What is the expression for |c_n| in terms of the given matrice?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the expression for the determinant of a specific matrix, denoted as $$c_n$$, which is defined as a $$(\delta_{ij}+2\delta_{i,2n-j+1})_{ij}$$ matrix. Participants explore patterns in the determinants for various values of $$n$$ and seek methods to express $$|c_n|$$ in a general form, involving both exploratory reasoning and mathematical proofs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants clarify that $$c_n$$ is intended to be a $$2n \times 2n$$ matrix, correcting an initial misunderstanding of its dimensions.
  • Participants calculate specific determinants for small values of $$n$$, identifying a pattern in the determinants: $$C_1 = -3$$, $$C_2 = 9$$, and $$C_3 = -27$$.
  • There is discussion about using cofactor expansion to derive a recurrence relation for $$|C_n|$$ based on previous determinants, with some participants expressing confusion about the process.
  • One participant proposes a formula for $$|C_n|$$ based on their observations, suggesting it may be of the form $$|C_n| = -3|C_{n-1}|$$.
  • Another participant confirms the correctness of the negative coefficient in the recurrence relation and provides detailed calculations to support their claims.
  • Inductive reasoning is introduced as a method to prove the general form of $$|C_n|$$, with participants discussing the base case and the inductive step.
  • There is a question about the choice of indices in the inductive proof, with participants discussing different styles of inductive reasoning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the pattern observed in the determinants and the recurrence relation, but there is some confusion regarding the inductive proof process and the choice of indices. The discussion remains somewhat unresolved as participants seek clarification on these points.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the steps involved in cofactor expansion and the implications of their calculations, indicating potential gaps in understanding the mathematical reasoning behind the determinant calculations.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students or individuals interested in linear algebra, particularly those studying determinants and matrix theory, as well as those looking for examples of inductive proofs in mathematical contexts.

Petrus
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Matrice $$c_n$$ is a 2nxn2 matrice and is given by $$(\delta_{ij}+2\delta_{i,2n-j+1})_{ij}$$ determine the expression of $$|c_n|$$
progress:
I have been drawing the matrice $$n=1,2,3$$ and calculate the determinant.
29cwil4.jpg

As you see there is a pattern with the matrice and I would like to have tips how i write $$|c_n|$$ as a expression cause I got no idé

Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$
 
Last edited:
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Petrus said:
Matrice $$c_n$$ is a 2x2 matrice and is given by $$(\delta_{ij}+2\delta_{i,2n-j+1})_{ij}$$ determine the expression of $$|c_n|$$
First, I assume that $C_n$ is meant to be a $2n\times2n$ matrix (not $2\times2$). Next, you have made a mistake with the matrix $C_1.$ It should be $\begin{bmatrix}1&2 \\ 2&1\end{bmatrix}$, with determinant $-3.$ So $C_1,\,C_2,\,C_3$ have determinants $-3,\,9,\,-27.$ That ought to suggest a pattern.

To evaluate $C_n$ in general, expand along the top row, and I think that you will be able to deduce a recurrence formula relating $C_n$ to $C_{n-1}$.
 
Opalg said:
First, I assume that $C_n$ is meant to be a $2n\times2n$ matrix (not $2\times2$). Next, you have made a mistake with the matrix $C_1.$ It should be $\begin{bmatrix}1&2 \\ 2&1\end{bmatrix}$, with determinant $-3.$ So $C_1,\,C_2,\,C_3$ have determinants $-3,\,9,\,-27.$ That ought to suggest a pattern.

To evaluate $C_n$ in general, expand along the top row, and I think that you will be able to deduce a recurrence formula relating $C_n$ to $C_{n-1}$.
Thanks for pointing My misstake!
I am trying with $$c_n$$ I just Dont get the point with expand along the top row.. It is n big then n-1, n-2..which Dont tell me a lot when I do it.. I mean what I am suposed to see?

$$|\pi\rangle$$
 
Petrus said:
Thanks for pointing My misstake!
I am trying with $$c_n$$ I just Dont get the point with expand along the top row.. It is n big then n-1, n-2..which Dont tell me a lot when I do it.. I mean what I am suposed to see?

$$|\pi\rangle$$
Most of the entries in the top row are zero. The only ones you have to worry about are the first and last entries. For each of them, the corresponding cofactor has a column with only one nonzero element; and the cofactor of that element is a copy of $C_{n-1}.$
 
Opalg said:
Most of the entries in the top row are zero. The only ones you have to worry about are the first and last entries. For each of them, the corresponding cofactor has a column with only one nonzero element; and the cofactor of that element is a copy of $C_{n-1}.$
Sorry to bother you but after doing it once I got
$$c_n= 1•(n-1)-2(n-1)$$ what I am suposed to see? I am just having hard to understand. Or is this wrong?

Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$
 
Petrus said:
Sorry to bother you but after doing it once I got
$$c_n= 1•(n-1)-2(n-1)$$ what I am suposed to see? I am just having hard to understand. Or is this wrong?

Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$
When you expand the matrix $A = (a_{ij})$ along the top row, the formula is $\det(A) = a_{11}B_{11} - a_{12}B_{12} +\ldots + (-1)^na_{1n}B_{1n},$ where $B_{ij}$ is the cofactor of $a_{ij}.$ What that means is that $B_{ij}$ is the determinant of the $(n-1)\times(n-1)$-matrix obtained by deleting row $i$ and column $j$ from $A$. In the case of your matrix $C_2$, that tells you that $$\begin{vmatrix}1&0&0&2 \\ 0&1&2&0 \\ 0&2&1&0 \\ 2&0&0&1 \end{vmatrix} = 1*\begin{vmatrix}1&2&0 \\ 2&1&0 \\ 0&0&1 \end{vmatrix} - 2*\begin{vmatrix}0&1&2 \\ 0&2&1 \\ 2&0&0 \end{vmatrix}.$$ If you expand each of those $3\times3$-determinants along the bottom row, you see that $\det(C_2) = 1*\det(C_1) - 4*\det(C_1) = -3\det(C_1).$
 
Opalg said:
$\det(C_2) = 1*\det(C_1) - 4*\det(C_1) = -3\det(C_1).$
Is that -4 suposed to be -2? I think I start to understand

Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$
 
No, it's supposed to be a -4. We have:

$\begin{vmatrix}1&2&0\\2&1&0\\0&0&1 \end{vmatrix} = 0 \ast (-1)^{3+1}\ast \begin{vmatrix}2&0\\1&0 \end{vmatrix} + 0 \ast (-1)^{3+2} \ast \begin{vmatrix}1&0\\2&0 \end{vmatrix} + 1 \ast (-1)^{3+3} \ast \begin{vmatrix}1&2\\2&1 \end{vmatrix}$

$= 0 + 0 + 1 \ast \det(C_1)$

While:

$\begin{vmatrix}0&1&2\\0&2&1\\2&0&0 \end{vmatrix} = 2 \ast (-1)^{3+1}\ast \begin{vmatrix}1&2\\2&1 \end{vmatrix} + 0 \ast (-1)^{3+2} \ast \begin{vmatrix}0&2\\0&1 \end{vmatrix} + 0 \ast (-1)^{3+3} \ast \begin{vmatrix}0&1\\0&2 \end{vmatrix}$

$= 2 \ast 1 \ast \det(C_1) + 0 + 0$

So that:

$1 \ast \begin{vmatrix}1&2&0\\2&1&0\\0&0&1 \end{vmatrix} - 2 \ast \begin{vmatrix}0&1&2\\0&2&1\\2&0&0 \end{vmatrix}$

$= \det(C_1) - 2 \ast 2 \ast \det(C_1) = -3\det(C_1) = (-3)(-3) = 9$
 
Hello!
After taking a brake from this problem and finally got back to it things start to make sense!
so we got for $$|c_6|=-3|c_4|$$ and $$|c_4=9=-3•-3$$ Ahh we see a pattern!
$$|c_n|=-3^n$$ ok now we have to do a induction proof for this and does anyone got tips well I pretty much Dont know how this induction proof Will work for this

Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$
 
  • #10
First, we must establish the base case for $n = 1$. Although this is typically very easy, it is most important.

Now:

$|C_1| = \begin{vmatrix}1&2\\2&1 \end{vmatrix} = (1)(1) - (2)(2) = 1 - 4 = -3 = (-3)^1$

Assume that $|C_{n-1}| = (-3)^{n-1}$ (this is our inductive step, we seek to prove given this that $|C_n| = (-3)^n$).

Now to do this, we are going to have to go back "two sizes" (from $2n \times 2n$ to $2(n-1) \times 2(n-1)$).

We have (expanding by minors along the first row):

$|C_n| = 1 \ast |C_{1|1}| - 2 \ast |C_{1|2n}|$

(by $C_{i|j}$ I mean the matrix formed by deleting row i and column j from $C_n$).

since all the other cofactors are 0.

Now in $C_{1|1}$, if we expand THIS determinant by minors along its LAST row (which is all 0's except for the final 1), we get:

$|C_{1|1}| = (-1)^{(2n-1)+(2n-1)} \ast |C_{n-1}| = |C_{n-1}|$.

Similarly, if we expand $|C_{1|2n}|$ by minors along its last row (which is all 0's except for the initial 2), we get:

$|C_{1|2n}| = (-1)^{1+(2n-1)} \ast 2 \ast |C_{n-1}| = 2 \ast |C_{n-1}|$.

Therefore, $|C_n| = 1 \ast |C_{n-1}| - 2 \ast 2 \ast |C_{n-1}| = |C_{n-1}| - 4 \ast |C_{n-1}| = -3 \ast |C_{n-1}|$.

Since by our induction hypothesis:

$|C_{n-1}| = (-3)^{n-1}$,

$|C_n| = (-3)(-3)^{n-1} = (-3)^{1+(n-1)} = (-3)^n$ QED.
 
  • #11
Deveno said:
First, we must establish the base case for $n = 1$. Although this is typically very easy, it is most important.

Now:

$|C_1| = \begin{vmatrix}1&2\\2&1 \end{vmatrix} = (1)(1) - (2)(2) = 1 - 4 = -3 = (-3)^1$

Assume that $|C_{n-1}| = (-3)^{n-1}$ (this is our inductive step, we seek to prove given this that $|C_n| = (-3)^n$).

Now to do this, we are going to have to go back "two sizes" (from $2n \times 2n$ to $2(n-1) \times 2(n-1)$).

We have (expanding by minors along the first row):

$|C_n| = 1 \ast |C_{1|1}| - 2 \ast |C_{1|2n}|$

(by $C_{i|j}$ I mean the matrix formed by deleting row i and column j from $C_n$).

since all the other cofactors are 0.

Now in $C_{1|1}$, if we expand THIS determinant by minors along its LAST row (which is all 0's except for the final 1), we get:

$|C_{1|1}| = (-1)^{(2n-1)+(2n-1)} \ast |C_{n-1}| = |C_{n-1}|$.

Similarly, if we expand $|C_{1|2n}|$ by minors along its last row (which is all 0's except for the initial 2), we get:

$|C_{1|2n}| = (-1)^{1+(2n-1)} \ast 2 \ast |C_{n-1}| = 2 \ast |C_{n-1}|$.

Therefore, $|C_n| = 1 \ast |C_{n-1}| - 2 \ast 2 \ast |C_{n-1}| = |C_{n-1}| - 4 \ast |C_{n-1}| = -3 \ast |C_{n-1}|$.

Since by our induction hypothesis:

$|C_{n-1}| = (-3)^{n-1}$,

$|C_n| = (-3)(-3)^{n-1} = (-3)^{1+(n-1)} = (-3)^n$ QED.
Hello,
I understand all of the part without one( I want Also to say your explaining Was Really good and it is all logic) why $$n-1$$ I mean normaly when I proof it is $$n+1$$
and thank you both for taking your time!
Regrds,
$$|\pi\rangle$$
 
  • #12
You can do an inductive proof either way, it's largely a matter of style. Technically, it's more logically defensible to prove:

P(n0) and [P(n) --> P(n+1)].

However, for:

P(k0) and [P(k-1) --> P(k)]

to work out the same, all you have to do is take an initial value for "k" of k0+1 (it doesn't really matter "which" natural number you start an inductive proof with, as long as it's true for SOME natural number, although if you start with P(17), for example, you may have to prove more "bases cases", or qualify your result).

In other words, the "first" n in my proof is 2, and I prove the base case for n - 1 = 1.

(it doesn't really make any difference if the "dummy variable" in an inductive proof is labelled "n" or "k" or "n-1" its just a LABEL...what IS important is that we prove that given it's true for some (variable) natural number, that in and of itself proves its true for the NEXT natural number).

Or, to put it another way, the sets:

{n in Z: n is in Z+}

{k-1 in Z: k-1 is in Z+}

are both the same sets (namely, N, the natural numbers (starting with 1)) even though n runs from 1 to infinity in the first set, and k runs from 2 to infinity in the second set.

If you wish to amend my proof replacing the "n-1" with "n" (and some of the consequent changes involving various subscripts and exponents) it's fine with me.
 

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