# Square matrix proof

MichalKol

## Homework Statement

Show that if B is a square matrix that satisfies the equation
B^2 - 2B + I = 0
then
B^-1 = 2I - B

## The Attempt at a Solution

I've never before done a proof involving actual unknown matrices. Basically i know what a square matrix is (n x n matrix) I am also pretty sure that I is the identity matrix. I've tried algebraic operations on the equations to make them equal, however I am rusty on what can and can't be done with matrices. Any help even a starting location will be much appreciated

Staff Emeritus
Gold Member
1. First deduce the possible values for the determinant of B. If B is not singular, then B-1 exists.

2. If B-1 exists (hint: it does exist), then you can multiply both sides of the equation by it.

MichalKol
AHHH thank you! I was able to get the first equation to equal what it was suppose to be. If I'm faced with questions like these what do you recommend i do first? Also i did not really understand what you ment by "First deduce the possible values for the determinant of B. If B is not singular, then B-1 exists"

thanks for the help!

Homework Helper
AHHH thank you! I was able to get the first equation to equal what it was suppose to be. If I'm faced with questions like these what do you recommend i do first? Also i did not really understand what you ment by "First deduce the possible values for the determinant of B. If B is not singular, then B-1 exists"

thanks for the help!

A recommendation is to look up the definition of a regular matrix. Further on, this problem is nothing else than adjusting the equation to fit into your definition.

MichalKol
no no, radou i was able to do the problem after the first hint, I am just wondering how i should approach different proofs (with matrices) in the future).

Homework Helper
no no, radou i was able to do the problem after the first hint, I am just wondering how i should approach different proofs (with matrices) in the future).

Just do a few more proofs and your question will be answered automatically.

MichalKol
Allright well how about: If A is a square matrix such that A^3 = 0, show that (I-A)^-1 = I + A + A^2

The books answer is as follows:
(I-A)(I + A + A^2) = I - A^3 = I - 0 = I, therefore (I-A)^-1 = I + A + A^2

i mean i understand how they got (I-A)(I + A + A^2) = I, what i don't understand is why they did that and how that prooves (I-A)^-1 = I + A + A^2

once again any help is appreciated

Homework Helper
Allright well how about: If A is a square matrix such that A^3 = 0, show that (I-A)^-1 = I + A + A^2

The books answer is as follows:
(I-A)(I + A + A^2) = I - A^3 = I - 0 = I, therefore (I-A)^-1 = I + A + A^2

i mean i understand how they got (I-A)(I + A + A^2) = I, what i don't understand is why they did that and how that prooves (I-A)^-1 = I + A + A^2

once again any help is appreciated

These are just steps which require some experience, which you'll definitely gain after solving a considerable amount of problems. My replies may not seem very helpful, but I hope you get my point.

MichalKol
AHHH, nevermind i figured out the question... well i think i did... its actually quite similar to the first one...

multiplie both sides of (I-A)^-1 = I + A + A^2
by (I-A) thus getting I = (I + A + A^2) x (I-A)
then just do the thing the book shower and you get I=I , anyway i think that's right

MichalKol
yah i do radou i just get frustrated when i can't figure out problems :P. Answers at the back of books usualy anger me as they don't really show steps. I was suprised when my book came with no solutions manual... speaking of which why do textbooks cost 110$and not even have a solutions manual... Homework Helper AHHH, nevermind i figured out the question... well i think i did... its actually quite similar to the first one... multiplie both sides of (I-A)^-1 = I + A + A^2 by (I-A) thus getting I = (I + A + A^2) x (I-A) then just do the thing the book shower and you get I=I , anyway i think that's right You can't use the solution to the problem to solve the problem, that's what you just did. Science Advisor Homework Helper Gold Member Basically, you have to learn some aspects of the matrix algebra of square matrices, which is very similar to (but not exactly the same) as the algebra of real variables. You can add and take linear combinations, etc... However, something like (1/A) doesn't make sense. Instead, one has the inverse A-1, if it exists, such that AA-1=I=A-1A. In addition, one has to be aware that matrix multiplication is not generally commutative: AB =/= BA in general. So, "multiplying on the left side" is different from "multiplying on the right side". Last edited: MichalKol I don't think i quite understand what you mean. The question is If A is a square matrix such that A^3 = 0, show that (I-A)^-1 = I + A + A^2 All i have to proove is that (I-A)^-1 = (I + A + A^2) or that LS = RS LS = (I-A)^-1, i then multiply it by (I-A) getting I then for RS (I + A + A^2) x (I-A) , because what you do to one side you got to do to the other you get I... therefore LS = RS and the proof is prooven.. no? Homework Helper And another useful fact is that AB = 0 does not imply that either A or B (or both) equal zero (i.e. the zero matrix). Edit: not related to your problem, but could be to some other one you'll encounter. MichalKol Basically, you have to learn some aspects of the matrix algebra of square matrices, which is very similar to (but not exactly the same) as the algebra of real variables. You can add and take linear combinations, etc... However, something like (1/A) doesn't make sense. Instead, one has the inverse A-1, if it exists, such that AA-1=I=A-1A. In addition, one has to be aware that matrix multiplication is not generally commutative: AB =/= BA in general. So, "multiplying on the left side" is different from "multiplying on the right side". Bah, now i don't know what to do, haha Homework Helper speaking of which why do textbooks cost 110$ and not even have a solutions manual...

They want to make you think on your own for 110\$.

Staff Emeritus
Gold Member
Also i did not really understand what you ment by "First deduce the possible values for the determinant of B. If B is not singular, then B-1 exists"

You can't multiply both sides of the equation by B-1 if that matrix doesn't exist, right? So before you get to that step, you need to make sure that B even has an inverse. There's a theorem that says that a square matrix B has an inverse if and only if its determinant is not zero (that is, if and only if the B is nonsingular). You should be able to deduce from your equation that the only possible value of det(B) is 1, so the inverse of B exists, and you can proceed.