Prove the theorem for the matrix

[frostshoxx]

Homework Statement

Prove that every square real matrix X can be written in a unique way as the sum of a symmetric matrix A and a skew-symmetric matrix B.

Homework Equations

X = A + B
A = \frac{X+X^{T}}{2}
B = \frac{X-X^{T}}{2}
X = \frac{X+X^{T}}{2} + \frac{X-X^{T}}{2}

The Attempt at a Solution

So I tried to solve \frac{X+X^{T}}{2} + \frac{X-X^{T}}{2} and it gives out X as a solution. However, how can I know that A is a symmetric and B is a skew-symmetric? Any idea?

 

[Focus]

Take the transpose of A and B. You also need to prove uniqueness which I would do by contradiction.

 

[frostshoxx]

Can this be done symbolically? Also, what do you mean by contradiction? could you give some examples?

Thank you for your time.

 

[Focus]

Yes why not, if you take transpose of A, you will get A again. And B is skew because of the negative sign.

Example of uniqueness. Let e be a number (in reals) such thata \cdot a^{-1}=e and a\cdot e=a \quad \forall a \in \mathbb{R}. e is unique.

Proof:
Fix a in reals and assume e is not unique. You have a\cdot e=a and a\cdot e'=a for e\neq e' (same for inverses). Now you have
a\cdot e \cdot e'=a \cdot e'=a
taking inverses gives the result that e \cdot e'=e and e \cdot e'=e'
thus e=e' which contradicts the assumption, thus e must be unique.

Hope that helps