Prove/Disprove: Similar Matricies w/ Zero Rows

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In summary, to prove or disprove the statement, "If A is a singular matrix (detA=0) the it's similar to a matrix with a row of zeros," it can be shown by considering the determinant and transpose of A, which leads to the existence of a matrix with a column of zeros, thus proving the statement.
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Homework Statement


Prove or disprove the following statement:
If A is a singular matrix (detA=0) the it's similar to a matrix with a row of zeros.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I know that A has an e-value 0 which means that it's similar to a matrix that has a column of zeros but how do I relate that to the rows?
Thanks.
 
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  • #2
ok, note that det (M) = product of eigenvalues of M
 
  • #3
Since det(A)=0, there is a row relation.

Or, consider what you do know. A^t has det 0, so there is an M with

(MA^tM^-1)

a matrix with a column of zeroes.

Now how do we get A back out again?
 

1. What are similar matrices?

Similar matrices are matrices that have the same size and shape, and can be transformed into each other by a change of basis. This means that they represent the same linear transformation, but may have different numerical values.

2. How can we prove that two matrices are similar?

To prove that two matrices are similar, we need to show that there exists an invertible matrix P such that PAP^-1 = B, where A and B are the two matrices in question. This can be done through various methods, such as finding a similarity transformation or using the spectral theorem.

3. Can similar matrices have zero rows?

Yes, similar matrices can have zero rows. The presence of zero rows does not affect the similarity of two matrices, as long as they have the same size and shape and can be transformed into each other by a change of basis.

4. How do we disprove that two matrices are similar?

To disprove that two matrices are similar, we can show that there does not exist an invertible matrix P such that PAP^-1 = B. This can be done by finding a difference in the properties of the two matrices, such as different eigenvalues or different dimensions.

5. What is the significance of similar matrices with zero rows?

The significance of similar matrices with zero rows lies in the fact that they represent the same linear transformation, even though they may have different numerical values. This can be useful in simplifying calculations or making connections between different mathematical concepts.

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