How to Determine if a Linear Operator is a Symmetry or an Orthogonal Projection?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining whether a given linear operator, represented by a matrix, is an orthogonal projection or a symmetry with respect to a plane that passes through the origin. Participants are exploring the properties of eigenvalues and eigenvectors to classify the operator.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss calculating eigenvalues and eigenvectors to assess the nature of the linear operator. There is an attempt to use Gram-Schmidt to find an orthogonal basis and questions about the specific line or plane onto which the projection occurs.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Some guidance is offered regarding the use of linear combinations of eigenvectors to establish orthogonality. There is no explicit consensus on the classification of the operator yet, as different interpretations are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working with a matrix that represents the linear operator, and there are references to specific eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The discussion includes considerations of orthogonal bases and projections, with some uncertainty about the exact nature of the operator.

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Homework Statement

A linear operator given (a matrix). That could be an orthogonal protection (that goes through the origin) or a symmetry with respect to a plane (that goes through the origin).

1-Get the eigenvalues of linear operator
2-Get the eigenspace associated with each eigenvalue.

3-Based on the previous calculations determine if the Operator is a symmetry or an orthogonal protection.

4-Describe an ortogonal base of the given plane, and complete it with a base of R^2
The matrix with respect to the calculated base must have the form of the orthogonal projection or of the symmetric matrix

100 or 100
010 010
00-1 000

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



I got the eigenvalues 1 and 0 therefore I'm assuming the operator is an orthogonal projection.

I got the eigenvectors

How can I start to do 4?

Im thinking about using gram schidt to get 3 ortogonal vectors and then to use them as a base .

Thanks a lot for any help, I appreciate it.
 
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What is the given operator? ehild
 
ehild said:
What is the given operator? ehild

It is the matrix
2 1 -1
-1 0 1
1 1 0
 
Okay, so this is projection onto a line? What is that line? What is a vector in the direction of that line?
 
HallsofIvy said:
Okay, so this is projection onto a line? What is that line? What is a vector in the direction of that line?

It seems to be is an orthogonal projection on a plane that goes through the origin.

For now I am confused, I was thinking about using the set of eigenbasis or eigenvectors of the linear operator B . and to use gram schmidt to get 3 orthogonal bases w1, w2 and w3

Im considering to evaluate w1 w2 and w3 with respect to the basis B to get the projection of the plane with respect to B.
 
Once again, what are the eigenvectors corresponding to each eigenvalue?
 
the eigenvectors associated with the eigenvalue 1 are -1,1,0 and 1 0 1 .
the ones associated with the eigenvalue 0 are 1 -1 1
 
Any linear combination of the eigenvectors belonging to 1 is also an eigenvector to λ=1. Find a combination of a=(1,0,1) and b=(-1,1,0) c=a+kb so the dot product a˙c=0 and choose a and c as orthogonal base in the plane.

ehild
 

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