A Singular Matrix and Matrix Equations $A\mathbf{x}=\mathbf{e}_i$ With Unit Vectors
Problem 561
Let $A$ be a singular $n\times n$ matrix.
Let
\[\mathbf{e}_1=\begin{bmatrix}
1 \\
0 \\
\vdots \\
0
\end{bmatrix}, \mathbf{e}_2=\begin{bmatrix}
0 \\
1 \\
\vdots \\
0
\end{bmatrix}, \dots, \mathbf{e}_n=\begin{bmatrix}
0 \\
0 \\
\vdots \\
1
\end{bmatrix}\]
be unit vectors in $\R^n$.
Prove that at least one of the following matrix equations
\[A\mathbf{x}=\mathbf{e}_i\]
for $i=1,2,\dots, n$, must have no solution $\mathbf{x}\in \R^n$.
