Proving Similarity of Matrices: Nullity Equality

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving properties related to the similarity of matrices, specifically focusing on eigenvalues and nullity. The original poster presents a problem involving two similar matrices, A and B, and seeks to demonstrate that the dimensions of their eigenspaces are equal, as well as exploring the implications of invertibility in relation to eigenvalues.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants question the meaning of terms such as "sized V_λ" and "eigenspace," seeking clarification on definitions and notation. There is discussion about the implications of A being invertible and the relationship between eigenvalues and nullity. Some participants explore the concept of similar matrices and their properties, including the conditions under which nullity is preserved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants actively seeking clarification on terminology and concepts. Some have provided insights into the definitions of similar matrices and the implications of eigenvalues on invertibility, but there is no explicit consensus on the original poster's questions regarding the eigenspace dimensions.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted confusion regarding the terminology used in the problem, particularly the terms "sized" and "size V," which have not been commonly encountered by some participants. The original poster has expressed difficulty in articulating their problem clearly, which may be affecting the flow of the discussion.

Baharx
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Matrix proof :(

1. Let A and B be two similar matrices.

characteristic in the space λ is an eigen value,

show that : sized V_λ^A = sized V_λ^B

2. Let A invertible matrix.

A ∈ ℝ nxn and invertible matrix ⇔ 0, A is not an eigen value.

3. Let A and B be two similar matrices.

Nullity (A) = Nullity (B)


thank you. Please help.. :(
 
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Baharx said:
1. Let A and B be two similar matrices.

characteristic in the space λ is an eigen value,

show that : sized V_λ^A = sized V_λ^B
I don't know what this means. What is V_λ? What does "^A" mean? Do you possible mean the "eigenspace" corresponding to eigenvalue λ? That is, the subspace of all v such that Av= λv? And "sized" is the dimension of that space?

2. Let A invertible matrix.

A ∈ ℝ nxn and invertible matrix ⇔ 0, A is not an eigen value.
A is a matrix, it can't be an eigenvalue! I presume you mean "0 is not an eigenvalue for A". If it where, there would exist a non-zero vector, v, such that Av= 0. What does that tell you about A^{-1}(0)?

3. Let A and B be two similar matrices.

Nullity (A) = Nullity (B)


thank you. Please help.. :(
First, do you know what a "similar matrices" are? Two matrices, A and B, are similar, if and only if there exist an invertible matrix, P, such that PAP^{-1}= B which is the same as saying that PA= PB[/tex]. So if v is a non-zero vector such that Av= 0, then PAv= 0= PBv. Since P is invertible, if follows that Bv= 0.
 
HallsofIvy said:
I don't know what this means. What is V_λ? What does "^A" mean? Do you possible mean the "eigenspace" corresponding to eigenvalue λ? That is, the subspace of all v such that Av= λv? And "sized" is the dimension of that space? A is a matrix, it can't be an eigenvalue! I presume you mean "0 is not an eigenvalue for A". If it where, there would exist a non-zero vector, v, such that Av= 0. What does that tell you about A^{-1}(0)? First, do you know what a "similar matrices" are? Two matrices, A and B, are similar, if and only if there exist an invertible matrix, P, such that PAP^{-1}= B which is the same as saying that PA= PB[/tex]. So if v is a non-zero vector such that Av= 0, then PAv= 0= PBv. Since P is invertible, if follows that Bv= 0.
thank you so much for your reply.<br /> <br /> i solved 2 and 3.<br /> <br /> yes i have to solve that way all problems : PAP^{-1}= B mean is A and B similar matrix.<br /> <br /> for 1 question; <br /> <br /> how can i write; <br /> <br /> Let A and B be two similar matrices. PAP^{-1}= B<br /> <br /> characteristic in the space λ is an eigen value,<br /> <br /> show that : sized VλA = sized VλB<br /> <br /> (sized or size V )<br /> <br /> still i couldn&#039;t solve.<br /> <br /> ---------------<br /> <br /> Question 2:<br /> <br /> Let A be a square matrix. Prove that A is invertible if and only if 0 is not an eigenvalue of A by<br /> showing:<br /> A cuter way to do this problem would be to say:<br /> 0 is an eigenvalue ⇔ det(A − 0I) = 0 ⇔ det A = 0 ⇔ A is not invertible.<br /> (a) If 0 is not an eigenvalue of A, then A is invertible.<br /> If 0 is not an eigenvalue, then Ax = 0x has only the trivial solution, so A is invertible.<br /> (b) If A is invertible, then 0 is not an eigenvalue of A.<br /> If A is invertible, then A has trivial nullspace, so Ax = 0 has only the trivial solution. But this equation is the same as Ax = 0x, so we see that there are no eigenvectors corresponding to λ = 0Question 3:<br /> <br /> B is row equivalent to A if B = CA, where C is invertible. We can now establish two important results:<br /> Theorem: If B ∼ A, then Null(B) =Null(A).<br /> <br /> Suppose x ∈ Null(A). Then Ax = 0. Since B ∼ A, then for some invertible matrix C B=CA, and it follows that Bx=CAx=C0=0, so x∈Null(B). Therefore Null(A) ⊆ Null(B). <br /> Conversely, if x ∈ Null(B), then Bx = 0. But B = CA, where C is invertible, being the product of elementary matrices. Thus Bx = CAx = 0. <br /> Multiplying by C^−1 gives Ax = (C^−1).0 = 0, <br /> so x ∈ Null(A), and Null(B) ⊆ Null(A). So the two sets are equal, as advertised.QUESTION 1..? :/
 
Btw question 3 is maybe we can solve like this; (if its not true my solve, pls tell me.)

Suppose x ∈ Nullity(A) then Ax=0
PAP^{-1}= B

Bx = P^-1AP x= I. Ax = 0 → x ∈ Nullity(B)

Suppose x ∈ Nullity(B) then Bx=0

Ax = P^-1BP x= I. Bx = 0 → x ∈ Nullity(A)

Nullity(B) ⊆ Nullity(A). So the two sets are equal,

Nullity(B) = Nullity(A)
 
Baharx said:
thank you so much for your reply.

i solved 2 and 3.

yes i have to solve that way all problems : PAP^{-1}= B mean is A and B similar matrix.

for 1 question;

how can i write;

Let A and B be two similar matrices. PAP^{-1}= B

characteristic in the space λ is an eigen value,

show that : sized VλA = sized VλB

(sized or size V )

still i couldn't solve.

---------------

Question 2:

Let A be a square matrix. Prove that A is invertible if and only if 0 is not an eigenvalue of A by
showing:
A cuter way to do this problem would be to say:
0 is an eigenvalue ⇔ det(A − 0I) = 0 ⇔ det A = 0 ⇔ A is not invertible.
(a) If 0 is not an eigenvalue of A, then A is invertible.
If 0 is not an eigenvalue, then Ax = 0x has only the trivial solution, so A is invertible.
(b) If A is invertible, then 0 is not an eigenvalue of A.
If A is invertible, then A has trivial nullspace, so Ax = 0 has only the trivial solution. But this equation is the same as Ax = 0x, so we see that there are no eigenvectors corresponding to λ = 0


Question 3:

B is row equivalent to A if B = CA, where C is invertible. We can now establish two important results:
Theorem: If B ∼ A, then Null(B) =Null(A).

Suppose x ∈ Null(A). Then Ax = 0. Since B ∼ A, then for some invertible matrix C B=CA, and it follows that Bx=CAx=C0=0, so x∈Null(B). Therefore Null(A) ⊆ Null(B).
Conversely, if x ∈ Null(B), then Bx = 0. But B = CA, where C is invertible, being the product of elementary matrices. Thus Bx = CAx = 0.
Multiplying by C^−1 gives Ax = (C^−1).0 = 0,
so x ∈ Null(A), and Null(B) ⊆ Null(A). So the two sets are equal, as advertised.


QUESTION 1..? :/

What does "sized" or "size" mean? I have read many books on linear algebra over the past 50 years and have NEVER seen that term. If you want help you really do need to answer questions that people ask you.
 
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Baharx said:
thank you so much for your reply.

i solved 2 and 3.

yes i have to solve that way all problems : PAP^{-1}= B mean is A and B similar matrix.

for 1 question;

how can i write;

Let A and B be two similar matrices. PAP^{-1}= B

characteristic in the space λ is an eigen value,

show that : sized VλA = sized VλB

(sized or size V )

still i couldn't solve.

---------------

Question 2:

Let A be a square matrix. Prove that A is invertible if and only if 0 is not an eigenvalue of A by
showing:
A cuter way to do this problem would be to say:
0 is an eigenvalue ⇔ det(A − 0I) = 0 ⇔ det A = 0 ⇔ A is not invertible.
(a) If 0 is not an eigenvalue of A, then A is invertible.
If 0 is not an eigenvalue, then Ax = 0x has only the trivial solution, so A is invertible.
(b) If A is invertible, then 0 is not an eigenvalue of A.
If A is invertible, then A has trivial nullspace, so Ax = 0 has only the trivial solution. But this equation is the same as Ax = 0x, so we see that there are no eigenvectors corresponding to λ = 0


Question 3:

B is row equivalent to A if B = CA, where C is invertible. We can now establish two important results:
Theorem: If B ∼ A, then Null(B) =Null(A).

Suppose x ∈ Null(A). Then Ax = 0. Since B ∼ A, then for some invertible matrix C B=CA, and it follows that Bx=CAx=C0=0, so x∈Null(B). Therefore Null(A) ⊆ Null(B).
Conversely, if x ∈ Null(B), then Bx = 0. But B = CA, where C is invertible, being the product of elementary matrices. Thus Bx = CAx = 0.
Multiplying by C^−1 gives Ax = (C^−1).0 = 0,
so x ∈ Null(A), and Null(B) ⊆ Null(A). So the two sets are equal, as advertised.


QUESTION 1..? :/

In the future, please limit your posts to one problem each.
 
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Ray Vickson said:
What does "sized" or "size" mean? I have read many books on linear algebra over the past 50 years and have NEVER seen that term. If you want help you really do need to answer questions that people ask you.

i am sorry i was trying to translate.. Size hmmm length or a scalar "norm".
 
Mark44 said:
In the future, please limit your posts to one problem each.

ok, sorry for that.
 
ok i will write again.

Let A and B be two similar matrices. PAP^{-1}= B

characteristic in the space λ is an eigen value,

show that :

length V^{A}_{λ} = length V^{B}_{λ}

dimension V^{A}_{λ} = dimension V^{B}_{λ}

Thanks.. probably dimension.
 
Last edited:

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