# Category: Linear Algebra

## Problem 14

Here is a very short true or false problem.

Select either True or False. Then click “Finish quiz” button.

You will be able to see an explanation of the solution by clicking “View questions” button.

## Problem 13

Let $A$ and $B$ be $n\times n$ matrices.
Suppose that these matrices have a common eigenvector $\mathbf{x}$.

Show that $\det(AB-BA)=0$.

## Problem 12

Let $A$ be an $n \times n$ real matrix. Prove the followings.

(a) The matrix $AA^{\trans}$ is a symmetric matrix.

(b) The set of eigenvalues of $A$ and the set of eigenvalues of $A^{\trans}$ are equal.

(c) The matrix $AA^{\trans}$ is non-negative definite.

(An $n\times n$ matrix $B$ is called non-negative definite if for any $n$ dimensional vector $\mathbf{x}$, we have $\mathbf{x}^{\trans}B \mathbf{x} \geq 0$.)

(d) All the eigenvalues of $AA^{\trans}$ is non-negative.

## Problem 11

An $n\times n$ matrix $A$ is called nilpotent if $A^k=O$, where $O$ is the $n\times n$ zero matrix.
Prove the followings.

(a) The matrix $A$ is nilpotent if and only if all the eigenvalues of $A$ is zero.

(b) The matrix $A$ is nilpotent if and only if $A^n=O$.

## Problem 9

Let $A$ be an $n\times n$ matrix and let $\lambda_1, \dots, \lambda_n$ be its eigenvalues.
Show that

(1) $$\det(A)=\prod_{i=1}^n \lambda_i$$

(2) $$\tr(A)=\sum_{i=1}^n \lambda_i$$

Here $\det(A)$ is the determinant of the matrix $A$ and $\tr(A)$ is the trace of the matrix $A$.

Namely, prove that (1) the determinant of $A$ is the product of its eigenvalues, and (2) the trace of $A$ is the sum of the eigenvalues.

## Problem 8

Let $A= \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2\\ 2& 1 \end{bmatrix}$.
Compute $A^n$ for any $n \in \N$.

## Problem 7

Let $A=\begin{bmatrix} a & 0\\ 0& b \end{bmatrix}$.
Show that

(1) $A^n=\begin{bmatrix} a^n & 0\\ 0& b^n \end{bmatrix}$ for any $n \in \N$.

(2) Let $B=S^{-1}AS$, where $S$ be an invertible $2 \times 2$ matrix.
Show that $B^n=S^{-1}A^n S$ for any $n \in \N$

## Problem 5

Let $T : \mathbb{R}^n \to \mathbb{R}^m$ be a linear transformation.
Let $\mathbf{0}_n$ and $\mathbf{0}_m$ be zero vectors of $\mathbb{R}^n$ and $\mathbb{R}^m$, respectively.
Show that $T(\mathbf{0}_n)=\mathbf{0}_m$.

[The Ohio State University exam]

## Problem 2

Show that if $A$ and $B$ are similar matrices, then they have the same eigenvalues and their algebraic multiplicities are the same.

## Problem 1

A square matrix $A$ is called idempotent if $A^2=A$.

Show that a square invertible idempotent matrix is the identity matrix.