The Matrix for the Linear Transformation of the Reflection Across a Line in the Plane

Problem 498

Let $T:\R^2 \to \R^2$ be a linear transformation of the $2$-dimensional vector space $\R^2$ (the $x$-$y$-plane) to itself which is the reflection across a line $y=mx$ for some $m\in \R$.

Then find the matrix representation of the linear transformation $T$ with respect to the standard basis $B=\{\mathbf{e}_1, \mathbf{e}_2\}$ of $\R^2$, where
\[\mathbf{e}_1=\begin{bmatrix}
1 \\
0
\end{bmatrix}, \mathbf{e}_2=\begin{bmatrix}
0 \\
1
\end{bmatrix}.\]

 
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The Existence of an Element in an Abelian Group of Order the Least Common Multiple of Two Elements

Problem 497

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 non-abelian group.

 
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A Matrix Commuting With a Diagonal Matrix with Distinct Entries is Diagonal

Problem 492

Let
\[D=\begin{bmatrix}
d_1 & 0 & \dots & 0 \\
0 &d_2 & \dots & 0 \\
\vdots & & \ddots & \vdots \\
0 & 0 & \dots & d_n
\end{bmatrix}\] be a diagonal matrix with distinct diagonal entries: $d_i\neq d_j$ if $i\neq j$.
Let $A=(a_{ij})$ be an $n\times n$ matrix such that $A$ commutes with $D$, that is,
\[AD=DA.\] Then prove that $A$ is a diagonal matrix.

 
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A Group Homomorphism that Factors though Another Group

Problem 490

Let $G, H, K$ be groups. Let $f:G\to K$ be a group homomorphism and let $\pi:G\to H$ be a surjective group homomorphism such that the kernel of $\pi$ is included in the kernel of $f$: $\ker(\pi) \subset \ker(f)$.

Define a map $\bar{f}:H\to K$ as follows.
For each $h\in H$, there exists $g\in G$ such that $\pi(g)=h$ since $\pi:G\to H$ is surjective.
Define $\bar{f}:H\to K$ by $\bar{f}(h)=f(g)$.

(a) Prove that the map $\bar{f}:H\to K$ is well-defined.

(b) Prove that $\bar{f}:H\to K$ is a group homomorphism.

 
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Determine Whether There Exists a Nonsingular Matrix Satisfying $A^4=ABA^2+2A^3$

Problem 486

Determine whether there exists a nonsingular matrix $A$ if
\[A^4=ABA^2+2A^3,\] where $B$ is the following matrix.
\[B=\begin{bmatrix}
-1 & 1 & -1 \\
0 &-1 &0 \\
2 & 1 & -4
\end{bmatrix}.\]

If such a nonsingular matrix $A$ exists, find the inverse matrix $A^{-1}$.

(The Ohio State University, Linear Algebra Final Exam Problem)
 
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Compute $A^{10}\mathbf{v}$ Using Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors of the Matrix $A$

Problem 485

Let
\[A=\begin{bmatrix}
1 & -14 & 4 \\
-1 &6 &-2 \\
-2 & 24 & -7
\end{bmatrix} \quad \text{ and }\quad \mathbf{v}=\begin{bmatrix}
4 \\
-1 \\
-7
\end{bmatrix}.\] Find $A^{10}\mathbf{v}$.

You may use the following information without proving it.
The eigenvalues of $A$ are $-1, 0, 1$. The eigenspaces are given by
\[E_{-1}=\Span\left\{\, \begin{bmatrix}
3 \\
-1 \\
-5
\end{bmatrix} \,\right\}, \quad E_{0}=\Span\left\{\, \begin{bmatrix}
-2 \\
1 \\
4
\end{bmatrix} \,\right\}, \quad E_{1}=\Span\left\{\, \begin{bmatrix}
-4 \\
2 \\
7
\end{bmatrix} \,\right\}.\]

(The Ohio State University, Linear Algebra Final Exam Problem)

 
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Find a Basis of the Vector Space of Polynomials of Degree 2 or Less Among Given Polynomials

Problem 481

Let $P_2$ be the vector space of all polynomials with real coefficients of degree $2$ or less.
Let $S=\{p_1(x), p_2(x), p_3(x), p_4(x)\}$, where
\begin{align*}
p_1(x)&=-1+x+2x^2, \quad p_2(x)=x+3x^2\\
p_3(x)&=1+2x+8x^2, \quad p_4(x)=1+x+x^2.
\end{align*}

(a) Find a basis of $P_2$ among the vectors of $S$. (Explain why it is a basis of $P_2$.)

(b) Let $B’$ be the basis you obtained in part (a).
For each vector of $S$ which is not in $B’$, find the coordinate vector of it with respect to the basis $B’$.

(The Ohio State University, Linear Algebra Final Exam Problem)

 
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Determine Whether Given Subsets in $\R^4$ are Subspaces or Not

Problem 480

(a) Let $S$ be the subset of $\R^4$ consisting of vectors $\begin{bmatrix}
x \\
y \\
z \\
w
\end{bmatrix}$ satisfying
\[2x+4y+3z+7w+1=0.\] Determine whether $S$ is a subspace of $\R^4$. If so prove it. If not, explain why it is not a subspace.

(b) Let $S$ be the subset of $\R^4$ consisting of vectors $\begin{bmatrix}
x \\
y \\
z \\
w
\end{bmatrix}$ satisfying
\[2x+4y+3z+7w=0.\] Determine whether $S$ is a subspace of $\R^4$. If so prove it. If not, explain why it is not a subspace.

(These two problems look similar but note that the equations are different.)

(The Ohio State University, Linear Algebra Final Exam Problem)
 
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