 0:2.
(d)Are the two outcomes alike or dierent?
6For the World Series application, use a computer to generate the seven vectors
forp= 0:55 andp= 0:6.
(a)What is the chance of the National League team winning it all, even though
they have only a probability of 0 :45 or 0:40 of winning any one game?
(b)Graph the probability pagainst the chance that the American League team
wins it all. Is there a threshold value | a pabove which the better team is
essentially ensured of winning?
(Some sample code is included below.)
7AMarkov matrix has each entry positive and each column sums to 1.
(a)Check that the three transistion matrices shown in this Topic meet these two
conditions. Must any transition matrix do so?
(b)Observe that if A~ v0=~ v1andA~ v1=~ v2thenA2is a transition matrix from
~ v0to~ v2. Show that a power of a Markov matrix is also a Markov matrix.
(c)Generalize the prior item by proving that the product of two appropriately-
sized Markov matrices is a Markov matrix.
Computer Code
This script markov.m for the computer algebra system Octave was used to
generate the table of World Series outcomes. (The sharp character #marks the
rest of a line as a comment.)
# Octave script file to compute chance of World Series outcomes.
function w = markov(p,v)
q = 1-p;
A=[0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0; # 0-0
p,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0; # 1-0
q,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0; # 0-1_
0,p,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0; # 2-0
0,q,p,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0; # 1-1
0,0,q,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0; # 0-2__
0,0,0,p,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0; # 3-0
0,0,0,q,p,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0; # 2-1
0,0,0,0,q,p, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0; # 1-2_
0,0,0,0,0,q, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0; # 0-3
0,0,0,0,0,0, p,0,0,0,1,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0; # 4-0
0,0,0,0,0,0, q,p,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0; # 3-1__
0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,q,p,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0; # 2-2
0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,q,p,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0; # 1-3
0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,q,0,0, 0,0,1,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0; # 0-4_
0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,p, 0,0,0,1,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0; # 4-1
0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,q, p,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0; # 3-2
0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, q,p,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0; # 2-3__
0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,q,0,0,0,0, 1,0,0,0,0,0; # 1-4
0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,p,0, 0,1,0,0,0,0; # 4-2
0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,q,p, 0,0,0,0,0,0; # 3-3_
0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,q, 0,0,0,1,0,0; # 2-4
284 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,p,0,1,0; # 4-3
0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,0,0,0,0, 0,0,q,0,0,1]; # 3-4
w = A * v;
endfunction
Then the Octave session was this.
> v0=[1;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0;0]
> p=.5
> v1=markov(p,v0)
> v2=markov(p,v1)
...
Translating to another computer algebra system should be easy | all have com-
mands similar to these.
Topic: Orthonormal Matrices 285
Topic: Orthonormal Matrices
InThe Elements , Euclid considers two gures to be the same if they have the
same size and shape. That is, the triangles below are not equal because they
are not the same set of points. But they are congruent | essentially indistin-
guishable for Euclid's purposes | because we can imagine picking the plane up,
sliding it over and rotating it a bit, although not warping or stretching it, and
then putting it back down, to superimpose the rst gure on the second. (Euclid
never explicitly states this principle but he uses it often [Casey].)
P1P2
P3Q1Q2
Q3
In modern terminology, \picking the plane up . . . " means considering a map
from the plane to itself. Euclid has limited consideration to only certain trans-
formations of the plane, ones that may possibly slide or turn the plane but not
bend or stretch it. Accordingly, we dene a map f:R2!R2to be distance-
preserving or a rigid motion or an isometry , if for all points P1;P22R2, the
distance from f(P1) tof(P2) equals the distance from P1toP2. We also dene
a plane gure to be a set of points in the plane and we say that two gures
arecongruent if there is a distance-preserving map from the plane to itself that
carries one gure onto the other.
Many statements from Euclidean geometry follow easily from these deni-
tions. Some are: (i) collinearity is invariant under any distance-preserving map
(that is, if P1,P2, andP3are collinear then so are f(P1),f(P2), andf(P3)),
(ii) betweeness is invariant under any distance-preserving map (if P2is between
P1andP3then so isf(P2) betweenf(P1) andf(P3)), (iii) the property of
being a triangle is invariant under any distance-preserving map (if a gure is a
triangle then the image of that gure is also a triangle), (iv) and the property of
being a circle is invariant under any distance-preserving map. In 1872, F. Klein
suggested that Euclidean geometry can be characterized as the study of prop-
erties that are invariant under these maps. (This forms part of Klein's Erlanger
Program, which proposes the organizing principle that each kind of geometry |
Euclidean, projective, etc. | can be described as the study of the properties
that are invariant under some group of transformations. The word `group' here
means more than just `collection', but that lies outside of our scope.)
We can use linear algebra to characterize the distance-preserving maps of
the plane.
First, there are distance-preserving transformations of the plane that are not
linear. The obvious example is this translation .
x
y
7!x
y
+1
0
=x+ 1
y
286 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
However, this example turns out to be the only example, in the sense that if fis
distance-preserving and sends ~0 to~ v0then the map ~ v7!f(~ v) ~ v0is linear. That
will follow immediately from this statement: a map tthat is distance-preserving
and sends~0 to itself is linear. To prove this equivalent statement, let
t(~ e1) =a
b
t(~ e2) =c
d
for somea;b;c;d2R. Then to show that tis linear, we can show that it can
be represented by a matrix, that is, that tacts in this way for all x;y2R.
~ v=x
y
t7 !ax+cy
bx+dy
()
Recall that if we x three non-collinear points then any point in the plane can
be described by giving its distance from those three. So any point ~ vin the
domain is determined by its distance from the three xed points ~0,~ e1, and~ e2.
Similarly, any point t(~ v) in the codomain is determined by its distance from the
three xed points t(~0),t(~ e1), andt(~ e2) (these three are not collinear because, as
mentioned above, collinearity is invariant and ~0,~ e1, and~ e2are not collinear).
In fact, because tis distance-preserving, we can say more: for the point ~ vin the
plane that is determined by being the distance d0from~0, the distance d1from
~ e1, and the distance d2from~ e2, its image t(~ v) must be the unique point in the
codomain that is determined by being d0fromt(~0),d1fromt(~ e1), andd2from
t(~ e2). Because of the uniqueness, checking that the action in ( ) works in the
d0,d1, andd2cases
dist(
x
y
;~0) = dist(t(
x
y
);t(~0)) = dist(
ax+cy
bx+dy
;~0)
(tis assumed to send ~0 to itself)
dist(
x
y
;~ e1) = dist(t(
x
y
);t(~ e1)) = dist(
ax+cy
bx+dy
;
a
b
)
and
dist(x
y
;~ e2) = dist(t(x
y
);t(~ e2)) = dist(ax+cy
bx+dy
;c
d
)
suces to show that ( ) describes t. Those checks are routine.
Thus, any distance-preserving f:R2!R2can be written f(~ v) =t(~ v) +~ v0
for some constant vector ~ v0and linear map tthat is distance-preserving.
Not every linear map is distance-preserving, for example, ~ v7!2~ vdoes not
preserve distances. But there is a neat characterization: a linear transformation
tof the plane is distance-preserving if and only if both kt(~ e1)k=kt(~ e2)k= 1 and
t(~ e1) is orthogonal to t(~ e2). The `only if' half of that statement is easy | because
tis distance-preserving it must preserve the lengths of vectors, and because t
is distance-preserving the Pythagorean theorem shows that it must preserve
Topic: Orthonormal Matrices 287
orthogonality. For the `if' half, it suces to check that the map preserves
lengths of vectors, because then for all ~ pand~ qthe distance between the two is
preservedkt(~ p ~ q)k=kt(~ p) t(~ q)k=k~ p ~ qk. For that check, let
~ v=x
y
t(~ e1) =a
b
t(~ e2) =c
d
and, with the `if' assumptions that a2+b2=c2+d2= 1 andac+bd= 0 we
have this.
kt(~ v)k2= (ax+cy)2+ (bx+dy)2
=a2x2+ 2acxy +c2y2+b2x2+ 2bdxy +d2y2
=x2(a2+b2) +y2(c2+d2) + 2xy(ac+bd)
=x2+y2
=k~ vk2
One thing that is neat about this characterization is that we can easily
recognize matrices that represent such a map with respect to the standard bases.
Those matrices have that when the columns are written as vectors then they
are of length one and are mutually orthogonal. Such a matrix is called an
orthonormal matrix ororthogonal matrix (the second term is commonly used
to mean not just that the columns are orthogonal, but also that they have length
one).
We can use this insight to delimit the geometric actions possible in distance-
preserving maps. Because kt(~ v)k=k~ vk, any~ vis mapped by tto lie somewhere
on the circle about the origin that has radius equal to the length of ~ v. In
particular, ~ e1and~ e2are mapped to the unit circle. What's more, once we x
the unit vector ~ e1as mapped to the vector with components aandbthen there
are only two places where ~ e2can be mapped if that image is to be perpendicular
to the rst vector: one where ~ e2maintains its position a quarter circle clockwise
from~ e1
a
b
b
a
RepE2;E2(t) =
a b
b a
and one where is is mapped a quarter circle counterclockwise.
a
b
b
aRepE2;E2(t) =
a b
b a
288 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
We can geometrically describe these two cases. Let be the angle between
thex-axis and the image of ~ e1, measured counterclockwise. The rst matrix
above represents, with respect to the standard bases, a rotation of the plane by
radians.
a
b
b
a
x
y
t7 !xcos ysin
xsin+ycos
The second matrix above represents a re
ection of the plane through the line
bisecting the angle between ~ e1andt(~ e1).
a
b
b
ax
y
t7 !xcos+ysin
xsin ycos
(This picture shows ~ e1re
ected up into the rst quadrant and ~ e2re
ected down
into the fourth quadrant.)
Note again: the angle between ~ e1and~ e2runs counterclockwise, and in the
rst map above the angle from t(~ e1) tot(~ e2) is also counterclockwise, so the
orientation of the angle is preserved. But in the second map the orientation is
reversed. A distance-preserving map is direct if it preserves orientations and
opposite if it reverses orientation.
So, we have characterized the Euclidean study of congruence: it considers,
for plane gures, the properties that are invariant under combinations of (i) a
rotation followed by a translation, or (ii) a re
ection followed by a translation
(a re
ection followed by a non-trivial translation is a glide re
ection ).
Another idea, besides congruence of gures, encountered in elementary ge-
ometry is that gures are similar if they are congruent after a change of scale.
These two triangles are similar since the second is the same shape as the rst,
but 3=2-ths the size.
P1P2
P3Q1Q2
Q3
From the above work, we have that gures are similar if there is an orthonormal
matrixTsuch that the points ~ qon one are derived from the points ~ pby~ q=
(kT)~ v+~ p0for some nonzero real number kand constant vector ~ p0.
Topic: Orthonormal Matrices 289
Although many of these ideas were rst explored by Euclid, mathematics
is timeless and they are very much in use today. One application of the maps
studied above is in computer graphics. We can, for example, animate this top
view of a cube by putting together lm frames of it rotating; that's a rigid
motion.
Frame 1 Frame 2 Frame 3
We could also make the cube appear to be moving away from us by producing
lm frames of it shrinking, which gives us gures that are similar.
Frame 1: Frame 2: Frame 3:
Computer graphics incorporates techniques from linear algebra in many other
ways (see Exercise 4).
So the analysis above of distance-preserving maps is useful as well as inter-
esting. A beautiful book that explores some of this area is [Weyl]. More on
groups, of transformations and otherwise, can be found in any book on Modern
Algebra, for instance [Birkho & MacLane]. More on Klein and the Erlanger
Program is in [Yaglom].
Exercises
1Decide if each of these is an orthonormal matrix.
(a)1=p
2 1=p
2
1=p
2 1=p
2
(b)1=p
3 1=p
3
1=p
3 1=p
3
(c)1=p
3 p
2=p
3
p
2=p
3 1=p
3
2Write down the formula for each of these distance-preserving maps.
(a)the map that rotates =6 radians, and then translates by ~ e2
(b)the map that re
ects about the line y= 2x
(c)the map that re
ects about y= 2xand translates over 1 and up 1
3 (a) The proof that a map that is distance-preserving and sends the zero vector
to itself incidentally shows that such a map is one-to-one and onto (the point
in the domain determined by d0,d1, andd2corresponds to the point in the
codomain determined by those three). Therefore any distance-preserving map
has an inverse. Show that the inverse is also distance-preserving.
(b)Prove that congruence is an equivalence relation between plane gures.
4In practice the matrix for the distance-preserving linear transformation and the
translation are often combined into one. Check that these two computations yield
the same rst two components.
a c
b dx
y
+e
f0
@a c e
b d f
0 0 11
A0
@x
y
11
A
290 Chapter Three. Maps Between Spaces
(These are homogeneous coordinates ; see the Topic on Projective Geometry).
5 (a) Verify that the properties described in the second paragraph of this Topic
as invariant under distance-preserving maps are indeed so.
(b)Give two more properties that are of interest in Euclidean geometry from
your experience in studying that subject that are also invariant under distance-
preserving maps.
(c)Give a property that is not of interest in Euclidean geometry and is not
invariant under distance-preserving maps.
Chapter Four
Determinants
In the rst chapter of this book we considered linear systems and we picked out
the special case of systems with the same number of equations as unknowns,
those of the form T~ x=~bwhereTis a square matrix. We noted a distinction
between two classes of T's. While such systems may have a unique solution or
no solutions or innitely many solutions, if a particular Tis associated with a
unique solution in any system, such as the homogeneous system ~b=~0, then
Tis associated with a unique solution for every ~b. We call such a matrix of
coecients `nonsingular'. The other kind of T, where every linear system for
which it is the matrix of coecients has either no solution or innitely many
solutions, we call `singular'.
Through the second and third chapters the value of this distinction has been
a theme. For instance, we now know that nonsingularity of an nnmatrixT
is equivalent to each of these:
a systemT~ x=~bhas a solution, and that solution is unique;
Gauss-Jordan reduction of Tyields an identity matrix;
the rows of Tform a linearly independent set;
the columns of Tform a basis for Rn;
any map that Trepresents is an isomorphism;
an inverse matrix T 1exists.
So when we look at a particular square matrix, the question of whether it
is nonsingular is one of the rst things that we ask. This chapter develops
a formula to determine this. (Since we will restrict the discussion to square
matrices, in this chapter we will usually simply say `matrix' in place of `square
matrix'.)
More precisely, we will develop innitely many formulas, one for 1 1 ma-
trices, one for 22 matrices, etc. Of course, these formulas are related | that
is, we will develop a family of formulas, a scheme that describes the formula for
each size.
291
292 Chapter Four. Determinants
I Definition
For 11 matrices, determining nonsingularity is trivial.
a
is nonsingular i a6= 0
The 22 formula came out in the course of developing the inverse.
a b
c d
is nonsingular i ad bc6= 0
The 33 formula can be produced similarly (see Exercise 9).
0
@a b c
d e f
g h i1
Ais nonsingular i aei+bfg+cdh hfa idb gec6= 0
With these cases in mind, we posit a family of formulas, a,ad bc, etc. For each
nthe formula gives rise to a determinant function det nn:Mnn!Rsuch that
annnmatrixTis nonsingular if and only if det nn(T)6= 0. (We usually omit
the subscript because if Tisnnthen `det(T)' could only mean `det nn(T)'.)
I.1 Exploration
This subsection is optional. It brie
y describes how an investigator might come
to a good general denition, which is given in the next subsection.
The three cases above don't show an evident pattern to use for the general
nnformula. We may spot that the 1 1 termahas one letter, that the 2 2
termsadandbchave two letters, and that the 3 3 termsaei, etc., have three
letters. We may also observe that in those terms there is a letter from each row
and column of the matrix, e.g., the letters in the cdhterm
0
@c
d
h1
A
come one from each row and one from each column. But these observations
perhaps seem more puzzling than enlightening. For instance, we might wonder
why some of the terms are added while others are subtracted.
A good problem solving strategy is to see what properties a solution must
have and then search for something with those properties. So we shall start by
asking what properties we require of the formulas.
At this point, our primary way to decide whether a matrix is singular is
to do Gaussian reduction and then check whether the diagonal of resulting
echelon form matrix has any zeroes (that is, to check whether the product
down the diagonal is zero). So, we may expect that the proof that a formula
Section I. Definition 293
determines singularity will involve applying Gauss' method to the matrix, to
show that in the end the product down the diagonal is zero if and only if the
determinant formula gives zero. This suggests our initial plan: we will look for
a family of functions with the property of being unaected by row operations
and with the property that a determinant of an echelon form matrix is the
product of its diagonal entries. Under this plan, a proof that the functions
determine singularity would go, \Where T!! ^Tis the Gaussian reduction,
the determinant of Tequals the determinant of ^T(because the determinant is
unchanged by row operations), which is the product down the diagonal, which
is zero if and only if the matrix is singular". In the rest of this subsection we
will test this plan on the 2 2 and 33 determinants that we know. We will end
up modifying the \unaected by row operations" part, but not by much.
The rst step in checking the plan is to test whether the 2 2 and 33
formulas are unaected by the row operation of combining: if
Tki+j ! ^T
then is det( ^T) = det(T)? This check of the 2 2 determinant after the k1+2
operation
det(a b
ka+c kb +d
) =a(kb+d) (ka+c)b=ad bc
shows that it is indeed unchanged, and the other 2 2 combination k2+1
gives the same result. The 3 3 combination k3+2leaves the determinant
unchanged
det(0
@a b c
kg+d kh +e ki +f
g h i1
A) =a(kh+e)i+b(ki+f)g+c(kg+d)h
h(ki+f)a i(kg+d)b g(kh+e)c
=aei+bfg+cdh hfa idb gec
as do the other 3 3 row combination operations.
So there seems to be promise in the plan. Of course, perhaps the 4 4 deter-
minant formula is aected by row combinations. We are exploring a possibility
here and we do not yet have all the facts. Nonetheless, so far, so good.
The next step is to compare det( ^T) with det(T) for the operation
Ti$j ! ^T
of swapping two rows. The 2 2 row swap 1$2
det(c d
a b
) =cb ad
does not yield ad bc. This1$3swap inside of a 3 3 matrix
det(0
@g h i
d e f
a b c1
A) =gec+hfa+idb bfg cdh aei
294 Chapter Four. Determinants
also does not give the same determinant as before the swap | again there is a
sign change. Trying a dierent 3 3 swap1$2
det(0
@d e f
a b c
g h i1
A) =dbi+ecg+fah hcd iae gbf
also gives a change of sign.
Thus, row swaps appear to change the sign of a determinant. This mod-
ies our plan, but does not wreck it. We intend to decide nonsingularity by
considering only whether the determinant is zero, not by considering its sign.
Therefore, instead of expecting determinants to be entirely unaected by row
operations, will look for them to change sign on a swap.
To nish, we compare det( ^T) to det(T) for the operation
Tki ! ^T
of multiplying a row by a scalar k6= 0. One of the 2 2 cases is
det(
a b
kc kd
) =a(kd) (kc)b=k(ad bc)
and the other case has the same result. Here is one 3 3 case
det(0
@a b c
d e f
kg kh ki1
A) =ae(ki) +bf(kg) +cd(kh)
(kh)fa (ki)db (kg)ec
=k(aei+bfg+cdh hfa idb gec)
and the other two are similar. These lead us to suspect that multiplying a row
bykmultiplies the determinant by k. This ts with our modied plan because
we are asking only that the zeroness of the determinant be unchanged and we
are not focusing on the determinant's sign or magnitude.
In summary, to develop the scheme for the formulas to compute determi-
nants, we look for determinant functions that remain unchanged under the
operation of row combination, that change sign on a row swap, and that rescale
on the rescaling of a row. In the next two subsections we will nd that for each
nsuch a function exists and is unique.
For the next subsection, note that, as above, scalars come out of each row
without aecting other rows. For instance, in this equality
det(0
@3 3 9
2 1 1
5 10 51
A) = 3det(0
@1 1 3
2 1 1
5 10 51
A)
the 3 isn't factored out of all three rows, only out of the top row. The determi-
nant acts on each row of independently of the other rows. When we want to use
this property of determinants, we shall write the determinant as a function of
the rows: `det( ~ 1;~ 2;:::~ n)', instead of as `det( T)' or `det(t1;1;:::;tn;n)'. The
denition of the determinant that starts the next subsection is written in this
way.
Section I. Definition 295
Exercises
X1.1Evaluate the determinant of each.
(a)3 1
1 1
(b)0
@2 0 1
3 1 1
1 0 11
A (c)0
@4 0 1
0 0 1
1 3 11
A
1.2Evaluate the determinant of each.
(a)2 0
1 3
(b)0
@2 1 1
0 5 2
1 3 41
A (c)0
@2 3 4
5 6 7
8 9 11
A
X1.3Verify that the determinant of an upper-triangular 3 3 matrix is the product
down the diagonal.
det(0
@a b c
0e f
0 0i1
A) =aei
Do lower-triangular matrices work the same way?
X1.4Use the determinant to decide if each is singular or nonsingular.
(a)2 1
3 1
(b)0 1
1 1
(c)4 2
2 1
1.5Singular or nonsingular? Use the determinant to decide.
(a)0
@2 1 1
3 2 2
0 1 41
A (b)0
@1 0 1
2 1 1
4 1 31
A (c)0
@2 1 0
3 2 0
1 0 01
A
X1.6Each pair of matrices dier by one row operation. Use this operation to compare
det(A) with det(B).
(a)A=1 2
2 3
B=1 2
0 1
(b)A=0
@3 1 0
0 0 1
0 1 21
AB=0
@3 1 0
0 1 2
0 0 11
A
(c)A=0
@1 1 3
2 2 6
1 0 41
AB=0
@1 1 3
1 1 3
1 0 41
A
1.7Show this.
det(0
@1 1 1
a b c
a2b2c21
A) = (b a)(c a)(c b)
X1.8Which real numbers xmake this matrix singular?12 x 4
8 8 x
1.9Do the Gaussian reduction to check the formula for 3 3 matrices stated in the
preamble to this section.0
@a b c
d e f
g h i1
Ais nonsingular i aei+bfg+cdh hfa idb gec6= 0
1.10 Show that the equation of a line in R2thru (x1;y1) and (x2;y2) is expressed
by this determinant.
det(0
@x y 1
x1y11
x2y211
A) = 0x16=x2
296 Chapter Four. Determinants
X1.11 Many people know this mnemonic for the determinant of a 3 3 matrix: rst
repeat the rst two columns and then sum the products on the forward diagonals
and subtract the products on the backward diagonals. That is, rst write0
@h1;1h1;2h1;3h1;1h1;2
h2;1h2;2h2;3h2;1h2;2
h3;1h3;2h3;3h3;1h3;21
A
and then calculate this.
h1;1h2;2h3;3+h1;2h2;3h3;1+h1;3h2;1h3;2
h3;1h2;2h1;3 h3;2h2;3h1;1 h3;3h2;1h1;2
(a)Check that this agrees with the formula given in the preamble to this section.
(b)Does it extend to other-sized determinants?
1.12 The cross product of the vectors
~ x=0
@x1
x2
x31
A~ y=0
@y1
y2
y31
A
is the vector computed as this determinant.
~ x~ y= det(0
@~ e1~ e2~ e3
x1x2x3
y1y2y31
A)
Note that the rst row is composed of vectors, the vectors from the standard basis
forR3. Show that the cross product of two vectors is perpendicular to each vector.
1.13 Prove that each statement holds for 2 2 matrices.
(a)The determinant of a product is the product of the determinants det( ST) =
det(S)det(T).
(b)IfTis invertible then the determinant of the inverse is the inverse of the
determinant det( T 1) = ( det(T) ) 1.
MatricesTandT0aresimilar if there is a nonsingular matrix Psuch thatT0=
PTP 1. (This denition is in Chapter Five.) Show that similar 2 2 matrices have
the same determinant.
X1.14 Prove that the area of this region in the plane
x1
y1
x2
y2
is equal to the value of this determinant.
det(x1x2
y1y2
)
Compare with this.
det(x2x1
y2y1
)
1.15 Prove that for 22 matrices, the determinant of a matrix equals the determi-
nant of its transpose. Does that also hold for 3 3 matrices?
X1.16 Is the determinant function linear | is det( xT+yS) =xdet(T)+ydet(S)?
1.17 Show that if Ais 33 then det(cA) =c3det(A) for any scalar c.
Section I. Definition 297
1.18 Which real numbers makecos sin
sincos
singular? Explain geometrically.
?1.19 If a third order determinant has elements 1, 2, . . . , 9, what is the maximum
value it may have? [Am. Math. Mon., Apr. 1955]
I.2 Properties of Determinants
As described above, we want a formula to determine whether an nnmatrix
is nonsingular. We will not begin by stating such a formula. Instead, we will
begin by considering the function that such a formula calculates. We will dene
the function by its properties, then prove that the function with these proper-
ties exist and is unique and also describe formulas that compute this function.
(Because we will show that the function exists and is unique, from the start we
will say `det( T)' instead of `if there is a determinant function then det( T)' and
`the determinant' instead of `any determinant'.)
2.1 Denition Anndeterminant is a function det: Mnn!Rsuch that
(1) det(~ 1;:::;k~ i+~ j;:::;~ n) = det(~ 1;:::;~ j;:::;~ n) fori6=j
(2) det(~ 1;:::;~ j;:::;~ i;:::;~ n) = det(~ 1;:::;~ i;:::;~ j;:::;~ n) fori6=j
(3) det(~ 1;:::;k~ i;:::;~ n) =kdet(~ 1;:::;~ i;:::;~ n) fork6= 0
(4) det(I) = 1 where Iis an identity matrix
(the~ 's are the rows of the matrix). We often write jTjfor det(T).
2.2 Remark Property (2) is redundant since
Ti+j ! j+i !i+j ! i ! ^T
swaps rows iandj. It is listed only for convenience.
The rst result shows that a function satisfying these conditions gives a
criteria for nonsingularity. (Its last sentence is that, in the context of the rst
three conditions, (4) is equivalent to the condition that the determinant of an
echelon form matrix is the product down the diagonal.)
2.3 Lemma A matrix with two identical rows has a determinant of zero. A
matrix with a zero row has a determinant of zero. A matrix is nonsingular if
and only if its determinant is nonzero. The determinant of an echelon form
matrix is the product down its diagonal.
298 Chapter Four. Determinants
Proof .To verify the rst sentence, swap the two equal rows. The sign of the
determinant changes, but the matrix is unchanged and so its determinant is
unchanged. Thus the determinant is zero.
The second sentence is clearly true if the matrix is 1 1. If it has at least
two rows then apply property (1) of the denition with the zero row as row j
and withk= 1.
det(:::;~ i;:::;~0;:::) = det(:::;~ i;:::;~ i+~0;:::)
The rst sentence of this lemma gives that the determinant is zero.
For the third sentence, where T!! ^Tis the Gauss-Jordan reduction,
by the denition the determinant of Tis zero if and only if the determinant of
^Tis zero (although they could dier in sign or magnitude). A nonsingular T
Gauss-Jordan reduces to an identity matrix and so has a nonzero determinant.
A singular Treduces to a ^Twith a zero row; by the second sentence of this
lemma its determinant is zero.
Finally, for the fourth sentence, if an echelon form matrix is singular then it
has a zero on its diagonal, that is, the product down its diagonal is zero. The
third sentence says that if a matrix is singular then its determinant is zero. So
if the echelon form matrix is singular then its determinant equals the product
down its diagonal.
If an echelon form matrix is nonsingular then none of its diagonal entries is
zero so we can use property (3) of the denition to factor them out (again, the
vertical barsjj indicate the determinant operation).
t1;1t1;2t1;n
0t2;2t2;n
...
0 tn;n=t1;1t2;2tn;n1t1;2=t1;1t1;n=t1;1
0 1 t2;n=t2;2
...
0 1
Next, the Jordan half of Gauss-Jordan elimination, using property (1) of the
denition, leaves the identity matrix.
=t1;1t2;2tn;n1 0 0
0 1 0
...
0 1=t1;1t2;2tn;n1
Therefore, if an echelon form matrix is nonsingular then its determinant is the
product down its diagonal. QED
That result gives us a way to compute the value of a determinant function on
a matrix: do Gaussian reduction, keeping track of any changes of sign caused by
row swaps and any scalars that are factored out, and then nish by multiplying
down the diagonal of the echelon form result. This takes the same amount of
time as Gauss' method and so is fast enugh to be practical on the matrices that
we see in this book.
Section I. Definition 299
2.4 Example Doing 22 determinants
2 4
1 3=2 4
0 5= 10
with Gauss' method won't give a big savings because the 2 2 determinant
formula is so easy. However, a 3 3 determinant is usually easier to calculate
with Gauss' method than with the formula given earlier.
2 2 6
4 4 3
0 3 5=2 2 6
0 0 9
0 3 5= 2 2 6
0 3 5
0 0 9= 54
2.5 Example Determinants of matrices any bigger than 3 3 are almost always
most quickly done with this Gauss' method procedure.
1 0 1 3
0 1 1 4
0 0 0 5
0 1 0 1=1 0 1 3
0 1 1 4
0 0 0 5
0 0 1 3= 1 0 1 3
0 1 1 4
0 0 1 3
0 0 0 5= ( 5) = 5
The prior example illustrates an important point. Although we have not yet
found a 44 determinant formula, if one exists then we know what value it gives
to the matrix | if there is a function with properties (1)-(4) then on the above
matrix the function must return 5.
2.6 Lemma For eachn, if there is an nndeterminant function then it is
unique.
Proof .For anynnmatrix we can perform Gauss' method on the matrix,
keeping track of how the sign alternates on row swaps, and then multiply down
the diagonal of the echelon form result. By the denition and the lemma, all nn
determinant functions must return this value on this matrix. Thus all nnde-
terminant functions are equal, that is, there is only one input argument/output
value relationship satisfying the four conditions. QED
The `if there is an nndeterminant function' emphasizes that, although we
can use Gauss' method to compute the only value that a determinant function
could possibly return, we haven't yet shown that such a determinant function
exists for all n. In the rest of the section we will produce determinant functions.
Exercises
For these, assume that an nndeterminant function exists for all n.
X2.7Use Gauss' method to nd each determinant.
(a)3 1 2
3 1 0
0 1 4(b)1 0 0 1
2 1 1 0
1 0 1 0
1 1 1 0
2.8Use Gauss' method to nd each.
300 Chapter Four. Determinants
(a)2 1
1 1(b)1 1 0
3 0 2
5 2 2
2.9For which values of kdoes this system have a unique solution?
x+z w= 2
y 2z = 3
x+kz = 4
z w= 2
X2.10 Express each of these in terms of jHj.
(a)h3;1h3;2h3;3
h2;1h2;2h2;3
h1;1h1;2h1;3
(b) h1;1 h1;2 h1;3
2h2;1 2h2;2 2h2;3
3h3;1 3h3;2 3h3;3
(c)h1;1+h3;1h1;2+h3;2h1;3+h3;3
h2;1h2;2h2;3
5h3;1 5h3;2 5h3;3
X2.11 Find the determinant of a diagonal matrix.
2.12 Describe the solution set of a homogeneous linear system if the determinant
of the matrix of coecients is nonzero.
X2.13 Show that this determinant is zero.y+z x +z x +y
x y z
1 1 1
2.14 (a) Find the 11, 22, and 33 matrices with i;jentry given by ( 1)i+j.
(b)Find the determinant of the square matrix with i;jentry ( 1)i+j.
2.15 (a) Find the 11, 22, and 33 matrices with i;jentry given by i+j.
(b)Find the determinant of the square matrix with i;jentryi+j.
X2.16 Show that determinant functions are not linear by giving a case where jA+
Bj6=jAj+jBj.
2.17 The second condition in the denition, that row swaps change the sign of a
determinant, is somewhat annoying. It means we have to keep track of the number
of swaps, to compute how the sign alternates. Can we get rid of it? Can we replace
it with the condition that row swaps leave the determinant unchanged? (If so then
we would need new 1 1, 22, and 33 formulas, but that would be a minor
matter.)
2.18 Prove that the determinant of any triangular matrix, upper or lower, is the
product down its diagonal.
2.19 Refer to the denition of elementary matrices in the Mechanics of Matrix
Multiplication subsection.
(a)What is the determinant of each kind of elementary matrix?
(b)Prove that if Eis any elementary matrix then jESj=jEjjSjfor any appro-
priately sized S.
(c)(This question doesn't involve determinants.) Prove that if Tis singular then
a productTSis also singular.
(d)Show thatjTSj=jTjjSj.
(e)Show that if Tis nonsingular then jT 1j=jTj 1.
Section I. Definition 301
2.20 Prove that the determinant of a product is the product of the determinants
jTSj=jTjjSjin this way. Fix the nnmatrixSand consider the function
d:Mnn!Rgiven byT7!jTSj=jSj.
(a)Check that dsatises property (1) in the denition of a determinant function.
(b)Check property (2).
(c)Check property (3).
(d)Check property (4).
(e)Conclude the determinant of a product is the product of the determinants.
2.21 Asubmatrix of a given matrix Ais one that can be obtained by deleting some
of the rows and columns of A. Thus, the rst matrix here is a submatrix of the
second.
3 1
2 50
@3 4 1
0 9 2
2 1 51
A
Prove that for any square matrix, the rank of the matrix is rif and only if ris the
largest integer such that there is an rrsubmatrix with a nonzero determinant.
X2.22 Prove that a matrix with rational entries has a rational determinant.
?2.23 Find the element of likeness in (a) simplifying a fraction, (b) powdering the
nose, (c) building new steps on the church, (d) keeping emeritus professors on
campus, (e) putting B,C,Din the determinant
1a a2a3
a31a a2
B a31a
C D a31:
[Am. Math. Mon., Feb. 1953]
I.3 The Permutation Expansion
The prior subsection denes a function to be a determinant if it satises four
conditions and shows that there is at most one nndeterminant function for
eachn. What is left is to show that for each nsuch a function exists.
How could such a function not exist? After all, we have done computations
that start with a square matrix, follow the conditions, and end with a number.
The diculty is that, as far as we know, the computation might not give a
well-dened result. To illustrate this possibility, suppose that we were to change
the second condition in the denition of determinant to be that the value of a
determinant does not change on a row swap. By Remark 2.2 we know that
this con
icts with the rst and third conditions. Here is an instance of the
con
ict: here are two Gauss' method reductions of the same matrix, the rst
without any row swap
1 2
3 4
31+2 !
1 2
0 2
302 Chapter Four. Determinants
and the second with a swap.
1 2
3 4
1$2 !3 4
1 2
(1=3)1+2 !3 4
0 2=3
Following Denition 2.1 gives that both calculations yield the determinant 2
since in the second one we keep track of the fact that the row swap changes
the sign of the result of multiplying down the diagonal. But if we follow the
supposition and change the second condition then the two calculations yield
dierent values, 2 and 2. That is, under the supposition the outcome would not
be well-dened | no function exists that satises the changed second condition
along with the other three.
Of course, observing that Denition 2.1 does the right thing in this one
instance is not enough; what we will do in the rest of this section is to show
that there is never a con
ict. The natural way to try this would be to dene
the determinant function with: \The value of the function is the result of doing
Gauss' method, keeping track of row swaps, and nishing by multiplying down
the diagonal". (Since Gauss' method allows for some variation, such as a choice
of which row to use when swapping, we would have to x an explicit algorithm.)
Then we would be done if we veried that this way of computing the determinant
satises the four properties. For instance, if Tand ^Tare related by a row swap
then we would need to show that this algorithm returns determinants that are
negatives of each other. However, how to verify this is not evident. So the
development below will not proceed in this way. Instead, in this subsection we
will dene a dierent way to compute the value of a determinant, a formula,
and we will use this way to prove that the conditions are satised.
The formula that we shall use is based on an insight gotten from property (3)
of the denition of determinants. This property shows that determinants are
not linear.
3.1 Example For this matrix det(2 A)6= 2det(A).
A=2 1
1 3
Instead, the scalar comes out of each of the two rows.
4 2
2 6= 22 1
2 6= 42 1
1 3
Since scalars come out a row at a time, we might guess that determinants
are linear a row at a time.
3.2 Denition LetVbe a vector space. A map f:Vn!Rismultilinear if
(1)f(~ 1;:::;~ v +~ w;:::;~ n) =f(~ 1;:::;~ v;:::;~ n) +f(~ 1;:::;~ w;:::;~ n)
(2)f(~ 1;:::;k~ v;:::;~ n) =kf(~ 1;:::;~ v;:::;~ n)
for~ v;~ w2Vandk2R.
Section I. Definition 303
3.3 Lemma Determinants are multilinear.
Proof .The denition of determinants gives property (2) (Lemma 2.3 following
that denition covers the k= 0 case) so we need only check property (1).
det(~ 1;:::;~ v +~ w;:::;~ n) = det(~ 1;:::;~ v;:::;~ n) + det(~ 1;:::;~ w;:::;~ n)
If the setf~ 1;:::;~ i 1;~ i+1;:::;~ ngis linearly dependent then all three matrices
are singular and so all three determinants are zero and the equality is trivial.
Therefore assume that the set is linearly independent. This set of n-wide row
vectors has n 1 members, so we can make a basis by adding one more vector
h~ 1;:::;~ i 1;~;~ i+1;:::;~ ni. Express~ vand~ wwith respect to this basis
~ v=v1~ 1++vi 1~ i 1+vi~+vi+1~ i+1++vn~ n
~ w=w1~ 1++wi 1~ i 1+wi~+wi+1~ i+1++wn~ n
giving this.
~ v+~ w= (v1+w1)~ 1++ (vi+wi)~++ (vn+wn)~ n
By the denition of determinant, the value of det( ~ 1;:::;~ v +~ w;:::;~ n) is un-
changed by the operation of adding (v1+w1)~ 1to~ v+~ w.
~ v+~ w (v1+w1)~ 1= (v2+w2)~ 2++ (vi+wi)~++ (vn+wn)~ n
Then, to the result, we can add (v2+w2)~ 2, etc. Thus
det(~ 1;:::;~ v +~ w;:::;~ n)
= det(~ 1;:::; (vi+wi)~;:::;~ n)
= (vi+wi)det(~ 1;:::;~;:::;~ n)
=videt(~ 1;:::;~;:::;~ n) +widet(~ 1;:::;~;:::;~ n)
(using (2) for the second equality). To nish, bring viandwiback inside in front
of~and use row combination again, this time to reconstruct the expressions of
~ vand~ win terms of the basis, e.g., start with the operations of adding v1~ 1to
vi~andw1~ 1towi~ 1, etc. QED
Multilinearity allows us to expand a determinant into a sum of determinants,
each of which involves a simple matrix.
3.4 Example We can use multilinearity to split this determinant into two,
rst breaking up the rst row
2 1
4 3=2 0
4 3+0 1
4 3
and then separating each of those two, breaking along the second rows.
=2 0
4 0+2 0
0 3+0 1
4 0+0 1
0 3
304 Chapter Four. Determinants
We are left with four determinants, such that in each row of each matrix there
is a single entry from the original matrix.
3.5 Example In the same way, a 3 3 determinant separates into a sum of
many simpler determinants. We start by splitting along the rst row, producing
three determinants (the zero in the 1 ;3 position is underlined to set it o visually
from the zeroes that appear in the splitting).
2 1 1
4 3 0
2 1 5=2 0 0
4 3 0
2 1 5+0 1 0
4 3 0
2 1 5+0 0 1
4 3 0
2 1 5
Each of these three will itself split in three along the second row. Each of
the resulting nine splits in three along the third row, resulting in twenty seven
determinants
=2 0 0
4 0 0
2 0 0+2 0 0
4 0 0
0 1 0+2 0 0
4 0 0
0 0 5+2 0 0
0 3 0
2 0 0++0 0 1
0 0 0
0 0 5
such that each row contains a single entry from the starting matrix.
So annndeterminant expands into a sum of nndeterminants where each
row of each summands contains a single entry from the starting matrix. How-
ever, many of these summand determinants are zero.
3.6 Example In each of these three matrices from the above expansion, two
of the rows have their entry from the starting matrix in the same column, e.g.,
in the rst matrix, the 2 and the 4 both come from the rst column.
2 0 0
4 0 0
0 1 00 0 1
0 3 0
0 0 50 1 0
0 0 0
0 0 5
Any such matrix is singular, because in each, one row is a multiple of the other
(or is a zero row). Thus, any such determinant is zero, by Lemma 2.3.
Therefore, the above expansion of the 3 3 determinant into the sum of the
twenty seven determinants simplies to the sum of these six.
2 1 1
4 3 0
2 1 5=2 0 0
0 3 0
0 0 5+2 0 0
0 0 0
0 1 0
+0 1 0
4 0 0
0 0 5+0 1 0
0 0 0
2 0 0
+0 0 1
4 0 0
0 1 0+0 0 1
0 3 0
2 0 0
Section I. Definition 305
We can bring out the scalars.
= (2)(3)(5)1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 1+ (2)(0 )(1)1 0 0
0 0 1
0 1 0
+ (1)(4)(5)0 1 0
1 0 0
0 0 1+ (1)(0 )(2)0 1 0
0 0 1
1 0 0
+ ( 1)(4)(1)0 0 1
1 0 0
0 1 0+ ( 1)(3)(2)0 0 1
0 1 0
1 0 0
To nish, we evaluate those six determinants by row-swapping them to the
identity matrix, keeping track of the resulting sign changes.
= 30(+1) + 0( 1)
+ 20( 1) + 0(+1)
4(+1) 6( 1) = 12
That example illustrates the key idea. We've applied multilinearity to a 3 3
determinant to get 33separate determinants, each with one distinguished entry
per row. We can drop most of these new determinants because the matrices
are singular, with one row a multiple of another. We are left with the one-
entry-per-row determinants also having only one entry per column (one entry
from the original determinant, that is). And, since we can factor scalars out, we
can further reduce to only considering determinants of one-entry-per-row-and-
column matrices where the entries are ones.
These are permutation matrices. Thus, the determinant can be computed
in this three-step way (Step 1) for each permutation matrix, multiply together
the entries from the original matrix where that permutation matrix has ones,
(Step 2) multiply that by the determinant of the permutation matrix and
(Step 3) do that for all permutation matrices and sum the results together.
To state this as a formula, we introduce a notation for permutation matrices.
Letjbe the row vector that is all zeroes except for a one in its j-th entry, so
that the four-wide 2is 0 1 0 0
. We can construct permutation matrices
by permuting | that is, scrambling | the numbers 1, 2, . . . , n, and using them
as indices on the 's. For instance, to get a 4 4 permutation matrix matrix, we
can scramble the numbers from 1 to 4 into this sequence h3;2;1;4iand take the
corresponding row vector 's.
0
BB@3
2
1
41
CCA=0
BB@0 0 1 0
0 1 0 0
1 0 0 0
0 0 0 11
CCA
3.7 Denition Ann-permutation is a sequence consisting of an arrangement
of the numbers 1, 2, . . . , n.
306 Chapter Four. Determinants
3.8 Example The 2-permutations are 1=h1;2iand2=h2;1i. These are
the associated permutation matrices.
P1=1
2
=1 0
0 1
P2=2
1
=0 1
1 0
We sometimes write permutations as functions, e.g., 2(1) = 2, and 2(2) = 1.
Then the rows of P2are2(1)=2and2(2)=1.
The 3-permutations are 1=h1;2;3i,2=h1;3;2i,3=h2;1;3i,4=
h2;3;1i,5=h3;1;2i, and6=h3;2;1i. Here are two of the associated permu-
tation matrices.
P2=0
@1
3
21
A=0
@1 0 0
0 0 1
0 1 01
AP5=0
@3
1
21
A=0
@0 0 1
1 0 0
0 1 01
A
For instance, the rows of P5are5(1)=3,5(2)=1, and5(3)=2.
3.9 Denition The permutation expansion for determinants is
t1;1t1;2::: t 1;n
t2;1t2;2::: t 2;n
...
tn;1tn;2::: tn;n=t1;1(1)t2;1(2)tn;1(n)jP1j
+t1;2(1)t2;2(2)tn;2(n)jP2j...
+t1;k(1)t2;k(2)tn;k(n)jPkj
where1;:::;kare all of the n-permutations.
This formula is often written in summation notation
jTj=X
permutations t1;(1)t2;(2)tn;(n)jPj
read aloud as \the sum, over all permutations , of terms having the form
t1;(1)t2;(2)tn;(n)jPj". This phrase is just a restating of the three-step
process (Step 1) for each permutation matrix, compute t1;(1)t2;(2)tn;(n)
(Step 2) multiply that by jPjand (Step 3) sum all such terms together.
3.10 Example The familiar formula for the determinant of a 2 2 matrix can
be derived in this way.
t1;1t1;2
t2;1t2;2=t1;1t2;2jP1j+t1;2t2;1jP2j
=t1;1t2;21 0
0 1+t1;2t2;10 1
1 0
=t1;1t2;2 t1;2t2;1
Section I. Definition 307
(the second permutation matrix takes one row swap to pass to the identity).
Similarly, the formula for the determinant of a 3 3 matrix is this.
t1;1t1;2t1;3
t2;1t2;2t2;3
t3;1t3;2t3;3=t1;1t2;2t3;3jP1j+t1;1t2;3t3;2jP2j+t1;2t2;1t3;3jP3j
+t1;2t2;3t3;1jP4j+t1;3t2;1t3;2jP5j+t1;3t2;2t3;1jP6j
=t1;1t2;2t3;3 t1;1t2;3t3;2 t1;2t2;1t3;3
+t1;2t2;3t3;1+t1;3t2;1t3;2 t1;3t2;2t3;1
Computing a determinant by permutation expansion usually takes longer
than Gauss' method. However, here we are not trying to do the computation
eciently, we are instead trying to give a determinant formula that we can
prove to be well-dened. While the permutation expansion is impractical for
computations, we will nd it useful in the proofs below.
3.11 Theorem For eachnthere is anndeterminant function.
The proof is deferred to the following subsection. Also there is the proof of
the next result (they share some features).
3.12 Theorem The determinant of a matrix equals the determinant of its
transpose.
The consequence of this theorem is that, while we have so far stated results
in terms of rows (e.g., determinants are multilinear in their rows, row swaps
change the sign, etc.), all of the results also hold in terms of columns. The nal
result gives examples.
3.13 Corollary A matrix with two equal columns is singular. Column swaps
change the sign of a determinant. Determinants are multilinear in their columns.
Proof .For the rst statement, transposing the matrix results in a matrix with
the same determinant, and with two equal rows, and hence a determinant of
zero. The other two are proved in the same way. QED
We nish with a summary (although the nal subsection contains the un-
nished business of proving the two theorems). Determinant functions exist,
are unique, and we know how to compute them. As for what determinants are
about, perhaps these lines [Kemp] help make it memorable.
Determinant none,
Solution: lots or none.
Determinant some,
Solution: just one.
308 Chapter Four. Determinants
Exercises
These summarize the notation used in this book for the 2- and 3- permutations.
i 1 2
1(i)1 2
2(i)2 1i 1 2 3
1(i)1 2 3
2(i)1 3 2
3(i)2 1 3
4(i)2 3 1
5(i)3 1 2
6(i)3 2 1
X3.14 Compute the determinant by using the permutation expansion.
(a)1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9(b)2 2 1
3 1 0
2 0 5
X3.15 Compute these both with Gauss' method and with the permutation expansion
formula.
(a)2 1
3 1(b)0 1 4
0 2 3
1 5 1
X3.16 Use the permutation expansion formula to derive the formula for 3 3 deter-
minants.
3.17 List all of the 4-permutations.
3.18 A permutation, regarded as a function from the set f1;::;ngto itself, is one-
to-one and onto. Therefore, each permutation has an inverse.
(a)Find the inverse of each 2-permutation.
(b)Find the inverse of each 3-permutation.
3.19 Prove that fis multilinear if and only if for all ~ v;~ w2Vandk1;k22R, this
holds.
f(~ 1;:::;k 1~ v1+k2~ v2;:::;~ n) =k1f(~ 1;:::;~ v 1;:::;~ n) +k2f(~ 1;:::;~ v 2;:::;~ n)
3.20 How would determinants change if we changed property (4) of the denition
to read thatjIj= 2?
3.21 Verify the second and third statements in Corollary 3.13.
X3.22 Show that if an nnmatrix has a nonzero determinant then any column vector
~ v2Rncan be expressed as a linear combination of the columns of the matrix.
3.23 True or false: a matrix whose entries are only zeros or ones has a determinant
equal to zero, one, or negative one. [Strang 80]
3.24 (a) Show that there are 120 terms in the permutation expansion formula of
a 55 matrix.
(b)How many are sure to be zero if the 1 ;2 entry is zero?
3.25 How many n-permutations are there?
3.26 A matrixAisskew-symmetric ifAtrans= A, as in this matrix.
A=0 3
3 0
Show thatnnskew-symmetric matrices with nonzero determinants exist only for
evenn.
X3.27 What is the smallest number of zeros, and the placement of those zeros, needed
to ensure that a 4 4 matrix has a determinant of zero?
Section I. Definition 309
X3.28 If we have ndata points ( x1;y1);(x2;y2);::: ; (xn;yn) and want to nd a
polynomial p(x) =an 1xn 1+an 2xn 2++a1x+a0passing through those
points then we can plug in the points to get an nequation/nunknown linear
system. The matrix of coecients for that system is called the Vandermonde
matrix . Prove that the determinant of the transpose of that matrix of coecients
1 1 ::: 1
x1x2::: xn
x12x22::: xn2
...
x1n 1x2n 1::: xnn 1
equals the product, over all indices i;j2f1;:::;ngwithi < j , of terms of the
formxj xi. (This shows that the determinant is zero, and the linear system has
no solution, if and only if the xi's in the data are not distinct.)
3.29 A matrix can be divided into blocks , as here,
0
@1 2 0
3 4 0
0 0 21
A
which shows four blocks, the square 2 2 and 11 ones in the upper left and lower
right, and the zero blocks in the upper right and lower left. Show that if a matrix
can be partitioned as
T=JZ2
Z1K
whereJandKare square, and Z1andZ2are all zeroes, then jTj=jJjjKj.
X3.30 Prove that for any nnmatrixTthere are at most ndistinct reals rsuch
that the matrix T rIhas determinant zero (we shall use this result in Chapter
Five).
?3.31 The nine positive digits can be arranged into 3 3 arrays in 9! ways. Find the
sum of the determinants of these arrays. [Math. Mag., Jan. 1963, Q307]
3.32 Show that x 2x 3x 4
x+ 1x 1x 3
x 4x 7x 10= 0:
[Math. Mag., Jan. 1963, Q237]
?3.33 LetSbe the sum of the integer elements of a magic square of order three and
letDbe the value of the square considered as a determinant. Show that D=S is
an integer. [Am. Math. Mon., Jan. 1949]
?3.34 Show that the determinant of the n2elements in the upper left corner of the
Pascal triangle
1 1 1 1 : :
1 2 3: :
1 3: :
1: :
:
:
has the value unity. [Am. Math. Mon., Jun. 1931]
310 Chapter Four. Determinants
I.4 Determinants Exist
This subsection is optional. It consists of proofs of two results from the prior
subsection. These proofs involve the properties of permutations, which will not
be used later, except in the optional Jordan Canonical Form subsection.
The prior subsection attacks the problem of showing that for any size there
is a determinant function on the set of square matrices of that size by using
multilinearity to develop the permutation expansion.
t1;1t1;2::: t 1;n
t2;1t2;2::: t 2;n
...
tn;1tn;2::: tn;n=t1;1(1)t2;1(2)tn;1(n)jP1j
+t1;2(1)t2;2(2)tn;2(n)jP2j
...
+t1;k(1)t2;k(2)tn;k(n)jPkj
=X
permutations t1;(1)t2;(2)tn;(n)jPj
This reduces the problem to showing that there is a determinant function on
the set of permutation matrices of that size.
Of course, a permutation matrix can be row-swapped to the identity matrix
and to calculate its determinant we can keep track of the number of row swaps.
However, the problem is still not solved. We still have not shown that the result
is well-dened. For instance, the determinant of
P=0
BB@0 1 0 0
1 0 0 0
0 0 1 0
0 0 0 11
CCA
could be computed with one swap
P1$2 !0
BB@1 0 0 0
0 1 0 0
0 0 1 0
0 0 0 11
CCA
or with three.
P3$1 !0
BB@0 0 1 0
1 0 0 0
0 1 0 0
0 0 0 11
CCA2$3 !0
BB@0 0 1 0
0 1 0 0
1 0 0 0
0 0 0 11
CCA1$3 !0
BB@1 0 0 0
0 1 0 0
0 0 1 0
0 0 0 11
CCA
Both reductions have an odd number of swaps so we gure that jPj= 1
but how do we know that there isn't some way to do it with an even number of
swaps? Corollary 4.6 below proves that there is no permutation matrix that can
be row-swapped to an identity matrix in two ways, one with an even number of
swaps and the other with an odd number of swaps.
Section I. Definition 311
4.1 Denition Two rows of a permutation matrix
0
BBBBBBB@...
k
...
j
...1
CCCCCCCA
such thatk>j are in an inversion of their natural order.
4.2 Example This permutation matrix
0
@3
2
11
A=0
@0 0 1
0 1 0
1 0 01
A
has three inversions: 3precedes1,3precedes2, and2precedes1.
4.3 Lemma A row-swap in a permutation matrix changes the number of in-
versions from even to odd, or from odd to even.
Proof .Consider a swap of rows jandk, wherek > j . If the two rows are
adjacent
P=0
BBBB@...
(j)
(k)
...1
CCCCAk$j !0
BBBB@...
(k)
(j)
...1
CCCCA
then the swap changes the total number of inversions by one | either removing
or producing one inversion, depending on whether (j)> (k) or not, since
inversions involving rows not in this pair are not aected. Consequently, the
total number of inversions changes from odd to even or from even to odd.
If the rows are not adjacent then they can be swapped via a sequence of
adjacent swaps, rst bringing row kup
0
BBBBBBBBBBB@...
(j)
(j+1)
(j+2)
...
(k)
...1
CCCCCCCCCCCAk$k 1 !k 1$k 2 !:::j+1$j !0
BBBBBBBBBBB@...
(k)
(j)
(j+1)
...
(k 1)
...1
CCCCCCCCCCCA
312 Chapter Four. Determinants
and then bringing row jdown.
j+1$j+2 !j+2$j+3 !:::k 1$k !0
BBBBBBBBBBB@...
(k)
(j+1)
(j+2)
...
(j)
...1
CCCCCCCCCCCA
Each of these adjacent swaps changes the number of inversions from odd to even
or from even to odd. There are an odd number ( k j) + (k j 1) of them.
The total change in the number of inversions is from even to odd or from odd
to even. QED
4.4 Denition The signum of a permutation sgn( ) is +1 if the number of
inversions in Pis even, and is 1 if the number of inversions is odd.
4.5 Example With the subscripts from Example 3.8 for the 3-permutations,
sgn(1) = 1 while sgn( 2) = 1.
4.6 Corollary If a permutation matrix has an odd number of inversions then
swapping it to the identity takes an odd number of swaps. If it has an even
number of inversions then swapping to the identity takes an even number of
swaps.
Proof .The identity matrix has zero inversions. To change an odd number to
zero requires an odd number of swaps, and to change an even number to zero
requires an even number of swaps. QED
We still have not shown that the permutation expansion is well-dened be-
cause we have not considered row operations on permutation matrices other than
row swaps. We will nesse this problem: we will dene a function d:Mnn!R
by altering the permutation expansion formula, replacing jPjwith sgn()
d(T) =X
permutations t1;(1)t2;(2):::tn;(n)sgn()
(this gives the same value as the permutation expansion because the prior result
shows that det( P) = sgn()). This formula's advantage is that the number of
inversions is clearly well-dened | just count them. Therefore, we will show
that a determinant function exists for all sizes by showing that dis it, that is,
thatdsatises the four conditions.
4.7 Lemma The function dis a determinant. Hence determinants exist for
everyn.
Section I. Definition 313
Proof .We'll must check that it has the four properties from the denition.
Property (4) is easy; in
d(I) =X
perms1;(1)2;(2)n;(n)sgn()
all of the summands are zero except for the product down the diagonal, which
is one.
For property (3) consider d(^T) whereTki !^T.
X
perms^t1;(1)^ti;(i)^tn;(n)sgn() =X
t1;(1)kti;(i)tn;(n)sgn()
Factor thekout of each term to get the desired equality.
=kX
t1;(1)ti;(i)tn;(n)sgn() =kd(T)
For (2), let Ti$j ! ^T.
d(^T) =X
perms^t1;(1)^ti;(i)^tj;(j)^tn;(n)sgn()
To convert to unhatted t's, for each consider the permutation that equals
except that the i-th andj-th numbers are interchanged, (i) =(j) and(j) =
(i). Replacing the in^t1;(1)^ti;(i)^tj;(j)^tn;(n)with thisgives
t1;(1)tj;(j)ti;(i)tn;(n). Now sgn( ) = sgn() (by Lemma 4.3)
and so we get
=X
t1;(1)tj;(j)ti;(i)tn;(n)
sgn()
= X
t1;(1)tj;(j)ti;(i)tn;(n)sgn()
where the sum is over all permutations derived from another permutation
by a swap of the i-th andj-th numbers. But any permutation can be derived
from some other permutation by such a swap, in one and only one way, so this
summation is in fact a sum over all permutations, taken once and only once.
Thusd(^T) = d(T).
To do property (1) let Tki+j ! ^Tand consider
d(^T) =X
perms^t1;(1)^ti;(i)^tj;(j)^tn;(n)sgn()
=X
t1;(1)ti;(i)(kti;(j)+tj;(j))tn;(n)sgn()
314 Chapter Four. Determinants
(notice: that's kti;(j), notktj;(j)). Distribute, commute, and factor.
=X
t1;(1)ti;(i)kti;(j)tn;(n)sgn()
+t1;(1)ti;(i)tj;(j)tn;(n)sgn()
=X
t1;(1)ti;(i)kti;(j)tn;(n)sgn()
+X
t1;(1)ti;(i)tj;(j)tn;(n)sgn()
=kX
t1;(1)ti;(i)ti;(j)tn;(n)sgn()
+d(T)
We nish by showing that the terms t1;(1)ti;(i)ti;(j):::tn;(n)sgn()
add to zero. This sum represents d(S) whereSis a matrix equal to Texcept
that rowjofSis a copy of row iofT(because the factor is ti;(j), nottj;(j)).
Thus,Shas two equal rows, rows iandj. Since we have already shown that d
changes sign on row swaps, as in Lemma 2.3 we conclude that d(S) = 0. QED
We have now shown that determinant functions exist for each size. We
already know that for each size there is at most one determinant. Therefore,
the permutation expansion computes the one and only determinant value of a
square matrix.
We end this subsection by proving the other result remaining from the prior
subsection, that the determinant of a matrix equals the determinant of its trans-
pose.
4.8 Example Writing out the permutation expansion of the general 3 3 matrix
and of its transpose, and comparing corresponding terms
a b c
d e f
g h i=+cdh0 0 1
1 0 0
0 1 0+
(terms with the same letters)
a d g
b e h
c f i=+dhc0 1 0
0 0 1
1 0 0+
shows that the corresponding permutation matrices are transposes. That is,
there is a relationship between these corresponding permutations. Exercise 16
shows that they are inverses.
4.9 Theorem The determinant of a matrix equals the determinant of its
transpose.
Section I. Definition 315
Proof .Call the matrix Tand denote the entries of Ttranswiths's so that
ti;j=sj;i. Substitution gives this
jTj=X
permst1;(1):::tn;(n)sgn() =X
s(1);1:::s(n);nsgn()
and we can nish the argument by manipulating the expression on the right
to be recognizable as the determinant of the transpose. We have written all
permutation expansions (as in the middle expression above) with the row indices
ascending. To rewrite the expression on the right in this way, note that because
is a permutation, the row indices in the term on the right (1), . . . ,(n) are
just the numbers 1, . . . , n, rearranged. We can thus commute to have these
ascend, giving s1; 1(1)sn; 1(n)(if the column index is jand the row index
is(j) then, where the row index is i, the column index is 1(i)). Substituting
on the right gives
=X
1s1; 1(1)sn; 1(n)sgn( 1)
(Exercise 15 shows that sgn( 1) = sgn()). Since every permutation is the
inverse of another, a sum over all 1is a sum over all permutations
=X
permss1;(1):::sn;(n)sgn() =Ttrans
as required. QED
Exercises
These summarize the notation used in this book for the 2- and 3- permutations.
i 1 2
1(i)1 2
2(i)2 1i 1 2 3
1(i)1 2 3
2(i)1 3 2
3(i)2 1 3
4(i)2 3 1
5(i)3 1 2
6(i)3 2 1
4.10 Give the permutation expansion of a general 2 2 matrix and its transpose.
X4.11 This problem appears also in the prior subsection.
(a)Find the inverse of each 2-permutation.
(b)Find the inverse of each 3-permutation.
X4.12 (a) Find the signum of each 2-permutation.
(b)Find the signum of each 3-permutation.
4.13 Find the only nonzero term in the permutation expansion of this matrix.0 1 0 0
1 0 1 0
0 1 0 1
0 0 1 0
Compute that determinant by nding the signum of the associated permutation.
316 Chapter Four. Determinants
4.14 What is the signum of the n-permutation =hn;n 1;:::; 2;1i? [Strang 80]
4.15 Prove these.
(a)Every permutation has an inverse.
(b)sgn( 1) = sgn()
(c)Every permutation is the inverse of another.
4.16 Prove that the matrix of the permutation inverse is the transpose of the matrix
of the permutation P 1=Ptrans, for any permutation .
X4.17 Show that a permutation matrix with minversions can be row swapped to
the identity in msteps. Contrast this with Corollary 4.6.
X4.18 For any permutation letg() be the integer dened in this way.
g() =Y
i<j[(j) (i)]
(This is the product, over all indices iandjwithi < j , of terms of the given
form.)
(a)Compute the value of gon all 2-permutations.
(b)Compute the value of gon all 3-permutations.
(c)Prove that g() is not 0.
(d)Prove this.
sgn() =g()
jg()j
Many authors give this formula as the denition of the signum function.
Section II. Geometry of Determinants 317
II Geometry of Determinants
The prior section develops the determinant algebraically, by considering what
formulas satisfy certain properties. This section complements that with a geo-
metric approach. One advantage of this approach is that, while we have so far
only considered whether or not a determinant is zero, here we shall give a mean-
ing to the value of that determinant. (The prior section handles determinants
as functions of the rows, but in this section columns are more convenient. The
nal result of the prior section says that we can make the switch.)
II.1 Determinants as Size Functions
This parallelogram picture
x1
y1
x2
y2
is familiar from the construction of the sum of the two vectors. One way to
compute the area that it encloses is to draw this rectangle and subtract the
area of each subregion.
y1y2
x2x1AB
CD
EFarea of parallelogram
= area of rectangle area ofA area ofB
area ofF
= (x1+x2)(y1+y2) x2y1 x1y1=2
x2y2=2 x2y2=2 x1y1=2 x2y1
=x1y2 x2y1
The fact that the area equals the value of the determinant
x1x2
y1y2=x1y2 x2y1
is no coincidence. The properties in the denition of determinants make rea-
sonable postulates for a function that measures the size of the region enclosed
by the vectors in the matrix.
For instance, this shows the eect of multiplying one of the box-dening
vectors by a scalar (the scalar used is k= 1:4).
~ v~ w
k~ v~ w
318 Chapter Four. Determinants
The region formed by k~ vand~ wis bigger, by a factor of k, than the shaded
region enclosed by ~ vand~ w. That is, size( k~ v;~ w ) =ksize(~ v;~ w) and in general
we expect of the size measure that size( :::;k~ v;::: ) =ksize(:::;~ v;::: ). Of
course, this postulate is already familiar as one of the properties in the dention
of determinants.
Another property of determinants is that they are unaected by combining
rows. Here are before-combining and after-combining boxes (the scalar used is
k= 0:35).
~ v~ w
~ vk~ v+~ w
Although the region on the right, the box formed by vandk~ v+~ w, is more
slanted than the shaded region, the two have the same base and the same height
and hence the same area. This illustrates that size( ~ v;k~ v +~ w) = size(~ v;~ w).
Generalized, size( :::;~ v;:::;~ w;::: ) = size(:::;~ v;:::;k~ v +~ w;::: ), which is a
restatement of the determinant postulate.
Of course, this picture
~ e1~ e2
shows that size( ~ e1;~ e2) = 1, and we naturally extend that to any number of
dimensions size( ~ e1;:::;~ en) = 1, which is a restatement of the property that the
determinant of the identity matrix is one.
With that, because property (2) of determinants is redundant (as remarked
right after the denition), we have that all of the properties of determinants are
reasonable to expect of a function that gives the size of boxes. We can now cite
the work done in the prior section to show that the determinant exists and is
unique to be assured that these postulates are consistent and sucient (that is,
we do not need any more postulates). So we've got an intuitive justication to
interpret det( ~ v1;:::;~ vn) as the size of the box formed by the vectors. ( Comment.
An even more basic approach, which also leads to the denition below, is in
[Weston].)
1.1 Example The volume of this parallelepiped, which can be found by the
usual formula from high school geometry, is 12.
0
@2
0
21
A0
@0
3
11
A0
@ 1
0
11
A2 0 1
0 3 0
2 1 1= 12
Section II. Geometry of Determinants 319
1.2 Remark Although property (2) of the denition of determinants is redun-
dant, it raises an important point. Consider these two.
~ u~ v
~ u~ v
4 1
2 3= 101 4
3 2= 10
The only dierence between them is in the order in which the vectors are taken.
If we take~ urst and then go to ~ v, follow the counterclockwise arc shown, then
the sign is positive. Following a clockwise arc gives a negative sign. The sign
returned by the size function re
ects the orientation orsense of the box. We
see the same thing if we picture the eect of scalar multiplication by a negative
scalar.
Although it is both interesting and important, we don't need the idea of ori-
entation for the development below and so we will pass it by. (See Exercise 27.)
1.3 Denition InRnthebox(orparallelepiped ) formed byh~ v1;:::;~ vniin-
cludes all of the set ft1~ v1++tn~ vnt1;:::;tn2[0::1]g. The volume of a
box is the absolute value of the determinant of the matrix with those vectors
as columns.
1.4 Example Volume, because it is an absolute value, does not depend on
the order in which the vectors are given. The volume of the parallelepiped in
Exercise 1.1, can also be computed as the absolute value of this determinant.
0 2 0
3 0 3
1 2 1= 12
The denition of volume gives a geometric interpretation to something in
the space, boxes made from vectors. The next result relates the geometry to
the functions that operate on spaces.
1.5 Theorem A transformation t:Rn!Rnchanges the size of all boxes by
the same factor, namely the size of the image of a box jt(S)jisjTjtimes the
size of the boxjSj, whereTis the matrix representing twith respect to the
standard basis. That is, for all nnmatrices, the determinant of a product is
the product of the determinants jTSj=jTjjSj.
The two sentences state the same idea, rst in map terms and then in matrix
terms. Although we tend to prefer a map point of view, the second sentence,
the matrix version, is more convienent for the proof and is also the way that
we shall use this result later. (Alternate proofs are given as Exercise 23 and
Exercise 28.)
320 Chapter Four. Determinants
Proof .The two statements are equivalent because jt(S)j=jTSj, as both give
the size of the box that is the image of the unit box Enunder the composition
ts(wheresis the map represented by Swith respect to the standard basis).
First consider the case that jTj= 0. A matrix has a zero determinant if and
only if it is not invertible. Observe that if TSis invertible, so that there is an
Msuch that (TS)M=I, then the associative property of matrix multiplication
T(SM) =Ishows that Tis also invertible (with inverse SM). Therefore, if T
is not invertible then neither is TS| ifjTj= 0 thenjTSj= 0, and the result
holds in this case.
Now consider the case that jTj6= 0, thatTis nonsingular. Recall that any
nonsingular matrix can be factored into a product of elementary matrices, so
thatTS=E1E2ErS. In the rest of this argument, we will verify that if E
is an elementary matrix then jESj=jEjjSj. The result will follow because
thenjTSj=jE1ErSj=jE1jjErjjSj=jE1ErjjSj=jTjjSj.
If the elementary matrix EisMi(k) thenMi(k)SequalsSexcept that row i
has been multiplied by k. The third property of determinant functions then
gives thatjMi(k)Sj=kjSj. ButjMi(k)j=k, again by the third property
becauseMi(k) is derived from the identity by multiplication of row ibyk, and
sojESj=jEjjSjholds forE=Mi(k). TheE=Pi;j= 1 andE=Ci;j(k)
checks are similar. QED
1.6 Example Application of the map trepresented with respect to the stan-
dard bases by1 1
2 0
will double sizes of boxes, e.g., from this
~ w~ v2 1
1 2= 3
to this
t(~ w)t(~ v) 3 3
4 2= 6
1.7 Corollary If a matrix is invertible then the determinant of its inverse is
the inverse of its determinant jT 1j= 1=jTj.
Proof .1 =jIj=jTT 1j=jTjjT 1j QED
Recall that determinants are not additive homomorphisms, det( A+B) need
not equal det( A) + det(B). The above theorem says, in contrast, that determi-
nants are multiplicative homomorphisms: det( AB) does equal det( A)det(B).
Section II. Geometry of Determinants 321
Exercises
1.8Find the volume of the region formed.
(a)h1
3
; 1
4
i
(b)h0
@2
1
01
A;0
@3
2
41
A;0
@8
3
81
Ai
(c)h0
BB@1
2
0
11
CCA;0
BB@2
2
2
21
CCA;0
BB@ 1
3
0
51
CCA;0
BB@0
1
0
71
CCAi
X1.9Is 0
@4
1
21
A
inside of the box formed by these three?0
@3
3
11
A0
@2
6
11
A0
@1
0
51
A
X1.10 Find the volume of this region.
X1.11 Suppose thatjAj= 3. By what factor do these change volumes?
(a)A(b)A2(c)A 2
X1.12 By what factor does each transformation change the size of boxes?
(a)x
y
7!2x
3y
(b)x
y
7!3x y
2x+y
(c)0
@x
y
z1
A7!0
@x y
x+y+z
y 2z1
A
1.13 What is the area of the image of the rectangle [2 ::4][2::5] under the action
of this matrix? 2 3
4 1
1.14 Ift:R3!R3changes volumes by a factor of 7 and s:R3!R3changes vol-
umes by a factor of 3 =2 then by what factor will their composition changes volumes?
1.15 In what way does the denition of a box dier from the dention of a span?
X1.16 Why doesn't this picture contradict Theorem 1.5?
2 1
0 1
!
area is 2 determinant is 2 area is 5
X1.17 DoesjTSj=jSTj?jT(SP)j=j(TS)Pj?
1.18 (a) Suppose thatjAj= 3 and thatjBj= 2. FindjA2BtransB 2Atransj.
(b)Assume thatjAj= 0. Prove thatj6A3+ 5A2+ 2Aj= 0.
X1.19 LetTbe the matrix representing (with respect to the standard bases) the
map that rotates plane vectors counterclockwise thru radians. By what factor
doesTchange sizes?
X1.20 Must a transformation t:R2!R2that preserves areas also preserve lengths?
322 Chapter Four. Determinants
X1.21 What is the volume of a parallelepiped in R3bounded by a linearly dependent
set?
X1.22 Find the area of the triangle in R3with endpoints (1 ;2;1), (3; 1;4), and
(2;2;2). (Area, not volume. The triangle denes a plane | what is the area of the
triangle in that plane?)
X1.23 An alternate proof of Theorem 1.5 uses the denition of determinant func-
tions.
(a)Note that the vectors forming Smake a linearly dependent set if and only if
jSj= 0, and check that the result holds in this case.
(b)For thejSj6= 0 case, to show that jTSj=jSj=jTjfor all transformations,
consider the function d:Mnn!Rgiven byT7!jTSj=jSj. Show that dhas
the rst property of a determinant.
(c)Show thatdhas the remaining three properties of a determinant function.
(d)Conclude thatjTSj=jTjjSj.
1.24 Give a non-identity matrix with the property that Atrans=A 1. Show that
ifAtrans=A 1thenjAj=1. Does the converse hold?
1.25 The algebraic property of determinants that factoring a scalar out of a single
row will multiply the determinant by that scalar shows that where His 33, the
determinant of cHisc3times the determinant of H. Explain this geometrically,
that is, using Theorem 1.5. (The observation that increasing the linear size of a
three-dimensional object by a factor of cwill increase its volume by a factor of c3
(while only increasing its surface area by an amount proportional to a factor of c2)
is the Square-cube law [Wikipedia].)
X1.26 MatricesHandGare said to be similar if there is a nonsingular matrix P
such thatH=P 1GP(we will study this relation in Chapter Five). Show that
similar matrices have the same determinant.
1.27 We usually represent vectors in R2with respect to the standard basis so
vectors in the rst quadrant have both coordinates positive.
~ v
RepE2(~ v) =+3
+2
Moving counterclockwise around the origin, we cycle thru four regions:
!
+
+
!
+
!
!
+
!:
Using this basis
B=h0
1
; 1
0
i
~2~1
gives the same counterclockwise cycle. We say these two bases have the same
orientation .
(a)Why do they give the same cycle?
(b)What other congurations of unit vectors on the axes give the same cycle?
(c)Find the determinants of the matrices formed from those (ordered) bases.
(d)What other counterclockwise cycles are possible, and what are the associated
determinants?
(e)What happens in R1?
(f)What happens in R3?
A fascinating general-audience discussion of orientations is in [Gardner].
Section II. Geometry of Determinants 323
1.28 This question uses material from the optional Determinant Functions Exist
subsection. Prove Theorem 1.5 by using the permutation expansion formula for
the determinant.
X1.29 (a) Show that this gives the equation of a line in R2thru (x2;y2) and (x3;y3).x x 2x3
y y 2y3
1 1 1= 0
(b)[Petersen] Prove that the area of a triangle with vertices ( x1;y1), (x2;y2),
and (x3;y3) is
1
2x1x2x3
y1y2y3
1 1 1:
(c)[Math. Mag., Jan. 1973] Prove that the area of a triangle with vertices at
(x1;y1), (x2;y2), and (x3;y3) whose coordinates are integers has an area of N
orN=2 for some positive integer N.
324 Chapter Four. Determinants
III Other Formulas
(This section is optional. Later sections do not depend on this material.)
Determinants are a fount of interesting and amusing formulas. Here is one
that is often seen in calculus classes and used to compute determinants by hand.
III.1 Laplace's Expansion
1.1 Example In this permutation expansion
t1;1t1;2t1;3
t2;1t2;2t2;3
t3;1t3;2t3;3=t1;1t2;2t3;31 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 1+t1;1t2;3t3;21 0 0
0 0 1
0 1 0
+t1;2t2;1t3;30 1 0
1 0 0
0 0 1+t1;2t2;3t3;10 1 0
0 0 1
1 0 0
+t1;3t2;1t3;20 0 1
1 0 0
0 1 0+t1;3t2;2t3;10 0 1
0 1 0
1 0 0
we can, for instance, factor out the entries from the rst row
=t1;12
4t2;2t3;31 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 1+t2;3t3;21 0 0
0 0 1
0 1 03
5
+t1;22
4t2;1t3;30 1 0
1 0 0
0 0 1+t2;3t3;10 1 0
0 0 1
1 0 03
5
+t1;32
4t2;1t3;20 0 1
1 0 0
0 1 0+t2;2t3;10 0 1
0 1 0
1 0 03
5
and swap rows in the permutation matrices to get this.
=t1;12
4t2;2t3;31 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 1+t2;3t3;21 0 0
0 0 1
0 1 03
5
t1;22
4t2;1t3;31 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 1+t2;3t3;11 0 0
0 0 1
0 1 03
5
+t1;32
4t2;1t3;21 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 1+t2;2t3;11 0 0
0 0 1
0 1 03
5
Section III. Other Formulas 325
The point of the swapping (one swap to each of the permutation matrices on
the second line and two swaps to each on the third line) is that the three lines
simplify to three terms.
=t1;1t2;2t2;3
t3;2t3;3 t1;2t2;1t2;3
t3;1t3;3+t1;3t2;1t2;2
t3;1t3;2
The formula given in Theorem 1.5, which generalizes this example, is a recur-
rence | the determinant is expressed as a combination of determinants. This
formula isn't circular because, as here, the determinant is expressed in terms of
determinants of matrices of smaller size.
1.2 Denition For anynnmatrixT, the (n 1)(n 1) matrix formed
by deleting row iand column jofTis thei;jminor ofT. Thei;jcofactor
Ti;jofTis ( 1)i+jtimes the determinant of the i;jminor ofT.
1.3 Example The 1;2 cofactor of the matrix from Example 1.1 is the negative
of the second 22 determinant.
T1;2= 1t2;1t2;3
t3;1t3;3
1.4 Example Where
T=0
@1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 91
A
these are the 1 ;2 and 2;2 cofactors.
T1;2= ( 1)1+24 6
7 9= 6T2;2= ( 1)2+21 3
7 9= 12
1.5 Theorem (Laplace Expansion of Determinants) WhereTis annn
matrix, the determinant can be found by expanding by cofactors on row ior
columnj.
jTj=ti;1Ti;1+ti;2Ti;2++ti;nTi;n
=t1;jT1;j+t2;jT2;j++tn;jTn;j
Proof .Exercise 27. QED
1.6 Example We can compute the determinant
jTj=1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
by expanding along the rst row, as in Example 1.1.
jTj= 1(+1)5 6
8 9+ 2( 1)4 6
7 9+ 3(+1)4 5
7 8= 3 + 12 9 = 0
326 Chapter Four. Determinants
Alternatively, we can expand down the second column.
jTj= 2( 1)4 6
7 9+ 5(+1)1 3
7 9+ 8( 1)1 3
4 6= 12 60 + 48 = 0
1.7 Example A row or column with many zeroes suggests a Laplace expansion.
1 5 0
2 1 1
3 1 0= 0(+1)2 1
3 1+ 1( 1)1 5
3 1+ 0(+1)1 5
2 1= 16
We nish by applying this result to derive a new formula for the inverse
of a matrix. With Theorem 1.5, the determinant of an nnmatrixTcan
be calculated by taking linear combinations of entries from a row and their
associated cofactors.
ti;1Ti;1+ti;2Ti;2++ti;nTi;n=jTj ()
Recall that a matrix with two identical rows has a zero determinant. Thus, for
any matrix T, weighing the cofactors by entries from the \wrong" row | row k
withk6=i| gives zero
ti;1Tk;1+ti;2Tk;2++ti;nTk;n= 0 ( )
because it represents the expansion along the row kof a matrix with row iequal
to rowk. This equation summarizes ( ) and ().
0
BBB@t1;1t1;2::: t 1;n
t2;1t2;2::: t 2;n
...
tn;1tn;2::: tn;n1
CCCA0
BBB@T1;1T2;1::: Tn;1
T1;2T2;2::: Tn;2
...
T1;nT2;n::: Tn;n1
CCCA=0
BBB@jTj0::: 0
0jTj::: 0
...
0 0:::jTj1
CCCA
Note that the order of the subscripts in the matrix of cofactors is opposite to
the order of subscripts in the other matrix; e.g., along the rst row of the matrix
of cofactors the subscripts are 1 ;1 then 2;1, etc.
1.8 Denition The matrix adjoint to the square matrix Tis
adj(T) =0
BBB@T1;1T2;1::: Tn;1
T1;2T2;2::: Tn;2
...
T1;nT2;n::: Tn;n1
CCCA
whereTj;iis thej;icofactor.
1.9 Theorem WhereTis a square matrix, Tadj(T) = adj(T)T=jTjI.
Proof .Equations () and (). QED
Section III. Other Formulas 327
1.10 Example If
T=0
@1 0 4
2 1 1
1 0 11
A
then the adjoint adj( T) is
0
@T1;1T2;1T3;1
T1;2T2;2T3;2
T1;3T2;3T3;31
A=0
BBBBBBB@1 1
0 1 0 4
0 10 4
1 1
2 1
1 11 4
1 1 1 4
2 1
2 1
1 0 1 0
1 01 0
2 11
CCCCCCCA=0
@1 0 4
3 3 9
1 0 11
A
and taking the product with Tgives the diagonal matrix jTjI.
0
@1 0 4
2 1 1
1 0 11
A0
@1 0 4
3 3 9
1 0 11
A=0
@ 3 0 0
0 3 0
0 0 31
A
1.11 Corollary IfjTj6= 0 thenT 1= (1=jTj)adj(T).
1.12 Example The inverse of the matrix from Example 1.10 is (1 = 3)adj(T).
T 1=0
@1= 3 0= 3 4= 3
3= 3 3= 3 9= 3
1= 3 0= 3 1= 31
A=0
@ 1=3 0 4=3
1 1 3
1=3 0 1=31
A
The formulas from this section are often used for by-hand calculation and
are sometimes useful with special types of matrices. However, they are not the
best choice for computation with arbitrary matrices because they require more
arithmetic than, for instance, the Gauss-Jordan method.
Exercises
X1.13 Find the cofactor.
T=0
@1 0 2
1 1 3
0 2 11
A
(a)T2;3(b)T3;2(c)T1;3
X1.14 Find the determinant by expanding3 0 1
1 2 2
1 3 0
(a)on the rst row (b)on the second row (c)on the third column.
1.15 Find the adjoint of the matrix in Example 1.6.
X1.16 Find the matrix adjoint to each.
328 Chapter Four. Determinants
(a)0
@2 1 4
1 0 2
1 0 11
A (b)3 1
2 4
(c)1 1
5 0
(d)0
@1 4 3
1 0 3
1 8 91
A
X1.17 Find the inverse of each matrix in the prior question with Theorem 1.9.
1.18 Find the matrix adjoint to this one.0
BB@2 1 0 0
1 2 1 0
0 1 2 1
0 0 1 21
CCA
X1.19 Expand across the rst row to derive the formula for the determinant of a 2 2
matrix.
X1.20 Expand across the rst row to derive the formula for the determinant of a 3 3
matrix.
X1.21 (a) Give a formula for the adjoint of a 2 2 matrix.
(b)Use it to derive the formula for the inverse.
X1.22 Can we compute a determinant by expanding down the diagonal?
1.23 Give a formula for the adjoint of a diagonal matrix.
X1.24 Prove that the transpose of the adjoint is the adjoint of the transpose.
1.25 Prove or disprove: adj(adj( T)) =T.
1.26 A square matrix is upper triangular if eachi;jentry is zero in the part above
the diagonal, that is, when i>j .
(a)Must the adjoint of an upper triangular matrix be upper triangular? Lower
triangular?
(b)Prove that the inverse of a upper triangular matrix is upper triangular, if an
inverse exists.
1.27 This question requires material from the optional Determinants Exist subsec-
tion. Prove Theorem 1.5 by using the permutation expansion.
1.28 Prove that the determinant of a matrix equals the determinant of its transpose
using Laplace's expansion and induction on the size of the matrix.
?1.29 Show that
Fn=1 1 1 1 1 1:::
1 1 0 1 0 1 :::
0 1 1 0 1 0 :::
0 0 1 1 0 1 :::
: : : : : : :::
whereFnis then-th term of 1 ;1;2;3;5;:::;x;y;x +y;::: , the Fibonacci sequence,
and the determinant is of order n 1. [Am. Math. Mon., Jun. 1949]
Topic: Cramer's Rule 329
Topic: Cramer's Rule
We have introduced determinant functions algebraically by looking for a formula
to decide whether a matrix is nonsingular. After that introduction we saw a
geometric interpretation, that the determinant function gives the size of the box
with sides formed by the columns of the matrix. This Topic makes a connection
between the two views.
First, a linear system
x1+ 2x2= 6
3x1+x2= 8
is equivalent to a linear relationship among vectors.
x1
1
3
+x22
1
=6
8
The picture below shows a parallelogram with sides formed from 1
3
and 2
1
nested inside a parallelogram with sides formed from x1 1
3
andx2 2
1
.
2
1x22
11
3x11
36
8
So even without determinants we can state the algebraic issue that opened this
book, nding the solution of a linear system, in geometric terms: by what factors
x1andx2must we dilate the vectors to expand the small parallegram to ll the
larger one?
However, by employing the geometric signicance of determinants we can
get something that is not just a restatement, but also gives us a new insight and
sometimes allows us to compute answers quickly. Compare the sizes of these
shaded boxes.
2
11
3
2
1x11
3
2
16
8
The second is formed from x1 1
3
and 2
1
, and one of the properties of the size
function | the determinant | is that its size is therefore x1times the size of the
330 Chapter Four. Determinants
rst box. Since the third box is formed from x1 1
3
+x2 2
1
= 6
8
and 2
1
, and
the determinant is unchanged by adding x2times the second column to the rst
column, the size of the third box equals that of the second. We have this.
6 2
8 1=x11 2
x13 1=x11 2
3 1
Solving gives the value of one of the variables.
x1=6 2
8 1
1 2
3 1= 10
5= 2
The theorem that generalizes this example, Cramer's Rule , is: ifjAj6= 0
then the system A~ x=~bhas the unique solution xi=jBij=jAjwhere the matrix
Biis formed from Aby replacing column iwith the vector ~b. Exercise 3 asks
for a proof.
For instance, to solve this system for x2
0
@1 0 4
2 1 1
1 0 11
A0
@x1
x2
x31
A=0
@2
1
11
A
we do this computation.
x2=1 2 4
2 1 1
1 1 1
1 0 4
2 1 1
1 0 1= 18
3
Cramer's Rule allows us to solve many two equations/two unknowns systems
by eye. It is also sometimes used for three equations/three unknowns systems.
But computing large determinants takes a long time, so solving large systems
by Cramer's Rule is not practical.
Exercises
1Use Cramer's Rule to solve each for each of the variables.
(a)x y= 4
x+ 2y= 7(b) 2x+y= 2
x 2y= 2
2Use Cramer's Rule to solve this system for z.
2x+y+z= 1
3x +z= 4
x y z= 2
3Prove Cramer's Rule.
Topic: Cramer's Rule 331
4Suppose that a linear system has as many equations as unknowns, that all of
its coecients and constants are integers, and that its matrix of coecients has
determinant 1. Prove that the entries in the solution are all integers. ( Remark.
This is often used to invent linear systems for exercises. If an instructor makes
the linear system with this property then the solution is not some disagreeable
fraction.)
5Use Cramer's Rule to give a formula for the solution of a two equations/two
unknowns linear system.
6Can Cramer's Rule tell the dierence between a system with no solutions and
one with innitely many?
7The rst picture in this Topic (the one that doesn't use determinants) shows
a unique solution case. Produce a similar picture for the case of inntely many
solutions, and the case of no solutions.
332 Chapter Four. Determinants
Topic: Speed of Calculating Determinants
The permutation expansion formula for computing determinants is useful for
proving theorems, but the method of using row operations is a much better for
nding the determinants of a large matrix. We can make this statement precise
by considering, as computer algorithm designers do, the number of arithmetic
operations that each method uses.
The speed of an algorithm is measured by nding how the time taken by
the computer grows as the size of its input data set grows. For instance, how
much longer will the algorithm take if we increase the size of the input data
by a factor of ten, from a 1000 row matrix to a 10 ;000 row matrix or from
10;000 to 100;000? Does the time taken grow by a factor of ten, or by a factor
of a hundred, or by a factor of a thousand? That is, is the time taken by the
algorithm proportional to the size of the data set, or to the square of that size,
or to the cube of that size, etc.?
Recall the permutation expansion formula for determinants.
t1;1t1;2::: t 1;n
t2;1t2;2::: t 2;n
...
tn;1tn;2::: tn;n=X
permutations t1;(1)t2;(2)tn;(n)jPj
=t1;1(1)t2;1(2)tn;1(n)jP1j
+t1;2(1)t2;2(2)tn;2(n)jP2j
...
+t1;k(1)t2;k(2)tn;k(n)jPkj
There aren! =n(n 1)(n 2)21 dierentn-permutations. For numbers
nof any size at all, this is a large value; for instance, even if nis only 10
then the expansion has 10! = 3 ;628;800 terms, all of which are obtained by
multiplying nentries together. This is a very large number of multiplications
(for instance, [Knuth] suggests 10! steps as a rough boundary for the limit
of practical calculation). The factorial function grows faster than the square
function. It grows faster than the cube function, the fourth power function,
or any polynomial function. (One way to see that the factorial function grows
faster than the square is to note that multiplying the rst two factors in n!
givesn(n 1), which for large nis approximately n2, and then multiplying
in more factors will make it even larger. The same argument works for the
cube function, etc.) So a computer that is programmed to use the permutation
expansion formula, and thus to perform a number of operations that is greater
than or equal to the factorial of the number of rows, would take very long times
as its input data set grows.
In contrast, the time taken by the row reduction method does not grow so
fast. This fragment of row-reduction code is in the computer language FOR-
TRAN, which is widely used for numeric code. The matrix is stored in the NN
array A. For each ROW between 1 and Nparts of the program not shown here
Topic: Speed of Calculating Determinants 333
have already found the leading entry A(ROW;COL ). Now the program does a
row combination.
PIVINVROW +i
(This code fragment is for illustration only and is incomplete. Still, analysis of
a nished version that includes all of the tests and subcases is messier but gives
essentially the same conclusion.)
PIVINV=1.0/A(ROW,COL)
DO 10 I=ROW+1, N
DO 20 J=I, N
A(I,J)=A(I,J)-PIVINV*A(ROW,J)
20 CONTINUE
10 CONTINUE
The outermost loop (not shown) runs through N 1 rows. For each row,
the nestedIandJloops shown perform arithmetic on the entries in Athat are
below and to the right of the leading entry. Assume that this entry is found in
the expected place, that is, that COL =ROW . Then there are ( N ROW )2
entries below and to the right of it. On average, ROW will beN=2. Thus, we
estimate that the arithmetic will be performed about ( N=2)2times, that is, will
run in a time proportional to the square of the number of equations. Taking into
account the outer loop that is not shown, we get the estimate that the running
time of the algorithm is proportional to the cube of the number of equations.
Finding the fastest algorithm to compute the determinant is a topic of cur-
rent research. Algorithms are known that run in time between the second and
third power.
Speed estimates like these help us to understand how quickly or slowly an
algorithm will run. Algorithms that run in time proportional to the size of
the data set are fast, algorithms that run in time proportional to the square of
the size of the data set are less fast, but typically quite usable, and algorithms
that run in time proportional to the cube of the size of the data set are still
reasonable in speed for not-too-big input data. However, algorithms that run in
time (greater than or equal to) the factorial of the size of the data set are not
practical for input of any appreciable size.
There are other methods besides the two discussed here that are also used
for computation of determinants. Those lie outside of our scope. Nonetheless,
this contrast of the two methods for computing determinants makes the point
that although in principle they give the same answer, in practice the idea is to
select the one that is fast.
Exercises
Most of these problems presume access to a computer.
1Computer systems generate random numbers (of course, these are only pseudo-
random, in that they are generated by an algorithm, but they pass a number of
reasonable statistical tests for randomness).
(a)Fill a 55 array with random numbers (say, in the range [0 ::1)). See if it is
singular. Repeat that experiment a few times. Are singular matrices frequent
or rare (in this sense)?
334 Chapter Four. Determinants
(b)Time your computer algebra system at nding the determinant of ten 5 5
arrays of random numbers. Find the average time per array. Repeat the prior
item for 1515 arrays, 2525 arrays, 3535 arrays, etc. You may nd that you
need to get above a certain size to get a timing that you can use. (Notice that,
when an array is singular, it can sometimes be found to be so quite quickly, for
instance if the rst row equals the second. In the light of your answer to the rst
part, do you expect that singular systems play a large role in your average?)
(c)Graph the input size versus the average time.
2Compute the determinant of each of these by hand using the two methods dis-
cussed above.
(a)2 1
5 3(b)3 1 1
1 0 5
1 2 2(c)2 1 0 0
1 3 2 0
0 1 2 1
0 0 2 1
Count the number of multiplications and divisions used in each case, for each of
the methods. (On a computer, multiplications and divisions take much longer than
additions and subtractions, so algorithm designers worry about them more.)
3What 1010 array can you invent that takes your computer system the longest
to reduce? The shortest?
4Write the rest of the FORTRAN program to do a straightforward implementation
of calculating determinants via Gauss' method. (Don't test for a zero leading
entry.) Compare the speed of your code to that used in your computer algebra
system.
5The FORTRAN language specication requires that arrays be stored \by col-
umn", that is, the entire rst column is stored contiguously, then the second col-
umn, etc. Does the code fragment given take advantage of this, or can it be
rewritten to make it faster, by taking advantage of the fact that computer fetches
are faster from contiguous locations?
Topic: Projective Geometry 335
Topic: Projective Geometry
There are geometries other than the familiar Euclidean one. One such geometry
arose in art, where it was observed that what a viewer sees is not necessarily
what is there. This is Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper .
What is there in the room, for instance where the ceiling meets the left and
right walls, are lines that are parallel. However, what a viewer sees is lines
that, if extended, would intersect. The intersection point is called the vanishing
point . This aspect of perspective is also familiar as the image of a long stretch
of railroad tracks that appear to converge at the horizon.
To depict the room, da Vinci has adopted a model of how we see, of how
we project the three dimensional scene to a two dimensional image. This model
is only a rst approximation | it does not take into account that our retina is
curved and our lens bends the light, that we have binocular vision, or that our
brain's processing greatly aects what we see | but nonetheless it is interesting,
both artistically and mathematically.
The projection is not orthogonal, it is a central projection from a single
point, to the plane of the canvas.
A
B
C
(It is not an orthogonal projection since the line from the viewer to Cis not
orthogonal to the image plane.) As the picture suggests, the operation of central
projection preserves some geometric properties | lines project to lines. How-
ever, it fails to preserve some others | equal length segments can project to
segments of unequal length; the length of ABis greater than the length of
336 Chapter Four. Determinants
BCbecause the segment projected to ABis closer to the viewer and closer
things look bigger. The study of the eects of central projections is projective
geometry. We will see how linear algebra can be used in this study.
There are three cases of central projection. The rst is the projection done
by a movie projector.
projectorP sourceS imageI
We can think that each source point is \pushed" from the domain plane out-
ward to the image point in the codomain plane. This case of projection has a
somewhat dierent character than the second case, that of the artist \pulling"
the source back to the canvas.
painterP imageI sourceS
In the rst case Sis in the middle while in the second case Iis in the middle.
One more conguration is possible, with Pin the middle. An example of this
is when we use a pinhole to shine the image of a solar eclipse onto a piece of
paper.
sourceS pinholeP imageI
We shall take each of the three to be a central projection by PofStoI.
Topic: Projective Geometry 337
Consider again the eect of railroad tracks that appear to converge to a
point. We model this with parallel lines in a domain plane Sand a projection
via aPto a codomain plane I. (The gray lines are parallel to SandI.)
S
IP
All three projection cases appear here. The rst picture below shows Pacting
like a movie projector by pushing points from part of Sout to image points on
the lower half of I. The middle picture shows Pacting like the artist by pulling
points from another part of Sback to image points in the middle of I. In the
third picture, Pacts like the pinhole, projecting points from Sto the upper
part ofI. This picture is the trickiest | the points that are projected near to
the vanishing point are the ones that are far out on the bottom left of S. Points
inSthat are near to the vertical gray line are sent high up on I.
S
IPS
IPS
IP
There are two awkward things about this situation. The rst is that neither
of the two points in the domain nearest to the vertical gray line (see below)
has an image because a projection from those two is along the gray line that is
parallel to the codomain plane (we sometimes say that these two are projected
\to innity"). The second awkward thing is that the vanishing point in Iisn't
the image of any point from Sbecause a projection to this point would be along
the gray line that is parallel to the domain plane (we sometimes say that the
vanishing point is the image of a projection \from innity").
S
IP
338 Chapter Four. Determinants
For a better model, put the projector Pat the origin. Imagine that Pis
covered by a glass hemispheric dome. As Plooks outward, anything in the line
of vision is projected to the same spot on the dome. This includes things on
the line between Pand the dome, as in the case of projection by the movie
projector. It includes things on the line further from Pthan the dome, as in
the case of projection by the painter. It also includes things on the line that lie
behindP, as in the case of projection by a pinhole.
`=fk0
@1
2
31
Ak2Rg
From this perspective P, all of the spots on the line are seen as the same point.
Accordingly, for any nonzero vector ~ v2R3, we dene the associated pointv
in the projective plane to be the setfk~ vk2Randk6= 0gof nonzero vectors
lying on the same line through the origin as ~ v. To describe a projective point
we can give any representative member of the line, so that the projective point
shown above can be represented in any of these three ways.
0
@1
2
31
A0
@1=3
2=3
11
A0
@ 2
4
61
A
Each of these is a homogeneous coordinate vector forv.
This picture, and the above denition that arises from it, claries the de-
scription of central projection but there is something awkward about the dome
model: what if the viewer looks down? If we draw P's line of sight so that
the part coming toward us, out of the page, goes down below the dome then
we can trace the line of sight backward, up past Pand toward the part of the
hemisphere that is behind the page. So in the dome model, looking down gives
a projective point that is behind the viewer. Therefore, if the viewer in the
picture above drops the line of sight toward the bottom of the dome then the
projective point drops also and as the line of sight continues down past the
equator, the projective point suddenly shifts from the front of the dome to the
back of the dome. This discontinuity in the drawing means that we often have
to treat equatorial points as a separate case. That is, while the railroad track
discussion of central projection has three cases, the dome model has two.
We can do better than this. Consider a sphere centered at the origin. Any
line through the origin intersects the sphere in two spots, which are said to be
antipodal . Because we associate each line through the origin with a point in the
projective plane, we can draw such a point as a pair of antipodal spots on the
sphere. Below, the two antipodal spots are shown connected by a dashed line
Topic: Projective Geometry 339
to emphasize that they are not two dierent points, the pair of spots together
make one projective point.
While drawing a point as a pair of antipodal spots is not as natural as the one-
spot-per-point dome mode, on the other hand the awkwardness of the dome
model is gone, in that if as a line of view slides from north to south, no sudden
changes happen on the picture. This model of central projection is uniform |
the three cases are reduced to one.
So far we have described points in projective geometry. What about lines?
What a viewer at the origin sees as a line is shown below as a great circle, the
intersection of the model sphere with a plane through the origin.
(One of the projective points on this line is shown to bring out a subtlety.
Because two antipodal spots together make up a single projective point, the
great circle's behind-the-paper part is the same set of projective points as its
in-front-of-the-paper part.) Just as we did with each projective point, we will
also describe a projective line with a triple of reals. For instance, the members
of this plane through the origin in R3
f0
@x
y
z1
Ax+y z= 0g
project to a line that we can described with the triple 1 1 1
(we use row
vectors to typographically distinguish lines from points). In general, for any
nonzero three-wide row vector ~Lwe dene the associated line in the projective
plane , to be the set L=fk~Lk2Randk6= 0gof nonzero multiples of ~L.
The reason that this description of a line as a triple is convienent is that
in the projective plane, a point vand a line Lareincident | the point lies
on the line, the line passes throught the point | if and only if a dot product
of their representatives v1L1+v2L2+v3L3is zero (Exercise 4 shows that this
is independent of the choice of representatives ~ vand~L). For instance, the
projective point described above by the column vector with components 1, 2,
and 3 lies in the projective line described by 1 1 1
, simply because any
340 Chapter Four. Determinants
vector in R3whose components are in ratio 1 : 2 : 3 lies in the plane through the
origin whose equation is of the form 1 kx+ 1ky 1kz= 0 for any nonzero k.
That is, the incidence formula is inherited from the three-space lines and planes
of whichvandLare projections.
Thus, we can do analytic projective geometry. For instance, the projective
lineL= 1 1 1
has the equation 1 v1+ 1v2 1v3= 0, because points
incident on the line are characterized by having the property that their repre-
sentatives satisfy this equation. One dierence from familiar Euclidean anlaytic
geometry is that in projective geometry we talk about the equation of a point.
For a xed point like
v=0
@1
2
31
A
the property that characterizes lines through this point (that is, lines incident
on this point) is that the components of any representatives satisfy 1 L1+ 2L2+
3L3= 0 and so this is the equation of v.
This symmetry of the statements about lines and points brings up the Duality
Principle of projective geometry: in any true statement, interchanging `point'
with `line' results in another true statement. For example, just as two distinct
points determine one and only one line, in the projective plane, two distinct
lines determine one and only one point. Here is a picture showing two lines that
cross in antipodal spots and thus cross at one projective point.
()
Contrast this with Euclidean geometry, where two distinct lines may have a
unique intersection or may be parallel. In this way, projective geometry is
simpler, more uniform, than Euclidean geometry.
That simplicity is relevant because there is a relationship between the two
spaces: the projective plane can be viewed as an extension of the Euclidean
plane. Take the sphere model of the projective plane to be the unit sphere in
R3and take Euclidean space to be the plane z= 1. This gives us a way of
viewing some points in projective space as corresponding to points in Euclidean
space, because all of the points on the plane are projections of antipodal spots
from the sphere.
()
Topic: Projective Geometry 341
Note though that projective points on the equator don't project up to the plane.
Instead, these project `out to innity'. We can thus think of projective space
as consisting of the Euclidean plane with some extra points adjoined | the Eu-
clidean plane is embedded in the projective plane. These extra points, the
equatorial points, are the ideal points orpoints at innity and the equator is
theideal line orline at innity (note that it is not a Euclidean line, it is a
projective line).
The advantage of the extension to the projective plane is that some of the
awkwardness of Euclidean geometry disappears. For instance, the projective
lines shown above in ( ) cross at antipodal spots, a single projective point, on
the sphere's equator. If we put those lines into ( ) then they correspond to
Euclidean lines that are parallel. That is, in moving from the Euclidean plane to
the projective plane, we move from having two cases, that lines either intersect
or are parallel, to having only one case, that lines intersect (possibly at a point
at innity).
The projective case is nicer in many ways than the Euclidean case but has
the problem that we don't have the same experience or intuitions with it. That's
one advantage of doing analytic geometry, where the equations can lead us to
the right conclusions. Analytic projective geometry uses linear algebra. For
instance, for three points of the projective plane t,u, andv, setting up the
equations for those points by xing vectors representing each, shows that the
three are collinear | incident in a single line | if and only if the resulting three-
equation system has innitely many row vector solutions representing that line.
That, in turn, holds if and only if this determinant is zero.
t1u1v1
t2u2v2
t3u3v3
Thus, three points in the projective plane are collinear if and only if any three
representative column vectors are linearly dependent. Similarly (and illustrating
the Duality Principle), three lines in the projective plane are incident on a
single point if and only if any three row vectors representing them are linearly
dependent.
The following result is more evidence of the `niceness' of the geometry of the
projective plane, compared to the Euclidean case. These two triangles are said
to be in perspective fromPbecause their corresponding vertices are collinear.
O
T1
U1V1
T2
U2V2
Consider the pairs of corresponding sides: the sides T1U1andT2U2, the sides
T1V1andT2V2, and the sides U1V1andU2V2. Desargue's Theorem is that
342 Chapter Four. Determinants
when the three pairs of corresponding sides are extended to lines, they intersect
(shown here as the point TU, the point TV, and the point UV), and further,
those three intersection points are collinear.
TUTVUV
We will prove this theorem, using projective geometry. (These are drawn as
Euclidean gures because it is the more familiar image. To consider them as
projective gures, we can imagine that, although the line segments shown are
parts of great circles and so are curved, the model has such a large radius
compared to the size of the gures that the sides appear in this sketch to be
straight.)
For this proof, we need a preliminary lemma [Coxeter]: if W,X,Y,Zare
four points in the projective plane (no three of which are collinear) then there
are homogeneous coordinate vectors ~ w,~ x,~ y, and~ zfor the projective points,
and a basis BforR3, satisfying this.
RepB(~ w) =0
@1
0
01
ARepB(~ x) =0
@0
1
01
ARepB(~ y) =0
@0
0
11
ARepB(~ z) =0
@1
1
11
A
The proof is straightforward. Because W; X; Y are not on the same projective
line, any homogeneous coordinate vectors ~ w0;~ x0;~ y0do not line on the same
plane through the origin in R3and so form a spanning set for R3. Thus any
homogeneous coordinate vector for Zcan be written as a combination ~ z0=
a~ w0+b~ x0+c~ y0. Then, we can take ~ w=a~ w0,~ x=b~ x0,~ y=c~ y0, and
~ z=~ z0, where the basis is B=h~ w;~ x;~ yi.
Now, to prove of Desargue's Theorem, use the lemma to x homogeneous
coordinate vectors and a basis.
RepB(~t1) =0
@1
0
01
ARepB(~ u1) =0
@0
1
01
ARepB(~ v1) =0
@0
0
11
ARepB(~ o) =0
@1
1
11
A
Because the projective point T2is incident on the projective line OT1, any
homogeneous coordinate vector for T2lies in the plane through the origin in R3
that is spanned by homogeneous coordinate vectors of OandT1:
RepB(~t2) =a0
@1
1
11
A+b0
@1
0
01
A
Topic: Projective Geometry 343
for some scalars aandb. That is, the homogenous coordinate vectors of members
T2of the lineOT1are of the form on the left below, and the forms for U2and
V2are similar.
RepB(~t2) =0
@t2
1
11
A RepB(~ u2) =0
@1
u2
11
A RepB(~ v2) =0
@1
1
v21
A
The projective line T1U1is the image of a plane through the origin in R3. A
quick way to get its equation is to note that any vector in it is linearly dependent
on the vectors for T1andU1and so this determinant is zero.
1 0x
0 1y
0 0z= 0 =)z= 0
The equation of the plane in R3whose image is the projective line T2U2is this.
t21x
1u2y
1 1z= 0 =) (1 u2)x+ (1 t2)y+ (t2u2 1)z= 0
Finding the intersection of the two is routine.
T1U1\T2U2=0
@t2 1
1 u2
01
A
(This is, of course, the homogeneous coordinate vector of a projective point.)
The other two intersections are similar.
T1V1\T2V2=0
@1 t2
0
v2 11
AU1V1\U2V2=0
@0
u2 1
1 v21
A
The proof is nished by noting that these projective points are on one projective
line because the sum of the three homogeneous coordinate vectors is zero.
Every projective theorem has a translation to a Euclidean version, although
the Euclidean result is often messier to state and prove. Desargue's theorem
illustrates this. In the translation to Euclidean space, the case where Olies on
the ideal line must be treated separately for then the lines T1T2,U1U2, andV1V2
are parallel.
The parenthetical remark following the statement of Desargue's Theorem
suggests thinking of the Euclidean pictures as gures from projective geometry
for a model of very large radius. That is, just as a small area of the earth appears
at to people living there, the projective plane is also `locally Euclidean'.
Although its local properties are the familiar Euclidean ones, there is a global
property of the projective plane that is quite dierent. The picture below shows
344 Chapter Four. Determinants
a projective point. At that point is drawn an xy-axis. There is something
interesting about the way this axis appears at the antipodal ends of the sphere.
In the northern hemisphere, where the axis are drawn in black, a right hand put
down with ngers on the x-axis will have the thumb point along the y-axis. But
the antipodal axis has just the opposite: a right hand placed with its ngers on
thex-axis will have the thumb point in the wrong way, instead, it is a left hand
that works. Brie
y, the projective plane is not orientable: in this geometry, left
and right handedness are not xed properties of gures.
The sequence of pictures below dramatizes this non-orientability. They sketch
a trip around this space in the direction of the ypart of the xy-axis. (Warning:
the trip shown is not halfway around, it is a full circuit. True, if we made this
into a movie then we could watch the northern hemisphere spots in the drawing
above gradually rotate about halfway around the sphere to the last picture
below. And we could watch the southern hemisphere spots in the picture above
slide through the south pole and up through the equator to the last picture.
But: the spots at either end of the dashed line are the same projective point.
We don't need to continue on much further; we are pretty much back to the
projective point where we started by the last picture.)
=) =)
At the end of the circuit, the xpart of the xy-axes sticks out in the other
direction. Thus, in the projective plane we cannot describe a gure as right- or
left-handed (another way to make this point is that we cannot describe a spiral
as clockwise or counterclockwise).
This exhibition of the existence of a non-orientable space raises the question
of whether our universe is orientable: is is possible for an astronaut to leave
right-handed and return left-handed? An excellent nontechnical reference is
[Gardner]. An classic science ction story about orientation reversal is [Clarke].
So projective geometry is mathematically interesting, in addition to the nat-
ural way in which it arises in art. It is more than just a technical device to
shorten some proofs. For an overview, see [Courant & Robbins]. The approach
we've taken here, the analytic approach, leads to quick theorems and | most
importantly for us | illustrates the power of linear algebra (see [Hanes], [Ryan],
and [Eggar]). But another approach, the synthetic approach of deriving the
Topic: Projective Geometry 345
results from an axiom system, is both extraordinarily beautiful and is also the
historical route of development. Two ne sources for this approach are [Coxeter]
or [Seidenberg]. An interesting and easy application is [Davies]
Exercises
1What is the equation of this point?0
@1
0
01
A
2 (a) Find the line incident on these points in the projective plane.0
@1
2
31
A;0
@4
5
61
A
(b)Find the point incident on both of these projective lines.
1 2 3
;
4 5 6
3Find the formula for the line incident on two projective points. Find the formula
for the point incident on two projective lines.
4Prove that the denition of incidence is independent of the choice of the rep-
resentatives of pandL. That is, if p1,p2,p3, andq1,q2,q3are two triples of
homogeneous coordinates for p, andL1,L2,L3, andM1,M2,M3are two triples
of homogeneous coordinates for L, prove that p1L1+p2L2+p3L3= 0 if and only
ifq1M1+q2M2+q3M3= 0.
5Give a drawing to show that central projection does not preserve circles, that a
circle may project to an ellipse. Can a (non-circular) ellipse project to a circle?
6Give the formula for the correspondence between the non-equatorial part of the
antipodal modal of the projective plane, and the plane z= 1.
7(Pappus's Theorem) Assume that T0,U0, andV0are collinear and that T1,U1,
andV1are collinear. Consider these three points: (i) the intersection V2of the lines
T0U1andT1U0, (ii) the intersection U2of the lines T0V1andT1V0, and (iii) the
intersection T2ofU0V1andU1V0.
(a)Draw a (Euclidean) picture.
(b)Apply the lemma used in Desargue's Theorem to get simple homogeneous
coordinate vectors for the T's andV0.
(c)Find the resulting homogeneous coordinate vectors for U's (these must each
involve a parameter as, e.g., U0could be anywhere on the T0V0line).
(d)Find the resulting homogeneous coordinate vectors for V1. (Hint: it involves
two parameters.)
(e)Find the resulting homogeneous coordinate vectors for V2. (It also involves
two parameters.)
(f)Show that the product of the three parameters is 1.
(g)Verify that V2is on theT2U2line.
Chapter Five
Similarity
While studying matrix equivalence, we have shown that for any homomorphism
there are bases BandDsuch that the representation matrix has a block partial-
identity form.
RepB;D(h) =Identity Zero
Zero Zero
This representation describes the map as sending c1~1++cn~ntoc1~1+
+ck~k+~0 ++~0, wherenis the dimension of the domain and kis the
dimension of the range. So, under this representation the action of the map is
easy to understand because most of the matrix entries are zero.
This chapter considers the special case where the domain and the codomain
are equal, that is, where the homomorphism is a transformation. In this case
we naturally ask to nd a single basis Bso that RepB;B(t) is as simple as
possible (we will take `simple' to mean that it has many zeroes). A matrix
having the above block partial-identity form is not always possible here. But we
will develop a form that comes close, a representation that is nearly diagonal.
I Complex Vector Spaces
This chapter requires that we factor polynomials. Of course, many polynomials
do not factor over the real numbers; for instance, x2+ 1 does not factor into
the product of two linear polynomials with real coecients. For that reason, we
shall from now on take our scalars from the complex numbers.
That is, we are shifting from studying vector spaces over the real numbers
to vector spaces over the complex numbers | in this chapter vector and matrix
entries are complex.
Any real number is a complex number and a glance through this chapter
shows that most of the examples use only real numbers. Nonetheless, the critical
theorems require that the scalars be complex numbers, so the rst section below
is a quick review of complex numbers.
347
348 Chapter Five. Similarity
In this book we are moving to the more general context of taking scalars to
be complex only for the pragmatic reason that we must do so in order to develop
the representation. We will not go into using other sets of scalars in more detail
because it could distract from our goal. However, the idea of taking scalars
from a structure other than the real numbers is an interesting one. Delightful
presentations taking this approach are in [Halmos] and [Homan & Kunze].
I.1 Factoring and Complex Numbers; A Review
This subsection is a review only and we take the main results as known. For
proofs, see [Birkho & MacLane] or [Ebbinghaus].
Just as integers have a division operation | e.g., `4 goes 5 times into 21 with
remainder 1' | so do polynomials.
1.1 Theorem (Division Theorem for Polynomials) Letc(x) be a polyno-
mial. Ifm(x) is a non-zero polynomial then there are quotient and remainder
polynomials q(x) andr(x) such that
c(x) =m(x)q(x) +r(x)
where the degree of r(x) is strictly less than the degree of m(x).
In this book constant polynomials, including the zero polynomial, are said to
have degree 0. (This is not the standard denition, but it is convienent here.)
The point of the integer division statement `4 goes 5 times into 21 with
remainder 1' is that the remainder is less than 4 | while 4 goes 5 times, it does
not go 6 times. In the same way, the point of the polynomial division statement
is its nal clause.
1.2 Example Ifc(x) = 2x3 3x2+ 4xandm(x) =x2+ 1 thenq(x) = 2x 3
andr(x) = 2x+ 3. Note that r(x) has a lower degree than m(x).
1.3 Corollary The remainder when c(x) is divided by x is the constant
polynomial r(x) =c().
Proof .The remainder must be a constant polynomial because it is of degree less
than the divisor x , To determine the constant, take m(x) from the theorem
to bex and substitute forxto getc() = ( )q() +r(x). QED
If a divisor m(x) goes into a dividend c(x) evenly, meaning that r(x) is the
zero polynomial, then m(x) is a factor ofc(x). Any root of the factor (any
2Rsuch thatm() = 0) is a root of c(x) sincec() =m()q() = 0. The
prior corollary immediately yields the following converse.
1.4 Corollary Ifis a root of the polynomial c(x) thenx dividesc(x)
evenly, that is, x is a factor of c(x).
Section I. Complex Vector Spaces 349
Finding the roots and factors of a high-degree polynomial can be hard. But
for second-degree polynomials we have the quadratic formula: the roots of ax2+
bx+care
1= b+p
b2 4ac
2a2= b p
b2 4ac
2a
(if the discriminant b2 4acis negative then the polynomial has no real number
roots). A polynomial that cannot be factored into two lower-degree polynomials
with real number coecients is irreducible over the reals .
1.5 Theorem Any constant or linear polynomial is irreducible over the reals.
A quadratic polynomial is irreducible over the reals if and only if its discrimi-
nant is negative. No cubic or higher-degree polynomial is irreducible over the
reals.
1.6 Corollary Any polynomial with real coecients can be factored into linear
and irreducible quadratic polynomials. That factorization is unique; any two
factorizations have the same powers of the same factors.
Note the analogy with the prime factorization of integers. In both cases, the
uniqueness clause is very useful.
1.7 Example Because of uniqueness we know, without multiplying them out,
that (x+ 3)2(x2+ 1)3does not equal ( x+ 3)4(x2+x+ 1)2.
1.8 Example By uniqueness, if c(x) =m(x)q(x) then where c(x) = (x
3)2(x+ 2)3andm(x) = (x 3)(x+ 2)2, we know that q(x) = (x 3)(x+ 2).
Whilex2+ 1 has no real roots and so doesn't factor over the real numbers,
if we imagine a root | traditionally denoted iso thati2+ 1 = 0 | then x2+ 1
factors into a product of linears ( x i)(x+i).
So we adjoin this root ito the reals and close the new system with respect
to addition, multiplication, etc. (i.e., we also add 3 + i, and 2i, and 3 + 2i, etc.,
putting in all linear combinations of 1 and i). We then get a new structure, the
complex numbers , denoted C.
InCwe can factor (obviously, at least some) quadratics that would be irre-
ducible if we were to stick to the real numbers. Surprisingly, in Cwe can not
only factor x2+ 1 and its close relatives, we can factor any quadratic.
ax2+bx+c=a
x b+p
b2 4ac
2a
x b p
b2 4ac
2a
1.9 Example The second degree polynomial x2+x+1 factors over the complex
numbers into the product of two rst degree polynomials.
x 1 +p 3
2
x 1 p 3
2
=
x ( 1
2+p
3
2i)
x ( 1
2 p
3
2i)
1.10 Corollary (Fundamental Theorem of Algebra) Polynomials with
complex coecients factor into linear polynomials with complex coecients.
The factorization is unique.
350 Chapter Five. Similarity
I.2 Complex Representations
Recall the denitions of the complex number addition
(a+bi) + (c+di) = (a+c) + (b+d)i
and multiplication.
(a+bi)(c+di) =ac+adi+bci+bd( 1)
= (ac bd) + (ad+bc)i
2.1 Example For instance, (1 2i) + (5+4i) = 6+2iand (2 3i)(4 0:5i) =
6:5 13i.
Handling scalar operations with those rules, all of the operations that we've
covered for real vector spaces carry over unchanged.
2.2 Example Matrix multiplication is the same, although the scalar arithmetic
involves more bookkeeping.
1 + 1i2 0i
i 2 + 3i1 + 0i1 0i
3i i
=(1 + 1i)(1 + 0i) + (2 0i)(3i) (1 + 1i)(1 0i) + (2 0i)( i)
(i)(1 + 0i) + ( 2 + 3i)(3i) (i)(1 0i) + ( 2 + 3i)( i)
=
1 + 7i1 1i
9 5i3 + 3i
Everything else from prior chapters that we can, we shall also carry over
unchanged. For instance, we shall call this
h0
BBB@1 + 0i
0 + 0i
...
0 + 0i1
CCCA;:::;0
BBB@0 + 0i
0 + 0i
...
1 + 0i1
CCCAi
thestandard basis forCnas a vector space over Cand again denote it En.
Section II. Similarity 351
II Similarity
II.1 Denition and Examples
We've dened Hand ^Hto be matrix-equivalent if there are nonsingular ma-
tricesPandQsuch that ^H=PHQ . That denition is motivated by this
diagram
Vw.r.t.Bh !
HWw.r.t.D
id??y id??y
Vw.r.t. ^Bh !
^HWw.r.t. ^D
showing that Hand ^Hboth represent hbut with respect to dierent pairs of
bases. We now specialize that setup to the case where the codomain equals the
domain, and where the codomain's basis equals the domain's basis.
Vw.r.t.Bt !Vw.r.t.B
id??y id??y
Vw.r.t.Dt !Vw.r.t.D
To move from the lower left to the lower right we can either go straight over, or
up, over, and then down. In matrix terms,
RepD;D(t) = RepB;D(id) RepB;B(t)
RepB;D(id) 1
(recall that a representation of composition like this one reads right to left).
1.1 Denition The matrices TandSaresimilar if there is a nonsingular P
such thatT=PSP 1.
Since nonsingular matrices are square, the similar matrices TandSmust be
square and of the same size.
1.2 Example With these two,
P=2 1
1 1
S=2 3
1 1
calculation gives that Sis similar to this matrix.
T=0 1
1 1
352 Chapter Five. Similarity
1.3 Example The only matrix similar to the zero matrix is itself: PZP 1=
PZ=Z. The only matrix similar to the identity matrix is itself: PIP 1=
PP 1=I.
Since matrix similarity is a special case of matrix equivalence, if two ma-
trices are similar then they are equivalent. What about the converse: must
matrix equivalent square matrices be similar? The answer is no. The prior
example shows that the similarity classes are dierent from the matrix equiv-
alence classes, because the matrix equivalence class of the identity consists of
all nonsingular matrices of that size. Thus, for instance, these two are matrix
equivalent but not similar.
T=1 0
0 1
S=1 2
0 3
So some matrix equivalence classes split into two or more similarity classes |
similarity gives a ner partition than does equivalence. This picture shows some
matrix equivalence classes subdivided into similarity classes.
. . .A
B
To understand the similarity relation we shall study the similarity classes.
We approach this question in the same way that we've studied both the row
equivalence and matrix equivalence relations, by nding a canonical form for
representativesof the similarity classes, called Jordan form. With this canon-
ical form, we can decide if two matrices are similar by checking whether they
reduce to the same representative. We've also seen with both row equivalence
and matrix equivalence that a canonical form gives us insight into the ways in
which members of the same class are alike (e.g., two identically-sized matrices
are matrix equivalent if and only if they have the same rank).
Exercises
1.4For
S=1 3
2 6
T=0 0
11=2 5
P=4 2
3 2
check thatT=PSP 1.
X1.5Example 1.3 shows that the only matrix similar to a zero matrix is itself and
that the only matrix similar to the identity is itself.
(a)Show that the 11 matrix (2), also, is similar only to itself.
(b)Is a matrix of the form cIfor some scalar csimilar only to itself?
(c)Is a diagonal matrix similar only to itself?
1.6Show that these matrices are not similar.0
@1 0 4
1 1 3
2 1 71
A0
@1 0 1
0 1 1
3 1 21
A
More information on representatives is in the appendix.
Section II. Similarity 353
1.7Consider the transformation t:P2!P 2described by x27!x+ 1,x7!x2 1,
and 17!3.
(a)FindT= RepB;B(t) whereB=hx2;x;1i.
(b)FindS= RepD;D(t) whereD=h1;1 +x;1 +x+x2i.
(c)Find the matrix Psuch thatT=PSP 1.
X1.8Exhibit an nontrivial similarity relationship in this way: let t:C2!C2act by1
2
7!3
0 1
1
7! 1
2
and pick two bases, and represent twith respect to then T= RepB;B(t) and
S= RepD;D(t). Then compute the PandP 1to change bases from BtoDand
back again.
1.9Explain Example 1.3 in terms of maps.
X1.10 Are there two matrices AandBthat are similar while A2andB2are not
similar? [Halmos]
X1.11 Prove that if two matrices are similar and one is invertible then so is the other.
X1.12 Show that similarity is an equivalence relation.
1.13 Consider a matrix representing, with respect to some B;B, re
ection across
thex-axis in R2. Consider also a matrix representing, with respect to some D;D ,
re
ection across the y-axis. Must they be similar?
1.14 Prove that similarity preserves determinants and rank. Does the converse
hold?
1.15 Is there a matrix equivalence class with only one matrix similarity class inside?
One with innitely many similarity classes?
1.16 Can two dierent diagonal matrices be in the same similarity class?
X1.17 Prove that if two matrices are similar then their k-th powers are similar when
k>0. What if k0?
X1.18 Letp(x) be the polynomial cnxn++c1x+c0. Show that if Tis similar to
Sthenp(T) =cnTn++c1T+c0Iis similar to p(S) =cnSn++c1S+c0I.
1.19 List all of the matrix equivalence classes of 1 1 matrices. Also list the sim-
ilarity classes, and describe which similarity classes are contained inside of each
matrix equivalence class.
1.20 Does similarity preserve sums?
1.21 Show that if T IandNare similar matrices then TandN+Iare also
similar.
II.2 Diagonalizability
The prior subsection denes the relation of similarity and shows that, although
similar matrices are necessarily matrix equivalent, the converse does not hold.
Some matrix-equivalence classes break into two or more similarity classes (the
nonsingular nnmatrices, for instance). This means that the canonical form
for matrix equivalence, a block partial-identity, cannot be used as a canonical
form for matrix similarity because the partial-identities cannot be in more than
one similarity class, so there are similarity classes without one. This picture
illustrates. As earlier in this book, class representatives are shown with stars.
354 Chapter Five. Similarity
. . .?
???????
?
We are developing a canonical form for representatives of the similarity classes.
We naturally try to build on our previous work, meaning rst that the partial
identity matrices should represent the similarity classes into which they fall,
and beyond that, that the representatives should be as simple as possible. The
simplest extension of the partial-identity form is a diagonal form.
2.1 Denition A transformation is diagonalizable if it has a diagonal repre-
sentation with respect to the same basis for the codomain as for the domain.
Adiagonalizable matrix is one that is similar to a diagonal matrix: Tis diag-
onalizable if there is a nonsingular Psuch thatPTP 1is diagonal.
2.2 Example The matrix4 2
1 1
is diagonalizable.
2 0
0 3
= 1 2
1 14 2
1 1 1 2
1 1 1
2.3 Example Not every matrix is diagonalizable. The square of
N=0 0
1 0
is the zero matrix. Thus, for any map nthatNrepresents (with respect to the
same basis for the domain as for the codomain), the composition nnis the
zero map. This implies that no such map ncan be diagonally represented (with
respect to any B;B) because no power of a nonzero diagonal matrix is zero.
That is, there is no diagonal matrix in N's similarity class.
That example shows that a diagonal form will not do for a canonical form |
we cannot nd a diagonal matrix in each matrix similarity class. However, the
canonical form that we are developing has the property that if a matrix can
be diagonalized then the diagonal matrix is the canonical representative of the
similarity class. The next result characterizes which maps can be diagonalized.
2.4 Corollary A transformation tis diagonalizable if and only if there is a
basisB=h~1;:::;~niand scalars 1;:::;nsuch thatt(~i) =i~ifor eachi.
Proof .This follows from the denition by considering a diagonal representation
matrix.
RepB;B(t) =0
BB@......
RepB(t(~1)) RepB(t(~n))
......1
CCA=0
B@1 0
.........
0 n1
CA
Section II. Similarity 355
This representation is equivalent to the existence of a basis satisfying the stated
conditions simply by the denition of matrix representation. QED
2.5 Example To diagonalize
T=3 2
0 1
we take it as the representation of a transformation with respect to the standard
basisT= RepE2;E2(t) and we look for a basis B=h~1;~2isuch that
RepB;B(t) =10
02
that is, such that t(~1) =1~1andt(~2) =2~2.
3 2
0 1
~1=1~13 2
0 1
~2=2~2
We are looking for scalars xsuch that this equation
3 2
0 1b1
b2
=xb1
b2
has solutions b1andb2, which are not both zero. Rewrite that as a linear system.
(3 x)b1+ 2b2= 0
(1 x)b2= 0()
In the bottom equation the two numbers multiply to give zero only if at least
one of them is zero so there are two possibilities, b2= 0 andx= 1. In the b2= 0
possibility, the rst equation gives that either b1= 0 orx= 3. Since the case
of bothb1= 0 andb2= 0 is disallowed, we are left looking at the possibility of
x= 3. With it, the rst equation in ( ) is 0b1+ 2b2= 0 and so associated
with 3 are vectors with a second component of zero and a rst component that
is free. 3 2
0 1b1
0
= 3b1
0
That is, one solution to ( ) is1= 3, and we have a rst basis vector.
~1=1
0
In thex= 1 possibility, the rst equation in ( ) is 2b1+ 2b2= 0, and so
associated with 1 are vectors whose second component is the negative of their
rst component.3 2
0 1b1
b1
= 1b1
b1
356 Chapter Five. Similarity
Thus, another solution is 2= 1 and a second basis vector is this.
~2=1
1
To nish, drawing the similarity diagram
R2
w.r.t.E2t !
TR2
w.r.t.E2
id??y id??y
R2
w.r.t.Bt !
DR2
w.r.t.B
and noting that the matrix RepB;E2(id) is easy leads to this diagonalization.
3 0
0 1
=1 1
0 1 13 2
0 11 1
0 1
In the next subsection, we will expand on that example by considering more
closely the property of Corollary 2.4. This includes seeing another way, the way
that we will routinely use, to nd the 's.
Exercises
X2.6Repeat Example 2.5 for the matrix from Example 2.2.
2.7Diagonalize these upper triangular matrices.
(a) 2 1
0 2
(b)5 4
0 1
X2.8What form do the powers of a diagonal matrix have?
2.9Give two same-sized diagonal matrices that are not similar. Must any two
dierent diagonal matrices come from dierent similarity classes?
2.10 Give a nonsingular diagonal matrix. Can a diagonal matrix ever be singular?
X2.11 Show that the inverse of a diagonal matrix is the diagonal of the the inverses,
if no element on that diagonal is zero. What happens when a diagonal entry is
zero?
2.12 The equation ending Example 2.51 1
0 1 13 2
0 11 1
0 1
=3 0
0 1
is a bit jarring because for Pwe must take the rst matrix, which is shown as an
inverse, and for P 1we take the inverse of the rst matrix, so that the two 1
powers cancel and this matrix is shown without a superscript 1.
(a)Check that this nicer-appearing equation holds.3 0
0 1
=1 1
0 13 2
0 11 1
0 1 1
(b)Is the previous item a coincidence? Or can we always switch the Pand the
P 1?
2.13 Show that the Pused to diagonalize in Example 2.5 is not unique.
2.14 Find a formula for the powers of this matrix Hint: see Exercise 8. 3 1
4 2
X2.15 Diagonalize these.
Section II. Similarity 357
(a)1 1
0 0
(b)0 1
1 0
2.16 We can ask how diagonalization interacts with the matrix operations. Assume
thatt;s:V!Vare each diagonalizable. Is ctdiagonalizable for all scalars c?
What about t+s?ts?
X2.17 Show that matrices of this form are not diagonalizable.
1c
0 1
c6= 0
2.18 Show that each of these is diagonalizable.
(a)1 2
2 1
(b)x y
y z
x;y;z scalars
II.3 Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors
In this subsection we will focus on the property of Corollary 2.4.
3.1 Denition A transformation t:V!Vhas a scalar eigenvalueif there
is a nonzero eigenvector ~2Vsuch thatt(~) =~.
(\Eigen" is German for \characteristic of" or \peculiar to"; some authors call
these characteristic values and vectors. No authors call them \peculiar".)
3.2 Example The projection map
0
@x
y
z1
A7 !0
@x
y
01
Ax;y;z2C
has an eigenvalue of 1 associated with any eigenvector of the form
0
@x
y
01
A
wherexandyare non-0 scalars. On the other hand, 2 is not an eigenvalue of
since no non- ~0 vector is doubled.
That example shows why the `non- ~0' appears in the denition. Disallowing
~0 as an eigenvector eliminates trivial eigenvalues. (Note, however, that a matrix
can have an eigenvalue = 0.)
3.3 Example The only transformation on the trivial space f~0gis~07!~0. This
map has no eigenvalues because there are no non- ~0 vectors~ vmapped to a scalar
multiple~ vof themselves.
358 Chapter Five. Similarity
3.4 Example Consider the homomorphism t:P1!P 1given byc0+c1x7!
(c0+c1) + (c0+c1)x. The range of tis one-dimensional. Thus an application of
tto a vector in the range will simply rescale that vector: c+cx7!(2c) + (2c)x.
That is,thas an eigenvalue of 2 associated with eigenvectors of the form c+cx
wherec6= 0.
This map also has an eigenvalue of 0 associated with eigenvectors of the form
c cxwherec6= 0.
3.5 Denition A square matrix Thas a scalar eigenvalueassociated with
the non-~0eigenvector ~ifT~=~.
3.6 Remark Although this extension from maps to matrices is obvious, there
is a point that must be made. Eigenvalues of a map are also the eigenvalues of
matrices representing that map, and so similar matrices have the same eigen-
values. But the eigenvectors are dierent | similar matrices need not have the
same eigenvectors.
For instance, consider again the transformation t:P1!P 1given byc0+
c1x7!(c0+c1)+(c0+c1)x. It has an eigenvalue of 2 associated with eigenvectors
of the form c+cxwherec6= 0. If we represent twith respect to B=h1 +
1x;1 1xi
T= RepB;B(t) =2 0
0 0
then 2 is an eigenvalue of T, associated with these eigenvectors.
f
c0
c1
2 0
0 0
c0
c1
=
2c0
2c1
g=f
c0
0c02C; c06= 0g
On the other hand, representing twith respect to D=h2 + 1x;1 + 0xigives
S= RepD;D(t) =3 1
3 1
and the eigenvectors of Sassociated with the eigenvalue 2 are these.
fc0
c13 1
3 1c0
c1
=2c0
2c1
g=f0
c1c12C; c16= 0g
Thus similar matrices can have dierent eigenvectors.
Here is an informal description of what's happening. The underlying trans-
formation doubles the eigenvectors ~ v7!2~ v. But when the matrix representing
the transformation is T= RepB;B(t) then it \assumes" that column vectors are
representations with respect to B. In contrast, S= RepD;D(t) \assumes" that
column vectors are representations with respect to D. So the vectors that get
doubled by each matrix look dierent.
The next example illustrates the basic tool for nding eigenvectors and eigen-
values.
Section II. Similarity 359
3.7 Example What are the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of this matrix?
T=0
@1 2 1
2 0 2
1 2 31
A
To nd the scalars xsuch thatT~=x~for non-~0 eigenvectors ~, bring every-
thing to the left-hand side
0
@1 2 1
2 0 2
1 2 31
A0
@z1
z2
z31
A x0
@z1
z2
z31
A=~0
and factor ( T xI)~=~0. (Note that it says T xI; the expression T xdoesn't
make sense because Tis a matrix while xis a scalar.) This homogeneous linear
system0
@1 x 2 1
2 0 x 2
1 2 3 x1
A0
@z1
z2
z31
A=0
@0
0
01
A
has a non-~0 solution if and only if the matrix is singular. We can determine
when that happens.
0 =jT xIj
=1 x 2 1
2 0 x 2
1 2 3 x
=x3 4x2+ 4x
=x(x 2)2
The eigenvalues are 1= 0 and2= 2. To nd the associated eigenvectors,
plug in each eigenvalue. Plugging in 1= 0 gives
0
@1 0 2 1
2 0 0 2
1 2 3 01
A0
@z1
z2
z31
A=0
@0
0
01
A =)0
@z1
z2
z31
A=0
@a
a
a1
A
for a scalar parameter a6= 0 (ais non-0 because eigenvectors must be non- ~0).
In the same way, plugging in 2= 2 gives
0
@1 2 2 1
2 0 2 2
1 2 3 21
A0
@z1
z2
z31
A=0
@0
0
01
A =)0
@z1
z2
z31
A=0
@b
0
b1
A
withb6= 0.
360 Chapter Five. Similarity
3.8 Example If
S=1
0 3
(hereis not a projection map, it is the number 3 :14:::) then
x 1
0 3 x= (x )(x 3)
soShas eigenvalues of 1=and2= 3. To nd associated eigenvectors, rst
plug in1forx:
1
0 3 z1
z2
=0
0
=)z1
z2
=a
0
for a scalar a6= 0, and then plug in 2:
3 1
0 3 3z1
z2
=0
0
=)z1
z2
= b=( 3)
b
whereb6= 0.
3.9 Denition The characteristic polynomial of a square matrix Tis the
determinant of the matrix T xI, wherexis a variable. The characteristic
equation isjT xIj= 0. The characteristic polynomial of a transformation t
is the polynomial of any RepB;B(t).
Exercise 30 checks that the characteristic polynomial of a transformation is
well-dened, that is, any choice of basis yields the same polynomial.
3.10 Lemma A linear transformation on a nontrivial vector space has at least
one eigenvalue.
Proof .Any root of the characteristic polynomial is an eigenvalue. Over the
complex numbers, any polynomial of degree one or greater has a root. (This is
the reason that in this chapter we've gone to scalars that are complex.) QED
Notice the familiar form of the sets of eigenvectors in the above examples.
3.11 Denition The eigenspace of a transformation tassociated with the
eigenvalueisV=f~t(~) =~g. The eigenspace of a matrix is dened
analogously.
3.12 Lemma An eigenspace is a subspace.
Proof .An eigenspace must be nonempty | for one thing it contains the zero
vector since a. linear transformation maps the zero vector to the zero vector.
Section II. Similarity 361
Thus we need only check closure. Take vectors ~1;:::;~nfromV, to show that
any linear combination is in V
t(c1~1+c2~2++cn~n) =c1t(~1) ++cnt(~n)
=c1~1++cn~n
=(c1~1++cn~n)
(the second equality holds even if any ~iis~0 sincet(~0) =~0 =~0). QED
3.13 Example In Example 3.8 the eigenspace associated with the eigenvalue
and the eigenspace associated with the eigenvalue 3 are these.
V=fa
0a2RgV3=f b= 3
bb2Rg
3.14 Example In Example 3.7, these are the eigenspaces associated with the
eigenvalues 0 and 2.
V0=f0
@a
a
a1
Aa2Rg; V 2=f0
@b
0
b1
Ab2Rg:
3.15 Remark The characteristic equation is 0 = x(x 2)2so in some sense 2 is
an eigenvalue \twice". However there are not \twice" as many eigenvectors, in
that the dimension of the eigenspace is one, not two. The next example shows
a case where a number, 1, is a double root of the characteristic equation and
the dimension of the associated eigenspace is two.
3.16 Example With respect to the standard bases, this matrix
0
@1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 01
A
represents projection.
0
@x
y
z1
A7 !0
@x
y
01
Ax;y;z2C
Its eigenspace associated with the eigenvalue 0 and its eigenspace associated
with the eigenvalue 1 are easy to nd.
V0=f0
@0
0
c31
Ac32CgV1=f0
@c1
c2
01
Ac1;c22Cg
362 Chapter Five. Similarity
By the lemma, if two eigenvectors ~ v1and~ v2are associated with the same
eigenvalue then any linear combination of those two is also an eigenvector as-
sociated with that same eigenvalue. But, if two eigenvectors ~ v1and~ v2are
associated with dierent eigenvalues then the sum ~ v1+~ v2need not be related
to the eigenvalue of either one. In fact, just the opposite. If the eigenvalues are
dierent then the eigenvectors are not linearly related.
3.17 Theorem For any set of distinct eigenvalues of a map or matrix, a set
of associated eigenvectors, one per eigenvalue, is linearly independent.
Proof .We will use induction on the number of eigenvalues. If there is no eigen-
value or only one eigenvalue then the set of associated eigenvectors is empty or is
a singleton set with a non- ~0 member, and in either case is linearly independent.
For induction, assume that the theorem is true for any set of kdistinct eigen-
values, suppose that 1;:::;k+1are distinct eigenvalues, and let ~ v1;:::;~ vk+1
be associated eigenvectors. If c1~ v1++ck~ vk+ck+1~ vk+1=~0 then after multi-
plying both sides of the displayed equation by k+1, applying the map or matrix
to both sides of the displayed equation, and subtracting the rst result from the
second, we have this.
c1(k+1 1)~ v1++ck(k+1 k)~ vk+ck+1(k+1 k+1)~ vk+1=~0
The induction hypothesis now applies: c1(k+1 1) = 0;:::;ck(k+1 k) = 0.
Thus, as all the eigenvalues are distinct, c1; :::; ckare all 0. Finally, now ck+1
must be 0 because we are left with the equation ~ vk+16=~0. QED
3.18 Example The eigenvalues of
0
@2 2 2
0 1 1
4 8 31
A
are distinct: 1= 1,2= 2, and3= 3. A set of associated eigenvectors like
f0
@2
1
01
A;0
@9
4
41
A;0
@2
1
21
Ag
is linearly independent.
3.19 Corollary Annnmatrix with ndistinct eigenvalues is diagonalizable.
Proof .Form a basis of eigenvectors. Apply Corollary 2.4. QED
Exercises
3.20 For each, nd the characteristic polynomial and the eigenvalues.
Section II. Similarity 363
(a)10 9
4 2
(b)1 2
4 3
(c)0 3
7 0
(d)0 0
0 0
(e)1 0
0 1
X3.21 For each matrix, nd the characteristic equation, and the eigenvalues and
associated eigenvectors.
(a)3 0
8 1
(b)3 2
1 0
3.22 Find the characteristic equation, and the eigenvalues and associated eigenvec-
tors for this matrix. Hint. The eigenvalues are complex. 2 1
5 2
3.23 Find the characteristic polynomial, the eigenvalues, and the associated eigen-
vectors of this matrix. 0
@1 1 1
0 0 1
0 0 11
A
X3.24 For each matrix, nd the characteristic equation, and the eigenvalues and
associated eigenvectors.
(a)0
@3 2 0
2 3 0
0 0 51
A (b)0
@0 1 0
0 0 1
4 17 81
A
X3.25 Lett:P2!P 2be
a0+a1x+a2x27!(5a0+ 6a1+ 2a2) (a1+ 8a2)x+ (a0 2a2)x2:
Find its eigenvalues and the associated eigenvectors.
3.26 Find the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of this map t:M2!M 2.a b
c d
7!2c a +c
b 2c d
X3.27 Find the eigenvalues and associated eigenvectors of the dierentiation operator
d=dx :P3!P 3.
3.28 Prove that the eigenvalues of a triangular matrix (upper or lower triangular)
are the entries on the diagonal.
X3.29 Find the formula for the characteristic polynomial of a 2 2 matrix.
3.30 Prove that the characteristic polynomial of a transformation is well-dened.
X3.31 (a) Can any non- ~0 vector in any nontrivial vector space be a eigenvector?
That is, given a ~ v6=~0 from a nontrivial V, is there a transformation t:V!V
and a scalar 2Rsuch thatt(~ v) =~ v?
(b)Given a scalar , can any non- ~0 vector in any nontrivial vector space be an
eigenvector associated with the eigenvalue ?
X3.32 Suppose that t:V!VandT= RepB;B(t). Prove that the eigenvectors of T
associated with are the non- ~0 vectors in the kernel of the map represented (with
respect to the same bases) by T I.
3.33 Prove that if a;:::; d are all integers and a+b=c+dthena b
c d
has integral eigenvalues, namely a+banda c.
364 Chapter Five. Similarity
X3.34 Prove that if Tis nonsingular and has eigenvalues 1;:::;nthenT 1has
eigenvalues 1 =1;:::; 1=n. Is the converse true?
X3.35 Suppose that Tisnnandc;dare scalars.
(a)Prove that if Thas the eigenvalue with an associated eigenvector ~ vthen~ v
is an eigenvector of cT+dIassociated with eigenvalue c+d.
(b)Prove that if Tis diagonalizable then so is cT+dI.
X3.36 Show thatis an eigenvalue of Tif and only if the map represented by T I
is not an isomorphism.
3.37 [Strang 80]
(a)Show that if is an eigenvalue of Athenkis an eigenvalue of Ak.
(b)What is wrong with this proof generalizing that? \If is an eigenvalue of A
andis an eigenvalue for B, thenis an eigenvalue for AB, for, ifA~ x=~ x
andB~ x=~ xthenAB~ x =A~ x =A~ x =~ x"?
3.38 Do matrix-equivalent matrices have the same eigenvalues?
3.39 Show that a square matrix with real entries and an odd number of rows has
at least one real eigenvalue.
3.40 Diagonalize.0
@ 1 2 2
2 2 2
3 6 61
A
3.41 Suppose that Pis a nonsingular nnmatrix. Show that the similarity trans-
formation maptP:Mnn!MnnsendingT7!PTP 1is an isomorphism.
?3.42 Show that if Ais annsquare matrix and each row (column) sums to cthen
cis a characteristic root of A. [Math. Mag., Nov. 1967]
Section III. Nilpotence 365
III Nilpotence
The goal of this chapter is to show that every square matrix is similar to one
that is a sum of two kinds of simple matrices. The prior section focused on the
rst simple kind, diagonal matrices. We now consider the other kind.
III.1 Self-Composition
This subsection is optional, although it is necessary for later material in this
section and in the next one.
A linear transformations t:V!V, because it has the same domain and
codomain, can be iterated.That is, compositions of twith itself such as t2=tt
andt3=tttare dened.
~ v
t(~ v)
t2(~ v)
Note that this power notation for the linear transformation functions dovetails
with the notation that we've used earlier for their square matrix representations
because if RepB;B(t) =Tthen RepB;B(tj) =Tj.
1.1 Example For the derivative map d=dx :P3!P 3given by
a+bx+cx2+dx3d=dx7 !b+ 2cx+ 3dx2
the second power is the second derivative
a+bx+cx2+dx3d2=dx2
7 ! 2c+ 6dx
the third power is the third derivative
a+bx+cx2+dx3d3=dx3
7 ! 6d
and any higher power is the zero map.
1.2 Example This transformation of the space of 2 2 matrices
a b
c d
t7 !b a
d0
More information on function interation is in the appendix.
366 Chapter Five. Similarity
has this second powera b
c d
t2
7 !a b
0 0
and this third power.a b
c d
t3
7 !b a
0 0
After that, t4=t2andt5=t3, etc.
These examples suggest that on iteration more and more zeros appear until
there is a settling down. The next result makes this precise.
1.3 Lemma For any transformation t:V!V, the rangespaces of the powers
form a descending chain
VR(t)R(t2)
and the nullspaces form an ascending chain.
f~0gN(t)N(t2)
Further, there is a ksuch that for powers less than kthe subsets are proper (if
j <k thenR(tj)R(tj+1) andN(tj)N(tj+1)), while for powers greater
thankthe sets are equal (if jkthenR(tj) =R(tj+1) andN(tj) =N(tj+1)).
Proof .We will do the rangespace half and leave the rest for Exercise 13. Recall,
however, that for any map the dimension of its rangespace plus the dimension
of its nullspace equals the dimension of its domain. So if the rangespaces shrink
then the nullspaces must grow.
That the rangespaces form chains is clear because if ~ w2R(tj+1), so that
~ w=tj+1(~ v), then~ w=tj(t(~ v) ) and so~ w2R(tj). To verify the \further"
property, rst observe that if any pair of rangespaces in the chain are equal
R(tk) =R(tk+1) then all subsequent ones are also equal R(tk+1) =R(tk+2),
etc. This is because if t:R(tk+1)!R(tk+2) is the same map, with the same
domain, as t:R(tk)!R(tk+1) and it therefore has the same range: R(tk+1) =
R(tk+2) (and induction shows that it holds for all higher powers). So if the
chain of rangespaces ever stops being strictly decreasing then it is stable from
that point onward.
But the chain must stop decreasing. Each rangespace is a subspace of the one
before it. For it to be a proper subspace it must be of strictly lower dimension
(see Exercise 11). These spaces are nite-dimensional and so the chain can fall
for only nitely-many steps, that is, the power kis at most the dimension of
V. QED
1.4 Example The derivative map a+bx+cx2+dx3d=dx7 !b+ 2cx+ 3dx2of
Example 1.1 has this chain of rangespaces
P3P 2P 1P 0f~0g=f~0g=
Section III. Nilpotence 367
and this chain of nullspaces.
f~0gP 0P 1P 2P 3=P3=
1.5 Example The transformation :C3!C3projecting onto the rst two
coordinates 0
@c1
c2
c31
A7 !0
@c1
c2
01
A
hasC3R() =R(2) =andf~0gN() =N(2) =.
1.6 Example Lett:P2!P 2be the map c0+c1x+c2x27!2c0+c2x:As the
lemma describes, on iteration the rangespace shrinks
R(t0) =P2R(t) =fa+bxa;b2CgR(t2) =faa2Cg
and then stabilizes R(t2) =R(t3) =, while the nullspace grows
N(t0) =f0gN(t) =fcxc2CgN(t2) =fcx+dc;d2Cg
and then stabilizes N(t2) =N(t3) =.
This graph illustrates Lemma 1.3. The horizontal axis gives the power j
of a transformation. The vertical axis gives the dimension of the rangespace
oftjas the distance above zero | and thus also shows the dimension of the
nullspace as the distance below the gray horizontal line, because the two add to
the dimension nof the domain.
012jnn
rank(tj)
Powerjof the transformation
As sketched, on iteration the rank falls and with it the nullity grows until the
two reach a steady state. This state must be reached by the n-th iterate. The
steady state's distance above zero is the dimension of the generalized rangespace
and its distance below nis the dimension of the generalized nullspace.
1.7 Denition Lettbe a transformation on an n-dimensional space. The
generalized rangespace (or the closure of the rangespace ) isR1(t) =R(tn)
The generalized nullspace (or the closure of the nullspace ) isN1(t) =N(tn).
368 Chapter Five. Similarity
Exercises
1.8Give the chains of rangespaces and nullspaces for the zero and identity trans-
formations.
1.9For each map, give the chain of rangespaces and the chain of nullspaces, and
the generalized rangespace and the generalized nullspace.
(a)t0:P2!P 2,a+bx+cx27!b+cx2
(b)t1:R2!R2,a
b
7!0
a
(c)t2:P2!P 2,a+bx+cx27!b+cx+ax2
(d)t3:R3!R3,0
@a
b
c1
A7!0
@a
a
b1
A
1.10 Prove that function composition is associative ( tt)t=t(tt) and so we
can writet3without specifying a grouping.
1.11 Check that a subspace must be of dimension less than or equal to the dimen-
sion of its superspace. Check that if the subspace is proper (the subspace does not
equal the superspace) then the dimension is strictly less. (This is used in the proof
of Lemma 1.3.)
1.12 Prove that the generalized rangespace R1(t) is the entire space, and the
generalized nullspace N1(t) is trivial, if the transformation tis nonsingular. Is
this `only if' also?
1.13 Verify the nullspace half of Lemma 1.3.
1.14 Give an example of a transformation on a three dimensional space whose
range has dimension two. What is its nullspace? Iterate your example until the
rangespace and nullspace stabilize.
1.15 Show that the rangespace and nullspace of a linear transformation need not
be disjoint. Are they ever disjoint?
III.2 Strings
This subsection is optional, and requires material from the optional Direct Sum
subsection.
The prior subsection shows that as jincreases, the dimensions of the R(tj)'s
fall while the dimensions of the N(tj)'s rise, in such a way that this rank and
nullity split the dimension of V. Can we say more; do the two split a basis | is
V=R(tj)N(tj)?
The answer is yes for the smallest power j= 0 sinceV=R(t0)N(t0) =
Vf~0g. The answer is also yes at the other extreme.
2.1 Lemma Wheret:V!Vis a linear transformation, the space is the direct
sumV=R1(t)N1(t). That is, both dim( V) = dim( R1(t)) + dim( N1(t))
andR1(t)\N1(t) =f~0g.
Section III. Nilpotence 369
Proof .We will verify the second sentence, which is equivalent to the rst. The
rst clause, that the dimension nof the domain of tnequals the rank of tnplus
the nullity of tn, holds for any transformation and so we need only verify the
second clause.
Assume that ~ v2R1(t)\N1(t) =R(tn)\N(tn), to prove that ~ vis~0.
Because~ vis in the nullspace, tn(~ v) =~0. On the other hand, because R(tn) =
R(tn+1), the mapt:R1(t)!R1(t) is a dimension-preserving homomorphism
and therefore is one-to-one. A composition of one-to-one maps is one-to-one,
and sotn:R1(t)!R1(t) is one-to-one. But now | because only ~0 is sent by
a one-to-one linear map to ~0 | the fact that tn(~ v) =~0 implies that ~ v=~0.QED
2.2 Note Technically we should distinguish the map t:V!Vfrom the map
t:R1(t)!R1(t) because the domains or codomains might dier. The second
one is said to be the restrictionofttoR(tk). We shall use later a point from
that proof about the restriction map, namely that it is nonsingular.
In contrast to the j= 0 andj=ncases, for intermediate powers the space
Vmight not be the direct sum of R(tj) andN(tj). The next example shows
that the two can have a nontrivial intersection.
2.3 Example Consider the transformation of C2dened by this action on the
elements of the standard basis.
1
0
n7 !0
1 0
1
n7 !0
0
N= RepE2;E2(n) =0 0
1 0
The vector
~ e2=
0
1
is in both the rangespace and nullspace. Another way to depict this map's
action is with a string .
~ e17!~ e27!~0
2.4 Example A map ^n:C4!C4whose action onE4is given by the string
~ e17!~ e27!~ e37!~ e47!~0
hasR(^n)\N(^n) equal to the span [ f~ e4g], hasR(^n2)\N(^n2) = [f~ e3;~ e4g], and
hasR(^n3)\N(^n3) = [f~ e4g]. The matrix representation is all zeros except for
some subdiagonal ones.
^N= RepE4;E4(^n) =0
BB@0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0
0 1 0 0
0 0 1 01
CCA
More information on map restrictions is in the appendix.
370 Chapter Five. Similarity
2.5 Example Transformations can act via more than one string. A transfor-
mationtacting on a basis B=h~1;:::;~5iby
~17!~27!~37!~0
~47!~57!~0
is represented by a matrix that is all zeros except for blocks of subdiagonal ones
RepB;B(t) =0
BBBB@0 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 0
0 1 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 01
CCCCA
(the lines just visually organize the blocks).
In those three examples all vectors are eventually transformed to zero.
2.6 Denition Anilpotent transformation is one with a power that is the
zero map. A nilpotent matrix is one with a power that is the zero matrix. In
either case, the least such power is the index of nilpotency .
2.7 Example In Example 2.3 the index of nilpotency is two. In Example 2.4
it is four. In Example 2.5 it is three.
2.8 Example The dierentiation map d=dx :P2!P 2is nilpotent of index
three since the third derivative of any quadratic polynomial is zero. This map's
action is described by the string x27!2x7!27!0 and taking the basis
B=hx2;2x;2igives this representation.
RepB;B(d=dx ) =0
@0 0 0
1 0 0
0 1 01
A
Not all nilpotent matrices are all zeros except for blocks of subdiagonal ones.
2.9 Example With the matrix ^Nfrom Example 2.4, and this four-vector basis
D=h0
BB@1
0
1
01
CCA;0
BB@0
2
1
01
CCA;0
BB@1
1
1
01
CCA;0
BB@0
0
0
11
CCAi
a change of basis operation produces this representation with respect to D;D .
0
BB@1 0 1 0
0 2 1 0
1 1 1 0
0 0 0 11
CCA0
BB@0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0
0 1 0 0
0 0 1 01
CCA0
BB@1 0 1 0
0 2 1 0
1 1 1 0
0 0 0 11
CCA 1
=0
BB@ 1 0 1 0
3 2 5 0
2 1 3 0
2 1 2 01
CCA
Section III. Nilpotence 371
The new matrix is nilpotent; it's fourth power is the zero matrix since
(P^NP 1)4=P^NP 1P^NP 1P^NP 1P^NP 1=P^N4P 1
and ^N4is the zero matrix.
The goal of this subsection is Theorem 2.13, which shows that the prior
example is prototypical in that every nilpotent matrix is similar to one that is
all zeros except for blocks of subdiagonal ones.
2.10 Denition Lettbe a nilpotent transformation on V. At-string gener-
ated by~ v2Vis a sequenceh~ v;t(~ v);:::;tk 1(~ v)i. This sequence has lengthk.
At-string basis is a basis that is a concatenation of t-strings.
2.11 Example In Example 2.5, the t-stringsh~1;~2;~3iandh~4;~5i, of length
three and two, can be concatenated to make a basis for the domain of t.
2.12 Lemma If a space has a t-string basis then the longest string in it has
length equal to the index of nilpotency of t.
Proof .Suppose not. Those strings cannot be longer; if the index is kthen
tksends any vector | including those starting the string | to ~0. So suppose
instead that there is a transformation tof indexkon some space, such that
the space has a t-string basis where all of the strings are shorter than length
k. Becausethas indexk, there is a vector ~ vsuch thattk 1(~ v)6=~0. Represent
~ vas a linear combination of basis elements and apply tk 1. We are supposing
thattk 1sends each basis element to ~0 but that it does not send ~ vto~0. That
is impossible. QED
We shall show that every nilpotent map has an associated string basis. Then
our goal theorem, that every nilpotent matrix is similar to one that is all zeros
except for blocks of subdiagonal ones, is immediate, as in Example 2.5.
Looking for a counterexample, a nilpotent map without an associated string
basis that is disjoint, will suggest the idea for the proof. Consider the map
t:C5!C5with this action.
~ e1
~ e27!
7!~ e37!~0
~ e47!~ e57!~0RepE5;E5(t) =0
BBBB@0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
1 1 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 01
CCCCA
Even after ommitting the zero vector, these three strings aren't disjoint, but
that doesn't end hope of nding a t-string basis. It only means that E5will not
do for the string basis.
To nd a basis that will do, we rst nd the number and lengths of its
strings. Since t's index of nilpotency is two, Lemma 2.12 says that at least one
372 Chapter Five. Similarity
string in the basis has length two. Thus the map must act on a string basis in
one of these two ways.
~17!~27!~0
~37!~47!~0
~57!~0~17!~27!~0
~37!~0
~47!~0
~57!~0
Now, the key point. A transformation with the left-hand action has a nullspace
of dimension three since that's how many basis vectors are sent to zero. A
transformation with the right-hand action has a nullspace of dimension four.
Using the matrix representation above, calculation of t's nullspace
N(t) =f0
BBBB@x
x
z
0
r1
CCCCAx;z;r2Cg
shows that it is three-dimensional, meaning that we want the left-hand action.
To produce a string basis, rst pick ~2and~4fromR(t)\N(t)
~2=0
BBBB@0
0
1
0
01
CCCCA~4=0
BBBB@0
0
0
0
11
CCCCA
(other choices are possible, just be sure that f~2;~4gis linearly independent).
For~5pick a vector from N(t) that is not in the span of f~2;~4g.
~5=0
BBBB@1
1
0
0
01
CCCCA
Finally, take ~1and~3such thatt(~1) =~2andt(~3) =~4.
~1=0
BBBB@0
1
0
0
01
CCCCA~3=0
BBBB@0
0
0
1
01
CCCCA
Section III. Nilpotence 373
Now, with respect to B=h~1;:::;~5i, the matrix of tis as desired.
RepB;B(t) =0
BBBB@0 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 1 0 0
0 0 0 0 01
CCCCA
2.13 Theorem Any nilpotent transformation tis associated with a t-string
basis. While the basis is not unique, the number and the length of the strings
is determined by t.
Proof .This illustrates the argument below, which describes three kinds of basis
vectors (these basis vectors are shown as squares or circles, according to whether
they are in the nullspace or not).
k37!k17! 7! k17!17!~0
k37!k17! 7!k17!17!~0
...
k37!k17! 7!k17!17!~0
27!~0...
27!~0
Fix a vector space V; we will argue by induction on the index of nilpotency
oft:V!V. If that index is 1 then tis the zero map and any basis is a string
basis~17!~0, . . . ,~n7!~0. For the inductive step, assume that the theorem
holds for any transformation with an index of nilpotency between 1 and k 1
and consider the index kcase.
First observe that the restriction to the rangespace t:R(t)!R(t) is also
nilpotent, of index k 1. Apply the inductive hypothesis to get a string basis
forR(t), where the number and length of the strings is determined by t.
B=h~1;t(~1);:::;th1(~1)i_h~2;:::;th2(~2)i__h~i;:::;thi(~i)i
(In the illustration these are the basis vectors of kind 1, so there are istrings
shown with this kind of basis vector.)
Second, note that taking the nal nonzero vector in each string gives a basis
C=hth1(~1);:::;thi(~i)iforR(t)\N(t). (These are illustrated with 1's in
squares.) For, a member of R(t) is mapped to zero if and only if it is a linear
combination of those basis vectors that are mapped to zero. Extend Cto a
basis for all of N(t).
^C=C_h~1;:::;~pi
(The~'s are the vectors of kind 2 so that ^Cis the set of squares.) While many
choices are possible for the ~'s, their number pis determined by the map tas it
is the dimension of N(t) minus the dimension of R(t)\N(t).
374 Chapter Five. Similarity
Finally,B_^Cis a basis for R(t)+N(t) because any sum of something in the
rangespace with something in the nullspace can be represented using elements
ofBfor the rangespace part and elements of ^Cfor the part from the nullspace.
Note that
dim
R(t) +N(t)
= dim(R(t)) + dim( N(t)) dim(R(t)\N(t))
= rank(t) + nullity(t) i
= dim(V) i
and soB_^Ccan be extended to a basis for all of Vby the addition of imore
vectors. Specically, remember that each of ~1;:::;~iis inR(t), and extend
B_^Cwith vectors ~ v1;:::;~ visuch thatt(~ v1) =~1;:::;t (~ vi) =~i. (In the
illustration, these are the 3's.) The check that linear independence is preserved
by this extension is Exercise 29. QED
2.14 Corollary Every nilpotent matrix is similar to a matrix that is all zeros
except for blocks of subdiagonal ones. That is, every nilpotent map is repre-
sented with respect to some basis by such a matrix.
This form is unique in the sense that if a nilpotent matrix is similar to two
such matrices then those two simply have their blocks ordered dierently. Thus
this is a canonical form for the similarity classes of nilpotent matrices provided
that we order the blocks, say, from longest to shortest.
2.15 Example The matrix
M=1 1
1 1
has an index of nilpotency of two, as this calculation shows.
pMpN(Mp)
1M=
1 1
1 1
f
x
xx2Cg
2M2=0 0
0 0
C2
The calculation also describes how a map mrepresented by Mmust act on any
string basis. With one map application the nullspace has dimension one and so
one vector of the basis is sent to zero. On a second application, the nullspace
has dimension two and so the other basis vector is sent to zero. Thus, the action
of the map is ~17!~27!~0 and the canonical form of the matrix is this.
0 0
1 0
We can exhibit such a m-string basis and the change of basis matrices wit-
nessing the matrix similarity. For the basis, take Mto represent mwith respect
Section III. Nilpotence 375
to the standard bases, pick a ~22N(m) and also pick a ~1so thatm(~1) =~2.
~2=1
1
~1=1
0
(If we take Mto be a representative with respect to some nonstandard bases
then this picking step is just more messy.) Recall the similarity diagram.
C2
w.r.t.E2m !
MC2
w.r.t.E2
id??yP id??yP
C2
w.r.t.Bm ! C2
w.r.t.B
The canonical form equals RepB;B(m) =PMP 1, where
P 1= RepB;E2(id) =1 1
0 1
P= (P 1) 1=1 1
0 1
and the verication of the matrix calculation is routine.
1 1
0 1
1 1
1 1
1 1
0 1
=0 0
1 0
2.16 Example The matrix
0
BBBB@0 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 0
1 1 1 1 1
0 1 0 0 0
1 0 1 1 11
CCCCA
is nilpotent. These calculations show the nullspaces growing.
p NpN(Np)
10
BBBB@0 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 0
1 1 1 1 1
0 1 0 0 0
1 0 1 1 11
CCCCAf0
BBBB@0
0
u v
u
v1
CCCCAu;v2Cg
20
BBBB@0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 01
CCCCAf0
BBBB@0
y
z
u
v1
CCCCAy;z;u;v2Cg
3 {zero matrix{ C5
That table shows that any string basis must satisfy: the nullspace after one map
application has dimension two so two basis vectors are sent directly to zero,
376 Chapter Five. Similarity
the nullspace after the second application has dimension four so two additional
basis vectors are sent to zero by the second iteration, and the nullspace after
three applications is of dimension ve so the nal basis vector is sent to zero in
three hops.
~17!~27!~37!~0
~47!~57!~0
To produce such a basis, rst pick two independent vectors from N(n)
~3=0
BBBB@0
0
1
1
01
CCCCA~5=0
BBBB@0
0
0
1
11
CCCCA
then add~2;~42N(n2) such that n(~2) =~3andn(~4) =~5
~2=0
BBBB@0
1
0
0
01
CCCCA~4=0
BBBB@0
1
0
1
01
CCCCA
and nish by adding ~12N(n3) =C5) such that n(~1) =~2.
~1=0
BBBB@1
0
1
0
01
CCCCA
Exercises
X2.17 What is the index of nilpotency of the left-shift operator, here acting on the
space of triples of reals?
(x;y;z )7!(0;x;y)
X2.18 For each string basis state the index of nilpotency and give the dimension of
the rangespace and nullspace of each iteration of the nilpotent map.
(a)~17!~27!~0
~37!~47!~0
(b)~17!~27!~37!~0
~47!~0
~57!~0
~67!~0
(c)~17!~27!~37!~0
Also give the canonical form of the matrix.
2.19 Decide which of these matrices are nilpotent.
Section III. Nilpotence 377
(a) 2 4
1 2
(b)3 1
1 3
(c)0
@ 3 2 1
3 2 1
3 2 11
A (d)0
@1 1 4
3 0 1
5 2 71
A
(e)0
@45 22 19
33 16 14
69 34 291
A
X2.20 Find the canonical form of this matrix.0
BBBB@0 1 1 0 1
0 0 1 1 1
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 01
CCCCA
X2.21 Consider the matrix from Example 2.16.
(a)Use the action of the map on the string basis to give the canonical form.
(b)Find the change of basis matrices that bring the matrix to canonical form.
(c)Use the answer in the prior item to check the answer in the rst item.
X2.22 Each of these matrices is nilpotent.
(a)1=2 1=2
1=2 1=2
(b)0
@0 0 0
0 1 1
0 1 11
A (c)0
@ 1 1 1
1 0 1
1 1 11
A
Put each in canonical form.
2.23 Describe the eect of left or right multiplication by a matrix that is in the
canonical form for nilpotent matrices.
2.24 Is nilpotence invariant under similarity? That is, must a matrix similar to a
nilpotent matrix also be nilpotent? If so, with the same index?
X2.25 Show that the only eigenvalue of a nilpotent matrix is zero.
2.26 Is there a nilpotent transformation of index three on a two-dimensional space?
2.27 In the proof of Theorem 2.13, why isn't the proof's base case that the index
of nilpotency is zero?
X2.28 Lett:V!Vbe a linear transformation and suppose ~ v2Vis such that
tk(~ v) =~0 buttk 1(~ v)6=~0. Consider the t-stringh~ v;t(~ v);:::;tk 1(~ v)i.
(a)Prove thattis a transformation on the span of the set of vectors in the string,
that is, prove that trestricted to the span has a range that is a subset of the
span. We say that the span is a t-invariant subspace.
(b)Prove that the restriction is nilpotent.
(c)Prove that the t-string is linearly independent and so is a basis for its span.
(d)Represent the restriction map with respect to the t-string basis.
2.29 Finish the proof of Theorem 2.13.
2.30 Show that the terms `nilpotent transformation' and `nilpotent matrix', as
given in Denition 2.6, t with each other: a map is nilpotent if and only if it is
represented by a nilpotent matrix. (Is it that a transformation is nilpotent if an
only if there is a basis such that the map's representation with respect to that
basis is a nilpotent matrix, or that any representation is a nilpotent matrix?)
2.31 LetTbe nilpotent of index four. How big can the rangespace of T3be?
2.32 Recall that similar matrices have the same eigenvalues. Show that the converse
does not hold.
2.33 Prove a nilpotent matrix is similar to one that is all zeros except for blocks of
super-diagonal ones.
378 Chapter Five. Similarity
X2.34 Prove that if a transformation has the same rangespace as nullspace. then the
dimension of its domain is even.
2.35 Prove that if two nilpotent matrices commute then their product and sum are
also nilpotent.
2.36 Consider the transformation of Mnngiven bytS(T) =ST TSwhereSis
annnmatrix. Prove that if Sis nilpotent then so is tS.
2.37 Show that if Nis nilpotent then I Nis invertible. Is that `only if' also?
Section IV. Jordan Form 379
IV Jordan Form
This section uses material from three optional subsections: Direct Sum, Deter-
minants Exist, and Other Formulas for the Determinant.
The chapter on linear maps shows that every h:V!Wcan be represented
by a partial-identity matrix with respect to some bases BVandDW.
This chapter revisits this issue in the special case that the map is a linear
transformation t:V!V. Of course, the general result still applies but with
the codomain and domain equal we naturally ask about having the two bases
also be equal. That is, we want a canonical form to represent transformations
as RepB;B(t).
After a brief review section, we began by noting that a block partial identity
form matrix is not always obtainable in this B;B case. We therefore considered
the natural generalization, diagonal matrices, and showed that if its eigenvalues
are distinct then a map or matrix can be diagonalized. But we also gave an
example of a matrix that cannot be diagonalized and in the section prior to this
one we developed that example. We showed that a linear map is nilpotent |
if we take higher and higher powers of the map or matrix then we eventually
get the zero map or matrix | if and only if there is a basis on which it acts via
disjoint strings. That led to a canonical form for nilpotent matrices.
Now, this section concludes the chapter. We will show that the two cases
we've studied are exhaustive in that for any linear transformation there is a
basis such that the matrix representation RepB;B(t) is the sum of a diagonal
matrix and a nilpotent matrix in its canonical form.
IV.1 Polynomials of Maps and Matrices
Recall that the set of square matrices is a vector space under entry-by-entry
addition and scalar multiplication and that this space Mnnhas dimension n2.
Thus, for any nnmatrixTthen2+1-member setfI;T;T2;:::;Tn2gis linearly
dependent and so there are scalars c0;:::;cn2such thatcn2Tn2++c1T+c0I
is the zero matrix.
1.1 Remark This observation is small but important. It says that every
transformation exhibits a generalized nilpotency: the powers of a square matrix
cannot climb forever without a \repeat".
1.2 Example Rotation of plane vectors =6 radians counterclockwise is rep-
resented with respect to the standard basis by
T=p
3=2 1=2
1=2p
3=2
and verifying that 0 T4+ 0T3+ 1T2 2T 1Iequals the zero matrix is easy.
380 Chapter Five. Similarity
1.3 Denition For any polynomial f(x) =cnxn++c1x+c0, wheretis a
linear transformation then f(t) is the transformation cntn++c1t+c0(id)
on the same space and where Tis a square matrix then f(T) is the matrix
cnTn++c1T+c0I.
1.4 Remark If, for instance, f(x) =x 3, then most authors write in the
identity matrix: f(T) =T 3I. But most authors don't write in the identity
map:f(t) =t 3. In this book we shall also observe this convention.
Of course, if T= RepB;B(t) thenf(T) = RepB;B(f(t)), which follows from
the relationships Tj= RepB;B(tj), andcT= RepB;B(ct), andT1+T2=
RepB;B(t1+t2).
As Example 1.2 shows, there may be polynomials of degree smaller than n2
that zero the map or matrix.
1.5 Denition The minimal polynomial m(x) of a transformation tor a
square matrix Tis the polynomial of least degree and with leading coecient
1 such that m(t) is the zero map or m(T) is the zero matrix.
A minimal polynomial always exists by the observation opening this subsec-
tion. A minimal polynomial is unique by the `with leading coecient 1' clause.
This is because if there are two polynomials m(x) and ^m(x) that are both of the
minimal degree to make the map or matrix zero (and thus are of equal degree),
and both have leading 1's, then their dierence m(x) ^m(x) has a smaller de-
gree than either and still sends the map or matrix to zero. Thus m(x) ^m(x) is
the zero polynomial and the two are equal. (The leading coecient requirement
also prevents a minimal polynomial from being the zero polynomial.)
1.6 Example We can see that m(x) =x2 2x 1 is minimal for the matrix
of Example 1.2 by computing the powers of Tup to the power n2= 4.
T2=1=2 p
3=2p
3=2 1=2
T3=0 1
1 0
T4= 1=2 p
3=2p
3=2 1=2
Next, putc4T4+c3T3+c2T2+c1T+c0Iequal to the zero matrix
(1=2)c4 + (1=2)c2+ (p
3=2)c1+c0= 0
(p
3=2)c4 c3 (p
3=2)c2 (1=2)c1 = 0
(p
3=2)c4+c3+ (p
3=2)c2+ (1=2)c1 = 0
(1=2)c4 + (1=2)c2+ (p
3=2)c1+c0= 0
and use Gauss' method.
c4 c2 p
3c1 2c0= 0
c3+p
3c2+ 2c1+p
3c0= 0
Settingc4,c3, andc2to zero forces c1andc0to also come out as zero. To get
a leading one, the most we can do is to set c4andc3to zero. Thus the minimal
polynomial is quadratic.
Section IV. Jordan Form 381
Using the method of that example to nd the minimal polynomial of a 3 3
matrix would mean doing Gaussian reduction on a system with nine equations
in ten unknowns. We shall develop an alternative. To begin, note that we can
break a polynomial of a map or a matrix into its components. (For this lemma,
recall that we are using complex numbers in this chapter so all polynomials
break completely into linear factors.)
1.7 Lemma Suppose that the polynomial f(x) =cnxn++c1x+c0factors
ask(x 1)q1(x `)q`. Iftis a linear transformation then these two are
equal maps.
cntn++c1t+c0=k(t 1)q1 (t `)q`
Consequently, if Tis a square matrix then f(T) andk(T 1I)q1(T `I)q`
are equal matrices.
Proof .This argument is by induction on the degree of the polynomial. The
cases where the polynomial is of degree 0 and 1 are clear. The full induction
argument is Exercise 1.7 but the degree two case gives its sense.
A quadratic polynomial factors into two linear terms f(x) =k(x 1)(x
2) =k(x2+ (1+2)x+12) (the roots 1and2might be equal). We can
check that substituting tforxin the factored and unfactored versions gives the
same map.
k(t 1)(t 2)
(~ v) =
k(t 1)
(t(~ v) 2~ v)
=k
t(t(~ v)) t(2~ v) 1t(~ v) 12~ v
=k
tt(~ v) (1+2)t(~ v) +12~ v
=k(t2 (1+2)t+12) (~ v)
The third equality holds because the scalar 2comes out of the second term, as
tis linear. QED
In particular, if a minimial polynomial m(x) for a transformation tfactors
asm(x) = (x 1)q1(x `)q`thenm(t) = (t 1)q1 (t `)q`is
the zero map. Since m(t) sends every vector to zero, at least one of the maps
t isends some nonzero vectors to zero. So, too, in the matrix case | if mis
minimal for Tthenm(T) = (T 1I)q1(T `I)q`is the zero matrix and at
least one of the matrices T iIsends some nonzero vectors to zero. Rewording
both cases: at least some of the iare eigenvalues. (See Exercise 29.)
Recall how we have earlier found eigenvalues. We have looked for such that
T~ v=~ vby considering the equation ~0 =T~ v x~ v= (T xI)~ vand computing the
determinant of the matrix T xI. That determinant is a polynomial in x, the
characteristic polynomial, whose roots are the eigenvalues. The major result
of this subsection, the next result, is that there is a connection between this
characteristic polynomial and the minimal polynomial. This results expands
on the prior paragraph's insight that some roots of the minimal polynomial
are eigenvalues by asserting that every root of the minimal polynomial is an
382 Chapter Five. Similarity
eigenvalue and further that every eigenvalue is a root of the minimal polynomial
(this is because it says `1 qi' and not just `0qi').
1.8 Theorem (Cayley-Hamilton) If the characteristic polynomial of a
transformation or square matrix factors into
k(x 1)p1(x 2)p2(x `)p`
then its minimal polynomial factors into
(x 1)q1(x 2)q2(x `)q`
where 1qipifor eachibetween 1 and `.
The proof takes up the next three lemmas. Although they are stated only in
matrix terms, they apply equally well to maps. We give the matrix version only
because it is convenient for the rst proof.
The rst result is the key | some authors call it the Cayley-Hamilton Theo-
rem and call Theorem 1.8 above a corollary. For the proof, observe that a matrix
of polynomials can be thought of as a polynomial with matrix coecients.
2x2+ 3x 1x2+ 2
3x2+ 4x+ 1 4x2+x+ 1
=2 1
3 4
x2+3 0
4 1
x+ 1 2
1 1
1.9 Lemma IfTis a square matrix with characteristic polynomial c(x) then
c(T) is the zero matrix.
Proof .LetCbeT xI, the matrix whose determinant is the characteristic
polynomial c(x) =cnxn++c1x+c0.
C=0
BBB@t1;1 x t 1;2:::
t2;1t2;2 x
......
tn;n x1
CCCA
Recall that the product of the adjoint of a matrix with the matrix itself is the
determinant of that matrix times the identity.
c(x)I= adj(C)C= adj(C)(T xI) = adj(C)T adj(C)x ()
The entries of adj( C) are polynomials, each of degree at most n 1 since the
minors of a matrix drop a row and column. Rewrite it, as suggested above, as
adj(C) =Cn 1xn 1++C1x+C0where each Ciis a matrix of scalars. The
left and right ends of equation ( ) above give this.
cnIxn+cn 1Ixn 1++c1Ix+c0I= (Cn 1T)xn 1++ (C1T)x+C0T
Cn 1xn Cn 2xn 1 C0x
Section IV. Jordan Form 383
Equate the coecients of xn, the coecients of xn 1, etc.
cnI= Cn 1
cn 1I= Cn 2+Cn 1T
...
c1I= C0+C1T
c0I=C0T
Multiply (from the right) both sides of the rst equation by Tn, both sides
of the second equation by Tn 1, etc. Add. The result on the left is cnTn+
cn 1Tn 1++c0I, and the result on the right is the zero matrix. QED
We sometimes refer to that lemma by saying that a matrix or map satises
its characteristic polynomial.
1.10 Lemma Wheref(x) is a polynomial, if f(T) is the zero matrix then f(x)
is divisible by the minimal polynomial of T. That is, any polynomial satised
byTis divisable by T's minimal polynomial.
Proof .Letm(x) be minimal for T. The Division Theorem for Polynomials
givesf(x) =q(x)m(x) +r(x) where the degree of ris strictly less than the
degree ofm. Plugging Tin shows that r(T) is the zero matrix, because T
satises both fandm. That contradicts the minimality of munlessris the
zero polynomial. QED
Combining the prior two lemmas gives that the minimal polynomial divides
the characteristic polynomial. Thus, any root of the minimal polynomial is
also a root of the characteristic polynomial. That is, so far we have that if
m(x) = (x 1)q1:::(x i)qithenc(x) must has the form ( x 1)p1:::(x
i)pi(x i+1)pi+1:::(x `)p`where each qjis less than or equal to pj. The
proof of the Cayley-Hamilton Theorem is nished by showing that in fact the
characteristic polynomial has no extra roots i+1, etc.
1.11 Lemma Each linear factor of the characteristic polynomial of a square
matrix is also a linear factor of the minimal polynomial.
Proof .LetTbe a square matrix with minimal polynomial m(x) and assume
thatx is a factor of the characteristic polynomial of T, that is, assume that
is an eigenvalue of T. We must show that x is a factor of m, that is, that
m() = 0.
In general, where is associated with the eigenvector ~ v, for any polyno-
mial function f(x), application of the matrix f(T) to~ vequals the result of
multiplying ~ vby the scalar f(). (For instance, if Thas eigenvalue associ-
ated with the eigenvector ~ vandf(x) =x2+ 2x+ 3 then (T2+ 2T+ 3) (~ v) =
T2(~ v) + 2T(~ v) + 3~ v=2~ v+ 2~ v+ 3~ v= (2+ 2+ 3)~ v.) Now, asm(T) is
the zero matrix, ~0 =m(T)(~ v) =m()~ vand therefore m() = 0. QED
384 Chapter Five. Similarity
1.12 Example We can use the Cayley-Hamilton Theorem to help nd the
minimal polynomial of this matrix.
T=0
BB@2 0 0 1
1 2 0 2
0 0 2 1
0 0 0 11
CCA
First, its characteristic polynomial c(x) = (x 1)(x 2)3can be found with the
usual determinant. Now, the Cayley-Hamilton Theorem says that T's minimal
polynomial is either ( x 1)(x 2) or (x 1)(x 2)2or (x 1)(x 2)3. We can
decide among the choices just by computing:
(T 1I)(T 2I) =0
BB@1 0 0 1
1 1 0 2
0 0 1 1
0 0 0 01
CCA0
BB@0 0 0 1
1 0 0 2
0 0 0 1
0 0 0 11
CCA=0
BB@0 0 0 0
1 0 0 1
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 01
CCA
and
(T 1I)(T 2I)2=0
BB@0 0 0 0
1 0 0 1
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 01
CCA0
BB@0 0 0 1
1 0 0 2
0 0 0 1
0 0 0 11
CCA=0
BB@0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 01
CCA
and som(x) = (x 1)(x 2)2.
Exercises
X1.13 What are the possible minimal polynomials if a matrix has the given charac-
teristic polynomial?
(a)8(x 3)4(b)(1=3)(x+ 1)3(x 4) (c) 1(x 2)2(x 5)2
(d)5(x+ 3)2(x 1)(x 2)2
What is the degree of each possibility?
X1.14 Find the minimal polynomial of each matrix.
(a)0
@3 0 0
1 3 0
0 0 41
A (b)0
@3 0 0
1 3 0
0 0 31
A (c)0
@3 0 0
1 3 0
0 1 31
A (d)0
@2 0 1
0 6 2
0 0 21
A
(e)0
@2 2 1
0 6 2
0 0 21
A (f)0
BBBB@ 1 4 0 0 0
0 3 0 0 0
0 4 1 0 0
3 9 4 2 1
1 5 4 1 41
CCCCA
1.15 Find the minimal polynomial of this matrix.
0
@0 1 0
0 0 1
1 0 01
A
X1.16 What is the minimal polynomial of the dierentiation operator d=dx onPn?
Section IV. Jordan Form 385
X1.17 Find the minimal polynomial of matrices of this form
0
BBBBBBB@0 0::: 0
10 0
0 1
...
0
0 0::: 11
CCCCCCCA
where the scalar is xed (i.e., is not a variable).
1.18 What is the minimal polynomial of the transformation of Pnthat sendsp(x)
top(x+ 1)?
1.19 What is the minimal polynomial of the map :C3!C3projecting onto the
rst two coordinates?
1.20 Find a 33 matrix whose minimal polynomial is x2.
1.21 What is wrong with this claimed proof of Lemma 1.9: \if c(x) =jT xIjthen
c(T) =jT TIj= 0"? [Cullen]
1.22 Verify Lemma 1.9 for 2 2 matrices by direct calculation.
X1.23 Prove that the minimal polynomial of an nnmatrix has degree at most
n(notn2as might be guessed from this subsection's opening). Verify that this
maximum, n, can happen.
X1.24 The only eigenvalue of a nilpotent map is zero. Show that the converse state-
ment holds.
1.25 What is the minimal polynomial of a zero map or matrix? Of an identity map
or matrix?
X1.26 Interpret the minimal polynomial of Example 1.2 geometrically.
1.27 What is the minimal polynomial of a diagonal matrix?
X1.28 Aprojection is any transformation tsuch thatt2=t. (For instance, the
transformation of the plane R2projecting each vector onto its rst coordinate will,
if done twice, result in the same value as if it is done just once.) What is the
minimal polynomial of a projection?
1.29 The rst two items of this question are review.
(a)Prove that the composition of one-to-one maps is one-to-one.
(b)Prove that if a linear map is not one-to-one then at least one nonzero vector
from the domain is sent to the zero vector in the codomain.
(c)Verify the statement, excerpted here, that preceeds Theorem 1.8.
. . . if a minimial polynomial m(x) for a transformation tfactors as
m(x) = (x 1)q1(x `)q`thenm(t) = (t 1)q1 (t `)q`
is the zero map. Since m(t) sends every vector to zero, at least one
of the maps t isends some nonzero vectors to zero. . . . Rewording
. . . : at least some of the iare eigenvalues.
1.30 True or false: for a transformation on an ndimensional space, if the minimal
polynomial has degree nthen the map is diagonalizable.
1.31 Letf(x) be a polynomial. Prove that if AandBare similar matrices then
f(A) is similar to f(B).
(a)Now show that similar matrices have the same characteristic polynomial.
(b)Show that similar matrices have the same minimal polynomial.
386 Chapter Five. Similarity
(c)Decide if these are similar.
1 3
2 3 4 1
1 1
1.32 (a) Show that a matrix is invertible if and only if the constant term in its
minimal polynomial is not 0.
(b)Show that if a square matrix Tis not invertible then there is a nonzero
matrixSsuch thatSTandTSboth equal the zero matrix.
X1.33 (a) Finish the proof of Lemma 1.7.
(b)Give an example to show that the result does not hold if tis not linear.
1.34 Any transformation or square matrix has a minimal polynomial. Does the
converse hold?
IV.2 Jordan Canonical Form
This subsection moves from the canonical form for nilpotent matrices to the
one for all matrices.
We have shown that if a map is nilpotent then all of its eigenvalues are zero.
We can now prove the converse.
2.1 Lemma A linear transformation whose only eigenvalue is zero is nilpotent.
Proof .If a transformation ton ann-dimensional space has only the single
eigenvalue of zero then its characteristic polynomial is xn. The Cayley-Hamilton
Theorem says that a map satises its characteristic polynimial so tnis the zero
map. Thus tis nilpotent. QED
We have a canonical form for nilpotent matrices, that is, for each matrix
whose single eigenvalue is zero: each such matrix is similar to one that is all
zeroes except for blocks of subdiagonal ones. (To make this representation
unique we can x some arrangement of the blocks, say, from longest to shortest.)
We next extend this to all single-eigenvalue matrices.
Observe that if t's only eigenvalue is thent 's only eigenvalue is 0
becauset(~ v) =~ vif and only if ( t ) (~ v) = 0~ v. The natural way to extend
the results for nilpotent matrices is to represent t in the canonical form N,
and try to use that to get a simple representation Tfort. The next result says
that this try works.
2.2 Lemma If the matrices T IandNare similar then TandN+Iare
also similar, via the same change of basis matrices.
Proof .WithN=P(T I)P 1=PTP 1 P(I)P 1we haveN=
PTP 1 PP 1(I) since the diagonal matrix Icommutes with anything,
and soN=PTP 1 I. Therefore N+I=PTP 1, as required. QED
Section IV. Jordan Form 387
2.3 Example The characteristic polynomial of
T=2 1
1 4
is (x 3)2and soThas only the single eigenvalue 3. Thus for
T 3I= 1 1
1 1
the only eigenvalue is 0, and T 3Iis nilpotent. The null spaces are routine
to nd; to ease this computation we take Tto represent the transformation
t:C2!C2with respect to the standard basis (we shall maintain this convention
for the rest of the chapter).
N(t 3) =f y
yy2CgN((t 3)2) =C2
The dimensions of these null spaces show that the action of an associated map
t 3 on a string basis is ~17!~27!~0. Thus, the canonical form for t 3 with
one choice for a string basis is
RepB;B(t 3) =N=0 0
1 0
B=h1
1
; 2
2
i
and by Lemma 2.2, Tis similar to this matrix.
Rept(B;B) =N+ 3I=3 0
1 3
We can produce the similarity computation. Recall from the Nilpotence
section how to nd the change of basis matrices PandP 1to expressNas
P(T 3I)P 1. The similarity diagram
C2
w.r.t.E2t 3 !
T 3IC2
w.r.t.E2
id??yP id??yP
C2
w.r.t.Bt 3 !
NC2
w.r.t.B
describes that to move from the lower left to the upper left we multiply by
P 1=
RepE2;B(id) 1= RepB;E2(id) =1 2
1 2
and to move from the upper right to the lower right we multiply by this matrix.
P=
1 2
1 2 1
=
1=2 1=2
1=4 1=4
388 Chapter Five. Similarity
So the similarity is expressed by
3 0
1 3
=1=2 1=2
1=4 1=42 1
1 41 2
1 2
which is easily checked.
2.4 Example This matrix has characteristic polynomial ( x 4)4
T=0
BB@4 1 0 1
0 3 0 1
0 0 4 0
1 0 0 51
CCA
and so has the single eigenvalue 4. The nullities of t 4 are: the null space of
t 4 has dimension two, the null space of ( t 4)2has dimension three, and the
null space of ( t 4)3has dimension four. Thus, t 4 has the action on a string
basis of~17!~27!~37!~0 and~47!~0. This gives the canonical form Nfor
t 4, which in turn gives the form for t.
N+ 4I=0
BB@4 0 0 0
1 4 0 0
0 1 4 0
0 0 0 41
CCA
An array that is all zeroes, except for some number down the diagonal
and blocks of subdiagonal ones, is a Jordan block . We have shown that Jordan
block matrices are canonical representatives of the similarity classes of single-
eigenvalue matrices.
2.5 Example The 33 matrices whose only eigenvalue is 1 =2 separate into
three similarity classes. The three classes have these canonical representatives.
0
@1=2 0 0
0 1=2 0
0 0 1 =21
A0
@1=2 0 0
1 1=2 0
0 0 1 =21
A0
@1=2 0 0
1 1=2 0
0 1 1 =21
A
In particular, this matrix0
@1=2 0 0
0 1=2 0
0 1 1 =21
A
belongs to the similarity class represented by the middle one, because we have
adopted the convention of ordering the blocks of subdiagonal ones from the
longest block to the shortest.
We will now nish the program of this chapter by extending this work to
cover maps and matrices with multiple eigenvalues. The best possibility for
general maps and matrices would be if we could break them into a part involving
Section IV. Jordan Form 389
their rst eigenvalue 1(which we represent using its Jordan block), a part with
2, etc.
This ideal is in fact what happens. For any transformation t:V!V, we
shall break the space Vinto the direct sum of a part on which t 1is nilpotent,
plus a part on which t 2is nilpotent, etc. More precisely, we shall take three
steps to get to this section's major theorem and the third step shows that
V=N1(t 1) N1(t `) where1;:::;`aret's eigenvalues.
Suppose that t:V!Vis a linear transformation. Note that the restriction
oftto a subspace Mneed not be a linear transformation on Mbecause there may
be an~ m2Mwitht(~ m)62M. To ensure that the restriction of a transformation
to a `part' of a space is a transformation on the partwe need the next condition.
2.6 Denition Lett:V!Vbe a transformation. A subspace Mistin-
variant if whenever ~ m2Mthent(~ m)2M(shorter:t(M)M).
Two examples are that the generalized null space N1(t) and the generalized
range space R1(t) of any transformation tare invariant. For the generalized null
space, if~ v2N1(t) thentn(~ v) =~0 wherenis the dimension of the underlying
space and so t(~ v)2N1(t) becausetn(t(~ v) ) is zero also. For the generalized
range space, if ~ v2R1(t) then~ v=tn(~ w) for some~ wand thent(~ v) =tn+1(~ w) =
tn(t(~ w) ) shows that t(~ v) is also a member of R1(t).
Thus the spaces N1(t i) andR1(t i) aret iinvariant. Observe
also thatt iis nilpotent on N1(t i) because, simply, if ~ vhas the property
that some power of t imaps it to zero | that is, if it is in the generalized
null space | then some power of t imaps it to zero. The generalized null
spaceN1(t i) is a `part' of the space on which the action of t iis easy
to understand.
The next result is the rst of our three steps. It establishes that t jleaves
t i's part unchanged.
2.7 Lemma A subspace is tinvariant if and only if it is t invariant for
any scalar. In particular, where iis an eigenvalue of a linear transformation
t, then for any other eigenvalue j, the spaces N1(t i) andR1(t i) are
t jinvariant.
Proof .For the rst sentence we check the two implications of the `if and only
if' separately. One of them is easy: if the subspace is t invariant for any
then taking = 0 shows that it is tinvariant. For the other implication suppose
that the subspace is tinvariant, so that if ~ m2Mthent(~ m)2M, and let
be any scalar. The subspace Mis closed under linear combinations and so if
t(~ m)2Mthent(~ m) ~ m2M. Thus if~ m2Mthen (t ) (~ m)2M, as
required.
The second sentence follows straight from the rst. Because the two spaces
aret iinvariant, they are therefore tinvariant. From this, applying the rst
sentence again, we conclude that they are also t jinvariant. QED
More information on restrictions of functions is in the appendix.
390 Chapter Five. Similarity
The second step of the three that we will take to prove this section's major
result makes use of an additional property of N1(t i) andR1(t i), that
they are complementary. Recall that if a space is the direct sum of two others
V=NRthen any vector ~ vin the space breaks into two parts ~ v=~ n+~ r
where~ n2Nand~ r2R, and recall also that if BNandBRare bases for N
andRthen the concatenation BN_BRis linearly independent (and so the two
parts of~ vdo not \overlap"). The next result says that for any subspaces N
andRthat are complementary as well as tinvariant, the action of ton~ vbreaks
into the \non-overlapping" actions of ton~ nand on~ r.
2.8 Lemma Lett:V!Vbe a transformation and let NandRbetinvariant
complementary subspaces of V. Thentcan be represented by a matrix with
blocks of square submatrices T1andT2
T1Z2
Z1T2gdim(N)-many rows
gdim(R)-many rows
whereZ1andZ2are blocks of zeroes.
Proof .Since the two subspaces are complementary, the concatenation of a basis
forNand a basis for Rmakes a basis B=h~ 1;:::;~ p;~ 1;:::;~ qiforV. We
shall show that the matrix
RepB;B(t) =0
BB@......
RepB(t(~ 1)) RepB(t(~ q))
......1
CCA
has the desired form.
Any vector ~ v2Vis inNif and only if its nal qcomponents are zeroes
when it is represented with respect to B. AsNistinvariant, each of the
vectors RepB(t(~ 1)), . . . , RepB(t(~ p)) has that form. Hence the lower left of
RepB;B(t) is all zeroes.
The argument for the upper right is similar. QED
To see that thas been decomposed into its action on the parts, observe
that the restrictions of tto the subspaces NandRare represented, with
respect to the obvious bases, by the matrices T1andT2. So, with subspaces
that are invariant and complementary, we can split the problem of examining a
linear transformation into two lower-dimensional subproblems. The next result
illustrates this decomposition into blocks.
2.9 Lemma IfTis a matrices with square submatrices T1andT2
T=T1Z2
Z1T2
where theZ's are blocks of zeroes, then jTj=jT1jjT2j.
Section IV. Jordan Form 391
Proof .Suppose that Tisnn, thatT1ispp, and that T2isqq. In the
permutation formula for the determinant
jTj=X
permutations t1;(1)t2;(2)tn;(n)sgn()
each term comes from a rearrangement of the column numbers 1 ;:::;n into a
new order(1);:::; (n). The upper right block Z2is all zeroes, so if a has at
least one of p+ 1;:::;n among its rst pcolumn numbers (1);:::; (p) then
the term arising from is zero, e.g., if (1) =nthent1;(1)t2;(2):::tn;(n)=
0t2;(2):::tn;(n)= 0.
So the above formula reduces to a sum over all permutations with two
halves: any signicant is the composition of a 1that rearranges only 1 ;:::;p
and a2that rearranges only p+ 1;:::;p +q. Now, the distributive law (and
the fact that the signum of a composition is the product of the signums) gives
that this
jT1jjT2j=X
perms1
of 1;:::;pt1;1(1)tp;1(p)sgn(1)
X
perms2
ofp+1;:::;p+qtp+1;2(p+1)tp+q;2(p+q)sgn(2)
equalsjTj=P
signicantt1;(1)t2;(2)tn;(n)sgn(). QED
2.10 Example 2 0 0 0
1 2 0 0
0 0 3 0
0 0 0 3=2 0
1 23 0
0 3= 36
From Lemma 2.9 we conclude that if two subspaces are complementary and
tinvariant then tis nonsingular if and only if its restrictions to both subspaces
are nonsingular.
Now for the promised third, nal, step to the main result.
2.11 Lemma If a linear transformation t:V!Vhas the characteristic poly-
nomial (x 1)p1:::(x `)p`then (1)V=N1(t 1) N1(t `)
and (2) dim( N1(t i)) =pi.
Proof .Because dim( V) is the degree p1++p`of the characteristic poly-
nomial, to establish statement (1) we need only show that statement (2) holds
and that N1(t i)\N1(t j) is trivial whenever i6=j.
For the latter, by Lemma 2.7, both N1(t i) andN1(t j) aretinvariant.
Notice that an intersection of tinvariant subspaces is tinvariant and so the
restriction of ttoN1(t i)\N1(t j) is a linear transformation. But both
t iandt jare nilpotent on this subspace and so if thas any eigenvalues
392 Chapter Five. Similarity
on the intersection then its \only" eigenvalue is both iandj. That cannot
be, so this restriction has no eigenvalues: N1(t i)\N1(t j) is trivial
(Lemma 3.10 shows that the only transformation without any eigenvalues is on
the trivial space).
To prove statement (2), x the index i. Decompose VasN1(t i)
R1(t i) and apply Lemma 2.8.
T=
T1Z2
Z1T2
gdim(N1(t i) )-many rows
gdim(R1(t i) )-many rows
By Lemma 2.9,jT xIj=jT1 xIjjT2 xIj. By the uniqueness clause of the
Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic, the determinants of the blocks have the
same factors as the characteristic polynomial jT1 xIj= (x 1)q1:::(x `)q`
andjT2 xIj= (x 1)r1:::(x `)r`, and the sum of the powers of these
factors is the power of the factor in the characteristic polynomial: q1+r1=p1,
. . . ,q`+r`=p`. Statement (2) will be proved if we will show that qi=piand
thatqj= 0 for allj6=i, because then the degree of the polynomial jT1 xIj|
which equals the dimension of the generalized null space | is as required.
For that, rst, as the restriction of t itoN1(t i) is nilpotent on that
space, the only eigenvalue of ton it isi. Thus the characteristic equation of t
onN1(t i) isjT1 xIj= (x i)qi. And thus qj= 0 for allj6=i.
Now consider the restriction of ttoR1(t i). By Note II.2.2, the map
t iis nonsingular on R1(t i) and soiis not an eigenvalue of ton that
subspace. Therefore, x iis not a factor of jT2 xIj, and soqi=pi.QED
Our major result just translates those steps into matrix terms.
2.12 Theorem Any square matrix is similar to one in Jordan form
0
BBBBB@J1 {zeroes{
J2
...
J` 1
{zeroes{ J`1
CCCCCA
where each Jis the Jordan block associated with the eigenvalue of the
original matrix (that is, is all zeroes except for 's down the diagonal and
some subdiagonal ones).
Proof .Given annnmatrixT, consider the linear map t:Cn!Cnthat it
represents with respect to the standard bases. Use the prior lemma to write
Cn=N1(t 1) N1(t `) where1;:::;`are the eigenvalues of t.
Because each N1(t i) istinvariant, Lemma 2.8 and the prior lemma show
thattis represented by a matrix that is all zeroes except for square blocks along
the diagonal. To make those blocks into Jordan blocks, pick each Bito be a
string basis for the action of t ionN1(t i). QED
Section IV. Jordan Form 393
Jordan form is a canonical form for similarity classes of square matrices,
provided that we make it unique by arranging the Jordan blocks from least
eigenvalue to greatest and then arranging the subdiagonal 1 blocks inside each
Jordan block from longest to shortest.
2.13 Example This matrix has the characteristic polynomial ( x 2)2(x 6).
T=0
@2 0 1
0 6 2
0 0 21
A
We will handle the eigenvalues 2 and 6 separately.
Computation of the powers, and the null spaces and nullities, of T 2Iis
routine. (Recall from Example 2.3 the convention of taking Tto represent a
transformation, here t:C3!C3, with respect to the standard basis.)
powerp (T 2I)pN((t 2)p) nullity
10
B@0 0 1
0 4 2
0 0 01
CAf0
B@x
0
01
CAx2Cg 1
20
B@0 0 0
0 16 8
0 0 01
CAf0
B@x
z=2
z1
CAx;z2Cg 2
30
B@0 0 0
0 64 32
0 0 01
CA {same{ |
So the generalized null space N1(t 2) has dimension two. We've noted that
the restriction of t 2 is nilpotent on this subspace. From the way that the
nullities grow we know that the action of t 2 on a string basis ~17!~27!~0.
Thus the restriction can be represented in the canonical form
N2=0 0
1 0
= RepB;B(t 2)B2=h0
@1
1
21
A;0
@ 2
0
01
Ai
where many choices of basis are possible. Consequently, the action of the re-
striction of ttoN1(t 2) is represented by this matrix.
J2=N2+ 2I= RepB2;B2(t) =
2 0
1 2
The second eigenvalue's computations are easier. Because the power of x 6
in the characteristic polynomial is one, the restriction of t 6 toN1(t 6) must
be nilpotent of index one. Its action on a string basis must be ~37!~0 and since
it is the zero map, its canonical form N6is the 11 zero matrix. Consequently,
394 Chapter Five. Similarity
the canonical form J6for the action of tonN1(t 6) is the 11 matrix with the
single entry 6. For the basis we can use any nonzero vector from the generalized
null space.
B6=h0
@0
1
01
Ai
Taken together, these two give that the Jordan form of Tis
RepB;B(t) =0
@2 0 0
1 2 0
0 0 61
A
whereBis the concatenation of B2andB6.
2.14 Example Contrast the prior example with
T=0
@2 2 1
0 6 2
0 0 21
A
which has the same characteristic polynomial ( x 2)2(x 6).
While the characteristic polynomial is the same,
powerp (T 2I)pN((t 2)p) nullity
10
B@0 2 1
0 4 2
0 0 01
CAf0
B@x
z=2
z1
CAx;z2Cg 2
20
B@0 8 4
0 16 8
0 0 01
CA {same{ |
here the action of t 2 is stable after only one application | the restriction of of
t 2 toN1(t 2) is nilpotent of index only one. (So the contrast with the prior
example is that while the characteristic polynomial tells us to look at the action
of thet 2 on its generalized null space, the characteristic polynomial does not
describe completely its action and we must do some computations to nd, in
this example, that the minimal polynomial is ( x 2)(x 6).) The restriction of
t 2 to the generalized null space acts on a string basis as ~17!~0 and~27!~0,
and we get this Jordan block associated with the eigenvalue 2.
J2=
2 0
0 2
For the other eigenvalue, the arguments for the second eigenvalue of the
prior example apply again. The restriction of t 6 toN1(t 6) is nilpotent
of index one (it can't be of index less than one, and since x 6 is a factor of
Section IV. Jordan Form 395
the characteristic polynomial to the power one it can't be of index more than
one either). Thus t 6's canonical form N6is the 11 zero matrix, and the
associated Jordan block J6is the 11 matrix with entry 6.
Therefore,Tis diagonalizable.
RepB;B(t) =0
@2 0 0
0 2 0
0 0 61
AB=B2_B6=h0
@1
0
01
A;0
@0
1
21
A;0
@3
4
01
Ai
(Checking that the third vector in Bis in the nullspace of t 6 is routine.)
2.15 Example A bit of computing with
T=0
BBBB@ 1 4 0 0 0
0 3 0 0 0
0 4 1 0 0
3 9 4 2 1
1 5 4 1 41
CCCCA
shows that its characteristic polynomial is ( x 3)3(x+ 1)2. This table
powerp (T 3I)pN((t 3)p) nullity
10
BBBBBB@ 4 4 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 4 4 0 0
3 9 4 1 1
1 5 4 1 11
CCCCCCAf0
BBBBBB@ (u+v)=2
(u+v)=2
(u+v)=2
u
v1
CCCCCCAu;v2Cg2
20
BBBBBB@16 16 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 16 16 0 0
16 32 16 0 0
0 16 16 0 01
CCCCCCAf0
BBBBBB@ z
z
z
u
v1
CCCCCCAz;u;v2Cg 3
30
BBBBBB@ 64 64 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 64 64 0 0
64 128 64 0 0
0 64 64 0 01
CCCCCCA{same{ |
shows that the restriction of t 3 toN1(t 3) acts on a string basis via the
two strings ~17!~27!~0 and~37!~0.
A similar calculation for the other eigenvalue
396 Chapter Five. Similarity
powerp (T+ 1I)pN((t+ 1)p) nullity
10
BBBBBB@0 4 0 0 0
0 4 0 0 0
0 4 0 0 0
3 9 4 3 1
1 5 4 1 51
CCCCCCAf0
BBBBBB@ (u+v)
0
v
u
v1
CCCCCCAu;v2Cg 2
20
BBBBBB@0 16 0 0 0
0 16 0 0 0
0 16 0 0 0
8 40 16 8 8
8 24 16 8 241
CCCCCCA{same{ |
shows that the restriction of t+ 1 to its generalized null space acts on a string
basis via the two separate strings ~47!~0 and~57!~0.
ThereforeTis similar to this Jordan form matrix.
0
BBBB@ 1 0 0 0 0
0 1 0 0 0
0 0 3 0 0
0 0 1 3 0
0 0 0 0 31
CCCCA
We close with the statement that the subjects considered earlier in this
Chapter are indeed, in this sense, exhaustive.
2.16 Corollary Every square matrix is similar to the sum of a diagonal matrix
and a nilpotent matrix.
Exercises
2.17 Do the check for Example 2.3.
2.18 Each matrix is in Jordan form. State its characteristic polynomial and its
minimal polynomial.
(a)3 0
1 3
(b) 1 0
0 1
(c)0
@2 0 0
1 2 0
0 0 1=21
A (d)0
@3 0 0
1 3 0
0 1 31
A
(e)0
BB@3 0 0 0
1 3 0 0
0 0 3 0
0 0 1 31
CCA(f)0
BB@4 0 0 0
1 4 0 0
0 0 4 0
0 0 1 41
CCA(g)0
@5 0 0
0 2 0
0 0 31
A
(h)0
BB@5 0 0 0
0 2 0 0
0 0 2 0
0 0 0 31
CCA(i)0
BB@5 0 0 0
0 2 0 0
0 1 2 0
0 0 0 31
CCA
X2.19 Find the Jordan form from the given data.
(a)The matrix Tis 55 with the single eigenvalue 3. The nullities of the powers
are:T 3Ihas nullity two, ( T 3I)2has nullity three, ( T 3I)3has nullity
four, and (T 3I)4has nullity ve.
Section IV. Jordan Form 397
(b)The matrix Sis 55 with two eigenvalues. For the eigenvalue 2 the nullities
are:S 2Ihas nullity two, and ( S 2I)2has nullity four. For the eigenvalue
1 the nullities are: S+ 1Ihas nullity one.
2.20 Find the change of basis matrices for each example.
(a)Example 2.13 (b)Example 2.14 (c)Example 2.15
X2.21 Find the Jordan form and a Jordan basis for each matrix.
(a) 10 4
25 10
(b)5 4
9 7
(c)0
@4 0 0
2 1 3
5 0 41
A
(d)0
@5 4 3
1 0 3
1 2 11
A
(e)0
@9 7 3
9 7 4
4 4 41
A
(f)0
@2 2 1
1 1 1
1 2 21
A
(g)0
BB@7 1 2 2
1 4 1 1
2 1 5 1
1 1 2 81
CCA
X2.22 Find all possible Jordan forms of a transformation with characteristic poly-
nomial (x 1)2(x+ 2)2.
2.23 Find all possible Jordan forms of a transformation with characteristic poly-
nomial (x 1)3(x+ 2).
X2.24 Find all possible Jordan forms of a transformation with characteristic poly-
nomial (x 2)3(x+ 1) and minimal polynomial ( x 2)2(x+ 1).
2.25 Find all possible Jordan forms of a transformation with characteristic poly-
nomial (x 2)4(x+ 1) and minimal polynomial ( x 2)2(x+ 1).
X2.26 Diagonalize these.
(a)1 1
0 0
(b)0 1
1 0
X2.27 Find the Jordan matrix representing the dierentiation operator on P3.
X2.28 Decide if these two are similar.1 1
4 3 1 0
1 1
2.29 Find the Jordan form of this matrix.0 1
1 0
Also give a Jordan basis.
2.30 How many similarity classes are there for 3 3 matrices whose only eigenvalues
are 3 and 4?
398 Chapter Five. Similarity
X2.31 Prove that a matrix is diagonalizable if and only if its minimal polynomial
has only linear factors.
2.32 Give an example of a linear transformation on a vector space that has no
non-trivial invariant subspaces.
2.33 Show that a subspace is t 1invariant if and only if it is t 2invariant.
2.34 Prove or disprove: two nnmatrices are similar if and only if they have the
same characteristic and minimal polynomials.
2.35 The trace of a square matrix is the sum of its diagonal entries.
(a)Find the formula for the characteristic polynomial of a 2 2 matrix.
(b)Show that trace is invariant under similarity, and so we can sensibly speak
of the `trace of a map'. ( Hint: see the prior item.)
(c)Is trace invariant under matrix equivalence?
(d)Show that the trace of a map is the sum of its eigenvalues (counting multi-
plicities).
(e)Show that the trace of a nilpotent map is zero. Does the converse hold?
2.36 To use Denition 2.6 to check whether a subspace is tinvariant, we seemingly
have to check all of the innitely many vectors in a (nontrivial) subspace to see if
they satisfy the condition. Prove that a subspace is tinvariant if and only if its
subbasis has the property that for all of its elements, t(~) is in the subspace.
X2.37 Istinvariance preserved under intersection? Under union? Complementation?
Sums of subspaces?
2.38 Give a way to order the Jordan blocks if some of the eigenvalues are complex
numbers. That is, suggest a reasonable ordering for the complex numbers.
2.39 LetPj(R) be the vector space over the reals of degree jpolynomials. Show
that ifjkthenPj(R) is an invariant subspace of Pk(R) under the dierentiation
operator. InP7(R), does any ofP0(R), . . . ,P6(R) have an invariant complement?
2.40 InPn(R), the vector space (over the reals) of degree npolynomials,
E=fp(x)2Pn(R)p( x) =p(x) for allxg
and
O=fp(x)2Pn(R)p( x) = p(x) for allxg
are the even and the oddpolynomials; p(x) =x2is even while p(x) =x3is odd.
Show that they are subspaces. Are they complementary? Are they invariant under
the dierentiation transformation?
2.41 Lemma 2.8 says that if MandNare invariant complements then thas a
representation in the given block form (with respect to the same ending as starting
basis, of course). Does the implication reverse?
2.42 A matrixSis the square root of anotherTifS2=T. Show that any nonsin-
gular matrix has a square root.
Topic: Method of Powers 399
Topic: Method of Powers
In practice, calculating eigenvalues and eigenvectors is a dicult problem. Find-
ing, and solving, the characteristic polynomial of the large matrices often en-
countered in applications is too slow and too hard. Other techniques, indirect
ones that avoid the characteristic polynomial, are used. Here we shall see such
a method that is suitable for large matrices that are `sparse' (the great majority
of the entries are zero).
Suppose that the nnmatrixThas thendistinct eigenvalues 1,2, . . . ,n.
ThenRnhas a basis that is composed of the associated eigenvectors h~1;:::;~ni.
For any~ v2Rn, writing~ v=c1~1++cn~nand iterating Ton~ vgives these.
T~ v=c11~1+c22~2++cnn~n
T2~ v=c12
1~1+c22
2~2++cn2
n~n
T3~ v=c13
1~1+c23
2~2++cn3
n~n
...
Tk~ v=c1k
1~1+c2k
2~2++cnk
n~n
If one of the eigenvalues has a larger absolute value than any of the other
eigenvalues then its term will dominate the above expression. Put another way,
assuming that the absolute value of 1is the largest and dividing through
Tk~ v
k
1=c1~1+c2k
2
k
1~2++cnk
n
k
1~n
shows that as kgets larger the fractions go to zero. Thus, the entire expression
goes toc1~1.
That is (as long as c1is not zero), as kincreases, the vectors Tk~ vwill
tend toward the direction of the eigenvectors associated with the dominant
eigenvalue, and, consequently, the ratios of the lengths kTk~ vk=kTk 1~ vkwill
tend toward that dominant eigenvalue.
For example (sample computer code for this follows the exercises), because
the matrix
T=3 0
8 1
is triangular, its eigenvalues are just the entries on the diagonal, 3 and 1.
Arbitrarily taking ~ vto have the components 1 and 1 gives
~ vT~ v T2~ vT9~ v T10~ v1
13
7 9
17
19 683
39 367 59 049
118 097
and the ratio between the lengths of the last two is 2 :999 9.
Two implementation issues must be addressed. The rst issue is that, instead
of nding the powers of Tand applying them to ~ v, we will compute ~ v1asT~ vand
then compute ~ v2asT~ v1, etc. (i.e., we never separately calculate T2,T3, etc.).
400 Chapter Five. Similarity
These matrix-vector products can be done quickly even if Tis large, provided
that it is sparse. The second issue is that, to avoid generating numbers that are
so large that they over
ow our computer's capability, we can normalize the ~ vi's
at each step. For instance, we can divide each ~ viby its length (other possibilities
are to divide it by its largest component, or simply by its rst component). We
thus implement this method by generating
~ w0=~ v0=k~ v0k
~ v1=T~ w0
~ w1=~ v1=k~ v1k
~ v2=T~ w2
...
~ wk 1=~ vk 1=k~ vk 1k
~ vk=T~ wk
until we are satised. Then the vector ~ vkis an approximation of an eigenvector,
and the approximation of the dominant eigenvalue is the ratio k~ vkk=k~ wk 1k.
One way we could be `satised' is to iterate until our approximation of the
eigenvalue settles down. We could decide, for instance, to stop the iteration
process not after some xed number of steps, but instead when k~ vkkdiers
fromk~ vk 1kby less than one percent, or when they agree up to the second
signicant digit.
The rate of convergence is determined by the rate at which the powers of
k2=1kgo to zero, where 2is the eigenvalue of second largest norm. If that
ratio is much less than one then convergence is fast, but if it is only slightly
less than one then convergence can be quite slow. Consequently, the method of
powers is not the most commonly used way of nding eigenvalues (although it
is the simplest one, which is why it is here as the illustration of the possibility of
computing eigenvalues without solving the characteristic polynomial). Instead,
there are a variety of methods that generally work by rst replacing the given
matrixTwith another that is similar to it and so has the same eigenvalues, but
is in some reduced form such as tridiagonal form : the only nonzero entries are
on the diagonal, or just above or below it. Then special techniques can be used
to nd the eigenvalues. Once the eigenvalues are known, the eigenvectors of T
can be easily computed. These other methods are outside of our scope. A good
reference is [Goult, et al. ]
Exercises
1Use ten iterations to estimate the largest eigenvalue of these matrices, starting
from the vector with components 1 and 2. Compare the answer with the one
obtained by solving the characteristic equation.
(a)1 5
0 4
(b)3 2
1 0
2Redo the prior exercise by iterating until k~ vkk k~ vk 1khas absolute value less
than 0:01 At each step, normalize by dividing each vector by its length. How many
iterations are required? Are the answers signicantly dierent?
Topic: Method of Powers 401
3Use ten iterations to estimate the largest eigenvalue of these matrices, starting
from the vector with components 1, 2, and 3. Compare the answer with the one
obtained by solving the characteristic equation.
(a)0
@4 0 1
2 1 0
2 0 11
A (b)0
@ 1 2 2
2 2 2
3 6 61
A
4Redo the prior exercise by iterating until k~ vkk k~ vk 1khas absolute value less
than 0:01. At each step, normalize by dividing each vector by its length. How
many iterations does it take? Are the answers signicantly dierent?
5What happens if c1= 0? That is, what happens if the initial vector does not to
have any component in the direction of the relevant eigenvector?
6How can the method of powers be adopted to nd the smallest eigenvalue?
Computer Code
This is the code for the computer algebra system Octave that was used to
do the calculation above. (It has been lightly edited to remove blank lines, etc.)
>T=[3, 0;
8, -1]
T=
3 0
8 -1
>v0=[1; 2]
v0=
1
1
>v1=T*v0
v1=
3
7
>v2=T*v1
v2=
9
17
>T9=T**9
T9=
19683 0
39368 -1
>T10=T**10
T10=
59049 0
118096 1
>v9=T9*v0
v9=
19683
39367
>v10=T10*v0
v10=
59049
118096
402 Chapter Five. Similarity
>norm(v10)/norm(v9)
ans=2.9999
Remark: we are ignoring the power of Octave here; there are built-in func-
tions to automatically apply quite sophisticated methods to nd eigenvalues and
eigenvectors. Instead, we are using just the system as a calculator.
Topic: Stable Populations 403
Topic: Stable Populations
Imagine a reserve park with animals from a species that we are trying to protect.
The park doesn't have a fence and so animals cross the boundary, both from
the inside out and in the other direction. Every year, 10% of the animals from
inside of the park leave, and 1% of the animals from the outside nd their way
in. We can ask if we can nd a stable level of population for this park: is there a
population that, once established, will stay constant over time, with the number
of animals leaving equal to the number of animals entering?
To answer that question, we must rst establish the equations. Let the year
npopulation in the park be pnand in the rest of the world be rn.
pn+1=:90pn+:01rn
rn+1=:10pn+:99rn
We can set this system up as a matrix equation (see the Markov Chain topic).
pn+1
rn+1
=:90:01
:10:99pn
rn
Now, \stable level" means that pn+1=pnandrn+1=rn, so that the matrix
equation~ vn+1=T~ vnbecomes~ v=T~ v. We are therefore looking for eigenvectors
forTthat are associated with the eigenvalue 1. The equation ( I T)~ v=~0 is
:10:01
:10:01p
r
=0
0
which gives the eigenspace: vectors with the restriction that p=:1r. Coupled
with additional information, that the total world population of this species is is
p+r= 110 000, we nd that the stable state is p= 10;000 andr= 100;000.
If we start with a park population of ten thousand animals, so that the rest of
the world has one hundred thousand, then every year ten percent (a thousand
animals) of those inside will leave the park, and every year one percent (a
thousand) of those from the rest of the world will enter the park. It is stable,
self-sustaining.
Now imagine that we are trying to gradually build up the total world pop-
ulation of this species. We can try, for instance, to have the world population
grow at a rate of 1% per year. In this case, we can take a \stable" state for
the park's population to be that it also grows at 1% per year. The equation
~ vn+1= 1:01~ vn=T~ vnleads to ((1 :01I) T)~ v=~0, which gives this system.
:11:01
:10:02p
r
=0
0
The matrix is nonsingular, and so the only solution is p= 0 andr= 0. Thus,
there is no (usable) initial population that we can establish at the park and
expect that it will grow at the same rate as the rest of the world.
404 Chapter Five. Similarity
Knowing that an annual world population growth rate of 1% forces an un-
stable park population, we can ask which growth rates there are that would
allow an initial population for the park that will be self-sustaining. We consider
~ v=T~ vand solve for .
0 = :9:01
:10 :99= ( :9)( :99) (:10)(:01) =2 1:89+:89
A shortcut to factoring that quadratic is our knowledge that = 1 is an eigen-
value ofT, so the other eigenvalue is :89. Thus there are two ways to have a
stable park population (a population that grows at the same rate as the popu-
lation of the rest of the world, despite the leaky park boundaries): have a world
population that is does not grow or shrink, and have a world population that
shrinks by 11% every year.
So this is one meaning of eigenvalues and eigenvectors | they give a sta-
ble state for a system. If the eigenvalue is 1 then the system is static. If
the eigenvalue isn't 1 then the system is either growing or shrinking, but in a
dynamically-stable way.
Exercises
1What initial population for the park discussed above should be set up in the case
where world populations are allowed to decline by 11% every year?
2What will happen to the population of the park in the event of a growth in world
population of 1% per year? Will it lag the world growth, or lead it? Assume
that the inital park population is ten thousand, and the world population is one
hunderd thousand, and calculate over a ten year span.
3The park discussed above is partially fenced so that now, every year, only 5% of
the animals from inside of the park leave (still, about 1% of the animals from the
outside nd their way in). Under what conditions can the park maintain a stable
population now?
4Suppose that a species of bird only lives in Canada, the United States, or in
Mexico. Every year, 4% of the Canadian birds travel to the US, and 1% of them
travel to Mexico. Every year, 6% of the US birds travel to Canada, and 4%
go to Mexico. From Mexico, every year 10% travel to the US, and 0% go to
Canada.
(a)Give the transition matrix.
(b)Is there a way for the three countries to have constant populations?
(c)Find all stable situations.
Topic: Linear Recurrences 405
Topic: Linear Recurrences
In 1202 Leonardo of Pisa, also known as Fibonacci, posed this problem.
A certain man put a pair of rabbits in a place surrounded on all
sides by a wall. How many pairs of rabbits can be produced from
that pair in a year if it is supposed that every month each pair begets
a new pair which from the second month on becomes productive?
This moves past an elementary exponential growth model for population in-
crease to include the fact that there is an initial period where newborns are not
fertile. However, it retains other simplyng assumptions, such as that there is
no gestation period and no mortality.
To get the total number of pairs we will have next month, we add this
month's total to the number of pairs that will be newborn next month. The
number of pairs that will be productive next month, that will then be in their
\second month on," is the number that were alive last month.
f(n+ 1) =f(n) +f(n 1) where f(0) = 0,f(1) = 1
The is an example of a recurrence relation , becausefrecurs in its own dening
equation. From it, we can easily answer Fibonacci's twelve-month question.
month 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
pairs 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144 233
The sequence of numbers dened by the above equation (of which the rst few
are listed) is the Fibonacci sequence . The material of this chapter can be used
to give a formula with which we can can calculate f(n+ 1) without having to
rst ndf(n),f(n 1), etc.
For that, observe that the recurrence is a linear relationship and so we can
give a suitable matrix formulation of it.
1 1
1 0
f(n)
f(n 1)
=
f(n+ 1)
f(n)
where
f(1)
f(0)
=
1
1
Then, where we write Tfor the matrix and ~ vnfor the vector with components
f(n+1) andf(n), we have that ~ vn=Tn~ v0. The advantage of this matrix formu-
lation is that by diagonalizing Twe get a fast way to compute its powers: where
T=PDP 1we haveTn=PDnP 1, and then-th power of the diagonal
matrixDis the diagonal matrix whose entries that are the n-th powers of the
entries ofD.
The characteristic equation of Tis2 1. The quadratic formula gives
its roots as (1 +p
5)=2 and (1 p
5)=2. Diagonalizing gives this.
1 1
1 0
=1+p
5
21 p
5
2
1 1
1+p
5
20
01 p
5
2! 1p
5 1 p
5
2p
5
1p
51+p
5
2p
5!
406 Chapter Five. Similarity
Introducing the vectors and taking the n-th power, we have
f(n+ 1)
f(n)
=1 1
1 0nf(1)
f(0)
=1+p
5
21 p
5
2
1 10
@
1+p
5
2n
0
0
1 p
5
2n1
A 1p
5 1 p
5
2p
5
1p
51+p
5
2p
5!1
0
The calculation is ugly but not hard.
f(n+ 1)
f(n)
=1+p
5
21 p
5
2
1 10
@
1+p
5
2n
0
0
1 p
5
2n1
A 1p
5
1p
5!
=1+p
5
21 p
5
2
1 10
@1p
5
1+p
5
2n
1p
5
1 p
5
2n1
A
=0
@1p
5
1+p
5
2n+1
1p
5
1 p
5
2n+1
1p
5
1+p
5
2n
1p
5
1 p
5
2n1
A
We want the second component of that equation.
f(n) =1p
5"
1 +p
5
2!n
1 p
5
2!n#
Notice that (1 p
5)=20:618 has absolute value less than one and so its
powers go to zero. Thus the expression is dominated by its rst term. Although
we have extended the elementary model of population growth by adding a delay
period before the onset of fertility, we nonetheless still get an asmyptotically
exponential function.
In general, a linear recurrence relation has the form
f(n+ 1) =anf(n) +an 1f(n 1) ++an kf(n k)
(it is also called a dierence equation ). This recurrence relation is homogeneous
because there is no constant term; i.e, it can be put into the form 0 = f(n+1)+
anf(n)+an 1f(n 1)++an kf(n k). This is said to be a relation of order
k. The relation, along with the initial conditions f(0), . . . ,f(k) completely
determine a sequence. For instance, the Fibonacci relation is of order 2 and
it, along with the two initial conditions f(0) = 1 and f(1) = 1, determines the
Fibonacci sequence simply because we can compute any f(n) by rst computing
f(2),f(3), etc. In this Topic, we shall see how linear algebra can be used to
solve linear recurrence relations.
First, we dene the vector space in which we are working. Let Vbe the set
of functions ffrom the natural numbers N=f0;1;2;:::gto the real numbers.
Topic: Linear Recurrences 407
(Below we shall have functions with domain f1;2;:::g, that is, without 0, but
it is not an important distinction.)
Putting the initial conditions aside for a moment, for any recurrence, we can
consider the subset SofVof solutions. For example, without initial conditions,
in addition to the function fgiven above, the Fibonacci relation is also solved by
the function gwhose rst few values are g(0) = 1,g(1) = 2,g(2) = 3,g(3) = 4,
andg(4) = 7.
The subset Sis a subspace of V. It is nonempty because the zero function
is a solution. It is closed under addition since if f1andf2are solutions, then
an+1(f1+f2)(n+ 1) ++an k(f1+f2)(n k)
= (an+1f1(n+ 1) ++an kf1(n k))
+ (an+1f2(n+ 1) ++an kf2(n k))
= 0:
And, it is closed under scalar multiplication since
an+1(rf1)(n+ 1) ++an k(rf1)(n k)
=r(an+1f1(n+ 1) ++an kf1(n k))
=r0
= 0:
We can give the dimension of S. Consider this map from the set of functions S
to the set of vectors Rk.
f7!0
BBB@f(0)
f(1)
...
f(k)1
CCCA
Exercise 3 shows that this map is linear. Because, as noted above, any solution
of the recurrence is uniquely determined by the kinitial conditions, this map is
one-to-one and onto. Thus it is an isomorphism, and thus Shas dimension k,
the order of the recurrence.
So (again, without any initial conditions), we can describe the set of solu-
tions of any linear homogeneous recurrence relation of degree kby taking linear
combinations of only klinearly independent functions. It remains to produce
those functions.
For that, we express the recurrence f(n+ 1) =anf(n) ++an kf(n k)
with a matrix equation.
0
BBBBBBB@anan 1an 2::: an k+1an k
1 0 0 ::: 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 1
............
0 0 0 ::: 1 01
CCCCCCCA0
BBB@f(n)
f(n 1)
...
f(n k)1
CCCA=0
BBB@f(n+ 1)
f(n)
...
f(n k+ 1)1
CCCA
408 Chapter Five. Similarity
In trying to nd the characteristic function of the matrix, we can see the pattern
in the 22 casean an 1
1
=2 an an 1
and 33 case.
0
@an an 1an 2
1 0
0 1 1
A= 3+an2+an 1+an 2
Exercise 4 shows that the characteristic equation is this.
an an 1an 2::: an k+1an k
1 0::: 0 0
0 1
0 0 1
............
0 0 0 ::: 1
=( k+ank 1+an 1k 2++an k+1+an k)
We call that the polynomial `associated' with the recurrence relation. (We will
be nding the roots of this polynomial and so we can drop the as irrelevant.)
If k+ank 1+an 1k 2++an k+1+an khas no repeated roots
then the matrix is diagonalizable and we can, in theory, get a formula for f(n)
as in the Fibonacci case. But, because we know that the subspace of solutions
has dimension k, we do not need to do the diagonalization calculation, provided
that we can exhibit klinearly independent functions satisfying the relation.
Wherer1,r2, . . . ,rkare the distinct roots, consider the functions fr1(n) =rn
1
throughfrk(n) =rn
kof powers of those roots. Exercise 5 shows that each is a
solution of the recurrence and that the kof them form a linearly independent
set. So, given the homogeneous linear recurrence f(n+ 1) =anf(n) ++
an kf(n k) (that is, 0 = f(n+1)+anf(n)++an kf(n k)) we consider
the associated equation 0 = k+ank 1++an k+1+an k. We nd its
rootsr1, . . . ,rk, and if those roots are distinct then any solution of the relation
has the form f(n) =c1rn
1+c2rn
2++ckrn
kforc1;:::;cn2R. (The case of
repeated roots is also easily done, but we won't cover it here | see any text on
Discrete Mathematics.)
Now, given some initial conditions, so that we are interested in a particular
solution, we can solve for c1, . . . ,cn. For instance, the polynomial associated
with the Fibonacci relation is 2++ 1, whose roots are (1 p
5)=2 and so
any solution of the Fibonacci equation has the form f(n) =c1((1 +p
5)=2)n+
c2((1 p
5)=2)n. Including the initial conditions for the cases n= 0 andn= 1
gives
c1+ c2= 1
(1 +p
5=2)c1+ (1 p
5=2)c2= 1
Topic: Linear Recurrences 409
which yields c1= 1=p
5 andc2= 1=p
5, as was calculated above.
We close by considering the nonhomogeneous case, where the relation has the
formf(n+1) =anf(n)+an 1f(n 1)++an kf(n k)+bfor some nonzero
b. As in the rst chapter of this book, only a small adjustment is needed to make
the transition from the homogeneous case. This classic example illustrates.
In 1883, Edouard Lucas posed the following problem.
In the great temple at Benares, beneath the dome which marks
the center of the world, rests a brass plate in which are xed three
diamond needles, each a cubit high and as thick as the body of a
bee. On one of these needles, at the creation, God placed sixty four
disks of pure gold, the largest disk resting on the brass plate, and
the others getting smaller and smaller up to the top one. This is the
Tower of Bramah. Day and night unceasingly the priests transfer
the disks from one diamond needle to another according to the xed
and immutable laws of Bramah, which require that the priest on
duty must not move more than one disk at a time and that he must
place this disk on a needle so that there is no smaller disk below
it. When the sixty-four disks shall have been thus transferred from
the needle on which at the creation God placed them to one of the
other needles, tower, temple, and Brahmins alike will crumble into
dusk, and with a thunderclap the world will vanish. (Translation of
[De Parville] from [Ball & Coxeter].)
How many disk moves will it take? Instead of tackling the sixty four disk
problem right away, we will consider the problem for smaller numbers of disks,
starting with three.
To begin, all three disks are on the same needle.
After moving the small disk to the far needle, the mid-sized disk to the middle
needle, and then moving the small disk to the middle needle we have this.
410 Chapter Five. Similarity
Now we can move the big disk over. Then, to nish, we repeat the process of
moving the smaller disks, this time so that they end up on the third needle, on
top of the big disk.
So the thing to see is that to move the very largest disk, the bottom disk,
at a minimum we must: rst move the smaller disks to the middle needle, then
move the big one, and then move all the smaller ones from the middle needle to
the ending needle. Those three steps give us this recurence.
T(n+ 1) =T(n) + 1 +T(n) = 2T(n) + 1 where T(1) = 1
We can easily get the rst few values of T.
n1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
T(n)1 3 7 15 31 63 127 255 511 1023
We recognize those as being simply one less than a power of two.
To derive this equation instead of just guessing at it, we write the original
relation as 1 = T(n+ 1) + 2T(n), consider the homogeneous relation 0 =
T(n) + 2T(n 1), get its associated polynomial + 2, which obviously has
the single, unique, root of r1= 2, and conclude that functions satisfying the
homogeneous relation take the form T(n) =c12n.
That's the homogeneous solution. Now we need a particular solution.
Because the nonhomogeneous relation 1 = T(n+ 1) + 2T(n) is so simple,
in a few minutes (or by remembering the table) we can spot the particular
solutionT(n) = 1 (there are other particular solutions, but this one is easily
spotted). So we have that | without yet considering the initial condition | any
solution of T(n+ 1) = 2T(n) + 1 is the sum of the homogeneous solution and
this particular solution: T(n) =c12n 1.
The initial condition T(1) = 1 now gives that c1= 1, and we've gotten the
formula that generates the table: the n-disk Tower of Hanoi problem requires a
minimum of 2n 1 moves.
Finding a particular solution in more complicated cases is, naturally, more
complicated. A delightful and rewarding, but challenging, source on recur-
rence relations is [Graham, Knuth, Patashnik]., For more on the Tower of Hanoi,
[Ball & Coxeter] or [Gardner 1957] are good starting points. So is [Hofstadter].
Some computer code for trying some recurrence relations follows the exercises.
Exercises
1Solve each homogeneous linear recurrence relations.
(a)f(n+ 1) = 5f(n) 6f(n 1)
(b)f(n+ 1) = 4f(n 1)
(c)f(n+ 1) = 5f(n) 2f(n 1) 8f(n 2)
2Give a formula for the relations of the prior exercise, with these initial condi-
tions.
(a)f(0) = 1,f(1) = 1
(b)f(0) = 0,f(1) = 1
(c)f(0) = 1,f(1) = 1,f(2) = 3.
Topic: Linear Recurrences 411
3Check that the isomorphism given betwween SandRkis a linear map. It is
argued above that this map is one-to-one. What is its inverse?
4Show that the characteristic equation of the matrix is as stated, that is, is the
polynomial associated with the relation. (Hint: expanding down the nal column,
and using induction will work.)
5Given a homogeneous linear recurrence relation f(n+ 1) =anf(n) ++
an kf(n k), letr1, . . . ,rkbe the roots of the associated polynomial.
(a)Prove that each function fri(n) =rn
ksatises the recurrence (without initial
conditions).
(b)Prove that no riis 0.
(c)Prove that the set ffr1;:::;frkgis linearly independent.
6(This refers to the value T(64) = 18;446;744;073;709;551;615 given in the com-
puter code below.) Transferring one disk per second, how many years would it
take the priests at the Tower of Hanoi to nish the job?
Computer Code
This code allows the generation of the rst few values of a function dened
by a recurrence and initial conditions. It is in the Scheme dialect of LISP
(specically, it was written for A. Jaer's free scheme interpreter SCM, although
it should run in any Scheme implementation).
First, the Tower of Hanoi code is a straightforward implementation of the
recurrence.
(define (tower-of-hanoi-moves n)
(if (= n 1)
1
(+ (* (tower-of-hanoi-moves (- n 1))
2)
1) ) )
(Note for readers unused to recursive code: to compute T(64), the computer is
told to compute 2 T(63) 1, which requires, of course, computing T(63). The
computer puts the `times 2' and the `plus 1' aside for a moment to do that. It
computesT(63) by using this same piece of code (that's what `recursive' means),
and to do that is told to compute 2 T(62) 1. This keeps up (the next step
is to try to do T(62) while the other arithmetic is held in waiting), until, after
63 steps, the computer tries to compute T(1). It then returns T(1) = 1, which
now means that the computation of T(2) can proceed, etc., up until the original
computation of T(64) nishes.)
The next routine calculates a table of the rst few values. (Some language
notes: '()is the empty list, that is, the empty sequence, and cons pushes
something onto the start of a list. Note that, in the last line, the procedure
proc is called on argument n.)
(define (first-few-outputs proc n)
(first-few-outputs-helper proc n '()) )
;
(define (first-few-outputs-aux proc n lst)
(if (< n 1)
412 Chapter Five. Similarity
lst
(first-few-outputs-aux proc (- n 1) (cons (proc n) lst)) ) )
The session at the SCM prompt went like this.
>(first-few-outputs tower-of-hanoi-moves 64)
Evaluation took 120 mSec
(1 3 7 15 31 63 127 255 511 1023 2047 4095 8191 16383 32767
65535 131071 262143 524287 1048575 2097151 4194303 8388607
16777215 33554431 67108863 134217727 268435455 536870911
1073741823 2147483647 4294967295 8589934591 17179869183
34359738367 68719476735 137438953471 274877906943 549755813887
1099511627775 2199023255551 4398046511103 8796093022207
17592186044415 35184372088831 70368744177663 140737488355327
281474976710655 562949953421311 1125899906842623
2251799813685247 4503599627370495 9007199254740991
18014398509481983 36028797018963967 72057594037927935
144115188075855871 288230376151711743 576460752303423487
1152921504606846975 2305843009213693951 4611686018427387903
9223372036854775807 18446744073709551615)
This is a list of T(1) through T(64). (The 120 mSec came on a 50 mHz '486
running in an XTerm of XWindow under Linux. The session was edited to put
line breaks between numbers.)
Appendix
Mathematics is made of arguments (reasoned discourse that is, not crockery-
throwing). This section is a reference to the most used techniques. A reader
having trouble with, say, proof by contradiction, can turn here for an outline of
that method.
But this section gives only a sketch. For more, these are classics: Methods
of Logic by Quine, Induction and Analogy in Mathematics by P olya, and Naive
Set Theory by Halmos.
IV.3 Propositions
The point at issue in an argument is the proposition . Mathematicians usually
write the point in full before the proof and label it either Theorem for major
points, Corollary for points that follow immediately from a prior one, or Lemma
for results chie
y used to prove other results.
The statements expressing propositions can be complex, with many subparts.
The truth or falsity of the entire proposition depends both on the truth value
of the parts, and on the words used to assemble the statement from its parts.
Not. For example, where Pis a proposition, `it is not the case that P' is
true provided that Pis false. Thus, ` nis not prime' is true only when nis the
product of smaller integers.
We can picture the `not' operation with a Venn diagram .
P
Where the box encloses all natural numbers, and inside the circle are the primes,
the shaded area holds numbers satisfying `not P'.
To prove that a `not P' statement holds, show that Pis false.
A-1
A-2
And. Consider the statement form ` PandQ'. For the statement to be true
both halves must hold: `7 is prime and so is 3' is true, while `7 is prime and 3
is not' is false.
Here is the Venn diagram for ` PandQ'.
PQ
To prove `PandQ', prove that each half holds.
Or. A `PorQ' is true when either half holds: `7 is prime or 4 is prime' is
true, while `7 is not prime or 4 is prime' is false. We take `or' inclusively so that
if both halves are true `7 is prime or 4 is not' then the statement as a whole is
true. (In everyday speech, sometimes `or' is meant in an exclusive way | \Eat
your vegetables or no dessert" does not intend both halves to hold | but we
will not use `or' in that way.)
The Venn diagram for `or' includes all of both circles.
PQ
To prove `PorQ', show that in all cases at least one half holds (perhaps
sometimes one half and sometimes the other, but always at least one).
If-then. An `ifPthenQ' statement (sometimes written ` Pmaterially implies
Q' or just `PimpliesQ' or `P=)Q') is true unless Pis true while Qis false.
Thus `if 7 is prime then 4 is not' is true while `if 7 is prime then 4 is also prime'
is false. (Contrary to its use in casual speech, in mathematics `if PthenQ' does
not connote that PprecedesQor causesQ.)
More subtly, in mathematics `if PthenQ' is true when Pis false: `if 4 is
prime then 7 is prime' and `if 4 is prime then 7 is not' are both true statements,
sometimes said to be vacuously true . We adopt this convention because we want
statements like `if a number is a perfect square then it is not prime' to be true,
for instance when the number is 5 or when the number is 6.
The diagram
PQ
A-3
shows that Qholds whenever Pdoes (another phrasing is ` Pis sucient to give
Q'). Notice again that if Pdoes not hold, Qmay or may not be in force.
There are two main ways to establish an implication. The rst way is direct:
assume that Pis true and, using that assumption, prove Q. For instance, to
show `if a number is divisible by 5 then twice that number is divisible by 10',
assume that the number is 5 nand deduce that 2(5 n) = 10n. The second way
is indirect: prove the contrapositive statement: `if Qis false then Pis false'
(rephrased, ` Qcan only be false when Pis also false'). As an example, to show
`if a number is prime then it is not a perfect square', argue that if it were a
squarep=n2then it could be factored p=nnwheren<p and so wouldn't
be prime (of course p= 0 orp= 1 don't give n<p but they are nonprime by
denition).
Note two things about this statement form.
First, an `if PthenQ' result can sometimes be improved by weakening P
or strengthening Q. Thus, `if a number is divisible by p2then its square is
also divisible by p2' could be upgraded either by relaxing its hypothesis: `if a
number is divisible by pthen its square is divisible by p2', or by tightening its
conclusion: `if a number is divisible by p2then its square is divisible by p4'.
Second, after showing `if PthenQ', a good next step is to look into whether
there are cases where Qholds butPdoes not. The idea is to better under-
stand the relationship between PandQ, with an eye toward strengthening the
proposition.
Equivalence. An if-then statement cannot be improved when not only does
PimplyQ, but alsoQimpliesP. Some ways to say this are: ` Pif and only if
Q', `PiQ', `PandQare logically equivalent', ` Pis necessary and sucient
to giveQ', `P()Q'. For example, `a number is divisible by a prime if and
only if that number squared is divisible by the prime squared'.
The picture here shows that PandQhold in exactly the same cases.
PQ
Although in simple arguments a chain like \ Pif and only if R, which holds if
and only if S. . . " may be practical, typically we show equivalence by showing
the `ifPthenQ' and `ifQthenP' halves separately.
IV.4 Quantiers
Compare these two statements about natural numbers: `there is an xsuch
thatxis divisible by x2' is true, while `for all numbers x, thatxis divisible by
x2' is false. We call the `there is' and `for all' prexes quantiers .
A-4
For all. The `for all' prex is the universal quantier , symbolized8.
Venn diagrams aren't very helpful with quantiers, but in a sense the box
we draw to border the diagram shows the universal quantier since it dilineates
the universe of possible members.
To prove that a statement holds in all cases, we must show that it holds in
each case. Thus, to prove `every number divisible by phas its square divisible
byp2', take a single number of the form pnand square it ( pn)2=p2n2. This is
a \typical element" or \generic element" proof.
This kind of argument requires that we are careful to not assume properties
for that element other than those in the hypothesis | for instance, this type of
wrong argument is a common mistake: \if nis divisible by a prime, say 2, so
thatn= 2kthenn2= (2k)2= 4k2and the square of the number is divisible
by the square of the prime". That is an argument about the case p= 2, but it
isn't a proof for general p.
There exists. We will also use the existential quantier , symbolized9and
read `there exists'.
As noted above, Venn diagrams are not much help with quantiers, but a
picture of `there is a number such that P' would show both that there can be
more than one and that not all numbers need satisfy P.
P
An existence proposition can be proved by producing something satisfying
the property: once, to settle the question of primality of 225+1, Euler produced
its divisor 641. But there are proofs showing that something exists without say-
ing how to nd it; Euclid's argument given in the next subsection shows there
are innitely many primes without naming them. In general, while demon-
strating existence is better than nothing, giving an example is better, and an
exhaustive list of all instances is great. Still, mathematicians take what they
can get.
Finally, along with \Are there any?" we often ask \How many?" That
is why the issue of uniqueness often arises in conjunction with questions of
existence. Many times the two arguments are simpler if separated, so note that
just as proving something exists does not show it is unique, neither does proving
something is unique show that it exists. (Obviously `the natural number with
A-5
more factors than any other' would be unique, but in fact no such number
exists.)
IV.5 Techniques of Proof
Induction. Many proofs are iterative, \Here's why the statement is true for
for the case of the number 1, it then follows for 2, and from there to 3, and so
on . . . ". These are called proofs by induction . Such a proof has two steps. In
thebase step the proposition is established for some rst number, often 0 or 1.
Then in the inductive step we assume that the proposition holds for numbers
up to some kand deduce that it then holds for the next number k+ 1.
Here is an example.
We will prove that 1 + 2 + 3 + +n=n(n+ 1)=2.
For the base step we must show that the formula holds when n= 1.
That's easy, the sum of the rst 1 number does indeed equal 1(1 + 1) =2.
For the inductive step, assume that the formula holds for the numbers
1;2;:::;k . That is, assume all of these instances of the formula.
1 = 1(1 + 1) =2
and 1 + 2 = 2(2 + 1) =2
and 1 + 2 + 3 = 3(3 + 1) =2
...
and 1 ++k=k(k+ 1)=2
From this assumption we will deduce that the formula therefore also holds
in thek+ 1 next case. The deduction is straightforward algebra.
1 + 2 ++k+ (k+ 1) =k(k+ 1)
2+ (k+ 1) =(k+ 1)(k+ 2)
2
We've shown in the base case that the above proposition holds for 1. We've
shown in the inductive step that if it holds for the case of 1 then it also holds
for 2; therefore it does hold for 2. We've also shown in the inductive step that
if the statement holds for the cases of 1 and 2 then it also holds for the next
case 3, etc. Thus it holds for any natural number greater than or equal to 1.
Here is another example.
We will prove that every integer greater than 1 is a product of primes.
The base step is easy: 2 is the product of a single prime.
For the inductive step assume that each of 2 ;3;:::;k is a product of
primes, aiming to show k+ 1 is also a product of primes. There are two
A-6
possibilities: (i) if k+ 1 is not divisible by a number smaller than itself
then it is a prime and so is the product of primes, and (ii) if k+ 1 is
divisible then its factors can be written as a product of primes (by the
inductive hypothesis) and so k+1 can be rewritten as a product of primes.
That ends the proof.
(Remark. The Prime Factorization Theorem of Number Theory says that
not only does a factorization exist, but that it is unique. We've shown the
easy half.)
There are two things to note about the `next number' in an induction argu-
ment.
For one thing, while induction works on the integers, it's no good on the
reals. There is no `next' real.
The other thing is that we sometimes use induction to go down, say, from 10
to 9 to 8, etc., down to 0. So `next number' could mean `next lowest number'.
Of course, at the end we have not shown the fact for all natural numbers, only
for those less than or equal to 10.
Contradiction. Another technique of proof is to show something is true by
showing it can't be false.
The classic example is Euclid's, that there are innitely many primes.
Suppose there are only nitely many primes p1;:::;pk. Consider p1
p2:::pk+1. None of the primes on this supposedly exhaustive list divides
that number evenly, each leaves a remainder of 1. But every number is
a product of primes so this can't be. Thus there cannot be only nitely
many primes.
Every proof by contradiction has the same form: assume that the proposition
is false and derive some contradiction to known facts.
Another example is this proof thatp
2 is not a rational number.
Suppose thatp
2 =m=n.
2n2=m2
Factor out any 2's: n= 2kn^nandm= 2km^mand rewrite.
2(2kn^n)2= (2km^m)2
The Prime Factorization Theorem says that there must be the same num-
ber of factors of 2 on both sides, but there are an odd number 1 + 2 knon
the left and an even number 2 kmon the right. That's a contradiction, so
a rational with a square of 2 cannot be.
Both of these examples aimed to prove something doesn't exist. A negative
proposition often suggests a proof by contradiction.
A-7
IV.6 Sets, Functions, and Relations
Sets. Mathematicians work with collections, called sets. A set can be given
as a listing between curly braces as in f1;4;9;16g, or, if that's unwieldy, by
using set-builder notation as in fxx5 3x3+ 2 = 0g(read \the set of all x
such that . . . "). We name sets with capital roman letters as with the primes
P=f2;3;5;7;11;:::g, except for a few special sets such as the real numbers
R, and the complex numbers C. To denote that something is an element (or
member ) of a set we use ` 2', so that 72f3;5;7gwhile 862f3;5;7g.
What distinguishes a set from any other type of collection is the Principle
of Extensionality, that two sets with the same elements are equal. Because of
this principle, in a set repeats collapse f7;7g=f7gand order doesn't matter
f2;g=f;2g.
We use `' for the proper subset relationship: Ais a subset of B, so that any
element ofAis an element of B, butA6=B. An example isf2;gf 2;;7g.
We use `' if eitherABor two sets are equal. These symbols may be
ipped,
for instancef2;;5gf 2;5g.
Because of Extensionality, to prove that two sets are equal A=B, just show
that they have the same members. Usually we show mutual inclusion, that both
ABandAB.
Set operations. Venn diagrams are handy here. For instance, x2Pcan be
pictured
P
x
and `PQ' looks like this.
PQ
Note that this is a repeat of the diagram for `if . . . then . . . ' propositions. That's
because `PQ' means `ifx2Pthenx2Q'.
In general, for every propositional logic operator there is an associated set
operator. For instance, the complement ofPisPcomp=fxnot(x2P)g
A-8
P
theunion isP[Q=fx(x2P) or (x2Q)g
PQ
and the intersection isP\Q=fx(x2P) and (x2Q)g:
PQ
When two sets share no members their intersection is the empty setfg,
symbolized ?. Any set has the empty set for a subset, by the `vacuously true'
property of the denition of implication.
Sequences. We shall also use collections where order does matter and where
repeats do not collapse. These are sequences , denoted with angle brackets:
h2;3;7i6=h2;7;3i. A sequence of length 2 is sometimes called an ordered pair
and written with parentheses: ( ;3). We also sometimes say `ordered triple',
`ordered 4-tuple', etc. The set of ordered n-tuples of elements of a set Ais
denotedAn. Thus the set of pairs of reals is R2.
Functions. We rst see functions in elementary Algebra, where they are pre-
sented as formulas (e.g., f(x) = 16x2 100), but progressing to more advanced
Mathematics reveals more general functions | trigonometric ones, exponential
and logarithmic ones, and even constructs like absolute value that involve piec-
ing together parts | and we see that functions aren't formulas, instead the key
idea is that a function associates with its input xa single output f(x).
Consequently, a function ormap is dened to be a set of ordered pairs
(x;f(x) ) such that xsuces to determine f(x), that is: if x1=x2thenf(x1) =
f(x2) (this requirement is referred to by saying a function is well-dened ).
Each input xis one of the function's arguments and each output f(x) is a
value . The set of all arguments is f'sdomain and the set of output values is
itsrange . Usually we don't need know what is and is not in the range and we
instead work with a superset of the range, the codomain . The notation for a
functionfwith domain Xand codomain Yisf:X!Y.
More on this is in the section on isomorphisms
A-9
We sometimes instead use the notation xf7 !16x2 100, read `xmaps under
fto 16x2 100', or `16 x2 100 is the image ofx'.
Some maps, like x7!sin(1=x), can be thought of as combinations of simple
maps, here, g(y) = sin(y) applied to the image of f(x) = 1=x. The composition
ofg:Y!Zwithf:X!Y, is the map sending x2Xtog(f(x) )2Z. It is
denotedgf:X!Z. This denition only makes sense if the range of fis a
subset of the domain of g.
Observe that the identity map id:Y!Ydened by id( y) =yhas the
property that for any f:X!Y, the composition id fis equal to f. So an
identity map plays the same role with respect to function composition that
the number 0 plays in real number addition, or that the number 1 plays in
multiplication.
In line with that analogy, dene a left inverse of a mapf:X!Yto be a
functiong: range(f)!Xsuch thatgfis the identity map on X. Of course,
aright inverse offis ah:Y!Xsuch thatfhis the identity.
A map that is both a left and right inverse of fis called simply an inverse .
An inverse, if one exists, is unique because if both g1andg2are inverses of f
theng1(x) =g1(fg2)(x) = (g1f)g2(x) =g2(x) (the middle equality
comes from the associativity of function composition), so we often call it \the"
inverse, written f 1. For instance, the inverse of the function f:R!Rgiven
byf(x) = 2x 3 is the function f 1:R!Rgiven byf 1(x) = (x+ 3)=2.
The superscript ` f 1' notation for function inverse can be confusing | it
doesn't mean 1 =f(x). It is used because it ts into a larger scheme. Func-
tions that have the same codomain as domain can be iterated, so that where
f:X!X, we can consider the composition of fwith itself: ff, andfff,
etc. Naturally enough, we write ffasf2andfffasf3, etc. Note
that the familiar exponent rules for real numbers obviously hold: fifj=fi+j
and (fi)j=fij. The relationship with the prior paragraph is that, where fis
invertible, writing f 1for the inverse and f 2for the inverse of f2, etc., gives
that these familiar exponent rules continue to hold, once f0is dened to be the
identity map.
If the codomain Yequals the range of fthen we say that the function is onto.
A function has a right inverse if and only if it is onto (this is not hard to check).
If no two arguments share an image, if x16=x2implies that f(x1)6=f(x2),
then the function is one-to-one . A function has a left inverse if and only if it is
one-to-one (this is also not hard to check).
By the prior paragraph, a map has an inverse if and only if it is both onto
and one-to-one; such a function is a correspondence . It associates one and only
one element of the domain with each element of the range (for example, nite
A-10
sets must have the same number of elements to be matched up in this way).
Because a composition of one-to-one maps is one-to-one, and a composition of
onto maps is onto, a composition of correspondences is a correspondence.
We sometimes want to shrink the domain of a function. For instance, we
may take the function f:R!Rgiven byf(x) =x2and, in order to have an
inverse, limit input arguments to nonnegative reals ^f:R+!R. Technically,
^fis a dierent function than f; we call it the restriction offto the smaller
domain.
A nal point on functions: neither xnorf(x) need be a number. As an
example, we can think of f(x;y) =x+yas a function that takes the ordered
pair (x;y) as its argument.
Relations. Some familiar operations are obviously functions: addition maps
(5;3) to 8. But what of ` <' or `='? We here take the approach of rephrasing
`3<5' to `(3;5) is in the relation <'. That is, dene a binary relation on a set
Ato be a set of ordered pairs of elements of A. For example, the <relation is
the setf(a;b)a<bg; some elements of that set are (3 ;5), (3;7), and (1;100).
Another binary relation on the natural numbers is equality; this relation is
formally written as the set f:::;( 1; 1);(0;0);(1;1);:::g.
Still another example is `closer than 10', the set f(x;y)jx yj<10g. Some
members of that relation are (1 ;10), (10;1), and (42 ;44). Neither (11 ;1) nor
(1;11) is a member.
Those examples illustrate the generality of the denition. All kinds of re-
lationships (e.g., `both numbers even' or `rst number is the second with the
digits reversed') are covered under the denition.
Equivalence Relations. We shall need to say, formally, that two objects
are alike in some way. While these alike things aren't identical, they are related
(e.g., two integers that `give the same remainder when divided by 2').
A binary relation f(a;b);:::gis an equivalence relation when it satises
(1)re
exivity : any object is related to itself;
(2)symmetry : ifais related to bthenbis related to a;
(3)transitivity : ifais related to bandbis related to cthenais related to c.
(To see that these conditions formalize being the same, read them again, replac-
ing `is related to' with `is like'.)
Some examples (on the integers): `=' is an equivalence relation, ` <' does
not satisfy symmetry, `same sign' is a equivalence, while `nearer than 10' fails
transitivity.
Partitions. In `same sign'f(1;3);( 5; 7);( 1; 1);:::gthere are two kinds
of pairs, the rst with both numbers positive and the second with both negative.
So integers fall into exactly one of two classes, positive or negative.
Apartition of a setSis a collection of subsets fS1;S2;:::gsuch that every
element ofSis in one and only one Si:S1[S2[:::=S, and ifiis not equal
tojthenSi\Sj=?. PictureSbeing decomposed into distinct parts.
A-11
. . .S0S1S2
S3
Thus, the rst paragraph says `same sign' partitions the integers into the pos-
itives and the negatives. Similarly, the equivalence relation `=' partitions the
integers into one-element sets.
Another example is the fractions. Of course, 2 =3 and 4=6 are equivalent
fractions. That is, for the set S=fn=dn;d2Zandd6= 0g, we dene two
elementsn1=d1andn2=d2to be equivalent if n1d2=n2d1. We can check that
this is an equivalence relation, that is, that it satises the above three conditions.
With that, Sis divided up into parts.
. . .:0=1
:0=3:1=1
:2=2:2=4: 2= 4
:4=3
:8=6
Before we show that equivalence relations always give rise to partitions,
we rst illustrate the argument. Consider the relationship between two in-
tegers of `same parity', the set f( 1;3);(2;4);(0;0);:::g(i.e., `give the same
remainder when divided by 2'). We want to say that the natural numbers
split into two pieces, the evens and the odds, and inside a piece each mem-
ber has the same parity as each other. So for each xwe dene the set of
numbers associated with it: Sx=fy(x;y)2`same parity'g. Some exam-
ples areS1=f:::; 3; 1;1;3;:::g, andS4=f:::; 2;0;2;4;:::g, andS 1=
f:::; 3; 1;1;3;:::g. These are the parts, e.g., S1is the odds.
Theorem. An equivalence relation induces a partition on the underlying set.
Proof .Call the set Sand the relation R. In line with the illustration in the
paragraph above, for each x2SdeneSx=fy(x;y)2Rg.
Observe that, as xis a member if Sx, the union of all these sets is S. So
we will be done if we show that distinct parts are disjoint: if Sx6=Sythen
Sx\Sy=?. We will verify this through the contrapositive, that is, we wlll
assume that Sx\Sy6=?in order to deduce that Sx=Sy.
Letpbe an element of the intersection. Then by denition of SxandSy, the
two (x;p) and (y;p) are members of R, and by symmetry of this relation ( p;x)
and (p;y) are also members of R. To show that Sx=Sywe will show each is a
subset of the other.
Assume that q2Sxso that (q;x)2R. Use transitivity along with ( x;p)2R
to conclude that ( q;p) is also an element of R. But (p;y)2Rso another use
of transitivity gives that ( q;y)2R. Thusq2Sy. Therefore q2Sximplies
q2Sy, and soSxSy.
The same argument in the other direction gives the other inclusion, and so
the two sets are equal, completing the contrapositive argument. QED
A-12
We call each part of a partition an equivalence class (or informally, `part').
We somtimes pick a single element of each equivalence class to be the class
representative .
. . .???
?
Usually when we pick representatives we have some natural scheme in mind. In
that case we call them the canonical representatives.
An example is the simplest form of a fraction. We've dened 3 =5 and 9=15
to be equivalent fractions. In everyday work we often use the `simplest form' or
`reduced form' fraction as the class representatives.
. . .?0=1?1=1?1=2
?4=3
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Index
accuracy
of Gauss' method, 67{70
rounding error, 68
adding rows, 4
addition
vector, 78
additive inverse, 78
adjoint matrix, 326
angle, 42
antipodal, 338
antisymmetric matrix, 136
argument, A-8
arrow diagram, 215, 231, 236, 240, 351
augmented matrix, 14
automorphism, 161
dilation, 161
re
ection, 161
rotation, 161
back-substitution, 5
base step
of induction, A-5
basis, 110{122
change of, 236
denition, 110
orthogonal, 254
orthogonalization, 255
orthonormal, 256
standard, 111, 350
standard over the complex numbers,
350
string, 371
best t line, 267
block matrix, 309
box, 319
orientation, 319
sense, 319
volume, 319
C language, 67canonical form
for matrix equivalence, 243
for nilpotent matrices, 374
for row equivalence, 58
for similarity, 392
canonical representative, A-12
Cauchy-Schwartz Inequality, 42
Cayley-Hamilton theorem, 382
central projection, 335
change of basis, 236{247
characteristic
vectors, values, 357
characteristic equation, 360
characteristic polynomial, 360
characterized, 170
characterizes, 244
Chemistry problem, 1, 10
chemistry problem, 22
circuits
parallel, 72
series, 72
series-parallel, 73
class
equivalence, A-12
closure, 93
of nullspace, 367
of rangespace, 367
codomain, A-8
cofactor, 325
column, 14
rank, 123
vector, 15
column rank
full, 128
column space, 123
combining rows, 4
complement, A-7
complementary subspaces, 133
orthogonal, 261
complex numbers
vector space over, 88
component, 15
composition, A-9
self, 365
computer algebra systems, 61{62
concatenation, 131
conditioning number, 70
congruent gures, 285
congruent plane gures, 285
contradiction, A-6
contrapositive, A-3
convex set, 181
coordinates
homogeneous, 338
with respect to a basis, 113
corollary, A-1
correspondence, 159, A-9
coset, 191
Cramer's rule, 329{331
cross product, 296
crystals, 140{143
diamond, 141
graphite, 141
salt, 140
unit cell, 141
da Vinci, Leonardo, 335
determinant, 292, 297{316
cofactor, 325
Cramer's rule, 330
denition, 297
exists, 307, 312
Laplace expansion, 325
minor, 325
permutation expansion, 306, 310, 332
diagonal matrix, 208, 223
diagonalizable, 354{357
dierence equation, 406
homogeneous, 406
dilation, 161, 274
representing, 201
dimension, 118
physical, 150
direct map, 288
direct sum, 129
), 137
denition, 133
external, 166
internal, 166
of two subspaces, 133direction vector, 35
distance-preserving, 285
division theorem, 348
domain, A-8
dot product, 40
double precision, 68
dual space, 192
echelon form, 6
free variable, 12
leading variable, 6
reduced, 47
eigenspace, 360
eigenvalue, eigenvector
of a matrix, 358
of a transformation, 357
element, A-7
elementary
matrix, 225, 273
elementary reduction operations, 4
rescaling, 4
row combination, 4
swapping, 4
elementary row operations, 4
elimination, 3
empty set, A-8
entry, 14
equivalence
class, A-12
canonical representative, A-12
relation, A-10
representative, A-12
equivalence relation, A-10, A-11
isomorphism, 167
matrix equivalence, 242
matrix similarity, 351
row equivalence, 50
equivalent statements, A-3
Erlanger Program, 285
Euclid, 285
even functions, 96, 135
even polynomials, 398
external direct sum, 166
Fibonacci sequence, 405
eld, 138{139
denition, 138
nite-dimensional vector space, 117
at, 37
form, 56
free variable, 12
full column rank, 128
full row rank, 128
function, A-8
inverse image, 183
argument, A-8
codomain, A-8
composition, 214, A-9
correspondence, A-9
domain, A-8
even, 96
identity, A-9
inverse, 230, A-9
left inverse, 229
multilinear, 302
odd, 97
one-to-one, A-9
onto, A-9
range, A-8
restriction, A-10
right inverse, 229
structure preserving, 159, 163
seehomomorphism, 174
two-sided inverse, 230
value, A-8
well-dened, A-8
zero, 175
Fundamental Theorem
of Linear Algebra, 266
Gauss' method, 3
accuracy, 67{70
back-substitution, 5
elementary operations, 4
Gauss-Jordan, 47
Gauss-Jordan, 47
Gaussian elimination, 3
generalized nullspace, 367
generalized rangespace, 367
Geometry of Linear Maps, 272{278
Gram-Schmidt process, 253{258
historyless
Markov chain, 279
homogeneous coordinate vector, 338
homogeneous coordinates, 290
homogeneous equation, 21
homomorphism, 174
composition, 214
matrix representing, 193{203nonsingular, 188, 206
nullity, 186
nullspace, 186
rangespace, 182
rank, 205
zero, 175
hyperplane, 37
ideal line, 341
ideal point, 341
identity
function, A-9
matrix, 223
if-then statement, A-2
ill-conditioned, 68
image
under a function, A-9
improper subspace, 90
incidence matrix, 227
index
of nilpotency, 370
induction, 23, A-5
inductive step
of induction, A-5
inherited operations, 80
inner product, 40
Input-Output Analysis, 63{66
internal direct sum, 133, 166
intersection, A-8
invariant
subspace, 377
invariant subspace
denition, 389
inverse, 230, A-9
additive, 78
exists, 230
left, 230, A-9
matrix, 327
right, 230, A-9
two-sided, A-9
inverse function, 230
inverse image, 183
inversion, 311
isometry, 285
isomorphism, 157{173
characterized by dimension, 170
denition, 159
of a space with itself, 161
Jordan block, 388
Jordan form, 379{398
represents similarity classes, 392
kernel, 186
Kirchho's Laws, 72
Klein, F., 285
Laplace expansion, 324{328
computes determinant, 325
leading variable, 6
least squares, 267{271
lemma, A-1
length, 39
Leontief, W., 63
line
best t, 267
in projective plane, 339
line at innity, 341
line of best t, 267{271
linear
transpose operation, 128
linear combination, 2
Linear Combination Lemma, 52
linear elimination, 3
linear equation, 2
coecients, 2
constant, 2
homogeneous, 21
inconsistent systems, 267
satised by a vector, 15
solution of, 2
Gauss' method, 4
Gauss-Jordan, 47
solutions of
Cramer's rule, 330
system of, 2
linear map
dilation, 274
re
ection, 288
rotation, 272, 288
seehomomorphism, 174
skew, 275
trace, 398
linear recurrence, 406
linear recurrences, 405{412
linear relationship, 100
linear surface, 37
linear transformation
seetransformation, 177
linearly dependent, 100linearly independent, 100
LINPACK, 61
map, A-8
distance-preserving, 285
extended linearly, 171
self composition, 365
Maple, 61
Markov chain, 279
historyless, 279
Markov chains, 279{284
Markov matrix, 283
material implication, A-2
Mathematica, 61
mathematical induction, 23, A-5
MATLAB, 61
matrix, 14
adjoint, 326
antisymmetric, 136
augmented, 14
block, 243, 309
change of basis, 236
characteristic polynomial, 360
cofactor, 325
column, 14
column space, 123
conditioning number, 70
determinant, 292, 297
diagonal, 208, 223
diagonalizable, 354
diagonalized, 242
elementary reduction, 225, 273
entry, 14
equivalent, 242
identity, 219, 223
incidence, 227
inverse, 327
main diagonal, 223
Markov, 228, 283
matrix-vector product, 196
minimal polynomial, 219, 380
minor, 325
multiplication, 214
nilpotent, 370
nonsingular, 27, 206
orthogonal, 287
orthonormal, 285{290
permutation, 224
rank, 205
representation, 195
row, 14
row equivalence, 50
row rank, 122
row space, 122
scalar multiple, 211
scalar multiplication, 16
similar, 322
similarity, 351
singular, 27
skew-symmetric, 308
submatrix, 301
sum, 16, 211
symmetric, 116, 136, 212, 219, 227,
266
trace, 212, 228, 398
transition, 279
transpose, 19, 124, 212
triangular, 202, 228, 328
unit, 221
Vandermonde, 309
zero, 211
matrix equivalence, 240{247
canonical form, 243
denition, 242
matrix:form, 56
mean
arithmetic, 44
geometric, 44
member, A-7
method of powers, 399{402
minimal polynomial, 219, 380
minor, 325
morphism, 159
multilinear, 302
multiplication
matrix-matrix, 214
matrix-vector, 196
mutual inclusion, A-7
natural representative, A-12
networks, 71{76
Kirchho's Laws, 72
nilpotent, 368{378
canonical form for, 374
denition, 370
matrix, 370
transformation, 370
nilpotentcy
index, 370
nonsingular, 206, 230homomorphism, 188
matrix, 27
normal, 261
normalize, 256
nullity, 186
nullspace, 186
closure of, 367
generalized, 367
odd functions, 97, 135
one-to-one function, A-9
onto function, A-9
opposite map, 288
order
of a recurrence, 406
ordered pair, A-8
orientation, 319, 322
orthogonal, 42
basis, 254
complement, 261
mutually, 253
projection, 261
orthogonal matrix, 287
orthogonalization, 255
orthonormal basis, 256
orthonormal matrix, 285{290
pair
ordered, A-8
parallelepiped, 319
parallelogram rule, 34
parameter, 13
partial pivoting, 69
partition, A-10{A-12
matrix equivalence classes, 242, 244
row equivalence classes, 51
partitions
into isomorphism classes, 168
permutation, 305
inversions, 311
matrix, 224
signum, 312
permutation expansion, 306, 310, 332
perp, 261
perpendicular, 42
perspective
triangles, 341
Physics problem, 1
pivoting, 5
full, 69
partial
scaled, 69
plane gure, 285
congruence, 285
point
at innity, 341
in projective plane, 338
polynomial
even, 398
minimal, 380
of map, matrix, 379
polynomials
division theorem, 348
populations, stable, 403{404
potential, 71
powers, method of, 399{402
preserves structure, 174
probability vector, 279
projection, 174, 183, 248, 266, 385
along a subspace, 258
central, 335
vanishing point, 335
into a line, 249
into a subspace, 258
orthogonal, 249, 261
Projective Geometry, 335{345
projective geometry
Duality Principle, 340
projective plane
ideal line, 341
ideal point, 341
lines, 339
proof techniques
induction, 23
proper
subset, A-7
proper subspace, 90
proposition, A-1
propositions
equivalent, A-3
quantier, A-3
existential, A-4
universal, A-4
quantiers, A-3
range, A-8
rangespace, 182
closure of, 367
generalized, 367rank, 126, 205
column, 123
of a homomorphism, 182, 187
recurrence, 325, 406
homogeneous, 406
initial conditions, 406
reduced echelon form, 47
re
ection, 288
glide, 288
re
ection (or
ip) about a line, 161
re
exivity, A-10
relation, A-10
equivalence, A-10
re
exive, A-10
symmetric, A-10
transitive, A-10
relationship
linear, 100
representation
of a matrix, 195
of a vector, 113
representative, A-12
canonical, A-12
for row equivalence classes, 58
of matrix equivalence classes, 243
of similarity classes, 393
rescaling rows, 4
resistance, 71
resistance:equivalent, 75
resistor, 71
restriction, A-10
rigid motion, 285
rotation, 272, 288
rotation (or turning), 161
represented, 198
row, 14
rank, 122
vector, 15
row equivalence, 50
row rank
full, 128
row space, 122
Sage, 61
scalar, 78
scalar multiple
matrix, 211
vector, 16, 34, 78
scalar multiplication
matrix, 16
scalar product, 40
scaled partial pivoting, 69
Schwartz Inequality, 42
self composition
of maps, 365
sense, 319
sequence, A-8
concatenation, 131
set, A-7
complement, A-7
element, A-7
empty, A-8
intersection, A-8
member, A-7
union, A-8
sets, A-7
dependent, independent, 100
empty, 102
mutual inclusion, A-7
proper subset, A-7
span of, 93
subset, A-7
sgn
seesignum, 312
signum, 312
similar, 296, 322
canonical form, 392
similar matrices, 351
similar triangles, 288
similarity, 351{364
similarity transformation, 364
single precision, 67
singular
matrix, 27
size, 317, 319
skew, 275
skew-symmetric, 308
span, 93
of a singleton, 97
spin, 146
square root, 398
stable populations, 403{404
standard basis, 111
state, 279
absorbtive, 279
Statics problem, 5
string, 371
basis, 371
of basis vectors, 369
structurepreservation, 174
submatrix, 301
subspace, 89{98
closed, 91
complementary, 133
denition, 89
direct sum, 133
improper, 90
independence, 133
invariant, 389
proper, 90
sum, 129
sum
matrix, 16
of matrices, 211
of subspaces, 129
vector, 15, 34, 78
summation notation
for permutation expansion, 306
swapping rows, 4
symmetric matrix, 116, 136, 212, 219
symmetry, A-10
system of linear equations, 2
elimination, 3
Gauss' method, 3
Gaussian elimination, 3
linear elimination, 3
solving, 2
theorem, A-1
trace, 212, 228, 398
transformation
characteristic polynomial, 360
composed with itself, 365
diagonalizable, 354
eigenspace, 360
eigenvalue, eigenvector, 357
Jordan form for, 392
minimal polynomial, 380
nilpotent, 370
canonical representative, 374
projection, 385
size change, 319
transition matrix, 279
transitivity, A-10
translation, 285
transpose, 19, 124
determinant, 307, 314
interaction with sum and scalar mul-
tiplication, 212
Triangle Inequality, 40
triangles
similar, 288
triangular matrix, 228
Triangularization, 202
trivial space, 81, 111
turning map, 161
union, A-8
unit matrix, 221
vacuously true, A-2
value, A-8
Vandermonde matrix, 309
vanishing point, 335
vector, 15, 33
angle, 42
canonical position, 34
column, 15
component, 15
cross product, 296
direction, 35
dot product, 40
free, 33
homogeneous coordinate, 338
length, 39
natural position, 34
orthogonal, 42
probability, 279
representation of, 113, 236
row, 15
satises an equation, 15
scalar multiple, 16, 34, 78
standard position, 34
sum, 15, 34, 78
unit, 44
zero, 22, 78
vector space, 78{98
basis, 110
closure, 78
complex scalars, 88
denition, 78
dimension, 118
dual, 192
nite dimensional, 117
homomorphism, 174
isomorphism, 159
map, 174
over complex numbers, 347
subspace, 89trivial, 81, 111
Venn diagram, A-1
voltage drop, 72
volume, 319
voting paradox, 144
majority cycle, 144
rational preference order, 144
voting paradoxes, 144{149
spin, 146
well-dened, A-8
Wheatstone bridge, 73
zero
divisor, 219
zero divison, 235
zero divisor, 219
zero homomorphism, 175
zero matrix, 211
zero vector, 22, 78