Proving Isometries: A Step-By-Step Guide

  • I
  • Thread starter Doradus
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Proof
In summary, the two matrices D_{BB} and D_{SS} have the same matrix representation in the eigenbasis B.
  • #1
Doradus
4
0
Hello,

i'm trying to prove this statements, but I'm stuck.

Be ##V=R^n## furnished with the standard inner product and the standard basis S.
And let W ##\subseteq## V be a subspace of V and let ##W^\bot## be the orthogonal complement.

a) Show that there is exactly one linear map ##\Phi:V \rightarrow V## with ##\Phi|_w=id_w## and with ##\Phi|_{w^\bot}=-id_{w^\bot}##

b) Show that V have an orthonormal basis B consisting of the eigenvectors of ##\Phi## and indicate ##D_{BB}(\Phi##

c) Show that ##D_{BS}(id_v)## and ##D_{SS}(\Phi)## are orthogonal matrices.
For a) i have the following incomplete derivation:

Be ##a_1##...##a_n## an orthonormal basis of W and be ##b_1##...##b_n## an orthonormal basis of ##W^\bot##.
Therefore ##\Phi## is defined as ##\Phi: a_i \mapsto a_i, b_i \mapsto -b_j## with 1##\le##i##\le##n and 1##\le##j##\le##n. We can see that ##a_i## and ##b_i## are eigenvectors of ##\Phi##.

And now I'm stuck. I'm sure, i saw somewhere an prove with this derivation. But i don't remember. Is this even a good starting point or a dead end?
Well, I'm not very good at mathematical prooves.
But maybe someone can help me with the next step or someone have an other idea to proove this.
Thanks in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
I am somewhat unfamiliar with your notation.
Could you please provide a bit more detail about what is meant by:
##\Phi |_\omega, d_\omega, D_{BB}, D_{BS}, \text{ and } D_{SS} ##

One thing I notice right off is you define two n-dimensional basis sets -- one spanning W and the other spanning Wperp. With n vectors, you should span both spaces, or all of V.
Let ##\{ a_i\}_{i=1}^n## be a basis set for V, ordered in such a way that ##\exists k,## such that ## \{ a_i\}_{i=1}^k## is a basis set for ##W## and ## \{ a_i\}_{i=k+1}^n## is a basis set for ##W^\perp##.
 
  • #3
##\Phi |_W## is the same as ##\Phi(W)##
##id_W## is the identity funktion ##\Phi(w)=w##
##D_{BB}## Matrix with basis B
##D_{SS}## Matrix with basis S
##D_{BS}## I am not sure. :-)

Well, because I'm not sure, what ##D_{BS}## means, i think c) is not that important. I'm more interested in a) and b).
 
  • #4
I see. thanks for the explanation.
For the first one, assume there are two linear maps then show that they must be equal. Because a linear map can be uniquely defined by its matrix representation, showing that the matrix representation must be the same should work.
##D_{BB} ## is a matrix that takes an input from basis B and gives an output in basis B.
##D_{SS} ## is a matrix that takes an input from basis S and gives an output in basis S.
Then, ##D_{BS} ## should be a matrix that takes an input from basis B and gives an output in basis S.

Look at a simple example, Let ##V = \mathbb{R}^3 ##, then ##S = \{ \hat x, \hat y, \hat z\}##, ##W## is the xy-plane. ##W^\perp## is span of ##\hat z##.
The matrix representation of ##[\Phi ]_{SS} = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & -1 \end{bmatrix}##
In your question 2, you are asked to give the matrix representation in the eigenbasis B...which should be pretty similar.
 

1. What is an isometry?

An isometry is a transformation that preserves the shape and size of an object. In other words, it is a type of geometric transformation that does not change the distance between any two points.

2. Why is it important to prove that a transformation is an isometry?

Proving that a transformation is an isometry is important because it ensures that the transformation will not alter the properties of the object being transformed. This is crucial in many fields, such as engineering and architecture, where precise measurements and shapes are necessary for the functionality and safety of structures.

3. What steps are involved in proving an isometry?

The steps involved in proving an isometry are: 1) Identify the type of transformation (translation, rotation, reflection, or glide reflection); 2) Show that the transformation preserves distance by using the distance formula; 3) Show that the transformation preserves angle measures; and 4) Prove that the transformation preserves orientation.

4. Can any transformation be an isometry?

No, not all transformations are isometries. For a transformation to be an isometry, it must preserve both distance and angle measures. For example, a dilation is a transformation that changes the size of an object, so it cannot be an isometry.

5. How can proving isometries be useful in real life?

Proving isometries can be useful in many real-life situations, such as in architecture, engineering, and computer graphics. By proving that a transformation is an isometry, we can ensure that the transformed object will have the same measurements and properties as the original object, making it easier to design and build structures with precise dimensions and angles.

Similar threads

  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
23
Views
1K
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
12
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
7
Views
814
  • Math Proof Training and Practice
Replies
17
Views
1K
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
14
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
3K
Back
Top