1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
hi, i have 2 nxn matrices A and B i found that (AB)^-1=A^-1xB^-1 but how do i do
(A^2B^2)^-1=????
plz i really need some help here im kinda lost i have
AA^-1=I
AI=A
(AB)(A^-1xB^-1)=I
anyone have any ideas?
HallsofIvy
Aug25-08, 09:53 AM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
hi, i have 2 nxn matrices A and B i found that (AB)^-1=A^-1xB^-1 but how do i do
(A^2B^2)^-1=????
Well, it's really unfortunate that you "found" that because it is not true!
plz i really need some help here im kinda lost i have
AA^-1=I
AI=A
(AB)(A^-1xB^-1)=I
No! you can't cancel BA-1! That's why (AB)-1 is NOT A-1B-1.
In order to be able to "cancel" A with A-1 or B with B-1, because multiplication of matrices is not commutative, you have to reverse the order of multiplication. (AB)(B-1A-1)= A(BB-1)A-1= A(I)A-1= AA-1= I. (AB)-1= B-1A-1.
One thing you could do is think of (A2B2)-1 as (UV)-1= V-1U-1 where U= A2 and V= B2- that is (A2B2)-1= (B2)-1(A-1)2= (A-1)2(B-1)2.
Similarly, (AABB)(B-1B-1A-1A-1)= AAB(BB-1)B-1A-1A-1= AA(B-1B-1)A-1A-1= A(AA-1)A-1= AA-1= I
anyone have any ideas?
fredrick08
Aug25-08, 10:01 AM
oh yes... sorry that was a typo it should of been B^-1A^-1 because of socks and shoes formula..... sorry, ok yes i understand what u mean, yer i kept thinking of it as A^2 and B^2 instead of AA and BB just got myself confused... thankyou heaps!