Solving for D in a Confusing Matrix Equation | Invertible Matrices NxN

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a matrix equation for the variable D, specifically the equation ABDB-1 = I, under the assumption that matrices A and B are invertible and of size NxN. Participants also explore related eigenvalue problems involving a specific 3x3 matrix.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the equation ABDB-1 = I and asks to solve for D, assuming A and B are invertible.
  • Another participant points out a misunderstanding regarding the notation, suggesting that a matrix minus a scalar is not meaningful.
  • A participant corrects the notation, clarifying that the -1 should be an exponent, and provides steps to isolate D, leading to the expression D = B-1A-1B.
  • Subsequent posts introduce a separate eigenvalue problem involving a 3x3 matrix, where participants discuss the process of finding eigenvalues and eigenvectors, specifically focusing on λ = 1 as an eigenvalue.
  • Participants detail the steps to find eigenvectors by solving the system derived from the matrix equation (A - λI)v = 0, leading to a proposed eigenvector (0, 3, 2).
  • Further calculations are presented regarding the characteristic polynomial and its roots, confirming λ = 1 as an eigenvalue and identifying additional eigenvalues.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the steps to solve for D in the matrix equation, but there is no consensus on the quickest method to find eigenvalues and eigenvectors for the 3x3 matrix, as different approaches are discussed.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion regarding the factoring of the characteristic polynomial and the process of finding eigenvalues, indicating potential limitations in their understanding of the material.

Who May Find This Useful

Students or individuals studying linear algebra, particularly those interested in matrix equations and eigenvalue problems.

das1
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Solve the equation below for D. Assume that matrices A and B are both invertible and that all matrices are equivalently shaped as NxN (e.g., 3x3 ...).

Equation: ABDB-1 = I
 
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das said:
Solve the equation below for D. Assume that matrices A and B are both invertible and that all matrices are equivalently shaped as NxN (e.g., 3x3 ...).

Equation: ABDB-1 = I

Your equation doesn't make sense because a matrix minus a scalar has no meaning.
 
Whoops i copied and pasted that. The -1 should be an exponant
 
das said:
Whoops i copied and pasted that. The -1 should be an exponant

Asumming it should read $ABDB^{-1}=I$, post multiply by $B$, then pre multiply by $A^{-1}$ to get $BD=A^{-1}B$ Then pre multiply by $B^{-1}$ to get $D=B^{-1}A^{-1}B$.
 
Fermat said:
Asumming it should read $ABDB^{-1}=I$, post multiply by $B$, then pre multiply by $A^{-1}$ to get $BD=A^{-1}B$ Then pre multiply by $B^{-1}$ to get $D=B^{-1}A^{-1}B$.

Thanks a lot!

If you have a chance, I'm also really confused with this question:

"Show that λ = 1 an eigenvalue of matrix below. In addition, find one corresponding eigenvector.
The 3x3 matrix A is:
4 -2 3
0 -1 3
-1 2 -2
"

I know I'm supposed to find the determinant of the matrix that's λI3- A but I'm totally unable to factor it, i can't find any of the eigenvalues. Is there a quicker/easier way to do this because I keep getting tripped up.
 
das said:
Thanks a lot!

If you have a chance, I'm also really confused with this question:

"Show that λ = 1 an eigenvalue of matrix below. In addition, find one corresponding eigenvector.
The 3x3 matrix A is:
4 -2 3
0 -1 3
-1 2 -2
"

I know I'm supposed to find the determinant of the matrix that's λI3- A but I'm totally unable to factor it, i can't find any of the eigenvalues. Is there a quicker/easier way to do this because I keep getting tripped up.

You have to show that the matrix has a fixed point $(x,y,z)$. If you write that out, you will be find that you need to find a solution to the system $3x-2y+3z=0$, $3z-2y=0$ and $-x+2y-3z=0$. From the second, we get $y=(3/2)z$. Substituting that into either of the two others gives $x=0$. So (0,3,2) is an eigenvector with eigenvalue 1
 
das said:
Thanks a lot!

If you have a chance, I'm also really confused with this question:

"Show that λ = 1 an eigenvalue of matrix below. In addition, find one corresponding eigenvector.
The 3x3 matrix A is:
4 -2 3
0 -1 3
-1 2 -2
"

I know I'm supposed to find the determinant of the matrix that's λI3- A but I'm totally unable to factor it, i can't find any of the eigenvalues. Is there a quicker/easier way to do this because I keep getting tripped up.
One typically uses the characteristic polynomial to FIND eigenvalues. If we already KNOW an eigenvalue $\lambda$, then we find eigenvectors by solving:

$(A - \lambda I)v = 0$.

In this case, that means solving:

$\left(\begin{bmatrix}4&2&-3\\0&-1&3\\-1&2&-2 \end{bmatrix} - \begin{bmatrix}1&0&0\\0&1&0\\0&0&1 \end{bmatrix}\right) \begin{bmatrix}v_1\\v_2\\v_3 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}0\\0\\0 \end{bmatrix}$

or:

$\begin{bmatrix}3&2&-3\\0&-2&3\\-1&2&-3 \end{bmatrix} \begin{bmatrix}v_1\\v_2\\v_3 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}0\\0\\0 \end{bmatrix}$

or:

$3v_1+2v_2-3v_3 = 0$

$-2v_2+3v_3 = 0$

$-v_1+2v_2-3v_3 = 0$

As in Fermat's post, it is easy to see that $v_2 = \frac{3}{2}v_3$, so that $v_1 = 0$ (by substitution, or just add equations 1 and 2). Letting $v_3 = 2$ gives one possible eigenvector as (0,3,2).

But, let's see (just for grins) what $\det(I - \lambda A)$ works out to be. The matrix in question is:

$\begin{bmatrix}\lambda-4&-2&3\\0&\lambda+1&-3\\1&-2&\lambda+2 \end{bmatrix}$

which has determinant:

$(\lambda-4)(\lambda+1)(\lambda+2) + 6 - 3(\lambda+1) - 6(\lambda-4)$

$= \lambda^3 - \lambda^2 - 10\lambda - 2 - 3\lambda - 3 - 6\lambda + 24$

$= \lambda^3 - \lambda^2 - 19\lambda + 19$

It is not hard to see $\lambda = 1$ is a root, since this leads to: $1 - 1 - 19 + 19 = 0$.

In fact, $\lambda^3 - \lambda^2 - 19\lambda + 19 = (\lambda - 1)(\lambda^2 - 19)$ so we have two other eigenvalues as well: $\pm \sqrt{19}$
 
Deveno said:
One typically uses the characteristic polynomial to FIND eigenvalues. If we already KNOW an eigenvalue $\lambda$, then we find eigenvectors by solving:

$(A - \lambda I)v = 0$.

In this case, that means solving:

$\left(\begin{bmatrix}4&2&-3\\0&-1&3\\-1&2&-2 \end{bmatrix} - \begin{bmatrix}1&0&0\\0&1&0\\0&0&1 \end{bmatrix}\right) \begin{bmatrix}v_1\\v_2\\v_3 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}0\\0\\0 \end{bmatrix}$

or:

$\begin{bmatrix}3&2&-3\\0&-2&3\\-1&2&-3 \end{bmatrix} \begin{bmatrix}v_1\\v_2\\v_3 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}0\\0\\0 \end{bmatrix}$

or:

$3v_1+2v_2-3v_3 = 0$

$-2v_2+3v_3 = 0$

$-v_1+2v_2-3v_3 = 0$

As in Fermat's post, it is easy to see that $v_2 = \frac{3}{2}v_3$, so that $v_1 = 0$ (by substitution, or just add equations 1 and 2). Letting $v_3 = 2$ gives one possible eigenvector as (0,3,2).

But, let's see (just for grins) what $\det(I - \lambda A)$ works out to be. The matrix in question is:

$\begin{bmatrix}\lambda-4&-2&3\\0&\lambda+1&-3\\1&-2&\lambda+2 \end{bmatrix}$

which has determinant:

$(\lambda-4)(\lambda+1)(\lambda+2) + 6 - 3(\lambda+1) - 6(\lambda-4)$

$= \lambda^3 - \lambda^2 - 10\lambda - 2 - 3\lambda - 3 - 6\lambda + 24$

$= \lambda^3 - \lambda^2 - 19\lambda + 19$

It is not hard to see $\lambda = 1$ is a root, since this leads to: $1 - 1 - 19 + 19 = 0$.

In fact, $\lambda^3 - \lambda^2 - 19\lambda + 19 = (\lambda - 1)(\lambda^2 - 19)$ so we have two other eigenvalues as well: $\pm \sqrt{19}$

This is great, thank you! I was trying to do way more than I needed for this one. That's some impressive factoring too!
 

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