Transpose Property (where's my mistake)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the transpose property of matrix multiplication, specifically the proof of the equation ##\left(AB\right)^T = B^T A^T##. Participants are examining the steps involved in the proof and identifying potential mistakes in the reasoning.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant attempts to prove the transpose property by expressing the elements of the product matrix and then taking the transpose, but believes they have made an error.
  • Another participant points out that the last equality in the proof is incorrect and provides a hint regarding the correct notation for the transpose of the product.
  • A third participant confirms the use of Einstein notation and suggests that a mistake may have occurred due to an incorrect index in the initial matrix.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the exact nature of the mistake, and multiple viewpoints regarding the reasoning and notation are presented.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the proper application of indices in Einstein notation and how they relate to the transpose operation, which remains unresolved.

member 428835
Hi PF!

When proving ##\left(AB\right)^T = B^T A^T## I was thinking of writing ##\left(AB\right)_{ij} = A_{ik} B_{kj} = D_{ij}##. Then ##\left(D\right)^T_{ij} = D_{ji} = A_{jk} B_{ki} = A^TB^T## but clearly this is incorrect. Can someone tell me where my mistake is made?

Thanks!
 
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joshmccraney said:
##\left(D\right)^T_{ij} = D_{ji} = A_{jk} B_{ki} = A^TB^T## but clearly this is incorrect.
Yes, the last equality is incorrect.
Hint: ##A_{jk}B_{ki} = (A^T)_{kj}(B^T)_{ik}##.
 
joshmccraney said:
Hi PF!

When proving ##\left(AB\right)^T = B^T A^T## I was thinking of writing ##\left(AB\right)_{ij} = A_{ik} B_{kj} = D_{ij}##. Then ##\left(D\right)^T_{ij} = D_{ji} = A_{jk} B_{ki} = A^TB^T## but clearly this is incorrect. Can someone tell me where my mistake is made?

Thanks!

You are using Einstein notation, right?
 
micromass said:
You are using Einstein notation, right?
I am, and I think I found the mistake. ##A## initially had a different index, so changing that doesn't make sense, correct?
 

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