Chapter 3

Linear Transformations
In your previous mathematics courses you undoubtedly studied real-valued functions of one or more variables. For example, when you discussed parabolas the
function f (x) = x2 appeared, or when you talked abut straight lines the function f (x) = 2x arose. In this chapter we study functions of several variables,
that is, functions of vectors. Moreover, their values will be vectors rather than
scalars. The particular transformations that we study also satisfy a linearity
condition that will be made precise later.

3.1

Definition and Examples

Before defining a linear transformation we look at two examples. The first is

not a linear transformation and the second one is.
Example 1. Let V = R2 and let W = R. Define f : V W by f (x1 , x2 ) =
x1 x2 . Thus, f is a function defined on a vector space of dimension 2, with
values in a one-dimensional space. The notation is highly suggestive; that is,
f : V W indicates that f does something to a vector in V to get a vector
in W . For example, f (1, 1) = 1, f (1, 2) = 2, etc. We will see later that
this function does not satisfy the linearity condition and hence is not a linear
transformation.

Example 2. Let V = R2 and W = R3 . Define L : V W by L(x1 , x2 ) =
(x1 , x2 x1 , x2 ). Here the function L takes a vector in R2 and transforms it
into a vector in R3 . For example, L(1, 1) = (1, 2, 1) and L(2, 6) = (2, 4, 6).
This particular function satisfies the linearity condition below, and so would be
called a linear transformation from R2 to R3 .

Definition 3.1. Let V and W be two vector spaces. Let L be a function defined
on V with values in W . L will be called a linear transformation if it satisfies
the following two conditions:
x + y ) = L(x
x) + L(yy ), for any two vectors x and y in V .
1. L(x
109

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CHAPTER 3. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS

x ) = cL(x
x), for any scalar c and vector x in V .
2. L(cx
Lets go back to Example 2 and verify that we did indeed have a linear transformation. For any x = (x1 , x2 ) and y = (y1 , y2 ), we have
x + y ) = L[(x1 + y1 , x2 + y2 )] = [x1 + y1 , (x2 + y2 ) (x1 + y1 ), x2 + y2 ]
L(x
x) + L(yy ).
= (x1 , x2 x1 , x2 ) + (y1 , y2 y1 , y2 ) = L(x
Thus, condition 1 holds. Moreover
x) = L[(cx1 , cx2 )] = (cx1 , cx2 cx1 , cx2 ) = c(x1 , x2 x1 , x2 ) = cL(x
x)
L(cx
Since 1 and 2 hold, L is a linear transformation from R2 to R3 . The reader
should now check that the function in Example 1 does not satisfy either of these
two conditions.
Example 3. Define L : R3 R2 by L(x1 , x2 , x3 ) = (x3 x1 , x1 + x2 ).
a. Compute L(ee1 ), L(ee2 ), and L(ee3 ).
b. Show L is a linear transformation.
c. Show L(x1 , x2 , x3 ) = x1 L(ee1 ) + x2 L(ee2 ) + x3 L(ee3 ).
a. L[(1, 0, 0)] = (1, 1), L[(0, 1, 0)] = (0, 1), L[(0, 0, 1)] = (1, 0).
x + y ) = L[(x1 + y1 , x2 + y2 , x3 + y3 )]
b. L(x
= ((x3 + y3 ) (x1 + y1 ), (x1 + y1 ) + (x2 + y2 ))
= (x3 x1 , x1 + x2 ) + (y3 y1 , y1 + y2 )
x ) + L(yy )
= L(x
x ) = L[(cx1 , cx2 , cx3 )] = (cx3 cx1 , cx1 + cx2 )
L(cx
x)
= c(x3 x1 , x1 + x2 ) = cL(x
Thus L satisfies conditions 1 and 2 of Definition 3.1, and it is a linear transformation.
c. L(x1 , x2 , x3 ) = L(x1e 1 + x2e 2 + x3e 3 )
= L(x1e 1 ) + L(x2e 2 ) + L(x3e 3 )
= x1 L(ee1 ) + x2 L(ee2 ) + x3 L(ee3 )
Notice that c implies that once L(eek ), k = 1, 2, 3, are known, the fact that L is
x) for any vector x in R3 . 
a linear transformation completely determines L(x
We collect a few facts about linear transformations in the next theorem.
Theorem 3.1. Let L be a linear transformation from a vector space V into a
vector space W . Then
1. L(00) = 0

3.1. DEFINITION AND EXAMPLES

111

x) = L(x
x)
2. L(x
 n

n
P
P
xk )
3. L
ak L(x
ak x k =
k=1

k=1

Proof.

x) = L(x
x + 0 ) = L(x
x ) + L(00). Adding
1. Let x be any vector in V . Then L(x
x) to both sides, we have L(00) = 0 , where the zero vector on the
L(x
left-hand side is in V while the zero vector on the right-hand side is in W .
x x ) = L(x
x) + L(x
x). Thus L(x
x) = L(x
x).
2. 0 = L(00 ) = L(x
3. We show that this formula is true for n = 3 and leave the details of an
induction argument to the reader.
L(a1x 1 + a2x 2 + a3x 3 ) = L(a1x 1 + a2x 2 ) + L(a3x 3 )
= L(a1x 1 ) + L(a2x 2 ) + L(a3x 3 )
x1 ) + a2 L(x
x2 ) + a3 L(x
x3 )
= a1 L(x
Example 4. Let L : R3 R4 be a linear transformation. Suppose we know
that L(1, 0, 1) = (1, 1, 0, 2), L(0, 1, 1) = (0, 6, 2, 0), and L(1, 1, 1) =
(4, 2, 1, 0). Determine L(1, 2, 1).
Solution. The trick is to realize that the three vectors for which we know L form
a basis F of R3 . Thus, all we need to do is find the coordinates of (1, 2, 1)
with respect to F , and then use 3 of Theorem 3.1. The change of basis matrix
x]TF = P [x
x ]TS .
P below is such that [x

1
P = 0
1

0
1
1

1
0 1
1
1 = 1
2 1
1
1 1
1

Using this matrix to find the coordinates of (1, 2, 1) with respect to F , we have

0 1
1
1
3
[1, 2, 1]TF = P [1, 2, 1]TS = 1
2 1 2 = 6
1 1
1 1
4
Thus

(1, 2, 1) = 3(1, 0, 1) + 6(0, 1, 1) + (4)(1, 1, 1)

and
L(1, 2, 1) = 3L(1, 0, 1) + 6L(0, 1, 1) + (4)L(1, 1, 1)
= 3(1, 1, 0, 2) + 6(0, 6, 2, 0) 4(4, 2, 1, 0)
= (13, 41, 16, 6)

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CHAPTER 3. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS

A standard method of defining a linear transformation from Rn to Rm is

by matrix multiplication. Thus, if x = (x1 , . . . , xn ) is any vector in Rn and
x ) = Ax
xT . Then L(x
x) is an m 1
A = [ajk ] is an m n matrix, define L(x
m
matrix that we think of as a vector in R . The various properties of matrix
multiplication that were proved in Theorem 1.3 are just the statements that L
is a linear transformation from Rn to Rm .


1 1 2
Example 5. Let A =
. If L is the linear transformation defined by
4
1 3
A, compute the following:
a. L(x1 , x2 , x3 )

b. L(1, 0, 0), L(0, 1, 0), L(0, 0, 1)

 x1
1 1 2
x2
L(x1 , x2 , x3 ) =
4
1 3
x3


x1 x2 + 2x3
=
4x1 + x2 + 3x3


L(1, 0, 0) = (1, 4)T

L(0, 1, 0) = (1, 1)T

L(0, 0, 1) = (2, 3)T

The reader should note that L(ee1 ) is the first column of A, L(ee2 ) is the second
column of A, and L(ee3 ) is the third column.

x) = Ax
x , then L(eek ) will be the
In general, if A is an m n matrix and L(x
kth column of the matrix A.

(a , b )
r
(a, b)

Figure 3.1

Until now weve thought of a linear transformation as an expression combining n variables to produce a vector in Rm . If we limit ourselves to this algebraic
viewpoint we miss a fuller appreciation of linear transformations. For example,
consider the mapping that rotates the points in the plane through an angle
about the origin. Thus, if the point (a, b) is rotated through an angle to the
position (a , b ), it turns out that the formulas relating (a , b ) to (a, b) imply
that this is a linear transformation. In fact (cf. Figure 3.1), setting
r = (a2 + b2 )1/2 = [(a )2 + (b )2 ]1/2 ,

3.1. DEFINITION AND EXAMPLES

113

we have that
a = r cos( + ) = r(cos cos sin sin )
= a cos b sin
b = r sin( + ) = r(sin cos + sin cos )
= a sin + b cos
Thus,
  
a
cos
=
b
sin

 
sin a
cos b


a b
Now whenever we see a matrix A of the form
, where a2 + b2 = 1, we
b
a
can think of A as defining a linear transformation from R2 to R2 that rotates
the plane about the origin through an angle , where cos = a, sin = b. Note
that AT = A1 corresponds to a rotation of .
In the succeeding pages we sometimes describe a linear transformation in
a geometrical manner as well as algebraically, and the reader should try to
visualize what the particular transformation is doing.
Example 6. Describe in geometrical terms the linear transformation defined
by the following matrices:


0 1
a. A =
. This is a clockwise rotation of the plane about the origin
1 0
through 90 degrees.


2 0
b. A =
0 13

T
1
T
A[x1 , x2 ] = 2x1 , x2
3
This linear transformation stretches the vectors in the subspace S[ee1 ] by
a factor of 2 and at the same time compresses the vectors in the subspace
S[ee2 ] by a factor of 13 . See Figure 3.2.


1 0
c. A =
. For this A, the pair (a, b) gets sent to the pair (a, b).
0 1
Hence this linear transformation reflects R2 through the x2 axis. See
Figure 3.3.


114

CHAPTER 3. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS

(3.3)
L[(3.3)] = (6, 1)

Figure 3.2

(a, b)

(a, b)

Figure 3.3

Problem Set 3.1

1. Let L(x1 , x2 , x3 ) = x1 x2 + x3 .

a. Show that L is a linear transformation from R3 to R.

x) = Ax
x T for every x in R3 .
b. Find a 1 3 matrix A such that L(x
c. Compute L(eek ) for k = 1, 2, 3.

x : Ax
x T = 0}.
d. Find a basis for the subspace K = {x
2. Let L be a linear transformation from R3 to R2 such that L(ee1 ) = (1, 6),
L(ee2 ) = (0, 2), L(ee3 ) = (8, 1).
a. L(1, 2, 6) =?

b. L(x1 , x2 , x3 ) =?
x) = Ax
xT .
c. Find a matrix A such that L(x
3. Let L be a linear transformation from R3 to R5 . Suppose that L(1, 0, 1) =
(0, 1, 0, 2, 0), L(0, 1, 2) = (1, 6, 2, 0, 1), and L(1, 1, 2) = (2, 3, 1, 4, 0).
Notice that the three vectors for which we know L form a basis of R3 .
a. Compute L(eek ) for k = 1, 2, 3.
b. L(x1 , x2 , x3 ) =?
x) = Ax
xT .
c. Find a matrix A such that L(x

3.1. DEFINITION AND EXAMPLES

115

4. For each of the following functions f determine an appropriate V and W .

Then decide if f is a linear transformation from V to W .
a. f (x1 , x2 ) = (x1 , 0, 1)
b. f (x1 , x2 ) = (x1 x2 , x1 )
c. f (x) = (x, x)

d. f (x1 , x2 , x3 ) = (x1 , x2 , x2 , x3 , x3 , x1 )
5. Let L : V W be a linear transformation. Let K be any subspace of
x) : x is any vector in K}. Show that L(K) is a
V . Define L(K) = {L(x
subspace of W .
6. Let L : V W be a linear transformation. Let H be any subspace of W .
x : L(x
x ) is in H}. Show that L1 (H) is a subspace of
Define L1 (H) = {x
V.
7. Show that the function defined in Example 1 is not a linear transformation.
8. Let L1 and L2 both be linear transformations from V into W . Let B =
{ff k , k = 1, . . . , n} be any basis of V . Suppose that L1 (ff k ) = L2 (ff k ) for
x ) = L2 (x
x ) for every vector x in V .
each k. Show that L1 (x
x) = Ax
x T , show that L(eek ) is the
9. Let A = [ajk ] be an m n matrix. If L(x
kth column of A.
10. Let S = cI2 , be an arbitrary 2 2 scalar matrix. Describe the geometrical
xT has on R2 .
effect that the linear transformation Sx


d
0
is an arbitrary 2 2 diagonal matrix. Describe
11. Suppose D = 1
0 d2
x T for various values
what happens to x under the linear transformation Dx
of dj .
12. If D is any invertible 2 2 diagonal matrix, describe geometrically the
effects of the linear transformations defined by the two matrices D1 and
D1 D.
13. Let Pn be the vector space of all polynomials of degree at most n. Define
L(pp) = t2p for each p in Pn . Then L can be thought of as a mapping from
Pn to some vector space W . List some of these vector spaces, and then
show that L is a linear transformation for each of your W s.
14. Let V = C[0, 1], the vector space of continuous functions defined on [0,1].
1
a. Define L[ff ] = 0 f (t)dt. Show that L is a linear transformation from
V to R1 .
t
b. Define T [ff ](t) = 0 f (s)ds, for each t in [0,1]. Show that T is a linear
transformation from V to V .

116

CHAPTER 3. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS

15. Show that the operation of differentiation can be viewed as a linear transformation from Pn to Pn1 .
16. Let V = C[0, 1].
a. Let L : V V be defined by L[ff ](x) = f (x) sin x. Is L a linear
transformation?
b. Let L : V V be defined by L[ff ](x) = sin x + f (x). Is L a linear
transformation?


2 3
17. Let A =
. Let V = M22 .
1
5
x) = x A (matrix multiplication). Compute
a. Define L : V V by L(x
L(eej ) for j = 1, 2, 3, 4, where the e j s denote the standard basis
vectors of M22 .
b. Show that L is a linear transformation.
x) = Ax
x.
c. Repeat parts a and b for L : V V defined by L(x

3.2

Matrix Representations

In the preceding section, matrices were used to define linear transformations.

In this section we show that every linear transformation between two finitedimensional vector spaces can be represented by a matrix. Suppose first that L
is a linear transformation from Rn to Rm . To find a matrix that can be used to
represent L we do the following: let {eek }, k = 1, 2, . . . , n be the standard basis
of Rn . Then
L(eek ) = (a1k , a2k , . . . , amk )
(3.1)
for some constants a1k , a2k . etc. The subscript convention is important to
remember when forming the matrix A, that will represent L. Thus, A = [ajk ]
is an m n matrix, and the entries in the kth column of A are the coordinates
of L(eek ) with respect to the standard basis in Rm .
Example 1. Let L : R3 R4 be defined by
L(x1 , x2 , x3 ) = (6x2 + 2x3 , x1 x2 + x3 ,

x1 + x2 6x3 , 3x1 x2 + 4x3 )

Then
L(ee1 ) = L(1, 0, 0) = (0, 1, 1, 3) = (a11 , a21 , a31 , a41 )
L(ee2 ) = L(0, 1, 0) = (6, 1, 1, 1) = (a12 , a22 , a32 , a42 )
L(ee3 ) = L(0, 0, 1) = (2, 1, 6, 4) = (a13 , a23 , a33 , a34 )

117

3.2. MATRIX REPRESENTATIONS

Thus,

0 6
2
1 1
1

A=
1
1 6
3 1
4

x). Let x =
The next task is to show how to use this matrix in computing L(x
(x1 , . . . , xn ). Then, assuming L : Rn Rm ,
!
n
n
X
X
x) = L
xk L(eek )
L(x
xk e k =
k=1

k=1

n
X

k=1

xk

m
X
j=1

ajk e j =

" n
m
X
X
j=1

ajk xk e j

k=1

x ) with respect to the standard basis in Rm can be

Note: The coordinates of L(x
x T , where [x1 , . . . , xn ] = [x
x ]S .
found by computing the matrix product Ax

Example 2. In Example 1 we had
L(x1 , x2 , x3 ) = (6x2 + 2x3 , x1 x2 + x3 , x1 + x2 6x3 , 3x1 x2 + 4x3 )
with matrix representation:

0 6
2
1 1
1

A=
1
1 6
3 1
4

x , we have
Computing Ax

0 6
2
6x2 + 2x3
x
1
1 1

x2 = x1 x2 + x3
1

1 6
x1 + x2 6x3
x3
3 1
4
3x1 x2 + 4x3
x gives us the coordinates of L(x
x) in R4 .
Thus, Ax

The preceding computations were based upon the vector spaces being Rn
and Rm and using the standard bases. None of this is necessary in order for us
to interpert L as matrix multiplication.
Let L : V W be a linear transformation from V into W . Let F =
{ff k : k = 1, . . . , n}, and B = {gg j : j = 1, 2, . . . , m} be bases of V and W ,
respectively. Proceeding as before, we write L(ff k ) as a linear combination of
the basis vectors in G.
L(ff k ) = a1kg 1 + a2kg 2 + + amkg m
m
X
ajk g j
=
j=1

(3.2)

118

CHAPTER 3. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS

Let A = [ajk ] be the mn matrix whose kth column is [L(ff k )]TG , the coordinates
of L[ff k ] with respect to the basis G. This matrix A depends upon three things:
1. The linear transformation L
2. The basis F in V
3. The basis G in W
If we change either of the bases picked, the matrix representation A will also
change.
The next calculation illustrates how to use the representation A to calculate
x ). Let x be any vector in V . Let[x
x ]F = [x1 , . . . , xn ]. We
the coordinates of L(x
x] with respect to G are given by the
want to show that the coordinates of L[x
x]TF . Computing L[x
x] we have
matrix product A[x
" n
#
n
X
X
x) = L
L(x
xk L(ff k )
xk f k =
k=1

k=1

n
X

k=1

m
X
j=1

m
X
ajk g j
xk
j=1

n
X

k=1

ajk xk g j

x) with respect to the basis G

This
Pnequation says that the jth coordinate of L(x
x ]TF . In other
is k=1 ajk xk , but this is just the jth row in the m 1 matrix A[x
x] directly, but rather the coordinates
words, when using A we do not compute L[x
x ] with respect to the basis G, that is,
of L[x
x)]TG = A[x
x ]TF
[L(x

(3.3)

Example 3. Let V = R2 and W = R3 . Define L : V W by L(x1 , x2 ) =

(x1 x2 , x1 , x2 ). Let F = {(1, 1), (1, 1)}, and let G = {(1, 0, 1), (0, 1, 1),
(1, 1, 0)}.
a. Find the matrix representation of L using the standard bases in both V
and W .
b. Find the matrix representation of L using the standard basis in V and the
basis G in W .
c. Find the matrix representation of L using the basis F in R2 and the
standard basis in R3 .
d. Find the matrix representation of L using the bases F and G.

119

3.2. MATRIX REPRESENTATIONS

Solution.
a. L(ee1 ) = L(1, 0) = (1, 1, 0) = e 1 + e 2
L(ee2 ) = L(0, 1) = (1, 0, 1) = ee1 + e 3

1 1
0
A = 1
0
1
b. L(ee1 ) = (1, 1, 0) = 0(1, 0, 1) + 0(0, 1, 1) + (1, 1, 0) = 0gg 1 + 0gg 2 + g 3
L(ee2 ) = (1, 0, 1) = 0(1, 0, 1) + (0, 1, 1) (1, 1, 0) = 0gg 1 + g 2 g 3

0
0
1
A = 0
1 1
c. L(ff 1 ) = L(1, 1) = (0, 1, 1) = e 2 + e 3
L(ff 2 ) = L(1, 1) = (2, 1, 1) = 2ee1 e 2 + e 3

0 2
A = 1 1
1
1
d. L(ff 1 ) = 0gg 1 + g 2 + 0gg 3
L(ff 2 ) = 0gg 1 + g 2 2gg 3

0
0
1
A = 1
0 2

It is clear from this example that the matrix representation of a linear transformation depends upon which bases are used in V and in W . If V and W are
the same vector spaces, then normally (in this text always) only one basis is
used, rather than two different bases for the same vector space.
Example 4. Let L : R2 R2 be a linear transformation. Let F = {(1, 6),
(2, 3)}. Suppose the matrix representation of L with respect to F is


2
8
A=
1 4
x ) for any vector x in R2 .
Compute L(x
x) using the
Solution. Let x = (x1 , x2 ) be any vector in R2 . To compute L(x
x]F , the coordinates of x with respect to the basis F .
matrix A we need to find [x
The change of basis matrix P below gives the basis F in terms of the standard
basis


1 2
P =
6
3

120

CHAPTER 3. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS

x ]TF
Using P 1 we calculate [x

 
 
1
3 2 x1
x
x ]F = P 1 1 =
[x
x2
15 6 1 x2


1
3x1 + 2x2
=
15 6x1 + x2
x) with respect to F are
Thus, the coordinates of L(x




2
8
(3x1 + 2x2 )/15
x ]F =
A[x
1 4 (6x1 + x2 )/15


1 42x1 + 12x2
=
21x1 6x2
15
Thus



 
1
1
(42x1 + 12x2 )ff 1 +
(21x1 6x2 )ff 2
15
15
 
 
1
1
(42x1 + 12x2 )(1, 6) +
(21x1 6x2 )(2, 3)
=
15
15
6x2 21x1
=
{2(1, 6) (2, 3)}
15
6x2 21x1
=
(4, 9)

15





1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Example 5. Let F =
. Thus F is the standard
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1


2 1
x ) = Bx
x . Find
basis of M22 . Let B =
. Define L : M22 M22 by L(x
3 4
the matrix representation of L with respect to the standard basis F of M22 .


 

2 1 1 0
2 0
L(ff 1 ) = Bff 1 =
=
3 4 0 0
3 0
x) =
L(x

= 2ff 1 + 3ff 3


2 1 0
L(ff 2 ) = Bff 2 =
3 4 0

= 2ff 2 + 3ff 4


2 1 0
L(ff 3 ) = Bff 3 =
3 4 1

= f 1 + 4ff 3


2 1 0
L(ff 4 ) = Bff 4 =
3 4 0
= f 2 + 4ff 4

 

1
0 2
=
0
0
3
 

0
1 0
=
0
4 0
 

0
0 1
=
1
0 4

121

3.2. MATRIX REPRESENTATIONS

Thus, the matrix representation of L is

2
0
0 2

3
0
0
3

1
0
4
0

0
1

0
4

In the following pages, when we say A, an m n matrix, is a linear transformation or represents a linear transformation without specifically mentioning a
basis or vector spaces, it is to be understood that V = Rn , W = Rm , and that
the standard bases in both V and W are being used.

Problem Section 3.2

1. Let L(x1 , x2 ) = (3x1 + 6x2 , 2x1 + x2 )
a. Find the matrix representation of L using the standard bases.
b. Find the matrix representation of L using the basis F = {(4, 1),
(2, 3)}.

6
1
4
0
with respect
2. Let L : R2 R4 have matrix representation A =
2
9
8 3
to the standard bases.
a. L(ee1 ) =?, L(ee2 ) =?
b. L(3, 7) =?

c. L(x1 , x2 ) =?

x ) = L(L(x
x)),
3. Let L be a linear transformation from R2 into R2 . Define L2 (x
x ) = L(L2 (x
x )), and Ln+1 (x
x ) = L(Ln (x
x )). Suppose L(x1 , x2 ) = (ax1 +
L 3 (x
bx2 , cx1 + dx2 ).
a. Find the matrix representation A of L with respect to the standard
bases.
b. Show that the matrix representation of L2 with respect to the standard bases is A2 , and in general the matrix representation of Ln with
respect to the standard bases is An .
c. What can you say if some basis other than the standard basis is used?
4. Let V = R3 and let F = {(1, 2, 3), (1, 0, 0), (0, 1, 0)}. Suppose that the
matrix A represents a linear transformation L : R3 R3 with respect to
the basis F , where

0 1 2
0
A = 2 1
5 0
1
a. L(1, 2, 3) =?

b. L(1, 0, 0) =?

c. L(x1 , x2 , x3 ) =?

122

CHAPTER 3. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS

x ) = cx
x,
5. Let V be a vector space of dimension n. Define L : V V by L(x
where c is any constant. Let F be any basis of V . What is the matrix
representation of L with respect to this basis?
6. Let L1 (x1 , x2 ) = (x1 x2 , 2x1 +3x2 ) and let L2 (x1 , x2 ) = (2x1 5x2 , 3x1
x ) = L1 (x
x) + L2 (x
x ).
x2 ). Define (L1 + L2 )(x
a. Find the matrix representations A1 and A2 of L1 and L2 , respectively,
with respect to the standard basis of R2 .
b. Show that the matrix representation of L1 + L2 is A1 + A2 .
7. Let L1 and L2 be two linear transformations mapping R2 into R2 . Let F
be any basis of R2 . Let A1 and A2 be the matrix representations of L1
and L2 , with respect to the basis F , respectively. Show that the matrix
representation of L1 + L2 with respect to F is A1 + A2 .
8. Let L(x1 , x2 , x3 ) = (x2 + x3 , 6x1 x2 + 3x3 , 2x1 + 3x2 7x3 , 2x1 + 6x3 ).
a. Compute L[eek ] for k = 1, 2, 3.
b. Find the matrix representation A, of L, with respect to the standard
bases in R3 and R4 .
x ] for any vector x in R3 .
c. Compute A[x
9. Define L : R4 R2 by L(x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 ) = (x2 + 2x3 + 3x4 , 2x1 6x4 ).
a. Compute L(eek ) for k = 1, 2, 3, 4.
b. Find the matrix representation A, of L, with respect to the standard
bases in R4 and R2 .
x ] for any vector x in R4 .
c. Compute A[x
10. Let L be a linear transformation from R3 to R2 . Let F = {(1, 1, 1), (0, 1, 1),
(1, 1, 0)} = {ff 1 , f 2 , f 3 }. Let G = {(1, 2), (2, 3)} = {gg 1 , g 2 }. Suppose
that


2
0 4
the matrix representation of L with respect to these bases is
.
1 2 1
a. For k = 1, 2, 3, [L(ff k )]G =?
b. Compute L(ff k ) for k = 1, 2, 3.
c. Find the matrix representation of L using the standard basis S in R3
and the basis G in R2 .
d. Find the matrix representation of L using the standard basis S in
both R3 and R2 .
11. Let L : R2 R2 . Let F = {ff 1 , f 2 } be a basis of R2 . Suppose that


2 0
A=
0 3
is the matrix representation of L with respect to the basis F . What is
L(ff k ) for k = 1, 2?

123

3.2. MATRIX REPRESENTATIONS

12. Let L be the linear transformation that rotates the plane through an angle
of degrees. Let A be the matrix representation of L. Then as we saw in
Section 3.1


cos sin
A=
sin
cos
Find the matrix representations of L2 , L3 , . . . , Ln . (Hint: What is L2
geometrically?)
13. Let L1 and L2 be two linear transformations from R2 to R2 . Define the
x ) = L1 (L2 (x
x )).
composition of L1 with L2 by L1 L2 (x
a. Show that the composition of two linear transformations is also a
linear transformation.
b. If A1 and A2 are the matrix representations of L1 and L2 with respect
to the same basis, respectively, show that the matrix representation
of the composition L1 L2 is given by the matrix product A1 A2 .
14. Find the matrix representations for each of the following linear transformations with respect to the standard basis of the vector space in question:
a. L : Pn Pn1 by L(pp) = p , i.e., L(pp) is the derivative of the
polynomial p .
b. L : Pn Pn by L(pp) = p .

c. L : Pn Pn+2 by L(pp) = t2p .

t
15. Define L[pp](t) = 0 p (s)ds, for each t in [0,1]. Then L : Pn Pn+1 . Find
a matrix representation for L using the standard bases.
16. If A is an m n matrix, we can think of A as a linear transformation from
Rn to Rm . What spaces are appropriate for each of the following matrices
to be thought of as a linear transformation?
a. AT
b. AT A
c. AAT
17. Let L be a linear transformation from a vector space V to a vector space
x) = 0 for every vector x in V . What must any
W . Suppose that L(x
matrix representation of L equal?
P2
18. Let V = { j=1 (aj cos jx + bj sin jx) : aj and bj arbitrary}. Define
L : V V by

2
2
X
X
(jaj sin jx + jbj cos jx)
aj cos jx + bj sin jx =
L
j=1

j=1

a. Find a basis F for the vector space V .

b. Find the matrix representation A of L with respect to your basis.

124

CHAPTER 3. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS

19. Using the same notation as in Example 5, define L : M22 M22 by

x ) = x B. Find the matrix representation of L with respect to the
L(x
standard basis of M22 .





0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1
20. Let G =
. Define L : M22 M23 by
1 
1 1 1 0 1 1 0
1 3 4
x] = x B = x
L[x
. Using the standard basis in M23 and the
2 0 1
basis G in M22 , find the matrix representation of L.
x] = Bx
x.
21. Let B and G be as in problem 20. Define L : M32 M22 by L[x
Using the standard basis in M32 and the basis G in M22 , find the matrix
representation of L.
22. Let L : M22 M22 be defined by

 
a b
a
L
=
c d
0

0
0

a. Show that L is a linear transformation.

b. Find the matrix representation of L with respect to the standard
basis of M22 .
x] = Bx
x(L[x
x ] = x B)
c. Show that there is no 22 matrix B such that L[x
for all x in M22 .
23. Let V be the vector space in problem 18. For each f in V define L[ff ](t) =
t
f (s)ds. Show that L is a linear transformation from V to V . Find
0
its matrix representation with respect to the basis found in problem 18.
Show that the product of the matrix found in problem 18 with the matrix
found in this problem equals I4 .

3.3

Kernel and Range of a Linear Transformation

For any linear transformation L, mapping V into W , there are two important
subspaces associated with L. The first is a subspace of V called the kernel of L;
the second is a subspace of W called the range of L. In this section we define
these two subspaces and describe their relation to the solution set of a system
of equations.
Definition 3.2. Let L : V W . The kernel of L is the set of vectors x
x) = 0 . Letting ker(L) represent the kernel of L, we have
in V for which L(x
x : L(x
x) = 0 }.
ker(L) = {x


2 6 4
Example 1. Let A =
be the matrix representation of L. Find the
1 1 2
kernel K of this linear transformation.

3.3. KERNEL AND RANGE OF A LINEAR TRANSFORMATION

125

Solution. Since A is a 2 3 matrix, A : R3 R2 . We are asked to find those

x = (x1 , x2 , x3 ) such that


 x1
  

2 6 4
0
2x1 6x2 + 4x3
x=
x2 =
Ax
=
1 1 2
0
x1 x2 + 2x3
x3

Thus, x is in the kernel of A if and only if 2x1 6x2 + 4x3 = 0 = x1 x2 + 2x3 .

Hence K = {(x1 , x2 , x3 ) : x1 + 2x3 = 0 = x2 }.


This example demonstrates that the kernel is just the solution set of a homogeneous system of linear equations. We note that K has dimension equal to
1 and that (2, 0, 1) is a basis of K.
Definition 3.3. Let L be a linear transformation mapping V into W . The
x) = w , for some vector x
range of L is the set of vectors w in W such that L(x
w : w = L(x
x) for some x in V }.
in V . Thus, Rg(L) = range(L) = {w
Example 2. Find the range of the linear transformation in Example 1.
Solution. Since A : R3 R2 , the range of A consists of those w in R2 such that
x = w has a solution. The augmented matrix of the associated system is
Ax


2 6 4 w1
1 1 2 w2
It is clear that this system has a solution regardless of the values of w1 and w2 ,
e.g., x1 = (6w2 w1 )/4, x2 = (2w2 w1 )/4, and x3 = 0. Thus, Rg(L) = R2 . 
Theorem 3.2. Let L : V W be a linear transformation. Then
a. ker(L) is a subspace of V .
b. Rg(L) is a subspace of W .
Proof. Since L(00) = 0 , we know that both the kernel and the range are nonempty.
Thus, to show that these two sets are subspaces we may use Theorem 2.6. Hence,
x + y ) = L(x
x) + L(yy ) =
suppose that x and y are in K = ker(L). Then L(x
0 + 0 = 0 . Thus, K is closed under vector addition. Now let a be any
x) = aL(x
x) = a00 = 0 , and we see that K is also closed
scalar; then L(ax
under scalar multiplication. This shows that K is a subspace. To see that
Rg(L) is a subspace, suppose that u and v are any two vectors in Rg(L). Then
x) = u and L(yy ) = v . Then
there are two vectors x and y in V such that L(x
x + y ) = L(x
x) + L(yy ) = u + v and Rg(L) is closed under addition. Similarly
L(x
u = aL(x
x) = L(ax
x). Since Rg(L) is closed under
if a is any constant, then au
vector addition and scalar multiplication, it is a subspace of W .
Consider a system of m linear equations in n unknowns
a11 x1 + + a1n xn = b1
..........................
am1 x1 + + amn xn = bm

(3.4)

126

CHAPTER 3. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS

x] = Ax
x, where
Let L be the linear transformation from Rn to Rm defined by L[x
A is the coefficient matrix [ajk ] of (3.4). Then the kernel of L is just the solution
set of the homogeneous system associated with (3.4). For x is in ker(L) if and
x) = 0 , but L(x
x) = 0 if and only if Ax
x = 0 . That is, x is in ker(L) if
only if L(x
and only if x is a solution of (3.4) with bj = 0 for j = 1, 2, . . . , m. The range
of L consists of those vectors b in Rm such that there is an x in Rn for which
x) = b , i.e., Ax
x = b . That is, b is in the range of L if and only if (3.4) has a
L(x
solution.
Example 3. Consider the following system of equations:
x1 + 2x2 +
3x4 = b1
2x1 + 3x2 + 7x3 + 8x4 = b2
4x1 2x2 + 6x3
= b3

(3.5)

Find the kernel and range of the coefficient matrix of the above system of equations. Then determine the dimensions of these two subspaces.
Solution. The coefficient matrix A equals

1
2 0
2
3 7
4 2 6
and is row equivalent to the matrix

1 0
0 1
0 0

3
8
0

2 1
1 2
0 0

Thus, x is a solution to the homogeneous system, i.e., x is in ker(A) if and only

if x2 = x3 2x4 and x1 = 2x3 x4 . Thus, ker(A) = {(x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 ) : x1 =
2x3 x4 , x2 = x3 2x4 }. A basis for ker(A) is {(2, 1, 1, 0), (1, 2, 0, 1)}.
Thus, dim(ker(A)) = 2.
The augmented matrix of (3.5)

1
2 0 3 b1
2
3 7 8 b2
4 2 6 0 b3

is row equivalent to

1 2
0 1
0 0

0 3
1 2
0 0

(3.5) has a solution if and only if

b1

(b2 + 2b1 )/7

(26b1 2b2 + 7b3 )/14

26b1 2b2 + 7b3 = 0

Thus, Rg(A) = {(b1 , b2 , b3 ) : 26b1 2b2 + 7b3 = 0}. A basis for Rg(A) is
{(1, 13, 0), (7, 0, 26)} and dim(Rg(A)) = 2.


3.3. KERNEL AND RANGE OF A LINEAR TRANSFORMATION

127

In the previous example A : R4 R3 , dim(ker(A)) = 2, and dim(Rg(A)) =

2. It is not a coincidence that we have the following relationship: dim(ker(A)) +
dim(Rg(A)) = dim(R4 ).
Theorem 3.3. Let L be a linear transformation from V to W , where V is a
finite dimensional vector space. Then
dim(ker(L)) + dim(Rg(L)) = dim(V )

(3.6)

Proof. Let dim(V ) = n. Suppose that dim(ker(L)) = k, where we assume

first that 0 < k < n. Let x j , j = 1, . . . , k be a basis for ker(L) and let y j ,
j = 1, . . . , n k be a set of n k linearly independent vectors in V such
x1 , . . . , xk , y 1 , . . . , y nk } is a basis of V . Then {L(x
x1 ), . . . , L(yy 1 ),
that S = {x
y
x
. . . , L(y nk )} is a spanning set of Rg(L). Since the j are in ker(L), we have
xj ) = 0 for j = 1, . . . , k. Thus, {L(yy 1 ), . . . , L(yy nk )} must span Rg(L). We
L(x
wish to show that this set is linearly independent, and hence forms a basis for
Rg(L). To this end suppose that
c1 L(yy 1 ) + + cnk L(yy nk ) = 0
Setting z = c1y 1 + + cnky nk , we have L(zz ) = 0 . Thus, z is in ker(L) and
there are constants aj such that
a1x 1 + + akx k = z = c1y 1 + + cn1y nk
Since the set S is linearly independent, every one of the constants must be
zero. In particular c1 = c2 = = cnk = 0, and we conclude that the set
{L(yy 1 ), . . . , L(yy nk )} is a basis for Rg(L). Hence we have
dim(ker(L)) + dim(Rg(L)) = k + (n k) = n = dim(V )
This equation remains to be verified in the two cases k = 0 and k = n. We leave
the details as an exercise for the reader
In the next section we show how one can easily determine the dimension of
Rg(L). This technique coupled with the above theorem gives us an effective
means of determining how large the solution space of a set of homogeneous
linear equations is, and hence the size of the solution set for any system of
linear equations, homogeneous or not; cf. Theorem 1.10.
Before starting the next section, we define several items.
Definition 3.4. Let L : V W be a linear transformation. L is said to be
x) = L(yy ) implies that x = y .
one-to-one if L(x
Definition 3.5. Let L : V W be a linear transformation. L is said to be
onto if Rg(L) = W .

128

CHAPTER 3. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS

Example 4. Let L : R3 R2 have matrix

below. Show L is onto but not one-to-one.

1 2
A=
0 1

representation A, where A is given

3
2

Solution. To see that L is not one-to-one we observe that the vector (1, 2, 1)
is in ker(L); that is, L(1, 2, 1) = (0, 0) = L(0, 0, 0), but (1, 2, 1) 6= (0, 0, 0).
Hence, L is not one-to-one. To see that L is onto we have to show that Rg(L) =
R2 . Thus, let (w1 , w2 ) be any vector in R2 . Our task is to find x = (x1 , x2 , x3 )
x) = (w1 , w2 ). Equivalently we need to solve the following system
such that L(x
of equations:
x1 + 2x2 + 3x3 = w1
x2 + 2x3 = w2
A solution to this system is x1 = w1 2w2 , x2 = w2 , and x3 = 0.

Theorem 3.4. Let L : V W be a linear transformation. Assume, for parts

b and c, that V and W are finite dimensional. Then
a. L is one-to-one if and only if ker(L) = {00}.
b. L is one-to-one if and only if dim(V ) = dim(Rg(L)).
c. L is onto if and only if dim(Rg(L)) = dim(W ).
Proof. Suppose L is one-to-one. We want to show that K = ker(L) = {00}.
x) = 0 = L(00) and we must have x = 0 .
Thus, suppose that x is in K. Then L(x
x) = L(yy ), we must have L(x
x yy ) = 0.
Conversely, suppose K = {00}. Then if L(x
Hence, x y is in K, and we conclude that x = y . Part b of this theorem
is an easy consequence of part a and Theorem 3.3. Suppose that L is oneto-one. Then we have dim(V ) = dim(Rg(L))+ dim(ker(L)) = dim(Rg(L))+
0 = dim(Rg(L)). Conversely, if dim(Rg(L)) = dim(V ), then dim(ker(L)) = 0,
and we have ker(L) = {0}. The verification of part c is left to the reader as an
exercise.

Problem Set 3.3

1. Each of the matrices below represents a linear transformation from Rn to
Rm . Determine the values of n and m for each matrix. Then determine
their kernels and ranges and find a basis for each of these subspaces.

1 1
1


1
1 0


1
1 1

a. 1 0 1
b. 0
c.
d.

1 1
1
0 1
1
1 0 1

3.3. KERNEL AND RANGE OF A LINEAR TRANSFORMATION

129

2. Each of the matrices below represents a linear transformation from Rn to

Rm . Determine the values of n and m for each matrix, and their respective
kernels and ranges.

 
1 2


0
a. 1 2
b. 1 0
c.
1
0 1

3. Let A be the coefficient matrix of the system of equations below. If L is

the linear transformation defined by A, what is the range of L and what
is its kernel? Does this particular equation have a solution; i.e., is (2, 1)
in the range of L?
2x1 5x2 + 3x3 = 2
x1 + 3x2
= 1
4. For each of the matrices below determine the dimension of its range and
the dimension of its kernel. Then decide if the linear transformations
represented by these matrices are onto and/or one-to-one.

 
1 2


1
a. 1 2
b. 1 0
c.
2
0 1

5. For each of the matrices below determine the dimensions of their range
and kernel. Then determine if the linear transformations represented by
these matrices are onto and/or one-to-one.

1
2 1
3
1 0 1
1 1
1 1
0 0

1
0
1
a.
b. 0

1 0
0
1
0
1
0
0 0
1
1
1
0
0

6. Verify part c of Theorem 3.4. Remember, the range of L is always a

subspace of W .

xj : j = 1, . . . , n} be a
7. Let L : V W be a linear transformation. Let {x
xj ) : j = 1, . . . , n} is a spanning set for
basis of V . Show that the set {L(x
Rg(L).
8. Let L : Rn Rm be a linear transformation.
a. Show that if n > m, then L must have a nontrivial kernel, i.e.,
dim(ker(L)) > 0.
b. If n m does L have to be one-to-one?
9. Let L : Rn Rm be a linear transformation.
a. If n < m, show that L cannot be onto.
b. If n m, must L be onto?

130

CHAPTER 3. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS

10. Let L : V W be a linear transformation. Let Q be that subset of W

that contains all vectors in W not in the range of L, i.e., Q = W \Rg(L).
Is Q a subspace of W ?
11. Let S be any n n scalar matrix, i.e., S = cIn for some constant c.
Determine the kernel and range of S for various values of c.
12. Let D be any n n diagonal matrix. Determine the kernel and range of
D for various values of the diagonal entries. For example, what happens
if the entry in the 1,1 position of D is zero? Is nonzero?
13. Characterize the kernel and range for the linear transformations in problems 13, 14, and 15 in Problem Set 3.1.
14. For each of the matrices A in problem 1, compute AT . Then determine
the kernel and range of AT .
15. For each of the matrices A in problem 1, compute AT A. Determine if
these product matrices are one-to-one and/or onto. Compare the kernels
of AT A and A.
16. Let L : Rn Rm be a linear transformation. Show that if L is both onto
and one-to-one, then m = n.
17. Verify Theorem 3.3 for the two cases ker(L) = {00} and ker(L) = V .
t
18. Let L : P2 P3 be defined by L[pp](t) = 0 p (s)ds. Find a matrix representation for L using the standard basis in each of the vector spaces. Find
a basis for the range and kernel of L.
19. Let L : P3 P3 be defined by L[pp](t) = p (t). Find a matrix representation for L using the standard basis in each of the vector spaces. Find a
basis for the range and kernel of L.
20. Let B =


1 2 5
.
2 3 1

x] = x B for any x in M22 . Then L is a linear transformation

a. Let L[x
from M22 to M23 . Find a basis for the kernel of L and also a basis
for the range of L.
x] = Bx
x for any x in M32 . Then L is a linear transformation
b. Let L[x
from M32 to M22 . Find a basis for the kernel of L and also a basis
for the range of L.
c. Find a matrix representation for each of the above two linear transformations. Use the standard basis.

131

3.4. RANK OF A MATRIX

3.4

Rank of a Matrix

In the last section we proved a theorem that said the dimensions of the kernel, range, and domain of a linear transformation are related by the equation
dim(V ) = dim(ker) + dim(Rg). We have also seen that the kernel is just the
solution set for a system of homogeneous equations. In this section we show
that the dimension of the range of L is the same as the maximum number of
linearly independent rows or columns in a matrix representation of L. Since
this number is easy to calculate, we have an efficient method for computing the
dimension of Rg(L) and hence an efficient method of determining the size of the
solution set of a system of linear equations.
Definition 3.6. Let A = [ajk ] be an m n matrix. Each row of A can be
thought of as a vector in Rn and each column of A can be considered a vector
in Rm . The row space of A is that subspace of Rn spanned by the row vectors
of A, and the column space of A is that subspace of Rm spanned by the column
vectors of A.
Definition 3.7. Let A = [ajk ] be an m n matrix. The row rank of A is the
dimension of the row space of A and the column rank of A is the dimension of
the column space of A.

2 1
1. The row space of A is that subspace of
Example 1. Let A = 1
0
4
R2 spanned by the set {(2, 1), (1,1), (0,4)}. Clearly this set spans a subspace of R2 of dimension 2. Hence the row space of A is R2 , and the row
rank is 2. The column space of A is that subspace of R3 spanned by the set
{(2, 1, 0), (1, 1, 4)}. Since this set is linearly independent the column space
has dimension 2. Thus the column rank is 2.

The fact that the row rank of A was equal to its column rank was no accident,
as the following theorem shows.
Theorem 3.5. Let A = [aik ] be an m n matrix. Then the column rank and
the row rank of A are equal.
Proof. Suppose the column rank of A is p. Then 0 p n. If p = 0, every
column of A is the zero vector in Rm , and hence every row of A is the zero
vector in Rn . Thus the row space is the zero vector and we have row rank equal
to 0 also. Now assume that p > 0. Let {zz j : j = 1, . . . , p} be a basis for the
column space of A, where
z j = (z1j , z2j , . . . , zmj )
Then if C k is the kth column of A, i.e., C k = (a1k , a2k , . . . , amk )T , there are
constants bjk , 1 j p, such that
Ck =

p
X
j=1

bjk z Tj

132

CHAPTER 3. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS

Equating components, we have the following:

aik =

p
X

bjk zij

1 k n, 1 i m

j=1

Thus if r i is the ith row of A, we have

r i = (ai1 , ai2 , ai3 , . . . , aij )

p
p
p
X
X
X
bjn zij
bj2 zij , . . . ,
bj1 zij ,
=
j=1

p
X

j=1

j=1

zij (bj1 , bj2 , . . . , bjn )

j=1

Thus, the p row vectors (bj1 , . . . , bjn ), 1 j p, form a spanning set for the
row space of A. Hence, row rank p. This shows that the row rank of any
matrix must be less than or equal to its column rank. Since the row rank of AT
is the column rank of A, and the column rank of AT is the row rank of A, we
also have that the column rank is less than or equal to the row rank. Hence the
row and column ranks are equal.
Definition 3.8. The rank of a matrix is the common value of its row and
column rank.
Example 2. Compute the rank of the following matrix:

1 0 1 0
A = 2 1 1 1
0 2 3 2

Solution. This matrix is easily seen to be row equivalent to the matrix.

1 0
1 0
B = 0 1 1 1
0 0
5 0

This last matrix has rank equal to 3. Since the rows of B were obtained from
linear combinations of the rows of A and we can also obtain the rows of A from
linear combinations of the rows of B, the row spaces of A and B must be the
same. Hence, A and B have the same row rank and thus the same rank, namely,
3.

In the preceding example we computed the row rank of A by first finding the
row rank of a matrix that was row equivalent to A and then used the fact that
their row ranks were equal. We formalize this in the next theorem.
Theorem 3.6. If A and B are two matrices that are row or column equivalent,
then the rank of A is equal to the rank of B.

3.4. RANK OF A MATRIX

133

Proof. See problem 10 at the end of this section.

We now need to relate these ideas to the problem of describing the solution
x = b,
space of a system of equations. Consider the linear system of equations Ax
where A = [ajk ] is an mn matrix. The matrix A defines a linear transformation
L from Rn to Rm . Since L(eek ) equals the kth column of A, it is clear that the
column space of A is the same as the range of L. In fact if we let C k be the kth
x = x1C 1 + + xnC n ; that is, Ax
x
column of A, and x = (x1 , . . . , xn )T , then Ax
is just a linear combination of the columns of A. Thus, if A is


2
1 3
4 2 8
we may write A[x1 , x2 , x3 ]T as

 
 
 

 x1
3
1
2
2
1 3
x2 = x1
+ x3
+ x2
8
2
4
4 2 8
x3

Clearly this is a linear combination of the columns of A.

These remarks make it clear that the column rank of A (the dimension of
the column space) is equal to the dimension of the range of L. Hence we have
dim(ker(L)) = n dim(Rg(L)) = n rank of A

Remembering that ker(L) is just the solution space of the homogeneous system
x = 0 , we have our promised algorithm for computing the size of the solution
Ax
space.
What can be said about nonhomogeneous equations? Essentially the same
thing, as the following theorem indicates.
x 0 = b . Then the solution space of Ax
x =b
Theorem 3.7. Suppose x 0 satisfies Ax
x = b is equal to x 0 plus some
equals x 0 + ker(A); that is, every solution of Ax
vector in the kernel. Note that this is just Theorem 1.10 restated.
x = b . Then
Proof. Suppose Ax
x Ax
x 0 = A(x
x x0)
0 = b b = Ax
x0 is in the kernel of A, and x = x 0 + (x
x x
x0 ). Conversely if x = x0 +zz
Thus x x
z
for some in the kernel, then
x = A(x
x 0 + z ) = Ax
x0 + Azz = b + 0 = b
Ax
Example 3. Describe the solution set of the following system of equations:
2x1
+ 4x3 + 5x4 = 8
x1 + 2x2
+ 5x4 = 4
x1 + 6x2 + 3x3 + 10x4 = 11

134

CHAPTER 3. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS

Solution. The coefficient matrix A,

1
1
is row equivalent to the matrix

which equals

0 4 5

2 0 5
6 3 10

1 0

0 1
0 0

0
1

5
2
5
4

Hence, dim(Rg(A)) = rank of A = 3. Since 4 3 = 1, dim(ker A) = 1. A basis

x=
for the kernel is ( 25 , 45 , 0, 1). Thus, the solution space of the equation Ax
(8, 4, 11)T is of the form x = x0 + c( 25 , 54 , 0, 1), for any constant c, assuming
of course that there is at least one particular solution x0 . There is a solution if
and only if (8,4,11) is in the range of A and equivalently if and only if (8, 4, 11)T
is in the column space of A. A basis of the column space is {(2, 1, 1)T , (0, 2, 6)T ,
(4, 0, 3)T }. One easily sees that (8, 4, 11)T = 2(2, 1, 1)T + (0, 2, 6)T + (4, 0, 3)T ;
that is, b equals 2(first column) + (second column) + (third column) + 0(fourth
column). Thus, x 0 = (2, 1, 1, 0)T is a particular solution, and every solution is
of the form


5 5

x = (2, 1, 1, 0) + c , , 0, 1
2 4
A common problem has to do with data fitting. In its simplest form, this
problem can be viewed in the following manner. Assume we have a collection
of n points (xk , yk ), 1 k n, where xj 6= xk if j 6= k. We wish to find a
polynomial p (t) of degree m such that p (xk ) = yk for each k. In fact, we would
like to find the smallest value of m such that regardless of the values yk such a
polynomial will exist. Since there are n data points and a polynomial of degree
m has m + 1 arbitrary coefficients we might conjecture m equal to n 1 is the
smallest value of m for which we are guaranteed a solution. We now recast this
problem in terms of linear transformations. Thus, let (xj , yj ), j = 1, 2, . . . , n,
be given. Let p (t) be any polynomial in Pm . Define L : Pm Rn by
L(pp) = (pp(x1 ), p (x2 ), . . . , p (xn ))
That is, we evaluate our polynomial at the n numbers xj . For example, if we
had the three points (1, 2), (0,6), and (1,0) and p (t) = 8 + 2t 8t3 + t4 , then
L(pp) = (pp(1), p (0), p (1)) = (15, 8, 3)
The question then, as to whether or not a polynomial p of degree m can be
picked so that p (xj ) = yj , amounts to deciding if the point (y1 , y2 , . . . , yn ) lies
in the range of the linear transformation L. We next find a matrix representation

135

3.4. RANK OF A MATRIX

for this linear transformation using the natural basis {1, t, t2 , . . . , tm } in Pm and
the standard basis {ee1 , . . . , e n } in Rn .
L(1) = (1, 1, . . . , 1)
L(t) = (x1 , x2 , . . . , xn )
L(tk ) = (xk1 , . . . , xkn )

k = 1, 2, . . . , m

Thus, we have the n (m + 1) matrix

1 x1 x21 . . . xm
1

1 x2 x22 . . . xm
2
A=
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1 xn x2n . . . xm
n

If all the xj s are different, it can be shown that the rank of A is the smaller
of the two numbers m + 1 and n. Thus, if we wish to always be able to solve
L(pp) = (y1 , . . . , yn ) we need rank A = n. Clearly, the smallest value of m that
works is m = n 1; i.e., A is a square matrix. Another way of stating this
is that for any n distinct numbers x1 , . . . , xn the linear transformation L maps
Pn1 (polynomials of degree n 1 or less) onto Rn in a one-to-one fashion.
Example 4. Given the three points (1, 6), (2,0), and (3,6), we know from the
above discussion that there is a polynomial p (t), of degree 3 1 = 2, such that
p (1) = 6, p (2) = 0, and p (3) = 6. Find this polynomial.
Solution. The transformation L : P2 R3 defined by the abscissas of these
three points satisfies
L(11 ) = (1, 1, 1)

L(tt) = (1, 2, 3)

L(tt2 ) = (1, 4, 9)

The matrix representation for this transformation is

1 1 1
A = 1 2 4
1 3 9

This matrix has rank equal to 3. We wish to find p (t) such that L(pp) = (6, 0, 6).
In terms of the coefficients aj of p (t) = a0 + a1 t + a2 t2 , we want a solution to
the equation

a0
6
A a1 = 0
a2
6

The unique solution to this equation is a0 = 12, a1 = 6, a2 = 0. Thus,

p (t) = 12 + 6t is the unique polynomial of degree 2 or less that fits the data.
We know that the polynomial is unique, since the matrix A has rank 3, which
implies that dim(ker(L)) = 3 3 = 0. See Figure 3.4.


136

CHAPTER 3. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS

(3,6)
p(t) = 12 + 6t
(2,0)

(1,6)

Figure 3.4

Problem Set 3.4

1. Calculate the rank of each of the following matrices:

1 1
1


1
1 0


1
1 1

a. 1 0 1
b. 0
c.
d.

1 1
1
0 1
1
1 0 1

2. Calculate the rank of

1


a. 1 2
b. 1
0

each of the following matrices:

 
2
7
0
c.
5
1

3. Each of the matrices below represents a linear transformation from Rn to

Rm . Determine the values of n and m for each matrix. Then determine
the dimensions of the range and kernel of L

1
2 1
3
1 0 1
1 1
1 1

0 0

0
1
0
1
b.
a.

1 0
0
1
0
1
0
0 0
1
1
1
0
0

137

3.4. RANK OF A MATRIX

4. For each matrix below, determine the dimensions of the range and kernel.
Then decide if the linear transformation it represents is onto and/or oneto-one.

 
1 2


7

a. 1 2
b. 1 0
c.
5
0 1
5. For each matrix below determine the dimensions of the range and kernel.
Then decide if the linear transformation it represents is onto and/or oneto-one.

2
3 5
7
1 1 1
1 1 1 1

5 0
4

0 5
1
b.
a.

5
2 1
0
1
2 3
4
1 1
1
1
1 0
0

6. Compute the row rank and column rank of each of the following matrices:

1
2 1


3 6 4 1
4
1
6 0 3
5 6

a.
b. 2 8 4 3
c.
8 1 2
2 1 1 0
4 1 0 0
6
1 0
7. Consider the following system of linear equations:
2x1

6x3 = 6
x2 + x3 = 1

Let A be the coefficient matrix of this system.

a. Compute the rank of A.
b. dim(ker(A)) =? Find a basis for ker(A).
c. dim(Rg(A)) =? Find a basis for Rg(A).
d. Is A a one-to-one linear transformation?
e. Is A onto?
f. Does the above system of equations have a solution? If yes, characterize the solution set in terms of the kernel of A and one particular
solution.
8. Let L : R3 R2 have the matrix representation


2
1 3
A=
4 1 0
Show that the range of L and the column space of A are the same subspace
of R2 .

138

CHAPTER 3. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS

9. Consider the following system of linear equations:

4x1
+ 2x3 + x4 = 0
2x1 x2 + x3 + 3x4 = 1
8x1 2x2 4x3 + 3x4 = 2
Let A be the coefficient matrix of this system.
a. Compute the rank of A.
b. dim(ker(A)) =? Find a basis for ker(A).
c. dim(Rg(A)) =? Find a basis for Rg(A).
d. Is A a one-to-one linear transformation?
e. Is A onto?
f. Does the above system of equations have a solution? If yes, characterize the solution set in terms of the kernel of A and a particular
solution.
x1 , . . .,
10. Let x k for k = 1, 2, . . . , p be vectors in a vector space. Let V = S[x
x p ]. If c is any nonzero constant show that
x1 , x 2 , . . . , x p ].
a. V = S[cx
x1 , cx
x1 + x 2 , . . . , x p ].
b. V = S[x
The reader should note that the result proved in this problem is what is
needed to verify Theorem 3.6, the vectors then representing the rows or
columns of a matrix.
11. Given data points (1,0) and (2,1), define L : P2 R2 by L(pp) = (pp(1),
p (2)). Here p = p (t) is any polynomial of degree 2 or less. Find the matrix
representation of L with respect to the standard bases in P2 and R2 . Show
that the rank of A equals 2. What does this say about fitting polynomials
of degree at most 2 through the data points (1,0) and (2,1)?
12. Let p be any polynomial in P2 . Define L : P2 R3 by L(pp) = (pp(2), p (0),
p (1)). Find the matrix representation A of L with respect to the standard
bases in P2 and R3 . Show that A has rank equal to 3. What does this say
about fitting polynomials of degree 2 or less through three points in the
plane with x coordinates 2, 0, and 1?
13. Find a polynomial in P1 , if possible, that fits the following data:
a (2,6), (3,6)

b. (2,0), (1, 4)

c. (2,6), (3,6), (4,7)

14. Find a polynomial in P2 , if possible, that fits the following data:

a. (2, 6), (3,7)
b. (2, 6), (3,7), (4,7)
c. (2, 6), (3,7), (4,7), (5,8)

139

3.4. RANK OF A MATRIX

15. Let V = C[0, 1], the vector space of real-valued continuous functions defined on [0,1]. Define the mapping L by
L[ff ] =

f (0)
+f
2

 
 
f (1)
1
1
+
2
2
2

Thus, if f (1) = sin t, we have L[ff ] = [(sin 0)/2 + sin 12 + (sin 1)/2]( 21 ).
This formula is just the trapezoid rule for the approximate evaluation of
integrals over the interval [0,1] using the points 0, 21 , and 1.
a. Show that L is a linear transformation, after deciding of course what
W should be. Characterize the range and kernel of L.
1
b. Let L1 [ff ] = L[ff ] 0 f (t)dt. Show that L1 is also a linear transformation. How would you describe its kernel?
16. For each of the following matrices A compute the rank of A, AT , AAT ,
and AT A. You should get rank AT A equals rank A and rank AAT equals
rank AT . Hence all four numbers are equal.






1 0 2
1 2
a. 1 1 2
b.
c.
0 1 3
3
2

17. Let A be any m n matrix. How are the row space of A and the range of
AT related?
18. Let x1 , x2 , and x3 be three different numbers.


1 x1
a. Show rank
= 2.
1 x2

1 x1 x21
b. Show rank 1 x2 x22 = 3.
1 x3 x23
Hint: The matrix in a is row equivalent to


1
0


x1
.
x2 x1

19. Define L : P2 R3 by L[pp] = (pp(x1 ), p (x2 ), p (x3 )), where the xj s are all
different. Show that L is one-to-one and onto.
20. Let x1 , x2 , . . . , xn be n pairwise distinct numbers. Let

1 x1 x21 . . . x1n1
1 x2 x2 . . . xn1
2
2

A=
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1 xn x2n . . . xnn1
Show that rank A = n.

140

3.5

CHAPTER 3. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS

Change of Basis Formulas

In Section 3.3 we learned how to represent a linear transformation as a matrix,

and in the last section we saw how the matrix can be used to tell us some facts
about the kernel and range of the linear transformation. Clearly the simpler
the matrix representation the easier it is to understand the linear transformation. Since Gaussian elimination is a method used to obtain a simple matrix
representation for a system of equations, we have already seen the utility of
finding nice representations.
Once we have a fixed linear transformation, that maps a vector space V into
itself, the only variable in determining its matrix representation is our choice of
basis.
Before studying how to pick such a basis (cf. Chapter 5), we need to learn
how the matrix representations of the same linear transformation with respect to
different bases are related to each other. Thus, let L be a linear transformation
from V into V , where dim(V ) = n. Let F = {ff j : j = 1, . . . , n} and G =
{gg j : j = 1, . . . , n} be two bases of V . Let A = [ajk ] be the matrix representation
of L with respect to F and let B = [bjk ] be the matrix representation of L with
respect to G. This means that the following equations hold:
L[ff j ] =
L[gg j ] =

n
X

k=1
n
X

akj f k

(3.7)

bkj g k

(3.8)

k=1

x]TG = P [x
x]TF , that is
Let P = [pjk ] be the change of basis matrix that satisfies [x
n
X

pkj g k

(3.9)

n
X

qkj f k

(3.10)

fj =

k=1

and if P 1 = [qjk ], then

gj =

k=1

We refer the reader to Theorem 2.11 and the material preceding it. Computing
L[ff j ], we have
" n
#
n
X
X
L[ff j ] = L
pkj L[gg k ]
pkj g k =
k=1

k=1

=
=

n
X

k=1
n
X

pkj

m=1

n
X

bskg s

s=1
n
n X
X
k=1 s=1

n X
n
X
k=1 s=1

(qms bsk pkj ) f m

pkj bsk

n
X

m=1

qmsf m

141

3.5. CHANGE OF BASIS FORMULAS

Comparing this expression with (3.7) and equating coefficients, we have
amj =

n X
n
X

qms bsk pkj

(3.11)

k=1 s=1

for m and j varying from 1 through n. However, the right-hand side of (3.11)
is the m, j entry of the matrix P 1 BP . Thus we have
A = P 1 BP

and B = P AP 1

(3.12)

A better way to remember how the matrix representations A and B are related
is to utilize formulas (3.3), that is,
x)]TF = A[x
x]TF
[L(x

x]TG
x)]TG = B[x
[L(x

Thus,
x )]TG = P [L(x
x)]TF = P (A[x
x ]TF )
[L(x
x]TG ) = (P AP 1 )[x
x ]TG
= (P A)(P 1 [x
Hence, we must have B = P AP 1 . The reader is referred to problem 11 in
Section 2.6 for a justification of this last step.
Example 1. Let L be a linear transformation from R2 to R2 defined by
L(x1 , x2 ) = (2x1 +x2 , 3x1 2x2 ). Verify formulas (3.12) for F = {(1, 1), (1, 2)}
and G = {(1, 1), (2, 0)}.
Solution. Writing the vectors in F as linear combinations of the vectors in G,
we have
(1, 1) = (1, 1) + 0(2, 0)


3
(1, 2) = 2(1, 1) +
(2, 0)
2
Thus,


1 2
P =
0 23

"

1
0

4
3
32

To determine A, we compute
2
7
(1, 1) (1, 2)
3
3
7
7
L(1, 2) = (0, 7) = (1, 1) (1, 2)
3
3
L(1, 1) = (3, 1) =

Thus,
A=

"

7
3
23

37
37

142

CHAPTER 3. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS

To determine B, we compute
L(1, 1) = (3, 1) = (1, 1) (2, 0)
L(2, 0) = (4, 6) = 6(1, 1) (2, 0)
Thus,


1 6
B=
1 1

Computing P 1 BP we have
"

4
1
3
2
0 3

#

 " 7

1 6 1 2
3
=
1 1
0 23
23

#
37
=A
37

which is formula (3.12).

Example 2. Let L : R4 R4 be a linear transformation defined by

L(x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 ) = (2x3 + x4 , 3x1 + x2 x4 , x1 x3 + 6x4 , x2 x3 )
Let S be the standard basis of R4 and let G = {(1, 0, 1, 1), (0, 1, 1, 0), (0, 0, 1, 1),
(1, 0, 1, 0)}. Find the matrix representations of L with respect to S, and then
G, by employing (3.12).
Solution. Let A be the matrix representation of L with respect to S. By
inspection we have

0 0
2
1
3 1
0 1

A=
1 0 1
6
0 1 1
0

If P 1 is the change of basis matrix that satisfies [x]TS = P 1 [x]TG then,

P 1

1
0 0
0
1 0
=
1 1 1
1
0 1

1
0

1
0

An easy computation gives us

1
1
1 1
0
1
0
0

P =
1 1 1
2
0
1
1 1
Using (3.12), where B is the matrix representation of L with respect to the basis

143

3.5. CHANGE OF BASIS FORMULAS

G, we have
B = P AP 1

1
1
1 1
0
0
3
1
0
0

=
1 1 1
2 1
0
1
1 1
0

4 2
2 1
2 1 1 3

=
5 0 3
3
7 0
5 2

0
2
1
0
0 1
1 1

1 1
0 0
0
1
1 0

6 1 1 1
0
1
0 1

1
0

1
0

As a check on our computations we compute L(1, 0, 1, 1) using the matrix B,

and then compare this with our original definition of L. The vector (1, 0, 1, 1)
is the first vector in the basis G. Thus, the first column of B contains the
coordinates of L(1, 0, 1, 1) with respect to the basis G. Hence,
L(1, 0, 1, 1) = 4(1, 0, 1, 1) + 2(0, 1, 1, 0) 5(0, 0, 1, 1) + 7(1, 0, 1, 0)
= (3, 2, 4, 1)

This is exactly what we get when we compute L(1, 0, 1, 1) directly.

The preceding calculations have shown us that if L : V V is a linear

transformation, and A and B are two matrix representations of L with respect
to two different bases of V , then there is a matrix P such that A = P 1 BP .
Definition 3.9. Let A and B be two n n matrices. We say that A is similar
to B, if there is a nonsingular matrix P such that A = P 1 BP .
As we have seen, the matrix P is nothing more than the matrix relating two different bases of our vector space. Moreover, we understand that similar matrices
are just different matrix representations of the same linear transformation.
The change of basis discussion assumed that the linear transformation L
mapped V into V . What happens when L : V W , and we change bases in
V and W ? Without going through the calculations, we state the appropriate
theorem.
Theorem 3.8. Let L : V W be a linear transformation. Let F and F be two
bases of V . Let G and G be two bases of W . Let A be the matrix representation
of L using the bases F and G while B is the representation using the bases F
x]TF = P [x
x]TF .
and G . Let P = [pjk ] be the change of basis matrix that satisfies [x
T
T
Let Q = [qjk ] be the matrix that satisfies [yy ]G = Q[yy ]G . Then
A = Q1 BP

(3.13)

The reader should look at problem 9 at the end of this section for one method of
proving this result.

144

CHAPTER 3. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS

Problem Set 3.5

1. Let L : R2 R2 be defined by L(x1 , x2 ) = (2x1 , 2x2 ). Let F = {(1, 1),
(2, 5)}.
a. Find the matrix representation A of L with respect to the standard
basis S.
x ]TF = P [x
x]TS . Find
b. Let P be the change of basis matrix that satisfies [x
1
P and P .
c. Find the matrix representation B of L with respect to the basis F
by using (3.12).
2. Let A be any 2 2 scalar matrix, that is


c 0
A=
= cI2
0 c
Let P be any 2 2 nonsingular matrix. Show that P AP 1 equals A; cf.
problem 1.
3. Let L : R3 R3 . Let F = {(1, 2, 3), (1, 0, 0), (0, 1, 0)}. Suppose

0 1 2
0
A = 2 1
5 0
1

is the matrix representation of L with respect to the basis F . Use (3.12)

to find the matrix representation of L with respect to the standard basis;
cf. problem 4 of Section 3.2.


2 1
4. Suppose A =
is the matrix representation of a linear transfor1 2


0 1
mation with respect to the standard basis. Let P =
and set
1 0
B = P AP 1 . Then B can be thought of as the matrix representation of
L with respect to some other basis. What is this basis?
5. Let A, B, and C be three n n matrices. Show that
a. A is similar to itself.
b. If A is similar to B, then B is similar to A.
c. If A is similar to B and B is similar to C, then A is similar to C.
6. Let A be any 2 2 matrix. Show that if A is similar to I2 , then A = I2 .
7. Let F = {(1, 2), (1, 0)} and G = {(1, 1), (0, 1)}. Let L(x1 , x2 ) = (x1 +
x2 , 2x1 x2 ). Find the matrix representations of L with respect to bases
F and G. Verify (3.12).

145

3.5. CHANGE OF BASIS FORMULAS

8. Let F = {(1, 0, 1), (0, 1, 1), (1, 1, 0)} and G = {(1, 0, 1), (1, 1, 0), (0, 0, 1)}.
Let L(x1 , x2 , x3 ) = (x1 + x2 + x3 , x2 + x3 , x3 ). Verify (3.12) for the above
bases and linear transformation L.
9. Prove Theorem 3.8. Hint: Use problem 11 in Section 2.6 and
(3.3).

 
 
 

1 0
0 1
0 0
0 0
10. Let F1 =
,
,
,
0 0
0 0
1 0
0 1

 
 
 

0 1
1 0
1 1
1 1
Let F2 =
,
,
,
1 1
1 1
0 1
1 0

 
 
 
 
1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 1
0 0 0
0 0
Let G1 =
,
,
,
,
0 0 0
0 0 0
0 0 0
1 0 0
0 1


0 0 0
0 0 1

 
 
 
 
0 1 1
1 0 1
1 1 0
1 1 1
1 1
Let G2 =
,
,
,
,
1 1 1
1 1 1
1 1 1
0 1 1
1 0


1 1 1
1 1 0

formula


0
,
0


1
,
1

Let j Ak be the matrix representation of a linear transformation L : M22

M23 with respect to the bases Gj and Fk . That is,
x]TFk
x )]TGj = j Ak [x
[L(x

Suppose that

2
0 3
1
0
1

0
1
4

1 A1 =
3
1
5

2 2
0
1
2
3
Find the other three matrix representations.

0
0

1
4

11. Suppose A and B are similar n n matrices, i.e., there is a matrix P such
that A = P BP 1 .
a. How are ker(A) and ker(B) related?
b. How are Rg(A) and Rg(B) related?
12. Let L : P2 P2 be a linear transformation. Let F = {t2 +t1, t2 +2, t6}.
Suppose the matrix representation of L with respect to F is

14 2 18
18
A = 23 11
11
2
15
Find the matrix representation of L with respect to the standard basis of
P2 .

146

CHAPTER 3. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS

Supplementary Problems
1. Define and give examples of each of the following:
a. Linear transformation
b. Range and kernel of a linear transformation
c. Rank of a matrix
d. Column (row) rank

2
6
2. Let A = 1 2 be the matrix representation of a linear transformation
3
5
from Rk to RP .
a. k =?p =?
b. Determine the dimensions of ker(A) and Rg(A).
3. For each of
the kernel:

3 1
a. 1 0
1 1

the following matrices determine the rank and find a basis for

2
1
1

1 2
b. 4 3
1 0

0 6
1 0
0 1

4. Let A and B be two matrices. Show that

4
c. 6
2

2 4
3 6
1 2

6
9
1

Rank(AB) minimum{rank(A),rank(B)}
Hint: Rank (A) equals dim(Rg(A)).
5. Define L : R2 R2 by L(x1 , x2 ) = (x1 + x2 , x2 ). Show that L maps
the straight line y = mx onto the straight line y = [m/(m + 1)]x. What
happens to the line y = x?
6. Describe, geometrically, the following linear transformations, and in each
case determine the kernel and range:
a. L(x1 , x2 ) = (x1 x2 , x1 + x2 )

b. L(x1 , x2 ) = (2x1 x2 , 4x1 2x2 )

7. Let V1 , V2 , and V3 be vector spaces with bases F1 , F2 , and F3 , respectively.
Suppose L1 : V1 V2 and L2 : V2 V3 are linear transformations. Let
A1 and A2 be their corresponding matrix representations with respect to
x) = L2 (L1 (x
x )).
the given bases. Define L : V1 V3 by L(x
a Show that L is a linear transformation from V1 to V3 .
b. Show that the matrix representation of L with respect to the bases
F1 and F3 is A2 A1 .

3.5. CHANGE OF BASIS FORMULAS

147

8. A linear transformation L : R2 R2 is said to be positive if it maps

the first quadrant into the first quadrant; that is, if x1 and x2 are both
positive, then so are y1 and y2 , where L(x1 , x2 ) = (y1 , y2 ).
a. Let L(x1 , x2 ) = (ax1 + bx2 , cx1 + dx2 ). Show that L is positive if and
only if a, b, c, and d are all non-negative and at least one of {a, b} is
positive and one of {c, d} is positive.

b. Find a positive linear transformation whose matrix representation

with respect to some basis has at least one negative entry.

c. Find an example of a positive linear transformation whose kernel has

dimension equal to 1.
9. A mapping T from a vector space V into V is said to be an affine transformation if
x) = L(x
x) + a
T (x
where L is a linear transformation from V into V and a is any fixed vector
in V .
x) = L(x
x) + a is a linear transformation if and only if
a. Show that T (x
a equals the zero vector.
b. Given any straight line in R2 , show that there is an affine transformation that maps the line x2 = 0 onto the given line. Hint: Rotate
and then translate.
10. Two vector spaces V1 and V2 are said to be isomorphic if there is a linear
transformation L : V1 V2 that is both one-to-one and onto.
a. Suppose dim(V1 ) = m and V1 is isomorphic to V2 . Show dim(V2 ) =
m.
b. Show that two finite-dimensional vector spaces are isomorphic if and
only if they have the same dimension.
c. Let V1 = R1 and let V2 be the vector space defined in Example 5
Section 2.2. Define L : V1 V2 by L(x) = ex . Show that L is a
linear transformation that is one-to-one and onto.
Pn
2
11. Let V = { k=1 ak sin(kx)ek t , n any positive integer and ak arbitrary
numbers}.
a. Under ordinary addition and multiplication show that V is a vector
2u
space. Define L : V V by L[u] = u
t x2 .

b. Show L is a linear transformation.

c. Find the kernel and range of L.

148

CHAPTER 3. LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS

12. If V is a finite-dimensional space and L is a linear transformation from V

into V , then L is one-to-one if and only if L is onto. This result, as the
following shows, may not be true if V is infinite-dimensional. Let V be
the vector space of all polynomials in the variable t.
a. Define L[pp](t) = tpp(t). Thus, L[tt] = t 2 , L[tt2 ] = t 3 , and L[ttn ] = t n+1 .
Show that L is one-to-one but not onto.
b. Define L[pp](t) = p (t). Thus, L[ttn ] = nttn1 . Show that L is onto but
not one-to-one. What is the kernel of L?
13. Let L be a linear transformation from V into V . A subspace W of V is
x] is also in W . Thus,
said to be invariant under L if, for every x in W , L[x
we may also consider L to be a linear transformation from W to W . Show
that for any linear transformation L each of the following is an invariant
subspace:
a. W = {0}, W = V .

x : L[x
x] = x} is an invariant
b. For any constant , show W = {x
subspace.

2 1 0
14. Let A = 2 3 0 be the matrix representation of a linear transfor0 0 4
mation L with respect to the standard basis. Show that S[ee1 ] is not an
invariant subspace but that S[ee1 , e2 ] and S[ee3 ] are invariant subspaces; cf.
problem 13.
x1 , . . . , x n } be a basis for a vector space V . Let L be a linear
15. Let F = {x
x 1 , . . . , xk ] and S[x
xk+1 , . . . , xn ]
transformation from V into V for which S[x
are both invariant subspaces of L. Let A be the matrix representation of
L with respect to the basis F . Show that


B1 0
A=
0 B2
where B1 is a kk matrix and B2 is an (nk)(nk) matrix. Conversely,
suppose that A has the above form. Show that the above two subspaces
must be invariant.