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• The Centralizer of a Matrix is a Subspace Let $V$ be the vector space of $n \times n$ matrices, and $M \in V$ a fixed matrix. Define \[W = \{ A \in V \mid AM = MA \}.\] The set $W$ here is called the centralizer of $M$ in $V$. Prove that $W$ is a subspace of $V$.   Proof. First we check that the zero […]
• Sequence Converges to the Largest Eigenvalue of a Matrix Let $A$ be an $n\times n$ matrix. Suppose that $A$ has real eigenvalues $\lambda_1, \lambda_2, \dots, \lambda_n$ with corresponding eigenvectors $\mathbf{u}_1, \mathbf{u}_2, \dots, \mathbf{u}_n$. Furthermore, suppose that \[|\lambda_1| > |\lambda_2| \geq \cdots \geq […]
• The Ring $\Z[\sqrt{2}]$ is a Euclidean Domain Prove that the ring of integers \[\Z[\sqrt{2}]=\{a+b\sqrt{2} \mid a, b \in \Z\}\] of the field $\Q(\sqrt{2})$ is a Euclidean Domain.   Proof. First of all, it is clear that $\Z[\sqrt{2}]$ is an integral domain since it is contained in $\R$. We use the […]
• Prove that $\F_3[x]/(x^2+1)$ is a Field and Find the Inverse Elements Let $\F_3=\Zmod{3}$ be the finite field of order $3$. Consider the ring $\F_3[x]$ of polynomial over $\F_3$ and its ideal $I=(x^2+1)$ generated by $x^2+1\in \F_3[x]$. (a) Prove that the quotient ring $\F_3[x]/(x^2+1)$ is a field. How many elements does the field have? (b) […]
• Given Graphs of Characteristic Polynomial of Diagonalizable Matrices, Determine the Rank of Matrices Let $A, B, C$ are $2\times 2$ diagonalizable matrices. The graphs of characteristic polynomials of $A, B, C$ are shown below. The red graph is for $A$, the blue one for $B$, and the green one for $C$. From this information, determine the rank of the matrices $A, B,$ and […]
• A Group of Order $20$ is Solvable Prove that a group of order $20$ is solvable.   Hint. Show that a group of order $20$ has a unique normal $5$-Sylow subgroup by Sylow's theorem. See the post summary of Sylow’s Theorem to review Sylow's theorem. Proof. Let $G$ be a group of order $20$. The […]
• Range, Null Space, Rank, and Nullity of a Linear Transformation from $\R^2$ to $\R^3$ Define the map $T:\R^2 \to \R^3$ by $T \left ( \begin{bmatrix} x_1 \\ x_2 \end{bmatrix}\right )=\begin{bmatrix} x_1-x_2 \\ x_1+x_2 \\ x_2 \end{bmatrix}$. (a) Show that $T$ is a linear transformation. (b) Find a matrix $A$ such that […]
• The Number of Elements Satisfying $g^5=e$ in a Finite Group is Odd Let $G$ be a finite group. Let $S$ be the set of elements $g$ such that $g^5=e$, where $e$ is the identity element in the group $G$. Prove that the number of elements in $S$ is odd.   Proof. Let $g\neq e$ be an element in the group $G$ such that $g^5=e$. As […]