SOLUTION: Let A be a 2x2 matrix. Prove that if there exists a linearly independent set of vectors {v1, v2} in R^2 such that Avi=0 for i=1,2, then A is the zero matrix. (the 'i' in Avi=0 is

Algebra ->  Matrices-and-determiminant -> SOLUTION: Let A be a 2x2 matrix. Prove that if there exists a linearly independent set of vectors {v1, v2} in R^2 such that Avi=0 for i=1,2, then A is the zero matrix. (the 'i' in Avi=0 is       Log On


   



Question 1036149: Let A be a 2x2 matrix. Prove that if there exists a linearly independent set of vectors {v1, v2} in R^2 such that Avi=0 for i=1,2, then A is the zero matrix.
(the 'i' in Avi=0 is a subscript as well as the '1' and '2' in v1,v2)
Thanks!

Answer by robertb(5830) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
If the set { v%5B1%5D, v%5B2%5D } is a linearly independent set in R%5E2, then it is also a basis for R%5E2.
==> for any non-zero vector v in R%5E2,
v+=+c%5B1%5D%2Av%5B1%5D+%2B+c%5B2%5D%2Av%5B2%5D for some constants +c%5B1%5D and c%5B2%5D both not necessarily zero.
Left multiplying the previous equation with A, we get

, where THETA is the zero-vector in R%5E2.
In other words, the effect of left-multiplying A with any non-zero vector in R%5E2 is to turn it into the zero vector.
Only the 2x2 zero matrix has this effect in R%5E2, and therefore A+=+%28matrix%282%2C2%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C0%29%29.