Express a Vector as a Linear Combination of Other Vectors


Problem 115

Express the vector $\mathbf{b}=\begin{bmatrix}
2 \\
13 \\
6
\end{bmatrix}$ as a linear combination of the vectors
\[\mathbf{v}_1=\begin{bmatrix}
1 \\
5 \\
-1
\end{bmatrix},
\mathbf{v}_2=
\begin{bmatrix}
1 \\
2 \\
1
\end{bmatrix},
\mathbf{v}_3=
\begin{bmatrix}
1 \\
4 \\
3
\end{bmatrix}.\]

 
(The Ohio State University, Linear Algebra Exam)

 
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Isomorphism Criterion of Semidirect Product of Groups

Problem 113

Let $A$, $B$ be groups. Let $\phi:B \to \Aut(A)$ be a group homomorphism.
The semidirect product $A \rtimes_{\phi} B$ with respect to $\phi$ is a group whose underlying set is $A \times B$ with group operation
\[(a_1, b_1)\cdot (a_2, b_2)=(a_1\phi(b_1)(a_2), b_1b_2),\] where $a_i \in A, b_i \in B$ for $i=1, 2$.

Let $f: A \to A’$ and $g:B \to B’$ be group isomorphisms. Define $\phi’: B’\to \Aut(A’)$ by sending $b’ \in B’$ to $f\circ \phi(g^{-1}(b’))\circ f^{-1}$.

\[\require{AMScd}
\begin{CD}
B @>{\phi}>> \Aut(A)\\
@A{g^{-1}}AA @VV{\sigma_f}V \\
B’ @>{\phi’}>> \Aut(A’)
\end{CD}\] Here $\sigma_f:\Aut(A) \to \Aut(A’)$ is defined by $ \alpha \in \Aut(A) \mapsto f\alpha f^{-1}\in \Aut(A’)$.
Then show that
\[A \rtimes_{\phi} B \cong A’ \rtimes_{\phi’} B’.\]

 
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Group of Invertible Matrices Over a Finite Field and its Stabilizer

Problem 108

Let $\F_p$ be the finite field of $p$ elements, where $p$ is a prime number.
Let $G_n=\GL_n(\F_p)$ be the group of $n\times n$ invertible matrices with entries in the field $\F_p$. As usual in linear algebra, we may regard the elements of $G_n$ as linear transformations on $\F_p^n$, the $n$-dimensional vector space over $\F_p$. Therefore, $G_n$ acts on $\F_p^n$.

Let $e_n \in \F_p^n$ be the vector $(1,0, \dots,0)$.
(The so-called first standard basis vector in $\F_p^n$.)

Find the size of the $G_n$-orbit of $e_n$, and show that $\Stab_{G_n}(e_n)$ has order $|G_{n-1}|\cdot p^{n-1}$.

Conclude by induction that
\[|G_n|=p^{n^2}\prod_{i=1}^{n} \left(1-\frac{1}{p^i} \right).\]

 
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10 True or False Problems about Basic Matrix Operations

Problem 104

Test your understanding of basic properties of matrix operations.

There are 10 True or False Quiz Problems.

These 10 problems are very common and essential.
So make sure to understand these and don’t lose a point if any of these is your exam problems.
(These are actual exam problems at the Ohio State University.)

You can take the quiz as many times as you like.

The solutions will be given after completing all the 10 problems.
Click the View question button to see the solutions.

 
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Possibilities For the Number of Solutions for a Linear System

Problem 102

Determine whether the following systems of equations (or matrix equations) described below has no solution, one unique solution or infinitely many solutions and justify your answer.


(a) \[\left\{
\begin{array}{c}
ax+by=c \\
dx+ey=f,
\end{array}
\right.
\] where $a,b,c, d$ are scalars satisfying $a/d=b/e=c/f$.


(b) $A \mathbf{x}=\mathbf{0}$, where $A$ is a singular matrix.


(c) A homogeneous system of $3$ equations in $4$ unknowns.


(d) $A\mathbf{x}=\mathbf{b}$, where the row-reduced echelon form of the augmented matrix $[A|\mathbf{b}]$ looks as follows:
\[\begin{bmatrix}
1 & 0 & -1 & 0 \\
0 &1 & 2 & 0 \\
0 & 0 & 0 & 1
\end{bmatrix}.\] (The Ohio State University, Linear Algebra Exam)
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