Chapter 2: Problem 8
Let \(A\) be a square matrix, and suppose that \(A=B+C\) where \(B\) is symmetric and \(C\) is antisymmetric. Show that $$ B=\frac{1}{2}\left(A+A^{\mathrm{T}}\right), \quad C=\frac{1}{2}\left(A-A^{\mathrm{T}}\right) $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\(B = \frac{1}{2}(A + A^T), C = \frac{1}{2}(A - A^T)\) are the expressions for symmetric and antisymmetric parts of \(A\).
Step by step solution
01
Decompose the matrix expression
Given a square matrix \( A \) expressed as the sum of two matrices, \( A = B + C \), where \( B \) is symmetric and \( C \) is antisymmetric, we need to verify the proposed expressions for \( B \) and \( C \).
02
Understanding symmetric and antisymmetric properties
A symmetric matrix \( B \) satisfies \( B = B^T \), whereas an antisymmetric matrix \( C \) satisfies \( C = -C^T \). These properties will guide our calculations.
03
Find expression for \( B \)
To find \( B \), add \( A \) and its transpose: \( A + A^T = (B + C) + (B + C)^T = B + C + B^T + C^T \). Based on symmetry, \( C + C^T = 0 \), simplifying to \( A + A^T = 2B \). Therefore, solve for \( B \) as \( B = \frac{1}{2}(A + A^T) \).
04
Find expression for \( C \)
To solve for \( C \), subtract \( A^T \) from \( A \): \( A - A^T = (B + C) - (B + C)^T = B + C - B^T - C^T \). Using antisymmetry, \( B - B^T = 0 \), simplifying to \( A - A^T = 2C \). Hence, solve for \( C \) as \( C = \frac{1}{2}(A - A^T) \).
05
Verify both solutions
Check that both expressions satisfy the original matrix equation. Substitute back into the original: \( A = B + C \) where \( B = \frac{1}{2}(A + A^T) \) and \( C = \frac{1}{2}(A - A^T) \). Simplify to find \( A = \frac{1}{2}(A + A^T) + \frac{1}{2}(A - A^T) = A \), confirming the solution is correct.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Symmetric Matrix
A symmetric matrix is a square matrix that is equal to its transpose. Mathematically, if we denote a matrix as \( B \), then it is symmetric if \( B = B^T \). This property implies that the matrix is a mirror image of itself across the diagonal.
- Simplifying this, each element above the diagonal is equal to its corresponding element below the diagonal.
- It is crucial in various mathematical contexts as it often simplifies computations due to its unique symmetry property.
- Applications of symmetric matrices include optimization problems and in statistics, such as in covariance matrices.
Antisymmetric Matrix
An antisymmetric matrix, also known as a skew-symmetric matrix, is a square matrix that satisfies the condition that it is equal to the negative of its transpose. For a matrix \( C \), this means \( C = -C^T \).
- This definition implies that all diagonal elements of an antisymmetric matrix are zero because for any diagonal element we have \( c_{ii} = -c_{ii} \), which results in \( c_{ii} = 0 \).
- Antisymmetric matrices have properties that make them useful in areas such as vector algebra and are used to represent cross products in three-dimensional space.
- In physics, they appear in the representation of angular momentum and other rotational dynamics.
Matrix Decomposition
Matrix decomposition refers to the process of breaking down a matrix into simpler, more manageable parts, typically to simplify complex matrix operations. The idea is to express a matrix as a product or sum of simpler matrices.
- This process is essential in numerical analysis and linear algebra, providing a foundation for algorithms solving system of equations, inverse matrix calculations, and more.
- Decomposition can take various forms, including LU decomposition, QR decomposition, and spectral decomposition, each serving different kinds of problems.
- In the context of this exercise, decomposing matrix \( A \) into the sum of symmetric \( B \) and antisymmetric \( C \) provides insight into its structure and properties.
Matrix Transpose
The transpose of a matrix is an operation that flips the elements of a matrix over its main diagonal. If you have a matrix \( A \), its transpose, denoted \( A^T \), is achieved by swapping rows with columns.
- If \( A \) is of size \( m \times n \), then \( A^T \) will be \( n \times m \).
- This transformation is vital in a wide range of concepts including solving system of equations and transformation of matrices in mathematical computations.
- Transpose operations are often used in matrix equations and are a key concept when dealing with symmetric and antisymmetric matrices, as they directly affect the symmetry properties of the matrix.