Linear transformation easy question

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of linear transformations in the context of specific mathematical expressions, particularly focusing on why certain functions, such as \(x^2\) and \(xy\), do not qualify as linear transformations.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the definitions and properties of linear transformations, questioning why specific functions fail to meet these criteria. There is an attempt to understand the implications of the properties of linearity in simpler terms.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided explanations regarding the non-linearity of the functions in question, referencing the properties that must be satisfied for a transformation to be considered linear. The discussion includes attempts to clarify these concepts without reaching a definitive consensus on the simplest explanation.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted confusion regarding the interpretation of linearity in the context of the given functions, and participants are seeking a more intuitive understanding of the definitions involved.

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Sorry I feel like an idiot for asking this but why is part c and b not a linear transformation? The origin would still be (0,0) and it's an expression in x and y terms so I'm confused?

thanks
 
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They are not "linear transformations" because they are not linear. Specifically "[itex]x^2[/itex]" and "[itex]xy[/itex]" are not linear.

More precisely, a linear transformation, L, must satisfy L(x+ y)= L(x)+ L(y) and L(ax)= aLx for a any number. For b,
[tex]L\left(\begin{pmatrix}x \\ y\end{pmatrix}+ \begin{pmatrix}u \\ v\end{pmatrix}\right)= \begin{pmatrix}(x+u)^2 \\ y+ v\end{pmatrix}= \begin{pmatrix}x^2+ 2u+ u^2 \\ y+ v\end{pmatrix}[/tex]
not
[tex]L\left(\begin{pmatrix}x \\ y\end{pmatrix}\right)+ L\left(\begin{pmatrix}u \\ v\end{pmatrix}\right)= \begin{pmatrix} x^2 \\ y\end{pmatrix}+ \begin{pmatrix}u^2 \\ v\end{pmatrix}= \begin{pmatrix}x^2+ u^2\\ y+ v\end{pmatrix}[/tex]

Similarly,
[tex]L\left(a\begin{pmatrix}x \\ y \end{pmatrix}\right)= L\left(\begin{pmatrix}ax \\ ay\end{pmatrix}\right)= \begin{pmatrix}a^2x^2\\ ay\end{pmatrix}[/tex]
which is not the same as
[tex]aL\left(\begin{pmatrix}x \\ y\end{pmatrix}\right)= \begin{pmatrix}ax^2 \\ ay\end{pmatrix}[/tex]
and the same argument for (c).
 
HallsofIvy said:
They are not "linear transformations" because they are not linear. Specifically "[itex]x^2[/itex]" and "[itex]xy[/itex]" are not linear.

More precisely, a linear transformation, L, must satisfy L(x+ y)= L(x)+ L(y) and L(ax)= aLx for a any number. For b,
[tex]L\left(\begin{pmatrix}x \\ y\end{pmatrix}+ \begin{pmatrix}u \\ v\end{pmatrix}\right)= \begin{pmatrix}(x+u)^2 \\ y+ v\end{pmatrix}= \begin{pmatrix}x^2+ 2u+ u^2 \\ y+ v\end{pmatrix}[/tex]
not
[tex]L\left(\begin{pmatrix}x \\ y\end{pmatrix}\right)+ L\left(\begin{pmatrix}u \\ v\end{pmatrix}\right)= \begin{pmatrix} x^2 \\ y\end{pmatrix}+ \begin{pmatrix}u^2 \\ v\end{pmatrix}= \begin{pmatrix}x^2+ u^2\\ y+ v\end{pmatrix}[/tex]

Similarly,
[tex]L\left(a\begin{pmatrix}x \\ y \end{pmatrix}\right)= L\left(\begin{pmatrix}ax \\ ay\end{pmatrix}\right)= \begin{pmatrix}a^2x^2\\ ay\end{pmatrix}[/tex]
which is not the same as
[tex]aL\left(\begin{pmatrix}x \\ y\end{pmatrix}\right)= \begin{pmatrix}ax^2 \\ ay\end{pmatrix}[/tex]
and the same argument for (c).
Hi thank you for the response, I should of mentioned I did use to properties of linear transformations as you did in order to see that they are not linear but in the solutions they simple state that: B) is not ∵x→x^2 is not linear and c) is not ∵y→x+xy is not linear. I just don't understand how it doesn't make it linear (of course using the properties it shows it's not linear) but I'm trying to understand it in plain words of why the transformation of y --> x +xy is not linear.

thank you again
 
Then I have no clue what you mean by "in plain words". The "plainest" words I can use are what I said before: [itex]x^2[/itex] is not "linear" because [itex](a+ b)^2= a^2+ 2ab+ b^2\ne a^2+ b^2[/itex] and [itex]xy[/itex] is not linear because [itex](a+ b)(c+ d)= ac+ ad+ bc+ bd\ne ac+ bd[/itex].
 
HallsofIvy said:
Then I have no clue what you mean by "in plain words". The "plainest" words I can use are what I said before: [itex]x^2[/itex] is not "linear" because [itex](a+ b)^2= a^2+ 2ab+ b^2\ne a^2+ b^2[/itex] and [itex]xy[/itex] is not linear because [itex](a+ b)(c+ d)= ac+ ad+ bc+ bd\ne ac+ bd[/itex].

Brilliant thank you.
 

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