Determine Whether a Set of Functions $f(x)$ such that $f(x)=f(1-x)$ is a Subspace
Let $V$ be the vector space over $\R$ of all real valued function on the interval $[0, 1]$ and let
\[W=\{ f(x)\in V \mid f(x)=f(1-x) \text{ for } x\in [0,1]\}\]
be a subset of $V$. Determine whether the subset $W$ is a subspace of the vector space $V$.
Proof. […]
Is there an Odd Matrix Whose Square is $-I$?
Let $n$ be an odd positive integer.
Determine whether there exists an $n \times n$ real matrix $A$ such that
\[A^2+I=O,\]
where $I$ is the $n \times n$ identity matrix and $O$ is the $n \times n$ zero matrix.
If such a matrix $A$ exists, find an example. If not, prove that […]
If a Sylow Subgroup is Normal in a Normal Subgroup, it is a Normal Subgroup
Let $G$ be a finite group. Suppose that $p$ is a prime number that divides the order of $G$.
Let $N$ be a normal subgroup of $G$ and let $P$ be a $p$-Sylow subgroup of $G$.
Show that if $P$ is normal in $N$, then $P$ is a normal subgroup of $G$.
Hint.
It follows from […]
Find the Distance Between Two Vectors if the Lengths and the Dot Product are Given
Let $\mathbf{a}$ and $\mathbf{b}$ be vectors in $\R^n$ such that their length are
\[\|\mathbf{a}\|=\|\mathbf{b}\|=1\]
and the inner product
\[\mathbf{a}\cdot \mathbf{b}=\mathbf{a}^{\trans}\mathbf{b}=-\frac{1}{2}.\]
Then determine the length $\|\mathbf{a}-\mathbf{b}\|$.
(Note […]
Unit Vectors and Idempotent Matrices
A square matrix $A$ is called idempotent if $A^2=A$.
(a) Let $\mathbf{u}$ be a vector in $\R^n$ with length $1$.
Define the matrix $P$ to be $P=\mathbf{u}\mathbf{u}^{\trans}$.
Prove that $P$ is an idempotent matrix.
(b) Suppose that $\mathbf{u}$ and $\mathbf{v}$ be […]
Cubic Polynomial $x^3-2$ is Irreducible Over the Field $\Q(i)$
Prove that the cubic polynomial $x^3-2$ is irreducible over the field $\Q(i)$.
Proof.
Note that the polynomial $x^3-2$ is irreducible over $\Q$ by Eisenstein's criterion (with prime $p=2$).
This implies that if $\alpha$ is any root of $x^3-2$, then the […]