Matrices: Transpose and Inverse

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a matrix problem involving the transpose and inverse of matrices X and Y. The original poster is tasked with finding the expression (X * Y-1)T - (Y * X-1)T given specific matrices for X and Y.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of the inverse of matrices and the order of multiplication. There is an exploration of the transposition of the resulting matrices and the subtraction of these transposed matrices. Some participants question the correctness of the original poster's approach and calculations.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing examination of the steps taken by the original poster and other participants. Some guidance has been offered regarding the order of operations in matrix multiplication, and there is acknowledgment of a potential misunderstanding of matrix properties.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of the associative and commutative properties of matrices in their calculations. There is a recognition that the original poster may have overlooked the correct order of operations in their approach.

PotentialE
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Homework Statement


Find (X * Y-1)T - (Y * X-1)T
When X = [3 5]
.....[1 2]
and Y = [3 4]
...[2 3]

Homework Equations


Inverse= 1/ad-bc [d -b]
......[-c a]

The Attempt at a Solution


I got:
[9 -6 ]
[14 -9]

But the answer is:
[-3 -2]
[6 3]I did the problem twice and got the same answer so I don't think its a simple math error, any insight as to how to solve this correctly / what I've done wrong?
 
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It's rather hard to say where you've gone wrong without seeing your working. Your equations are correct.
 
Well first I did the inverse of Y and got:
[3 -4]
[-2 3]

Then I multiplied that by X and got:
[5 7]
[-3 -4]

Then I transposed it and got:
[5 -3]
[7 -4]

Then I did the inverse of X and got:
[2 -5]
[-1 3]

Multiplied by Y and got:
[-4 -7]
[3 5]

Then I transposed that and got:
[-4 3]
[-7 5]

Then I subtracted the two transposed matrices to get:
[9 -6]
[14 -9]

Seems coherent to me but it's very far from the right answer
 
In your second step, looks like you did Y-1*X instead of X*Y-1
 
Oh that's right! I forgot the associative property is non-applicable to matrices. THanks for your help.
 
PotentialE said:
I forgot the associative property is non-applicable to matrices.
No, matrices are associative, A(BC) = (A B)C, but they are not always commutative.
 

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