The answer is true. Recall that the transpose of a matrix is the sum of its diagonal entries. Also, note that the diagonal entries of the transposed matrix are the same as the original matrix.
Putting together these observations yields the equality $\tr ( A^\trans ) = \tr(A)$.
Here is the more formal proof.
For $A = (a_{i j})_{1 \leq i, j \leq n}$, the transpose $A^{\trans}= (b_{i j})_{1 \leq i, j \leq n}$ is defined by $b_{i j} = a_{j i}$.
In particular, notice that $b_{i i} = a_{i i}$ for $1 \leq i \leq n$. And so,
\[ \tr(A^{\trans}) = \sum_{i=1}^n b_{i i} = \sum_{i=1}^n a_{i i} = \tr(A) . \]
A Relation between the Dot Product and the Trace
Let $\mathbf{v}$ and $\mathbf{w}$ be two $n \times 1$ column vectors.
Prove that $\tr ( \mathbf{v} \mathbf{w}^\trans ) = \mathbf{v}^\trans \mathbf{w}$.
Solution.
Suppose the vectors have components
\[\mathbf{v} = \begin{bmatrix} v_1 \\ v_2 \\ \vdots \\ v_n […]
Matrix $XY-YX$ Never Be the Identity Matrix
Let $I$ be the $n\times n$ identity matrix, where $n$ is a positive integer. Prove that there are no $n\times n$ matrices $X$ and $Y$ such that
\[XY-YX=I.\]
Hint.
Suppose that such matrices exist and consider the trace of the matrix $XY-YX$.
Recall that the trace of […]
If 2 by 2 Matrices Satisfy $A=AB-BA$, then $A^2$ is Zero Matrix
Let $A, B$ be complex $2\times 2$ matrices satisfying the relation
\[A=AB-BA.\]
Prove that $A^2=O$, where $O$ is the $2\times 2$ zero matrix.
Hint.
Find the trace of $A$.
Use the Cayley-Hamilton theorem
Proof.
We first calculate the […]
Determine Whether Given Matrices are Similar
(a) Is the matrix $A=\begin{bmatrix}
1 & 2\\
0& 3
\end{bmatrix}$ similar to the matrix $B=\begin{bmatrix}
3 & 0\\
1& 2
\end{bmatrix}$?
(b) Is the matrix $A=\begin{bmatrix}
0 & 1\\
5& 3
\end{bmatrix}$ similar to the matrix […]
If Two Matrices are Similar, then their Determinants are the Same
Prove that if $A$ and $B$ are similar matrices, then their determinants are the same.
Proof.
Suppose that $A$ and $B$ are similar. Then there exists a nonsingular matrix $S$ such that
\[S^{-1}AS=B\]
by definition.
Then we […]
True or False: If $A, B$ are 2 by 2 Matrices such that $(AB)^2=O$, then $(BA)^2=O$
Let $A$ and $B$ be $2\times 2$ matrices such that $(AB)^2=O$, where $O$ is the $2\times 2$ zero matrix.
Determine whether $(BA)^2$ must be $O$ as well. If so, prove it. If not, give a counter example.
Proof.
It is true that the matrix $(BA)^2$ must be the zero […]
Suppose that $B=\{\mathbf{v}_1, \mathbf{v}_2\}$ is a basis for $\R^2$. Let $S:=[\mathbf{v}_1, \mathbf{v}_2]$. Note that as the column vectors of $S$...