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Need help to find my mistake in a simple proof of a matrix algebra proposition.

 
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Sep25-08, 01:20 PM   #1
 

Need help to find my mistake in a simple proof of a matrix algebra proposition.


1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Is the following true for matrices?

Hypotesis:
AB = AC
A != 0(zero matrix)

Thesis:
B=C

3. The attempt at a solution

AB = AC
AB - AC = 0(zero matrix)
AB - AC = A(B-C) // using the following property: A(B+C) = AB + AC iff A is mn matrix and BC are np matrices
A(B-C) = 0 <=> B=C because A != 0
QED

There is something wrong because there are matrices where AB = AC and B != C.
Where is my mistake?
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Sep25-08, 01:32 PM   #2

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There are matrices where AB=0 and neither A nor B are zero. You can't say A(B-C)=0 implies A=0 or (B-C)=0 like you can with real numbers.
Sep25-08, 01:45 PM   #3
 
ok, thanks
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