Why are these functions commutatives?

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The discussion centers on the commutativity of polynomial functions in the context of linear maps within finite-dimensional vector spaces. Specifically, it examines the relationship between the composition of linear transformations represented by polynomials P(f) and Q(f) and their product (P·Q)(f). The user clarifies that the equality Q(f) ∘ R(f) = R(f) ∘ Q(f) arises from the properties of polynomial multiplication being commutative, which is confirmed through examples involving specific polynomials. Ultimately, the user resolves their confusion regarding the notation and the underlying concepts of linear transformations and kernel evaluations.

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  • Understanding of linear algebra concepts, particularly vector spaces and linear maps.
  • Familiarity with polynomial functions and their operations, including composition and multiplication.
  • Knowledge of the kernel of a linear transformation and its significance in vector spaces.
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  • Study the properties of linear transformations and their representations as matrices.
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Students studying linear algebra, particularly those preparing for exams or needing clarification on polynomial functions and linear transformations. This discussion is also beneficial for educators seeking to explain these concepts effectively.

SqueeSpleen
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I'm finishing studying for my Linear Algebra final, but there are two things I didn't understand (I'll make one thread per thing).
(It's a translation, the original one is in Spanish, second half of the page 174/184 book notation/acrobat reader notation if you're curious).
Let be V a K vector space with finite dimension. Let be f:V→V a linear map, with a m_{f}=P.Q and (P,Q)=1
Then...
(...)
V = Nu(P(f)) \oplus Nu(Q(f))
And one step of the proof (the only one I don't understand) say:
x = (R(f) \circ P(f) )(x)+(S(f) \circ Q(f) )(x)
(That's for the extended Euclid's algorithm for polynomials I think, this is not the problem).
The problem is just here:
"Now, having in account that:"
Q(f) \circ R(f) = (Q.R)(f) = (R.Q)(f) = R(f) \circ Q(f)

And I don't know why.
I understand that, if the composition is equal to the product, then the commutativity is obvious because the product of two polynomials is commutative. But why the composition is equal to the composition in this case? It must be related to extended Euclid's algorithm for polynomials but I think I never had it in a course =/
Sorry for my bad English, I learned most of it while gaming xD
 
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I have no idea what notations you are using, but I think it's clear to me what they mean.

For example, let P(X)=X^3+X^2 and Q(X)=X^2+3X.

Then P(f)=f^3 + f^2 and Q(f)=f^3+3f. And we define f^2=f\circ f and f^3=f\circ f\circ f.

Then

(P\cdot Q)(X) = (X^3 + X^2)\cdot (X^2 + 3X) = X^5 + 4X^4 + 3X^3

So

(P\cdot Q)(f)=f^5 + 4f^4 + 3f^3

but

P(f)\circ Q(f) = (f^3 + f^2)\circ (f^2 + 3f) = f^3\circ f^2 + 3f^3\circ f + f^2\circ f^2 + 3f^2\circ f = f^5 + 4f^4 + 3f^3

Do you understand this?
 
I think it has to be composition because it's what follows:

Q(f)((R(f) \circ P(f))(x)) = (Q(f) \circ R(f) \circ P(f))(x) = R(f)(Q(f) \circ P(f))(x)<br /> <br /> = R(f)(m_{f} (f)(x)) = R(f)(0) = 0;
Then R(f).P(f) is in Q(f) kernel, beacuse Q(R(f).P(f))=0 (the idea is to prove that the sum of the kernels is equal to V).
The thing I don't understand if how Q(f) evaluated on R(f).P(f) is equal to R(f) evaluated on Q(f).P(f).
PD: Nu(Something) is the Kernel of something, I forget to translate it.
Probably I'm misunderstading something of the notation... again notation is my worst enemy.

Edit:
T_T Q(f) is a polynomial of a lineal transformation, so it can be represented as a matrix, then to evaluate it is to multiplicate it to the right for a vector... so yes they are all products, and then f(x)=f.x and the commutativity is obvious T_T I spend a couple of hours reading this, I don't know how I got SO stuck.
Sorry for my bad English, thanks for your help.

PD: Did they moved it to linear and abstract algebra or I missed forum when I posted it? I thought I posted it in homework help, anyway I don't really know what to post outside.
 
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