Linear transformation exercise

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a linear transformation defined by its action on the standard basis vectors in three-dimensional space. Participants are tasked with calculating the kernel, image, dimensions, and other properties of the transformation, including its invertibility and diagonalizability.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster seeks guidance on solving a specific part of the exercise, particularly regarding the system f^2(x)=0. They express uncertainty about the calculations involved.
  • One participant suggests expressing the transformation in terms of a matrix representation, while another points out a potential error in the matrix formulation.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants providing insights and corrections. A participant has offered a method to approach the problem, but there is no explicit consensus on the best way to proceed.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of typical homework expectations, which may limit the amount of direct assistance they can provide. There is an emphasis on understanding the definitions and properties of linear transformations.

knightmetal
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Hello,

I'm given this linear transformation and I'm asked to do the typical calculations (kernel, image, dimensions, etc.) but there's one thing I'm not sure I understand, here's the exercise:

f(1,0,0)=(-1,-2,-3)
f(0,1,0)=(2,2,2)
f(0,0,1)=(0,1,2)

a) Is f invertible?
b)Find a basis of Ker(f) and a basis of Im(f)
c)Find eigenvalues, eigenvectors. is f diagonalizable?
d) Solve the system f^2(x)=0

Can anybody point me in the right direction on how to solve d) ?

Thanks a lot
 
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knightmetal said:
Hello,

I'm given this linear transformation and I'm asked to do the typical calculations (kernel, image, dimensions, etc.) but there's one thing I'm not sure I understand, here's the exercise:

f(1,0,0)=(-1,-2,-3)
f(0,1,0)=(2,2,2)
f(0,0,1)=(0,1,2)

a) Is f invertible?
b)Find a basis of Ker(f) and a basis of Im(f)
c)Find eigenvalues, eigenvectors. is f diagonalizable?
d) Solve the system f^2(x)=0

Can anybody point me in the right direction on how to solve d) ?

Thanks a lot



Write \,\mathbf{x}=(x_1,x_2,x_3)\, , so that f^2(\mathbf{x})=f\left(f(x_1,x_2,x_3)\right)
But \,f(x_1,x_2,x_3)=f\left(x_1(1,0,0)+x_2(0,1,0)+x_3(0,0,1)\right)=x_1f(1,0,0)+x_2f(0,1,0)+x_3f(0,0,1)=\,

\,=(-x_1,-2x_1,-3_x1)+(2x_2,2x_2,2x_2)+(0,x_3,2x_3)=\,...etc.

Another, much easier way: write your lin. transf. as a matrix wrt the canonical basis:f\longrightarrow \left(\begin{array}{rrr}-1&-2&-3\\2&2&2\\0&1&2\end{array}\right) so that f(\mathbf{x})\longrightarrow \left(\begin{array}{rrr}-1&-2&-3\\2&2&2\\0&1&2\end{array}\right)\begin{pmatrix}x_1\\x_2\\x_3\end{pmatrix} and then f^2\longrightarrow \left(\begin{array}{rrr}-1&-2&-3\\2&2&2\\0&1&2\end{array}\right)^2

DonAntonio
 
Thank you for your reply DonAntonio, very helpful!
 
A minor correction. That looks like the transpose of the matrix that you want. The columns should be the respective images of the standard basis vectors.
 

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