Finding Linear Transformations in Polynomial Vector Spaces

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on finding linear transformations in the polynomial vector space P_2, specifically using the bases B:={1, t, t^2} and B':={1, 1-t, 1-t-t^2}. The linear transformation D: P_2 --> P_2, defined by differentiation, is analyzed through the construction of matrices representing D with respect to these bases. The matrices for the transformation D are derived for four scenarios: both bases in the domain and codomain, and combinations of bases in each. The resulting matrices demonstrate that differentiation is not invertible, as indicated by the determinant being zero.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of polynomial vector spaces, specifically P_2.
  • Familiarity with linear transformations and their matrix representations.
  • Knowledge of differentiation as a linear operator.
  • Proficiency in matrix row reduction techniques.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of linear transformations in vector spaces.
  • Learn about the implications of non-invertibility in linear transformations.
  • Explore the concept of bases in vector spaces and their significance in linear algebra.
  • Investigate the application of differentiation in various polynomial spaces.
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Students and educators in mathematics, particularly those focusing on linear algebra and polynomial functions, as well as anyone interested in understanding linear transformations and their matrix representations.

dim&dimmer
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[/b]1. Homework Statement [/b]
Let P_2 be the set of all real polynomials of degree no greater than 2.
Show that both B:={1, t, t^2} and B':= {1, 1-t, 1-t-t^2} are bases for P_2.

If we regard a polynomial p as defining a function R --> R, x |--> p(x), then p is differentiable, and
D: P_2 --> P_2, p |--> p' = dp/dx - defines a linear transformation.
Find the matrix of D with respect to the bases
(i) B in both the domain and co-domain
(ii) B in the domain and B' in the codomain.
(iii) B' in the domain and B in the codomain
(iv) B' in both the domain and codomain.

[/b]2. The attempt at a solution[/b]
I used 3x3 matrices and row reduction for B' to show that they are both bases, i.e. 3 pivot variables in reduced row form. B was just the identity matrix.
Its the second part that I don't understand. For me, the domains of B and B' are all real numbers, or have I already found the matrices of D in both domains by showing with row echelon matrices that B and B' are bases.
This is very confusing and my mind is now doing many laps around the same circuit.
Any clarification would be great.
 
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Suppose T is a Linear transformation from vector space U with basis Bu to vector space V with basis Bv. To find the matrix representing T using basis Bu in the domain and basis Bv in the codomain, do the following:

1) Apply T to the first vector in basis Bu. The result, of course, will be in V and can be written as a linear combination of the vectors in basis Bv. The coefficients in that linear combination are the numbers in the first column of the matrix.

2) Apply T to the second vector in basis Bu. The result, of course, will be in V and can be written as a linear combination of the vectors in basis Bv. The coefficients in that linear combination are the numbers in the second column of the matrix.

Continue applying T to each basis vector in turn to get each column of the matrix.

For example, the first vector in B is "1". Differentiating that gives 0. That, written in the B basis is (0)1+ (0)x+ (0)x2. The first column consists entirely of 0's. The second vector in B is "x". Differentiating that gives 1. That, written in the B basis is (1)(1)+ (0)x+ (0)x2. The second column is <1 0 0>. The third vector in B is "x2". Differentiating that gives 2x. That, written in the B basis is (0)1+ (2)x+ (0)x2. The third column is <0 2 0>. (i) is
\left[\begin{array}{ccc}0 &amp; 1 &amp; 0 \\ 0 &amp; 0 &amp; 2 \\ 0 &amp; 0 &amp; 0\end{array}\right]

Notice that matrix has determinant 0 and is not invertible. That is because differentiation is not one-to-one and so is not invertible.
 
so...
B matrix is <br /> \left[\begin{array}{ccc}1 &amp; 0 &amp; 0 \\ 0 &amp; 1 &amp; 0 \\ 0 &amp; 0 &amp; 1\end{array}\right]<br />
is the domain?
codomain of B is
<br /> \left[\begin{array}{ccc}0 &amp; 1 &amp; 0 \\ 0 &amp; 0 &amp; 2 \\ 0 &amp; 0 &amp; 0\end{array}\right]<br />
as you said
B' domain is
<br /> \left[\begin{array}{ccc}1 &amp; 1 &amp; 1 \\ 0 &amp; -1 &amp; -1 \\ 0 &amp; 0 &amp; -1\end{array}\right]<br />
codomain of B'
<br /> \left[\begin{array}{ccc}0 &amp; -1 &amp; -1 \\ 0 &amp; 0 &amp; -2 \\ 0 &amp; 0 &amp; 0\end{array}\right]<br />
Are these ok??

To find the matrices D with respect to the 4 part question, is it just a matter of solving the augmented matrices formed in each part, so that part i) would be the codomain matrix of B and part ii)the codomain matrix of B', given the identity natrix is the domain of B?

Why this is scary is because of the magnitude of how wrong I could be lol.
 
Last edited:

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