Determinants

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

1) Let A be an n x n matrix with A^2 -4A +5I = 0. Show that n must be even.

2) Let A be an m x n matrix where m<n. Show that det(AT x A) = 0

3. The attempt at a solution

1) (A-2I)^2 +I=0

Not sure what to do after this though

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Recognitions:
Homework Help
 Quote by Hydroxide 1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data 1) Let A be an n x n matrix with A^2 -4A +5I = 0. Show that n must be even.
An n x n matrix with real entries? If it can have complex entries, this isn't true. Anyways, what do you know about minimal polynomials and characteristic polynomials?
 2) Let A be an m x n matrix where m
What do you know about the relationships between rank, invertibility, and determinants.
 1) (A-2I)^2 +I=0
Okay, that's not bad. So (A-2I)2 = -I. Compute the determinant of both sides.

Cheers I've got the first question now. Was easier than i thought.

I still can't do 2) though.

 Quote by AKG What do you know about the relationships between rank, invertibility, and determinants.

Recognitions:
Homework Help

Determinants

What are the dimensions of the matrix ATA? What can you say about the rank of ATA?

 Quote by AKG What are the dimensions of the matrix ATA? What can you say about the rank of ATA?
ATA is n x n
We haven't covered ranks yet

I know that ATA can reduced so that it has one row of zero's hence det=0. But I don't know how to show it in general.
 It may help to think of matrix multiplication with a vector as a linear combination of the columns of the matrix i.e. For $$A\vec{c} = \vec{b}\\$$ b is a linear combination of the columns of A And hence a matrix multiplication with a vector will produce a matrix whose columns are a linear combination of the columns of the first matrix. i.e. For $$AB = C\\$$ C's columns are linear combinations of the columns of A Sorry if the Latex is less than desirable, as you can see, I'm new here.

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