Characteristic polynomial and polynomial vector space

In summary, the conversation discusses a homework problem involving a map f that takes polynomials of degree at most 2 and maps them into the space of third degree polynomials. The conversation includes a question about checking if f is an endomorphism and calculating the characteristic polynomial of f. However, it is noted that the map does not take second degree polynomials into second degree polynomials, so the resulting matrix would not be square.
  • #1
Caims
1
0

Homework Statement


Let [tex] V:= ℝ_{2}[t] [/tex]
[tex]V \in f: v \mapsto f(v) \in V, \forall v \in V (f(v))(t) := v(2-t)[/tex]
a) Check that [tex] f \in End(V) [/tex]
b) Calculate the characteristic polynomial of f.

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


a) Is it sufficient to check that [tex](f+g)(t)=f(t)+g(t)[/tex] ?
b) Standard basis of polynomials is [tex]1+t+t^2[/tex], so [tex] f(1)=(2-t) \\ f(t)=2t - t^2 \\ f(t^2)=2t^2-t^3[/tex]

What should I do next? What's up with [tex]t^3[/tex] ? (The space is of polynomials of degree at most 2). How do I calculate this map into a matrix ?
 
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  • #2
Caims said:

Homework Statement


Let [tex] V:= ℝ_{2}[t] [/tex]
[tex]V \in f: v \mapsto f(v) \in V, \forall v \in V (f(v))(t) := v(2-t)[/tex]
a) Check that [tex] f \in End(V) [/tex]
b) Calculate the characteristic polynomial of f.

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


a) Is it sufficient to check that [tex](f+g)(t)=f(t)+g(t)[/tex] ?
b) Standard basis of polynomials is [tex]1+t+t^2[/tex], so [tex] f(1)=(2-t) \\ f(t)=2t - t^2 \\ f(t^2)=2t^2-t^3[/tex]

What should I do next? What's up with [tex]t^3[/tex] ? (The space is of polynomials of degree at most 2). How do I calculate this map into a matrix ?

Well, as you've observed, the given map doesn't take second degree polynomial into second degree polynomials, it maps them into the space of third degree polynomials. That wouldn't stop you from writing a matrix for it, but it won't be square. Not sure what to do with the rest of the question at all.
 

1. What is a characteristic polynomial?

A characteristic polynomial is a polynomial equation that is used to find the eigenvalues of a square matrix. It is obtained by subtracting the scalar variable from the matrix and taking its determinant.

2. How is a characteristic polynomial related to eigenvalues?

The roots or solutions of a characteristic polynomial are the eigenvalues of the corresponding matrix. These eigenvalues represent the values by which a matrix can be scaled without changing its direction.

3. What is a polynomial vector space?

A polynomial vector space is a set of polynomials of a specific degree, where the coefficients of the polynomials are elements of a given field. This vector space can be used to represent and manipulate polynomial equations.

4. How is a polynomial vector space different from other vector spaces?

Unlike other vector spaces, a polynomial vector space is infinite-dimensional, as there is no limit to the degree of the polynomials that can be included. In addition, the operations of addition and scalar multiplication in this vector space are defined differently compared to other vector spaces.

5. What are the applications of characteristic polynomials and polynomial vector spaces?

Characteristic polynomials and polynomial vector spaces are used in various fields such as physics, engineering, and computer science. They are particularly useful in solving systems of differential equations, finding the roots of polynomial equations, and in data compression and error correction algorithms.

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