Math Problem Statement

1. Let A be a square matrix. If the system Ax = b has a unique solution, then A is invertible. True or False? 2. If A is a square matrix, then A^T = A. True or False? 3. Given four invertible square matrices A, B, C, and D of the same size, we have (ABCD)^{-1} = (CD)^{-1}(AB)^{-1}. True or False? 4. Given two square matrices A and B of the same size, we have (A + B)(A - B) = A^2 - B^2. True or False?

Solution

Let's go through each statement and determine if it's true or false:

  1. Statement: Let AA be a square matrix. If the system Ax=bAx = b has a unique solution, then AA is invertible.
    Answer: True.
    Explanation: If Ax=bAx = b has a unique solution for every bb, then AA must be invertible. This is because a unique solution implies that AA has full rank and no null space, which is characteristic of an invertible matrix.

  2. Statement: If AA is a square matrix, then AT=AA^T = A.
    Answer: False.
    Explanation: This statement only holds if AA is symmetric. Not all square matrices are symmetric, so AT=AA^T = A does not hold universally for all square matrices.

  3. Statement: Given four invertible square matrices AA, BB, CC, and DD of the same size, we have (ABCD)1=(CD)1(AB)1(ABCD)^{-1} = (CD)^{-1}(AB)^{-1}.
    Answer: False.
    Explanation: The inverse of a product of matrices ABCDABCD is actually D1C1B1A1D^{-1}C^{-1}B^{-1}A^{-1}, not (CD)1(AB)1(CD)^{-1}(AB)^{-1}.

  4. Statement: Given two square matrices AA and BB of the same size, we have (A+B)(AB)=A2B2(A + B)(A - B) = A^2 - B^2.
    Answer: True.
    Explanation: This is the matrix analogue of the difference of squares formula. Expanding (A+B)(AB)(A + B)(A - B) gives A2AB+BAB2A^2 - AB + BA - B^2. For square matrices, AB=BAAB = BA does not always hold. However, if AA and BB commute, this statement is true.

Summary of Answers:

  1. True
  2. False
  3. False
  4. True

Would you like more detailed explanations, or do you have further questions on any of these?


Here are 5 follow-up questions related to the topic:

  1. What conditions must a square matrix meet to be invertible?
  2. Can a non-square matrix have an inverse? Why or why not?
  3. How does symmetry in a matrix affect its eigenvalues?
  4. How would you prove that the inverse of a product of matrices is the reverse product of their inverses?
  5. When do two matrices commute, and what are the implications of this property?

Tip: For matrix multiplication, remember that the order of multiplication matters; ABAB does not generally equal BABA.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Matrix Inverses
Matrix Transpose
Matrix Multiplication
Matrix Identities

Formulas

If Ax = b has a unique solution, then A is invertible
For symmetric matrices, A^T = A
(ABCD)^{-1} = D^{-1}C^{-1}B^{-1}A^{-1} for invertible matrices
(A + B)(A - B) = A^2 - B^2 if A and B commute

Theorems

Invertible Matrix Theorem
Properties of Transpose
Inverse of Matrix Product
Difference of Squares

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate level (Linear Algebra)