What is the Tangent Space for a Given Matrix A?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the tangent space for a given matrix A, specifically focusing on 2x2 matrices and their rank properties. Participants explore the implications of matrix rank, determinants, and the characteristics of tangent vectors in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between matrix rank and determinants, questioning whether tangent vectors must be traceless. There are attempts to derive formulas for tangent vectors and explore different representations of rank 1 matrices.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes various approaches to understanding the tangent space, with some participants suggesting paths to derive tangent vectors and others expressing uncertainty about the completeness of their contributions. There is a recognition of the complexity involved in identifying basis elements for the tangent space.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note constraints such as the requirement for matrices to be traceless and the implications of matrix rank on the dimensionality of the tangent space. There are references to external resources that some participants are unable to access.

evalover1987
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Homework Statement

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution

 
Last edited:
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I think that, excluding the zero matrix, for 2x2 matrices being rank 1 is equivalent to det(A)=0. That means tangent vectors are given by traceless matrices. That should be enough to solve your problem.
 
arkajad said:
I think that, excluding the zero matrix, for 2x2 matrices being rank 1 is equivalent to det(A)=0. That means tangent vectors are given by traceless matrices. That should be enough to solve your problem.

tracelessness is clearly not required for det(A) = 0.

1 0
0 0 1 1
1 1

are not traceless.

I'm just trying to figure out what formula to use to find out the tangent space at the matrix A.
Does it mean that if B is in tangent space at matrix A, then
BA = 0 ?
or does it mean something else?
 
I was talking about tangent vectors - they should be traceless. See "http://www.math.ntnu.no/~hanche/notes/diffdet/diffdet-600dpi.ps" ".
 
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arkajad said:
I was talking about tangent vectors - they should be traceless. See "http://www.math.ntnu.no/~hanche/notes/diffdet/diffdet-600dpi.ps" ".

sorry I misunderstood you.
unfortunately, i cannot open ps file.
(unless it's converted to pdf)
i guess i'll look for some other references.
 
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arkajad said:
I was talking about tangent vectors - they should be traceless. See "http://www.math.ntnu.no/~hanche/notes/diffdet/diffdet-600dpi.ps" ".

actually, in addition to traceless matrices, shouldn't the original matrix

0 0
1 1

be included in the basis for tangent space?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Another possible approach: A is of rank 1 if and only if there are invertible U,V such that

[tex]A=U\begin{pmatrix}1&0\\0&0\end{pmatrix}V[/tex]

Therefore a path in rank 1 matrices can be described as

[tex]A(t)=U(t)\begin{pmatrix}1&0\\0&0\end{pmatrix}V(t)[/tex]

Differentiating:

[tex]\dot{A}=\dot{U}U^{-1}A+AV^{-1}\dot{V}.[/tex]

This gives you the general form of a tangent vector at A.

P.S. This is not very useful though ...
 
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thanks for help, and I again apologize for my rudeness in the previous post

arkajad said:
Another possible approach: A is of rank 1 if and only if there are unitary U,V such that

[tex]A=U\begin{pmatrix}1&0\\0&0\end{pmatrix}V[/tex]

Therefore a path in rank 1 matrices can be described as

[tex]A(t)=U(t)\begin{pmatrix}1&0\\0&0\end{pmatrix}V(t)[/tex]

Differentiating:

[tex]\dot{A}=\dot{U}U^{-1}A+AV^{-1}\dot{V}.[/tex]

Both [tex]\dot{U}U^{-1}[/tex] and [tex]V^{-1}\dot{V}[/tex]

are anti-hermitian. This gives you the general form of a tangent vector at A.
 
evalover1987 said:
thanks for help, and I again apologize for my rudeness in the previous post

I was not very helpful. I tried to be, but I was too fast, and what I wrote is not yet a solution. But I think the solution is pretty close.
 
  • #10
arkajad said:
I was not very helpful. I tried to be, but I was too fast, and what I wrote is not yet a solution. But I think the solution is pretty close.

yeah... while I believe that

0 1
0 0


0 0
1 0


two traceless matrices should be basis elements of tangent space,
since 2 by 2 matrices having rank 1 can be thought of as 3-dimensional submanifold,
the tangent space must also have 3 basis elements.

so I was wondering maybe the

0 0
1 1

must be the missing basis element in this case
 
  • #11
Take [tex]L=\begin{pmatrix}0&1\\-1&0\end{pmatrix}[/tex]. Exponentiate it to get S(t)=exp(L(t)).
Calculate

[tex]S(t)\begin{pmatrix}0&0\\1&1\end{pmatrix}S(-t)[/tex]

I think this gives you the needed path and the tangent vector L.
 
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  • #12
actually, I thnk I got it.
thanks for the help, thou :)

arkajad said:
Take [tex]\begin{pmatrix}1&0\\0&-1\end{pmatrix}[/tex]. Exponentiate it to get:
[tex]S(t)=\begin{pmatrix}e^t&0\\0&e^{-t}\end{pmatrix}[/tex]

Calculate

[tex]S(t)\begin{pmatrix}0&0\\1&1\end{pmatrix}S(-t)=\begin{pmatrix}0&0\\e^{-2t}&1\end{pmatrix}[/tex]

P.S. Still confused ...
 
  • #13
I have made several corrections in my example, but the last version may even work.
 
  • #14
arkajad said:
I have made several corrections in my example, but the last version may even work.

actually, i used a slightly different method to solve it, treating it as finding a null-space to
solution of a determinant function at the point (0, 0, 1, 1).

Do you mind taking a look at the new problem I posted?
I'm really struggling with that..
 
  • #15
You mean your immersion problem? I looked again in Sternberg trying to recall to myself this stuff, but I never really studied the proofs in this particular section, so I am giving up here.
 
  • #16
The formula [tex]\dot{A}=XA+AY[/tex] when applied to your A=(0,0;1,1) gives a general form of the tangent vector: (a,a;c,d). This way you have your 3 dimensions.

The other stuff I first proposed, with trace, is good for det = 1 but not for det=0.
 

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