The Inverse Matrix of the Transpose is the Transpose of the Inverse Matrix
Problem 506
Let $A$ be an $n\times n$ invertible matrix. Then prove the transpose $A^{\trans}$ is also invertible and that the inverse matrix of the transpose $A^{\trans}$ is the transpose of the inverse matrix $A^{-1}$.
Namely, show that
\[(A^{\trans})^{-1}=(A^{-1})^{\trans}.\]
By definition of inverse matrices, if there is an $n\times n$ matrix $B$ such that
\[A^{\trans}B=I \text{ and } B A^{\trans}=I,\]
where $I$ is the $n\times n$ identity matrix, then $A^{\trans}$ is invertible and its inverse is $B$, that is, $B=(A^{\trans})^{-1}$.
We claim that we can take $(A^{-1})^{\trans}$ for this $B$.
In fact, we have
\begin{align*}
A^{\trans}(A^{-1})^{\trans}=(A^{-1}A)^{\trans}=I^{\trans}=I.
\end{align*}
Here in the first equality, we used the fact about transpose matrices that
\[(CD)^{\trans}=D^{\trans}C^{\trans}\]
for any matrices $C, D$ such that the matrix product $CD$ is well-defined.
Similarly, we have
\[(A^{-1})^{\trans}A^{\trans}=(AA^{-1})^{\trans}=I^{\trans}=I.\]
This proves the transpose $A^{\trans}$ is invertible and that $(A^{-1})^{\trans}$ is the inverse matrix of $A^{\trans}$, that is,
\[(A^{\trans})^{-1}=(A^{-1})^{\trans}\]
as required.
Inverse Matrix of Positive-Definite Symmetric Matrix is Positive-Definite
Suppose $A$ is a positive definite symmetric $n\times n$ matrix.
(a) Prove that $A$ is invertible.
(b) Prove that $A^{-1}$ is symmetric.
(c) Prove that $A^{-1}$ is positive-definite.
(MIT, Linear Algebra Exam Problem)
Proof.
(a) Prove that $A$ is […]
The Inverse Matrix is Unique
Let $A$ be an $n\times n$ invertible matrix. Prove that the inverse matrix of $A$ is uniques.
Hint.
That the inverse matrix of $A$ is unique means that there is only one inverse matrix of $A$.
(That's why we say "the" inverse matrix of $A$ and denote it by […]
Invertible Idempotent Matrix is the Identity Matrix
A square matrix $A$ is called idempotent if $A^2=A$.
Show that a square invertible idempotent matrix is the identity matrix.
Proof.
Let $A$ be an $n \times n$ invertible idempotent matrix.
Since $A$ is invertible, the inverse matrix $A^{-1}$ of $A$ exists and it […]
Sherman-Woodbery Formula for the Inverse Matrix
Let $\mathbf{u}$ and $\mathbf{v}$ be vectors in $\R^n$, and let $I$ be the $n \times n$ identity matrix. Suppose that the inner product of $\mathbf{u}$ and $\mathbf{v}$ satisfies
\[\mathbf{v}^{\trans}\mathbf{u}\neq -1.\]
Define the matrix […]
Construction of a Symmetric Matrix whose Inverse Matrix is Itself
Let $\mathbf{v}$ be a nonzero vector in $\R^n$.
Then the dot product $\mathbf{v}\cdot \mathbf{v}=\mathbf{v}^{\trans}\mathbf{v}\neq 0$.
Set $a:=\frac{2}{\mathbf{v}^{\trans}\mathbf{v}}$ and define the $n\times n$ matrix $A$ by
\[A=I-a\mathbf{v}\mathbf{v}^{\trans},\]
where […]
Diagonalizable by an Orthogonal Matrix Implies a Symmetric Matrix
Let $A$ be an $n\times n$ matrix with real number entries.
Show that if $A$ is diagonalizable by an orthogonal matrix, then $A$ is a symmetric matrix.
Proof.
Suppose that the matrix $A$ is diagonalizable by an orthogonal matrix $Q$.
The orthogonality of the […]
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Let $A$ be an $n\times n$ nonsingular matrix.
Prove that the transpose matrix $A^{\trans}$ is also nonsingular.
Definition (Nonsingular Matrix).
By definition, $A^{\trans}$ is a nonsingular matrix if the only solution to
[…]
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Let $A$ be an $n\times n$ matrix such that $A^k=I_n$, where $k\in \N$ and $I_n$ is the $n \times n$ identity matrix.
Show that the trace of $(A^{-1})^{\trans}$ is the conjugate of the trace of $A$. That is, show that […]