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• Eigenvalues of a Matrix and Its Squared Matrix Let $A$ be an $n \times n$ matrix. Suppose that the matrix $A^2$ has a real eigenvalue $\lambda>0$. Then show that either $\sqrt{\lambda}$ or $-\sqrt{\lambda}$ is an eigenvalue of the matrix $A$.   Hint. Use the following fact: a scalar $\lambda$ is an eigenvalue of a […]
• Solve the Linear Dynamical System $\frac{\mathrm{d}\mathbf{x}}{\mathrm{d}t} =A\mathbf{x}$ by Diagonalization (a) Find all solutions of the linear dynamical system \[\frac{\mathrm{d}\mathbf{x}}{\mathrm{d}t} =\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0\\ 0& 3 \end{bmatrix}\mathbf{x},\] where $\mathbf{x}(t)=\mathbf{x}=\begin{bmatrix} x_1 \\ x_2 \end{bmatrix}$ is a function of the variable […]
• The Existence of an Element in an Abelian Group of Order the Least Common Multiple of Two Elements Let $G$ be an abelian group. Let $a$ and $b$ be elements in $G$ of order $m$ and $n$, respectively. Prove that there exists an element $c$ in $G$ such that the order of $c$ is the least common multiple of $m$ and $n$. Also determine whether the statement is true if $G$ is a […]
• Use Coordinate Vectors to Show a Set is a Basis for the Vector Space of Polynomials of Degree 2 or Less Let $P_2$ be the vector space over $\R$ of all polynomials of degree $2$ or less. Let $S=\{p_1(x), p_2(x), p_3(x)\}$, where \[p_1(x)=x^2+1, \quad p_2(x)=6x^2+x+2, \quad p_3(x)=3x^2+x.\] (a) Use the basis $B=\{x^2, x, 1\}$ of $P_2$ to prove that the set $S$ is a basis for […]
• A Condition that a Vector is a Linear Combination of Columns Vectors of a Matrix Suppose that an $n \times m$ matrix $M$ is composed of the column vectors $\mathbf{b}_1 , \cdots , \mathbf{b}_m$. Prove that a vector $\mathbf{v} \in \R^n$ can be written as a linear combination of the column vectors if and only if there is a vector $\mathbf{x}$ which solves the […]
• Prove a Group is Abelian if $(ab)^3=a^3b^3$ and No Elements of Order $3$ Let $G$ be a group. Suppose that we have \[(ab)^3=a^3b^3\] for any elements $a, b$ in $G$. Also suppose that $G$ has no elements of order $3$. Then prove that $G$ is an abelian group.   Proof. Let $a, b$ be arbitrary elements of the group $G$. We want […]
• A Ring Has Infinitely Many Nilpotent Elements if $ab=1$ and $ba \neq 1$ Let $R$ be a ring with $1$. Suppose that $a, b$ are elements in $R$ such that \[ab=1 \text{ and } ba\neq 1.\] (a) Prove that $1-ba$ is idempotent. (b) Prove that $b^n(1-ba)$ is nilpotent for each positive integer $n$. (c) Prove that the ring $R$ has infinitely many […]
• A Symmetric Positive Definite Matrix and An Inner Product on a Vector Space (a) Suppose that $A$ is an $n\times n$ real symmetric positive definite matrix. Prove that \[\langle \mathbf{x}, \mathbf{y}\rangle:=\mathbf{x}^{\trans}A\mathbf{y}\] defines an inner product on the vector space $\R^n$. (b) Let $A$ be an $n\times n$ real matrix. Suppose […]