Finding Transition Matrix from Bases

In summary: I even tried using Wolfram Alpha and it gave me a different answer. Thank you for your help.Yes definitely possible I will cross check my answer with yours and see. I also used an online inverse calculator and got my answer that way since doing it by hand could get messy. I'll let you know.Yes, the inverse I got using an online calculator was the same as yours. So I believe it is correct. Maybe double check your calculations or see if there are any mistakes in your problem setup. It's always good to have a second set of eyes look over things when you're stuck on a problem. Good luck!Was the inverse of the matrix A correct? I have a similar problem on my online homework and I have spent countless
  • #1
concon
65
0

Homework Statement


Let So = {v1,v2,v3,v4} be a basis of the vector space V.
S= {u1,u2,u3,u4} is a set of vectors defined as follows:
u1 = 80v1 + 106v2 + 120v3 +164v4
u2 = 80v1 + 146v2 + 136v3 + 91v4
u3 = 90v1 + 143v2 + 122v3 + 70v4
u4 = 80v1 + 56v2 + 80v3 + 48v4

Find the Transition Matrix A from the basis So to S. That is find PS->So. This is the transition matrix from S coordinates to So coordinates.



Homework Equations


I know that to get from one transition matrix to another transition matrix you can take inverse.
Also, for PS->So I know that means you want to turn So into identity matrix.

I have solved problems like this which small numbers, not equations so I am confused.



The Attempt at a Solution



I think the easiest way to solve this (this might be wrong) is to find PSo->S and then take inverse. because the equations are in terms of So. So does that mean I take inverse of this matrix:
80 106 120 164
80 146 136 91
90 143 122 70
80 56 80 48

OR

80 80 90 80
106 146 143 56
120 136 122 80
164 91 70 48

-Or is this not even the way to approach this problem? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
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  • #2
concon said:

Homework Statement


Let So = {v1,v2,v3,v4} be a basis of the vector space V.
S= {u1,u2,u3,u4} is a set of vectors defined as follows:
u1 = 80v1 + 106v2 + 120v3 +164v4
u2 = 80v1 + 146v2 + 136v3 + 91v4
u3 = 90v1 + 143v2 + 122v3 + 70v4
u4 = 80v1 + 56v2 + 80v3 + 48v4

Find the Transition Matrix A from the basis So to S. That is find PS->So. This is the transition matrix from S coordinates to So coordinates.



Homework Equations


I know that to get from one transition matrix to another transition matrix you can take inverse.
Yes.
concon said:
Also, for PS->So I know that means you want to turn So into identity matrix.

I have solved problems like this which small numbers, not equations so I am confused.



The Attempt at a Solution



I think the easiest way to solve this (this might be wrong) is to find PSo->S and then take inverse. because the equations are in terms of So. So does that mean I take inverse of this matrix:
80 106 120 164
80 146 136 91
90 143 122 70
80 56 80 48
Yes, take the inverse of this matrix. Let's call this matrix A.
concon said:
OR

80 80 90 80
106 146 143 56
120 136 122 80
164 91 70 48
No. What you have here is AT, the transpose of matrix A. You get the transpose of a matrix by writing its rows as columns. For some matrices, the transpose is equal to the inverse, but I doubt that's the case here.
concon said:
-Or is this not even the way to approach this problem? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
  • #3
Mark44 said:
Yes.
Yes, take the inverse of this matrix. Let's call this matrix A.
No. What you have here is AT, the transpose of matrix A. You get the transpose of a matrix by writing its rows as columns. For some matrices, the transpose is equal to the inverse, but I doubt that's the case here.
Okay that's what I thought, just wanted to make sure since when solving something Ax=0 you write the vectors as columns, but I guess here that wouldn't be true since the vector is a multiple of the other vector components.

Well, I took the inverse of matrix A and the answer was not correct.
I got the following as inverse:


\begin{array}{cc}11/2025 & -839/20250 & 11167/324000&2801/288000\\1/270& -16/675&199/5400&-103/4800\\-5/324 & 53/810 & -829/12960 & 253/11520\\1/81 & -1/81 &1/162 & -1/144\end{array}
 
Last edited:
  • #4
concon said:
Okay that's what I thought, just wanted to make sure since when solving something Ax=0 you write the vectors as columns, but I guess here that wouldn't be true since the vector is a multiple of the other vector components.

Well, I took the inverse of matrix A and the answer was not correct.
I got the following as inverse:


\begin{array}{cc}11/2025 & -839/20250 & 11167/324000&2801/288000\\1/270& -16/675&199/5400&-103/4800\\-5/324 & 53/810 & -829/12960 & 253/11520\\1/81 & -1/81 &1/162 & -1/144\end{array}
There's always the possibility that you made a mistake or two along the way. That would prevent your answer from being correct.

Using an online calculator, this is what I got:
$$ \frac 1 {2592000}\begin{bmatrix}14080 & -107392 & 89336 & 25209 \\
9600 & -61440 & 95520 & -55620 \\
-40000 & 169600 & -165800 & 56925 \\
32000 & -32000 & 16000 & -18000 \end{bmatrix}$$

The size of the matrix and the numbers in it make me think that you're not expected to calculate the inverse by hand. Unless you're extremely careful, it's very easy to make a mistake that screws up all the work that follows.
 
  • #5
Mark44 said:
There's always the possibility that you made a mistake or two along the way. That would prevent your answer from being correct.

Using an online calculator, this is what I got:
$$ \frac 1 {2592000}\begin{bmatrix}14080 & -107392 & 89336 & 25209 \\
9600 & -61440 & 95520 & -55620 \\
-40000 & 169600 & -165800 & 56925 \\
32000 & -32000 & 16000 & -18000 \end{bmatrix}$$

The size of the matrix and the numbers in it make me think that you're not expected to calculate the inverse by hand. Unless you're extremely careful, it's very easy to make a mistake that screws up all the work that follows.

Yes definitely possible I will cross check my answer with yours and see. I also used an online inverse calculator and got my answer that way since doing it by hand could get messy. I'll let you know.
 
  • #6
Was the inverse of the matrix A correct? I have a similar problem on my online homework and I have spent countless hours trying to get it right.
 

1. How do I find the transition matrix from two bases?

The transition matrix from two bases can be found by creating a matrix where each column represents the coordinates of the basis vectors of the new basis with respect to the old basis. The first column would have the coordinates of the first basis vector in the new basis with respect to the old basis, the second column would have the coordinates of the second basis vector in the new basis with respect to the old basis, and so on. This matrix is the transition matrix.

2. Why is finding the transition matrix important?

The transition matrix is important because it allows us to convert coordinates from one basis to another. This is useful in linear algebra and other mathematical applications, as it allows us to work with different bases and still obtain the same results.

3. Can the transition matrix be found for any two bases?

Yes, the transition matrix can be found for any two bases as long as they span the same vector space. If the bases do not span the same vector space, then a transition matrix cannot be found.

4. How is the transition matrix related to change of basis?

The transition matrix is closely related to change of basis. Change of basis involves converting coordinates from one basis to another, and the transition matrix allows us to do this. The columns of the transition matrix represent the coordinates of the new basis vectors with respect to the old basis, which is exactly what we need for change of basis.

5. Is there a specific method or algorithm for finding the transition matrix?

Yes, there are several methods and algorithms for finding the transition matrix. One common method is using Gaussian elimination to solve a system of equations. Another method involves using the inverse of the matrix formed by the old basis vectors as columns and the new basis vectors as rows. Different methods may be more efficient depending on the specific situation.

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