Linear algebra -- compute the following without finding invA

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a linear algebra problem involving the computation of matrix inverses and products without directly finding the inverse of matrix A. The context includes the use of LU decomposition and the relationships between the matrices involved.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of MATLAB to compute matrix inverses and express concerns about the complexity of finding multiple inverses by hand. Some suggest that computing the inverses of triangular matrices L and U should be manageable.

Discussion Status

Several participants have provided similar guidance, suggesting that the original poster should focus on finding the inverses of L and U directly rather than forming A^-1 and A^-2 explicitly. There is a recognition of the potential for simpler methods involving the LU decomposition.

Contextual Notes

The problem is constrained by the requirement to solve it by hand, which raises questions about the feasibility of the approaches being discussed. Participants are exploring different interpretations of the problem and the methods available to them.

SchrodingersMu
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Homework Statement



upload_2015-3-6_12-4-18.png

Homework Equations


A=LU, U^-1 * L^-1= A^-1 , U^-1 * L^-1 * U^-1 * L^-1 = A^-2,

The Attempt at a Solution


I used MATLAB and the relations:
U^-1 * L^-1= A^-1 , U^-1 * L^-1 * U^-1 * L^-1 = A^-2,
to find a solution

I found U^-1*L^-1 , let =B

Then, found B^2 and took the inverse of B to get A^-2.

B=A^-1

C=inv(B^2)

so we have B*x+C*y= [2;5;10]

My question is: is there an easier way to do this? We are supposed to do this problem by hand. This would have taken a good amount fo effort to find so many inverse matrices. Any input is appreciated!

Thank you!
 
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SchrodingersMu said:

Homework Statement



View attachment 80035

Homework Equations


A=LU, U^-1 * L^-1= A^-1 , U^-1 * L^-1 * U^-1 * L^-1 = A^-2,

The Attempt at a Solution


I used MATLAB and the relations:
U^-1 * L^-1= A^-1 , U^-1 * L^-1 * U^-1 * L^-1 = A^-2,
to find a solution

I found U^-1*L^-1 , let =B

Then, found B^2 and took the inverse of B to get A^-2.

B=A^-1

C=inv(B^2)

so we have B*x+C*y= [2;5;10]

My question is: is there an easier way to do this? We are supposed to do this problem by hand. This would have taken a good amount fo effort to find so many inverse matrices.Any input is appreciated!

Thank you!
L and U are triangular matrices, so I don't think it would have been all that hard to compute their inverses by hand, especially since they're only 3 x 3. Also, once you have A-1, just multiply it by itself to get (A-1)2. You don't have to do the product of four matrices you show.
 
SchrodingersMu said:

Homework Statement



View attachment 80035

Homework Equations


A=LU, U^-1 * L^-1= A^-1 , U^-1 * L^-1 * U^-1 * L^-1 = A^-2,

The Attempt at a Solution


I used MATLAB and the relations:
U^-1 * L^-1= A^-1 , U^-1 * L^-1 * U^-1 * L^-1 = A^-2,
to find a solution

I found U^-1*L^-1 , let =B

Then, found B^2 and took the inverse of B to get A^-2.

B=A^-1

C=inv(B^2)

so we have B*x+C*y= [2;5;10]

My question is: is there an easier way to do this? We are supposed to do this problem by hand. This would have taken a good amount fo effort to find so many inverse matrices.

Any input is appreciated!

Thank you!
When you found matrices, B and C, that violated your instruction which was that you should not form A-1 and A-2 explicitly.

Simply find L-1 and U-1 and use those. They are easy to find by hand.
 
As you say, since A= LU, A^{-1}= L^{-1}U^{-1} and A^{-2}= L^{-1}U^{-1}L^{-1}U^{-1} so the first thing I would do is find L^{-1} and U^{-1}. Since L and U are triangular, that should be easy to do "by hand".

(Well, that was three answer in quick succession- and we are all saying the same thing.)
 
SchrodingersMu said:

Homework Statement



View attachment 80035

Homework Equations


A=LU, U^-1 * L^-1= A^-1 , U^-1 * L^-1 * U^-1 * L^-1 = A^-2,

The Attempt at a Solution


I used MATLAB and the relations:
U^-1 * L^-1= A^-1 , U^-1 * L^-1 * U^-1 * L^-1 = A^-2,
to find a solution

I found U^-1*L^-1 , let =B

Then, found B^2 and took the inverse of B to get A^-2.

B=A^-1

C=inv(B^2)

so we have B*x+C*y= [2;5;10]

My question is: is there an easier way to do this? We are supposed to do this problem by hand. This would have taken a good amount fo effort to find so many inverse matrices.Any input is appreciated!

Thank you!

You can do it by solving equations with ##A## on the left, which is doable easily from the LU decomposition. You want to compute ##v+w##, where ##v = A^{-1} x## and ##w = A^{-2} y##. We can get ##v## as the solution of the system ##A v = x## and we can get ##w## as the solution of ##A^2 w = y##, and this, in turn, can be obtained from the systems ##A w_0 = y##, ##A w = w_0##.

I don't know if this is what the questioner really wants.
 

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