Chapter 6: Problem 9
Let U be a linear operator on a finite-dimensional inner product space V. If \(\|\mathrm{U}(x)\|=\|x\|\) for all \(x\) in some orthonormal basis for \(\mathrm{V}\), must U be unitary? Justify your answer with a proof or a counterexample.
Short Answer
Expert verified
Yes, U must be unitary. Given that \(\|U(x)\| = \|x\|\) for all x in some orthonormal basis for V, we showed that the inner product is preserved for all x and y in V, i.e., \ = \ for all x and y in V. This confirms that U is unitary.
Step by step solution
01
Definition and properties of unitary operators
A linear operator U on an inner product space V is called unitary if it preserves the inner product, i.e., \ = \ for all x and y in V. Equivalently, U is unitary if its adjoint operator \(U^*\) satisfies the condition \(U^*U = UU^* = I\), where I is the identity operator.
An important property of unitary operators is that they preserve the norm of vectors, i.e., \(\|U(x)\| = \|x\|\) for all x in V.
Now let's use this information to check whether U must be unitary.
02
Work with given property
We are given that \(\|U(x)\| = \|x\|\) for all x in some orthonormal basis for V. Let's denote this basis by \(\{e_1, e_2, ..., e_n\}\), where n is the dimension of V.
Now we want to check whether the inner product is preserved for this U.
Let x and y be any vectors in V. Then, they can be represented using the orthonormal basis as follows:
\[x = \sum_{i=1}^n a_ie_i\]
\[y = \sum_{j=1}^n b_je_j\]
where \(a_i\) and \(b_j\) are scalar coefficients.
03
Compute the inner products
Next, we will compute the inner products \ and \:
\ = \ = \<(\(\sum_{i=1}^n a_iU(e_i)\)),\((\sum_{j=1}^n b_jU(e_j\))\)
Using the bilinearity of the inner product, we get:
\ = \(\sum_{i,j}a_ib_j\\)
Now let's compute the inner product \:
\ = \<(\(\sum_{i=1}^n a_ie_i),(\(\sum_{j=1}^n b_je_j\)\)
By the bilinearity of the inner product, we get:
\ = \(\sum_{i,j}a_ib_j\\)
04
Compare the inner products
Now, let us compare the expressions for \ and \. Notice that both expressions involve the same summation, \(\sum_{i,j}a_ib_j\).
To show that U is unitary, we need to show that \ = \ for all x and y. To do this, it suffices to show that \ = \ for all i and j, because then the two expressions will be identical.
Recall that we are given that \(\|U(x)\| = \|x\|\) for all x in the orthonormal basis for V. In particular, this implies \(\|U(e_i)\| = \|e_i\|\) for all i.
Thus, we have:
\(\|U(e_i)\|^2 = \|e_i\|^2\)
\ = \
Using the properties of the inner product, we know that the left-hand side of the equation is the sum of the squares of the inner products of all pairs of vectors U(e_i) and U(e_j) with i = j. Similarly, the right-hand side is the sum of the squares of the inner products of all pairs of vectors e_i and e_j with i = j. Since the norms are preserved for the orthonormal basis vectors, it follows that \ = \ for all i and j.
05
Conclusion
Since \ = \ for all x and y in V, we can conclude that U is unitary. Consequently, if \(\|U(x)\| = \|x\|\) for all x in some orthonormal basis for V, then U must be unitary.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Linear Operator
A linear operator is an important concept in linear algebra. It is essentially a function that maps elements from one vector space to another while preserving the operations of vector addition and scalar multiplication.
Imagine you have a structure full of vectors or objects that can be transformed, moved, or changed in some way. A linear operator allows you to perform these transformations in a consistent manner.
Imagine you have a structure full of vectors or objects that can be transformed, moved, or changed in some way. A linear operator allows you to perform these transformations in a consistent manner.
- Additivity: For two vectors, say \( u \) and \( v \), a linear operator \( T \) must satisfy \( T(u + v) = T(u) + T(v) \).
- Homogeneity: For any scalar \( c \) and vector \( u \), the linear operator will maintain \( T(cu) = cT(u) \).
Inner Product Space
An inner product space is a vector space with an additional structure called an inner product. The inner product is a way to multiply vectors together, resulting in a scalar. This concept is crucial as it introduces geometric and algebraic properties into vector spaces.
Think of the inner product as a measure of how "aligned" two vectors are. For example:
Think of the inner product as a measure of how "aligned" two vectors are. For example:
- Common notations for the inner product include \( \langle x, y \rangle \).
- It satisfies certain conditions like commutativity: \( \langle x, y \rangle = \langle y, x \rangle \).
- Linearity in the first argument: \( \langle ax + by, z \rangle = a\langle x, z \rangle + b\langle y, z \rangle \)
Orthonormal Basis
An orthonormal basis for an inner product space is a set of vectors that are both orthogonal and normalized. This means each vector in the set is orthogonal to every other vector, and each has a length of one. Such bases are particularly useful in simplifying problems in linear algebra.
Imagine having a perfect grid or a coordinate system where each direction is well-defined and independent of others. An orthonormal basis provides this clean structure.
Imagine having a perfect grid or a coordinate system where each direction is well-defined and independent of others. An orthonormal basis provides this clean structure.
- Orthogonality: Any two different vectors, \( e_i \) and \( e_j \), in the basis satisfy \( \langle e_i, e_j \rangle = 0 \).
- Normalization: Each vector in the basis has a unit length, \( \langle e_i, e_i \rangle = 1 \).
- Representation: Any vector in the space can be expressed uniquely as a combination of the basis vectors.