What are the linear operators S and T?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the linear operators \( S \) and \( T \) defined on \( \mathbb{R}^2 \). Participants explore the operations involving these operators, such as addition and composition, and clarify the notation and implications of these operations. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and conceptual clarification regarding linear transformations and their representations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants define the operators \( S \) and \( T \) and express interest in finding \( S + T \), \( 3S + 4T \), \( ST \), and \( TS \).
  • There is ambiguity regarding whether \( S + T \) refers to the sum of the operators as functions or as matrices, leading to confusion in notation.
  • Some participants argue that \( S + T \) must accept an argument, suggesting that the expression should be written as \( (S + T)\left[\begin{array}{c}x \\ y\end{array}\right] \).
  • Concerns are raised about the loss of variables \( x \) and \( y \) in the calculations, with some participants emphasizing that the results should be expressed in terms of these variables rather than as single numbers.
  • One participant suggests that the operators can be represented as matrices, providing a matrix form for \( S \) and discussing the implications of this representation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct interpretation of the operations involving \( S \) and \( T \). There is no consensus on how to proceed with the calculations, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the proper notation and understanding of the operators.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include ambiguity in the problem statement, potential misunderstandings of operator notation, and the need for clarity on how to express the results of operations involving linear transformations.

karush
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let $T:\Bbb{R}^2\rightarrow\Bbb{R}^2$ and $S:\Bbb{R}^2\rightarrow\Bbb{R}^2$ be defined by
$S\left[\begin{array}{c}x \\ y \end{array}\right]=\left[\begin{array}{c}3x+y \\ x+2y \end{array}\right],\qquad
T\left[\begin{array}{c}x \\ y \end{array}\right]=\left[\begin{array}{c}2y \\ 3x \end{array}\right]$
Find $S+T, \quad 3S+4T, \quad ST, \quad TS $

so
$S+T=\left[\begin{array}{c}3+1 \\ 1+2 \end{array}\right]
+\left[\begin{array}{c}3+0\\0+2 \end{array}\right]$
on $T$ $R_1 \leftrightarrow R_2$ before procede if ok...
 
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karush said:
let $T:\Bbb{R}^2\rightarrow\Bbb{R}^2$ and $S:\Bbb{R}^2\rightarrow\Bbb{R}^2$ be defined by
$S\left[\begin{array}{c}x \\ y \end{array}\right]=\left[\begin{array}{c}3x+y \\ x+2y \end{array}\right],\qquad
T\left[\begin{array}{c}x \\ y \end{array}\right]=\left[\begin{array}{c}2y \\ 3x \end{array}\right]$
Find $S+T, \quad 3S+4T, \quad ST, \quad TS $

so
$S+T=\left[\begin{array}{c}3+1 \\ 1+2 \end{array}\right]
+\left[\begin{array}{c}3+0\\0+2 \end{array}\right]$
on $T$ $R_1 \leftrightarrow R_2$ before procede if ok...
The problem, as written, is a bit ambiguous.

Are you trying to find [math](S + T) \left [ \begin{matrix} x \\ y \end{matrix} \right ] = \left [ \begin{matrix} 3x + y \\ x + 2y \end{matrix} \right ] + \left [ \begin{matrix} 2y \\ 3x \end{matrix} \right ] [/math]

or S + T as an operator (which would be a 2 x 2 matrix.)

-Dan
 
karush said:
$S+T=\left[\begin{array}{c}3+1 \\ 1+2 \end{array}\right]
+\left[\begin{array}{c}3+0\\0+2 \end{array}\right]$
You can't write $S+T=\ldots$ because $S+T$ is a function and it must accept an argument. $(S+T)\left[\begin{array}{c}x \\ y\end{array}\right]=\ldots$ is OK.
 
topsquark said:
The problem, as written, is a bit ambiguous.

Are you trying to find [math](S + T) \left [ \begin{matrix} x \\ y \end{matrix} \right ] = \left [ \begin{matrix} 3x + y \\ x + 2y \end{matrix} \right ] + \left [ \begin{matrix} 2y \\ 3x \end{matrix} \right ] [/math]

or S + T as an operator (which would be a 2 x 2 matrix.)

-Dan

the first 3 lines was the given problem
possible my notation was off
 
Evgeny.Makarov said:
You can't write $S+T=\ldots$ because $S+T$ is a function and it must accept an argument. $(S+T)\left[\;{array}{c}x \\ y\end{array}\right]=\ldots$ is OK.

$(S+T)\left[\begin{array}{c}x \\ y\end{array}\right]
=\left[\begin{array}{c}3+1 \\ 1+2 \end{array}\right]
+\left[\begin{array}{c}3+0\\0+2 \end{array}\right]
=6-0=6$
hopfully
 
karush said:
$(S+T)\left[\begin{array}{c}x \\ y\end{array}\right]
=\left[\begin{array}{c}3+1 \\ 1+2 \end{array}\right]
+\left[\begin{array}{c}3+0\\0+2 \end{array}\right]$
So if $f(x)=3x$ and $g(x)=4x$, then $f(x)+g(x)=3+4$? Where did $x$ go? You need simply to add the results of $S$ and $T$ componentwise.
karush said:
$\left[\begin{array}{c}3+1 \\ 1+2 \end{array}\right]
+\left[\begin{array}{c}3+0\\0+2 \end{array}\right]=6-0=6$
An order pair if numbers (a column) can never equal a single number.
 
karush said:
so thus
$(S+T)\left[\begin{array}{c}x \\ y\end{array}\right]=
\left[\begin{array}{c}3+1 \\ 1+2 \end{array}\right]
+\left[\begin{array}{c}3+0\\0+2 \end{array}\right]=
\left[\begin{array}{c}6+1\\1+4\end{array}\right]$
Where do the x and y values keep going? You don't have values for them, do you?

Many of your answers are not going to be simple numbers. You are dealing here with operators that act on vectors.

Here, we've already established that (post 2.)
[math](S + T) \left [ \begin{matrix} x \\ y \end{matrix} \right ] = \left [ \begin{matrix} 3x + 3y \\ 4x + 2y \end{matrix} \right ] [/math]

This is what I suspect the question is getting at... How do you use the operator S + T on a vector [math]\left [ \begin{matrix} x \\ y \end{matrix} \right ] [/math].

Look at the derivation and make sure you understand where things are going wrong. I'm not sure why you are having the problems you are having so please make sure to try deriving this on your own and let us know where things start going kablooey.

-Dan
 
i thot matrix only was about coefficients
 
karush said:
i thot matrix only was about coefficients
They can be used that way. Would it help if I said that we can construct S?

[math]S = \left ( \begin{matrix} 3 & 1 \\ 1 & 2 \end{matrix} \right )[/math]

So we get
[math]S \left [ \begin{matrix} x \\ y \end{matrix} \right ] = \left ( \begin{matrix} 3 & 1 \\ 1 & 2 \end{matrix} \right ) ~ \left [ \begin{matrix} x \\ y \end{matrix} \right ] = \left [ \begin{matrix} 3x + y \\ x + 2y \end{matrix} \right ] [/math]

We can construct a matrix for T also. But the point of knowing that these are linear operators is that we can often skip deriving the matrix for the operator, which can save a considerable amount of time. That's what you are doing in trying to learn this.

-Dan
 

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