Inner Product of a Linear Transformation

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on proving that the inner product defined by ' = on a vector space V is valid if and only if the linear transformation T: V->W is one-to-one. Key properties of inner product spaces are utilized, including linearity and positivity. The proof involves showing that if T(x) = T(y), then x must equal y, which is established through manipulating the inner product and analyzing the kernel of T. The conclusion confirms that T being one-to-one is a necessary and sufficient condition for the inner product definition to hold.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of linear transformations and their properties
  • Familiarity with inner product spaces and their axioms
  • Knowledge of vector spaces over fields F = R or C
  • Concept of the kernel of a linear transformation
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of inner product spaces in detail
  • Learn about the implications of linear transformations on vector spaces
  • Explore the concept of kernels and their significance in linear algebra
  • Investigate examples of one-to-one linear transformations and their applications
USEFUL FOR

Mathematics students, particularly those studying linear algebra, educators teaching vector spaces and inner product spaces, and anyone interested in the theoretical foundations of linear transformations.

gysush
Messages
22
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Let V be a vector space over a field F = R or C. Let W be an inner product space over F. w/ inner product <*,*>. If T: V->W is linear, prove <x,y>' = <T(x),T(y)> defines an inner product on V if and only if T is one-to-one

Homework Equations


What we know, W is an inner product space, so it satisfies for x,y,z in W and c in F the properties of inner product space:
<x + z, y> = <x,y> + <z,y>
<cx,y>=c<x,y>
<x,y>= conjugate<y,x>
<x,x> > 0 if x does not = 0

T linear, thus for x,y in V and c in F
T(x+cy)=T(x) + cT(y)

Forward phase:
If <x,y>' = <T(x),T(y)> is an inner product then it satisfies the same requirements for an inner product space mentioned above.

Want to show T is one-to-one. => by def. if T: V-> W is one-to-one then for x,y in V T(x),T(y) in W...T(x)=T(y) => x=y...or equivalently the contra-positive.
Also, T is one-to-one iff Ker(T) = {0}

By def. an inner product on V is a function that assigns x,y in V/F to a scalar in F denoted by <x,y>

3. Attempt

We want to show that if T(x)=T(y) then x=y...
consider <T(x),T(y)> = <T(x),T(x)> which is > 0 unless T(x) = 0.
Now, I am failing to see how this helps at all. If <T,T> is > 0...than how does this give us any information about x and y? If T(x)=0...then this argument is the Ker argument...

So...Consider all x in V s.t. T(x)=0...we want to show x=0.

then...<T(x),T(y)> = < 0 , T(y)> = 0 = <T(y),0>

Again..I do not see how this gives us any info about x and y.

Any starting hints?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Try forming T(x-y), and then form <T(x-y),T(x-y)>. I think this will give you the answer.
 
If \left\langle Tx,Ty\right\rangle is an inner product, what can you say about \left\langle Tx,Tx\right\rangle? What does this tell you about ker\left( T\right)?
 
I think I see what I was missing. I was trying to only manipulate <T(x),T(y)>.
Here is what I think now...

Let T(x)=T(y) and consider <x-y,x-y>' = <T(x-y),T(x-y)> = <T(x),T(x-y)> - <T(y),T(x-y)> Then, <x-y,x-y>' = <T(x),T(x-y)> - <T(x),T(x-y)> = 0
Then, <a,a>' = 0 implies a=0 => x-y = 0 => x=y

Then for the reverse direction Let T(x)=T(y) => x=y...consider <x + z, y>' = <T(x+z),T(y)>
then <T(x+z),T(y)> = <T(x),T(y)> + <T(z),T(y)> since W is inner product space
which equals <x,y>' + <z,y>'

Then similarly for the other the other conditions.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

Similar threads

Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 43 ·
2
Replies
43
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K