MHB Can Nonsingular Matrices Be Generated by Multiplying and Adding?

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    2016
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The discussion centers on a mathematical problem involving nonsingular matrices A and B, asking whether the expression xA + B remains nonsingular for almost all values of x in a given field. The problem asserts that for all but finitely many x, the resulting matrix will be nonsingular. Opalg provided a correct solution to the problem, which is available for review. The thread encourages participants to engage with the Problem of the Week format and follow the guidelines for submissions. The focus remains on the properties of matrix operations and their implications in linear algebra.
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Let $A$ and $B$ be nonsingular $n\times n$-matrices over a field $\Bbb k$. Show that for all but finitely many $x\in \Bbb k$, $xA + B$ is nonsingular.

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Remember to read the http://www.mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?772-Problem-of-the-Week-%28POTW%29-Procedure-and-Guidelines to find out how to http://www.mathhelpboards.com/forms.php?do=form&fid=2!
 
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This week's problem was solved correctly by Opalg. You can read his solution below.
If $A$ is nonsingular then it has an inverse $A^{-1}$, and $xA+B = (xI + BA^{-1})A$. The matrix $BA^{-1}$ has at most $n$ distinct eigenvalues. If $-x$ is not one of those eigenvalues then $xI + BA^{-1}$ is invertible.

The product of two invertible matrices is invertible. Therefore if $-x$ is not an eigenvalue of $BA^{-1}$ then $xA+B$ is invertible. Hence there are only finitely many values of $x$ for which $xA+B$ is singular.