Chapter 2: Problem 11
Let \(A\) be an invertible \(n \times n\) matrix, and let \(B\) be an \(n \times p\) matrix. Show that the equation \(A X=B\) has a unique solution \(A^{-1} B .\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The unique solution is \( X = A^{-1}B \).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Equation
We are given the equation \( AX = B \), where \( A \) is an invertible \( n \times n \) matrix, \( B \) is an \( n \times p \) matrix, and \( X \) is the unknown \( n \times p \) matrix that needs to be determined.
02
Recognize the Properties of an Invertible Matrix
Since \( A \) is invertible, it has an inverse matrix \( A^{-1} \) such that \( A^{-1} A = I_n \), where \( I_n \) is the identity matrix of size \( n \times n \). This property is crucial for finding \( X \).
03
Multiply Both Sides by \( A^{-1} \)
To find \( X \), multiply both sides of the equation \( AX = B \) by \( A^{-1} \). This gives us \( A^{-1}(AX) = A^{-1}B \).
04
Simplify the Left Side of the Equation
The left side of the equation \( A^{-1}(AX) \) simplifies to \( (A^{-1}A)X \). Since \( A^{-1}A = I_n \), it simplifies further to \( I_nX = X \). Thus, we have \( X = A^{-1}B \).
05
Conclude the Solution is Unique
We have determined that \( X = A^{-1}B \). Since \( A \) is invertible and we used the inverse correctly, \( AX = B \) has one unique solution given by \( X = A^{-1}B \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Invertible Matrix
An invertible matrix, also known as a non-singular or full-rank matrix, is a square matrix that possesses an inverse. For a matrix to be invertible, it must be a square matrix, meaning it has the same number of rows and columns, typically denoted as an \( n \times n \) matrix. Here are some essential points about invertible matrices:
- An invertible matrix has an inverse, denoted as \( A^{-1} \), which satisfies the condition \( A^{-1} A = I_n \), where \( I_n \) is the identity matrix.
- Not every matrix is invertible; a matrix must have a non-zero determinant to qualify as invertible.
- If \( A \) is invertible, then the solution to the matrix equation \( AX = B \) can be uniquely determined, as multiplying both sides of the equation by \( A^{-1} \) results in \( X = A^{-1}B \).
Matrix Inverse
The matrix inverse is a fundamental concept in linear algebra. When a matrix \( A \) is invertible, its inverse \( A^{-1} \) allows for operations that "undo" the effects of \( A \). The inverse satisfies several key properties:
- The product of a matrix and its inverse results in the identity matrix, that is, \( A A^{-1} = A^{-1} A = I_n \).
- Finding an inverse is akin to dividing a matrix, allowing you to reverse matrix multiplication when solving equations.
- The inverse only exists for non-singular matrices, which means the matrix must have full rank and a non-zero determinant.
Identity Matrix
An identity matrix is a special type of square matrix that plays a neutral role in matrix multiplication, similar to how the number 1 acts in regular arithmetic multiplication. Here are its primary features:
- An identity matrix is denoted by \( I_n \), where \( n \) represents the size of the matrix, \( n \times n \).
- It has ones on its main diagonal (from top left to bottom right) and zeros elsewhere.
- The identity matrix behaves such that any matrix \( A \) multiplied by \( I_n \) results in \( A \) itself, i.e., \( AI_n = I_nA = A \).
Unique Solution
In the context of the matrix equation \( AX = B \), a unique solution refers to finding one and only one set of values for the unknown matrix \( X \) that satisfies the equation. The uniqueness of the solution is determined by certain properties of the matrix \( A \):
- If \( A \) is invertible, it guarantees that the equation has a unique solution.
- Multiplying \( B \) by \( A^{-1} \) solves for \( X \), resulting in \( X = A^{-1}B \), ensuring one unique answer.
- This concept is essential in systems of linear equations, ensuring that the solution is reliable and consistent, without multiple or indefinite possibilities.