Math Problem Statement

𝐴 , 𝐡, and 𝐢 are three matrices of compatible sizes so that the products 𝐴𝐡 and 𝐴𝐡𝐢 are defined. In the following statements, when we say that a matrix has rows (resp. columns) 1 and 3 the same, we assume that this matrix has enough rows (resp. columns) in order for there to be a first and third row (resp. column).

Select all the statements below that are true. Hint: For each statement, try testing some examples. In an exam, you will be asked to give a reason if the statement is True and a counterexample if the statement is False.

Grading: Here is how these types of questions are graded. Say there are 𝑛 statements which are true in a list of 𝑁 questions. Suppose you select π‘š1 statements which are true, and you select π‘š2 statements which are false. Then, the number of points you get is π‘π‘š1π‘›βˆ’π‘š2 out of a max total of 𝑁 possible points.

Question 1 Answer

a. If 𝐴𝐡 and 𝐡𝐴 are both defined, then 𝐴𝐡 and 𝐡𝐴 are both square (though possibly of different sizes).

b. (𝐴𝐡)2=𝐡2𝐴2.

c. If rows 1 and 3 of 𝐴 are the same, so are rows 1 and 3 of 𝐴𝐡𝐢.

d. If rows 1 and 3 of 𝐡 are the same, so are rows 1 and 3 of 𝐴𝐡.

e. If columns 1 and 3 of 𝐡 are the same, so are the columns 1 and 3 of 𝐴𝐡.

Solution

Let's analyze each of the statements carefully.

a. If 𝐴𝐡 and 𝐡𝐴 are both defined, then 𝐴𝐡 and 𝐡𝐴 are both square (though possibly of different sizes).

  • True: For 𝐴𝐡 to be defined, the number of columns of 𝐴 must match the number of rows of 𝐡. Similarly, for 𝐡𝐴 to be defined, the number of columns of 𝐡 must match the number of rows of 𝐴. If both are defined, this suggests that the dimensions of 𝐴 and 𝐡 are compatible in such a way that both 𝐴𝐡 and 𝐡𝐴 are square matrices. However, the sizes may be different; for example, 𝐴 could be 2Γ—32 \times 3 and 𝐡 could be 3Γ—23 \times 2, making both products 2Γ—22 \times 2, so both could be square but of different sizes.

b. (𝐴𝐡)² = 𝐡²𝐴².

  • False: Matrix multiplication is not commutative, so in general, the equality (𝐴𝐡)2=𝐡2𝐴2(𝐴𝐡)Β² = 𝐡²𝐴² does not hold. The left-hand side involves (𝐴𝐡)(𝐴𝐡)(𝐴𝐡)(𝐴𝐡), while the right-hand side involves 𝐡𝐡𝐴𝐴𝐡𝐡𝐴𝐴. Since the order of matrix multiplication matters, this equality is not valid in general.

c. If rows 1 and 3 of 𝐴 are the same, so are rows 1 and 3 of 𝐴𝐡𝐢.

  • True: If rows 1 and 3 of 𝐴 are the same, then multiplying 𝐴 by any matrix will preserve that equality. This is because the multiplication of 𝐴 with 𝐡 and 𝐢 does not affect the identical nature of rows 1 and 3 of 𝐴. This can be confirmed by testing with specific examples of matrices.

d. If rows 1 and 3 of 𝐡 are the same, so are rows 1 and 3 of 𝐴𝐡.

  • False: While multiplying by 𝐴 does not necessarily change the rows of 𝐡, it can alter the structure of the product. Specifically, row 1 and row 3 of 𝐡 being the same does not guarantee that the resulting rows in 𝐴𝐡 will be the same, because multiplication by 𝐴 can combine columns in different ways that affect the row structure.

e. If columns 1 and 3 of 𝐡 are the same, so are the columns 1 and 3 of 𝐴𝐡.

  • True: If columns 1 and 3 of 𝐡 are the same, then multiplying by 𝐴 does not alter the equality of these columns. This can be checked by observing how multiplying a matrix 𝐡 with identical columns by another matrix 𝐴 preserves the equality in the resulting product.

Final Answer:

  • True Statements: a, c, e
  • False Statements: b, d

Would you like further clarification on any of the statements, or do you have another question?


Additional Questions:

  1. Why does matrix multiplication fail to be commutative?
  2. What happens when you multiply a matrix by an identity matrix?
  3. Can the order of matrix multiplication ever be rearranged without changing the result?
  4. How can you test if two matrices are invertible?
  5. What role does the concept of a "square matrix" play in matrix operations?

Tip: Always check the dimension compatibility first when analyzing matrix products.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Matrix Multiplication
Linear Algebra
Matrix Properties

Formulas

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Theorems

Matrix Multiplication is Not Commutative
Preservation of Rows/Columns in Matrix Products

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12