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Chapter 4

Mathematics Core: Calculus and Linear Algebra

TU BSc past exam questions

Past questions and answers

9 questions set from this chapter. Most repeated first.

  • 2082 · MAT 201 (New Course) · 8 marks

Define linear equation and system of linear equation with an example of each. Examine whether the system of equations are consistent. If so, solve the following system of equations using Gaussian elimination method: x+3y−2z=3x + 3y - 2z = 3, 2x−3y+z=22x - 3y + z = 2, 4x−3y+2z=24x - 3y + 2z = 2 [2+2+4]

Answer

Definitions

Linear equation:
An equation in which each variable occurs only to the first power and no product of variables appears is called a linear equation.
General form in variables (x_1,x_2,\dots,x_n): [ a_1x_1+a_2x_2+\cdots+a_nx_n=b, ] where (a_1,a_2,\dots,a_n,b) are constants and not all (a_i) are zero.
Example: [ 2x-3y+z=4. ]

System of linear equations:
A collection of two or more linear equations involving the same variables is called a system of linear equations.
Example: [ \begin{cases} x+y=3,\ 2x-y=0. \end{cases} ]


Given system

[ \begin{aligned} x+3y-2z&=3\ 2x-3y+z&=2\ 4x-3y+2z&=2 \end{aligned} ]

Augmented matrix: [ \left[\begin{array}{ccc|c} 1 & 3 & -2 & 3\ 2 & -3 & 1 & 2\ 4 & -3 & 2 & 2 \end{array}\right] ]

Apply Gaussian elimination.

[ R_2 \to R_2-2R_1,\qquad R_3 \to R_3-4R_1 ]

[ \left[\begin{array}{ccc|c} 1 & 3 & -2 & 3\ 0 & -9 & 5 & -4\ 0 & -15 & 10 & -10 \end{array}\right] ]

Now eliminate the (y)-term from (R_3): [ R_3 \to R_3-\frac{5}{3}R_2 ]

[ \left[\begin{array}{ccc|c} 1 & 3 & -2 & 3\ 0 & -9 & 5 & -4\ 0 & 0 & \frac{5}{3} & -\frac{10}{3} \end{array}\right] ]

This is in row-echelon form.

The coefficient matrix has rank (3), and the augmented matrix also has rank (3). Since [ \text{rank}(A)=\text{rank}([A|B])=3=\text{number of unknowns}, ] the system is consistent and has a unique solution.


Back substitution

From the last row: [ \frac{5}{3}z=-\frac{10}{3} ] [ z=-2 ]

From the second row: [ -9y+5z=-4 ] [ -9y+5(-2)=-4 ] [ -9y-10=-4 ] [ -9y=6 ] [ y=-\frac{2}{3} ]

From the first row: [ x+3y-2z=3 ] [ x+3\left(-\frac{2}{3}\right)-2(-2)=3 ] [ x-2+4=3 ] [ x+2=3 ] [ x=1 ]

Hence the solution is [ \boxed{x=1,\quad y=-\frac{2}{3},\quad z=-2} ]

So the system is consistent and has the unique solution [ \boxed{(x,y,z)=\left(1,-\frac{2}{3},-2\right)}. ]

Answer checked by Claude Haiku · Oct 21, 2026

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  • 2082 · MAT 201 (New Course) · 4 marks

Let A=(123400)A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & 4 \\ 0 & 0 \end{pmatrix}. Establish that the mapping TT defined by T(x)=AxT(x) = Ax is one to one but not onto. Where as the mapping S:R2→R3S: \mathbb{R}^2 \to \mathbb{R}^3 defined by S(x)=AxS(x) = Ax is onto but not one to one. [4+4] OR State the condition when a square matrix A possess an inverse. Let A=(3−15−2)A = \begin{pmatrix} 3 & -1 \\ 5 & -2 \end{pmatrix} and B=(pqrs)B = \begin{pmatrix} p & q \\ r & s \end{pmatrix} be matrices of order 2. Determine the matrix BB when AA and BB are inverse of each other. Also, verify that A2A^2 and B2B^2 are inverse of each other. [1+4+3]

Answer

Part 1: T:R2→R3T:\mathbb{R}^2\to\mathbb{R}^3, T(x)=AxT(x)=Ax

Here A=(123400)A=\begin{pmatrix}1&2\\3&4\\0&0\end{pmatrix}, so for x=(x1x2)x=\begin{pmatrix}x_1\\x_2\end{pmatrix},

T(x)=Ax=(x1+2x23x1+4x20).T(x)=Ax=\begin{pmatrix}x_1+2x_2\\3x_1+4x_2\\0\end{pmatrix}.

TT is one-to-one. Let T(x)=T(y)T(x)=T(y) for x,y∈R2x,y\in\mathbb{R}^2. Then A(x−y)=0A(x-y)=0. Put u=x−y=(u1u2)u=x-y=\begin{pmatrix}u_1\\u_2\end{pmatrix}. Then

u1+2u2=0,3u1+4u2=0.u_1+2u_2=0,\qquad 3u_1+4u_2=0.

From the first, u1=−2u2u_1=-2u_2. Substituting in the second, −6u2+4u2=0-6u_2+4u_2=0, i.e. −2u2=0-2u_2=0, so u2=0u_2=0 and hence u1=0u_1=0. Thus u=0u=0, i.e. x=yx=y. Therefore TT is one-to-one.

(Equivalently, the two columns (130),(240)\begin{pmatrix}1\\3\\0\end{pmatrix},\begin{pmatrix}2\\4\\0\end{pmatrix} are linearly independent, since det⁡(1234)=−2≠0\det\begin{pmatrix}1&2\\3&4\end{pmatrix}=-2\neq0; so ker⁡T={0}\ker T=\{0\}.)

TT is not onto. Every image vector has third coordinate 00:

Range(T)={(ab0):a,b∈R}={(x,y,z)∈R3:z=0},\text{Range}(T)=\left\{\begin{pmatrix}a\\b\\0\end{pmatrix}:a,b\in\mathbb{R}\right\}=\{(x,y,z)\in\mathbb{R}^3:z=0\},

the xyxy-plane. For instance (001)∈R3\begin{pmatrix}0\\0\\1\end{pmatrix}\in\mathbb{R}^3 has no pre-image, since T(x)T(x) can never have third coordinate 11. Hence TT is not onto. (Indeed dim⁡(Range T)=rank A=2<3=dim⁡R3\dim(\text{Range}\,T)=\text{rank}\,A=2<3=\dim\mathbb{R}^3.)


Part 2: S:R3→R2S:\mathbb{R}^3\to\mathbb{R}^2, S(x)=ATxS(x)=A^{T}x

(As printed the map S(x)=AxS(x)=Ax would coincide with TT; the intended statement is the transpose map S:R3→R2S:\mathbb{R}^3\to\mathbb{R}^2, S(x)=ATxS(x)=A^{T}x, which is onto but not one-to-one.)

AT=(130240),S(x)=ATx=(x1+3x22x1+4x2).A^{T}=\begin{pmatrix}1&3&0\\2&4&0\end{pmatrix},\qquad S(x)=A^{T}x=\begin{pmatrix}x_1+3x_2\\2x_1+4x_2\end{pmatrix}.

SS is onto. Let (ab)∈R2\begin{pmatrix}a\\b\end{pmatrix}\in\mathbb{R}^2 be arbitrary. We need x1,x2x_1,x_2 with

x1+3x2=a,2x1+4x2=b.x_1+3x_2=a,\qquad 2x_1+4x_2=b.

The coefficient matrix (1324)\begin{pmatrix}1&3\\2&4\end{pmatrix} has determinant 4−6=−2≠04-6=-2\neq0, so the system has a unique solution for every (a,b)(a,b). Explicitly, from the first equation x1=a−3x2x_1=a-3x_2; putting this in the second, 2a−6x2+4x2=b2a-6x_2+4x_2=b, so x2=a−b2x_2=a-\tfrac b2 and x1=−2a+3b2x_1=-2a+\tfrac{3b}{2}. Hence

S(−2a+3b2,  a−b2,  0)=(ab),S\left(-2a+\tfrac{3b}{2},\;a-\tfrac b2,\;0\right)=\begin{pmatrix}a\\b\end{pmatrix},

so every element of R2\mathbb{R}^2 is an image. Thus SS is onto. (Here rank AT=2=dim⁡R2\text{rank}\,A^{T}=2=\dim\mathbb{R}^2.)

SS is not one-to-one. Take u=(001)≠(000)u=\begin{pmatrix}0\\0\\1\end{pmatrix}\neq\begin{pmatrix}0\\0\\0\end{pmatrix}, but

S(u)=(0+00+0)=(00)=S(0).S(u)=\begin{pmatrix}0+0\\0+0\end{pmatrix}=\begin{pmatrix}0\\0\end{pmatrix}=S(0).

So two distinct vectors have the same image; SS is not one-to-one. In fact

ker⁡S={(0,0,t):t∈R}≠{0},\ker S=\{(0,0,t):t\in\mathbb{R}\}\neq\{0\},

so nullity=3−2=1\text{nullity}=3-2=1.


OR

Condition for the existence of A−1A^{-1}

A square matrix AA of order nn possesses an inverse if and only if AA is non-singular, i.e.

det⁡A≠0(equivalently, rank A=n).\det A\neq 0\qquad(\text{equivalently, rank }A=n).

When this holds, A−1A^{-1} is unique and is given by

A−1=1det⁡A adj A.A^{-1}=\frac{1}{\det A}\,\text{adj}\,A .

If det⁡A=0\det A=0, then AA is singular and has no inverse.

Determination of BB

Given A=(3−15−2)A=\begin{pmatrix}3&-1\\5&-2\end{pmatrix} and B=(pqrs)B=\begin{pmatrix}p&q\\r&s\end{pmatrix}, with AA and BB inverses of each other, i.e. AB=BA=IAB=BA=I.

det⁡A=3(−2)−(−1)(5)=−6+5=−1≠0,\det A=3(-2)-(-1)(5)=-6+5=-1\neq0,

so A−1A^{-1} exists. For a 2×22\times2 matrix (abcd)\begin{pmatrix}a&b\\c&d\end{pmatrix},

(abcd)−1=1ad−bc(d−b−ca).\begin{pmatrix}a&b\\c&d\end{pmatrix}^{-1}=\frac{1}{ad-bc}\begin{pmatrix}d&-b\\-c&a\end{pmatrix}.

Hence

B=A−1=1−1(−21−53)=(2−15−3).B=A^{-1}=\frac{1}{-1}\begin{pmatrix}-2&1\\-5&3\end{pmatrix}=\begin{pmatrix}2&-1\\5&-3\end{pmatrix}.

So

p=2,q=−1,r=5,s=−3\boxed{p=2,\quad q=-1,\quad r=5,\quad s=-3}

Check:

AB=(3−15−2)(2−15−3)=(6−5−3+310−10−5+6)=(1001)=I,AB=\begin{pmatrix}3&-1\\5&-2\end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix}2&-1\\5&-3\end{pmatrix}=\begin{pmatrix}6-5&-3+3\\10-10&-5+6\end{pmatrix}=\begin{pmatrix}1&0\\0&1\end{pmatrix}=I,

and similarly BA=IBA=I. So AA and BB are indeed inverses.

Verification that A2A^2 and B2B^2 are inverses

A2=(3−15−2)(3−15−2)=(9−5−3+215−10−5+4)=(4−15−1),A^2=\begin{pmatrix}3&-1\\5&-2\end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix}3&-1\\5&-2\end{pmatrix}=\begin{pmatrix}9-5&-3+2\\15-10&-5+4\end{pmatrix}=\begin{pmatrix}4&-1\\5&-1\end{pmatrix},

B2=(2−15−3)(2−15−3)=(4−5−2+310−15−5+9)=(−11−54).B^2=\begin{pmatrix}2&-1\\5&-3\end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix}2&-1\\5&-3\end{pmatrix}=\begin{pmatrix}4-5&-2+3\\10-15&-5+9\end{pmatrix}=\begin{pmatrix}-1&1\\-5&4\end{pmatrix}.

Now

A2B2=(4−15−1)(−11−54)=(−4+54−4−5+55−4)=(1001)=I.A^2B^2=\begin{pmatrix}4&-1\\5&-1\end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix}-1&1\\-5&4\end{pmatrix}=\begin{pmatrix}-4+5&4-4\\-5+5&5-4\end{pmatrix}=\begin{pmatrix}1&0\\0&1\end{pmatrix}=I .

Similarly,

B2A2=(−11−54)(4−15−1)=(−4+51−1−20+205−4)=(1001)=I.B^2A^2=\begin{pmatrix}-1&1\\-5&4\end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix}4&-1\\5&-1\end{pmatrix}=\begin{pmatrix}-4+5&1-1\\-20+20&5-4\end{pmatrix}=\begin{pmatrix}1&0\\0&1\end{pmatrix}=I .

(Alternatively, A2B2=(AB)2=I2=IA^2B^2=(AB)^2=I^2=I.)

Since A2B2=B2A2=IA^2B^2=B^2A^2=I, the matrices A2A^2 and B2B^2 are inverses of each other. ■\blacksquare

Answer checked by Claude Haiku · Oct 21, 2026

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  • 2082 · MAT 201 (New Course) · 8 marks

If a vector space has a finite basis, then prove that all of its bases have the same number of elements. [8] OR If TT is a linear transformation whose domain is n-dimensional vector space, then prove that Dim(ker(T))+Dim(Im(T))=n\text{Dim}(\text{ker}(T)) + \text{Dim}(\text{Im}(T)) = n.

Answer

Proof: Let (V) be a vector space over a field (F). Suppose (V) has a finite basis
[ B={v_1,v_2,\dots,v_n}. ] Let
[ B'={w_1,w_2,\dots,w_m} ] be any other basis of (V). We prove that (m=n).

Since (B) spans (V), each (w_j) can be written as a linear combination of the vectors (v_i): [ w_j=a_{1j}v_1+a_{2j}v_2+\cdots+a_{nj}v_n,\qquad j=1,2,\dots,m. ] Form the (n\times m) matrix (A=(a_{ij})).

If (m>n), then the homogeneous system [ A c=0 ] has a nontrivial solution (c=(c_1,c_2,\dots,c_m)^T\neq 0), because the number of unknowns (m) is greater than the number of equations (n). Equivalently, [ \operatorname{rank}(A)\le n<m, ] so the nullity of (A) is positive.

For this nonzero vector (c), [ \sum_{j=1}^m c_j w_j

\sum_{j=1}^m c_j\left(\sum_{i=1}^n a_{ij}v_i\right)

\sum_{i=1}^n\left(\sum_{j=1}^m a_{ij}c_j\right)v_i

] Since (c\neq 0), this gives a nontrivial linear relation among (w_1,w_2,\dots,w_m), contradicting the fact that (B') is linearly independent. Hence [ m\le n. ]

Now interchange the roles of (B) and (B'). Since (B') spans (V) and (B) is linearly independent, the same argument gives [ n\le m. ] Therefore, [ m=n. ]

Thus every basis of a finite-dimensional vector space has the same number of elements. This common number is called the dimension of (V).

Answer checked by Claude Haiku · Oct 21, 2026

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  • 2082 · MAT 201 (New Course) · 5 marks

Find an orthonormal basis and orthonormal basis for R3\mathbb{R}^3 starting with the vectors (1,1,1)(1, 1, 1), (0,1,1)(0, 1, 1) and (1,0,1)(1, 0, 1). [5+3]

Answer

Let
[ v_1=(1,1,1),\quad v_2=(0,1,1),\quad v_3=(1,0,1). ] Use the Gram–Schmidt process.

1. Orthogonal basis

Set [ u_1=v_1=(1,1,1). ]

Now orthogonalize (v_2) with respect to (u_1): [ u_2=v_2-\frac{v_2\cdot u_1}{u_1\cdot u_1}u_1. ] Here, [ v_2\cdot u_1=0+1+1=2,\qquad u_1\cdot u_1=3. ] So [ u_2=(0,1,1)-\frac{2}{3}(1,1,1) =\left(-\frac23,\frac13,\frac13\right). ] Multiplying by (3), we may take [ u_2=(-2,1,1). ]

Now orthogonalize (v_3) with respect to (u_1) and (u_2): [ u_3=v_3-\frac{v_3\cdot u_1}{u_1\cdot u_1}u_1-\frac{v_3\cdot u_2}{u_2\cdot u_2}u_2. ] Compute: [ v_3\cdot u_1=1+0+1=2, ] [ v_3\cdot u_2=(1)(-2)+0(1)+1(1)=-1, ] [ u_2\cdot u_2=4+1+1=6. ] Thus [ u_3=(1,0,1)-\frac{2}{3}(1,1,1)-\frac{-1}{6}(-2,1,1). ] [ u_3=(1,0,1)-\left(\frac23,\frac23,\frac23\right)+\frac16(-2,1,1) ] [ u_3=\left(0,-\frac12,\frac12\right). ] Multiplying by (2), take [ u_3=(0,-1,1). ]

Hence an orthogonal basis is [ \boxed{{(1,1,1),\ (-2,1,1),\ (0,-1,1)}}. ]

2. Orthonormal basis

Divide each vector by its norm.

[ |(1,1,1)|=\sqrt{1^2+1^2+1^2}=\sqrt3, ] [ |(-2,1,1)|=\sqrt{4+1+1}=\sqrt6, ] [ |(0,-1,1)|=\sqrt{0+1+1}=\sqrt2. ]

Therefore an orthonormal basis is [ \boxed{ \left{ \frac1{\sqrt3}(1,1,1),\ \frac1{\sqrt6}(-2,1,1),\ \frac1{\sqrt2}(0,-1,1) \right} } ] or explicitly, [ \boxed{ \left{ \left(\frac1{\sqrt3},\frac1{\sqrt3},\frac1{\sqrt3}\right), \left(-\frac2{\sqrt6},\frac1{\sqrt6},\frac1{\sqrt6}\right), \left(0,-\frac1{\sqrt2},\frac1{\sqrt2}\right) \right} }. ]

These three vectors are mutually perpendicular and each has unit length, so they form an orthonormal basis of (\mathbb{R}^3).

Answer checked by Claude Haiku · Oct 21, 2026

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  • 2082 · MAT 201 (New Course) · 6 marks

Let L1L_1 and L2L_2 be two lines in R3\mathbb{R}^3 described as L1={u+tv:t∈R}L_1 = \{u + tv : t \in \mathbb{R}\} and L2={w+sz:s∈R}L_2 = \{w + sz : s \in \mathbb{R}\}. Then prove that these lines are the same if and only if u−wu - w and vv are multiples of zz. Also, show that the two lines parametrically in R3\mathbb{R}^3 are parallel and distinct. [6+2]

Answer

Let
[ L_1={u+tv:t\in\mathbb R},\qquad L_2={w+sz:s\in\mathbb R}, ] where (v,z\neq 0) are direction vectors.

1. Prove (L_1=L_2) iff (u-w) and (v) are multiples of (z)

((\Rightarrow)) Suppose (L_1=L_2).

Since (u\in L_1=L_2), there exists (s_0\in\mathbb R) such that [ u=w+s_0z. ] Hence [ u-w=s_0z, ] so (u-w) is a multiple of (z).

Also, since (u+v\in L_1=L_2), there exists (s_1\in\mathbb R) such that [ u+v=w+s_1z. ] Subtracting (u=w+s_0z), we get [ v=(s_1-s_0)z. ] Thus (v) is also a multiple of (z).

So if (L_1=L_2), then (u-w) and (v) are multiples of (z).

((\Leftarrow)) Suppose (u-w) and (v) are multiples of (z).

Then for some (\alpha,\beta\in\mathbb R), [ u-w=\alpha z,\qquad v=\beta z. ] Since (v\neq 0), we have (\beta\neq 0).

Take any point (x\in L_1). Then for some (t\in\mathbb R), [ x=u+tv. ] Using (u=w+\alpha z) and (v=\beta z), [ x=w+\alpha z+t\beta z =w+(\alpha+t\beta)z. ] This is a point of (L_2). Hence (L_1\subseteq L_2).

Conversely, take any point (y\in L_2). Then for some (s\in\mathbb R), [ y=w+sz. ] Since (v=\beta z), we have (z=\frac1\beta v). Also, [ w=u-\alpha z=u-\frac{\alpha}{\beta}v. ] Therefore, [ y=u-\frac{\alpha}{\beta}v+\frac{s}{\beta}v =u+\left(\frac{s-\alpha}{\beta}\right)v. ] This is a point of (L_1). Hence (L_2\subseteq L_1).

Thus (L_1=L_2).

Therefore, [ \boxed{L_1=L_2 \iff u-w \text{ and } v \text{ are multiples of } z.} ]


2. Parallel and distinct lines in (\mathbb R^3)

Two parametrically given lines [ L_1={u+tv},\qquad L_2={w+sz} ] are parallel iff their direction vectors are scalar multiples: [ v=\lambda z,\qquad \lambda\neq 0. ]

If in addition (u-w) is not a multiple of (z), then the lines are parallel and distinct.

Indeed, suppose they met. Then for some (t,s\in\mathbb R), [ u+tv=w+sz. ] Since (v=\lambda z), [ u-w=(s-t\lambda)z, ] which contradicts the assumption that (u-w) is not a multiple of (z). Hence they do not intersect. Since their directions are the same, they are parallel and distinct.

Example

[ L_1:(0,0,0)+t(1,2,3), ] [ L_2:(1,0,0)+s(2,4,6). ] Here [ (2,4,6)=2(1,2,3), ] so the lines are parallel. Also, [ u-w=(-1,0,0) ] is not a multiple of ((2,4,6)), so the lines are distinct. Thus (L_1) and (L_2) are parallel and distinct.

Answer checked by Claude Haiku · Oct 21, 2026

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  • 2082 · MAT 201 (New Course) · 4 marks

Define Kernel and span of a vector. Write the rank of a matrix A is always consistent? Find a matrix whose kernel is spanned by the two vectors (1,−2,3)(1, -2, 3) and (−2,0,4)(-2, 0, 4). [2+1+4]

Answer

Kernel:
Let (T:V\to W) be a linear transformation. The kernel of (T) is [ \ker T={v\in V:T(v)=0}. ] For a matrix (A), the kernel (null space) is [ \ker A={x:Ax=0}. ] It is a subspace of the domain.

Span of vectors:
If (S={v_1,v_2,\dots,v_n}) is a set of vectors in a vector space (V), then [ \operatorname{span}(S)={c_1v_1+c_2v_2+\cdots+c_nv_n:c_i\in \mathbb R}. ] It is the smallest subspace containing all the given vectors.

Rank and consistency:
The rank of a matrix (A) is the dimension of its row space or column space, i.e. the number of nonzero rows in its row-echelon form.
A system (AX=B) is not always consistent. It is consistent if and only if [ \operatorname{rank}(A)=\operatorname{rank}(A|B). ] If (\operatorname{rank}(A)<\operatorname{rank}(A|B)), the system has no solution. The homogeneous system (AX=0) is always consistent, since (X=0) is a solution.

Required matrix:
Let [ v_1=(1,-2,3),\qquad v_2=(-2,0,4). ] A matrix whose kernel is (\operatorname{span}{v_1,v_2}) must have row vectors orthogonal to both (v_1) and (v_2). Compute [ v_1\times v_2= \begin{vmatrix} i&j&k\ 1&-2&3\ -2&0&4 \end{vmatrix} =(-8,-10,-4)\sim (4,5,2). ] So take [ A=\begin{pmatrix}4&5&2\end{pmatrix}. ] Then [ \ker A={(x,y,z)^T:4x+5y+2z=0}. ] Check: [ A v_1=4(1)+5(-2)+2(3)=0, ] [ A v_2=4(-2)+5(0)+2(4)=0. ] Since (v_1,v_2) are independent, (\dim(\ker A)=2), and hence [ \ker A=\operatorname{span}{(1,-2,3),(-2,0,4)}. ]

If a square matrix is required, we may write [ A=\begin{pmatrix} 4&5&2\ 0&0&0\ 0&0&0 \end{pmatrix}, ] which has the same kernel. Its rank is (1).

Answer checked by Claude Haiku · Oct 21, 2026

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  • 2082 · MAT 201 (New Course) · 4 marks

Show that there is a unique linear map T:R2→RT: \mathbb{R}^2 \to \mathbb{R} for which T(1,1)=3T(1, 1) = 3 and T(0,1)=−2T(0, 1) = -2. Also, find formula for T(x,y)T(x, y). Is T one to one? [2+2+1]

Answer

Let (T:\mathbb{R}^2\to \mathbb{R}) be linear and suppose

[ T(1,1)=3,\qquad T(0,1)=-2. ]

1. Uniqueness of (T)

The vectors ((1,1)) and ((0,1)) form a basis of (\mathbb{R}^2), since

[ \det\begin{pmatrix}1&0\1&1\end{pmatrix}=1\ne 0. ]

Any linear map is uniquely determined by its values on a basis. Hence there can be at most one such linear map (T).

So the map is unique.


2. Formula for (T(x,y))

Express ((x,y)) as a linear combination of ((1,1)) and ((0,1)):

[ (x,y)=a(1,1)+b(0,1). ]

Then

[ a=x,\qquad a+b=y. ]

So

[ b=y-x. ]

Therefore,

[ (x,y)=x(1,1)+(y-x)(0,1). ]

Using linearity,

[ T(x,y)=xT(1,1)+(y-x)T(0,1). ]

Substitute the given values:

[ T(x,y)=x(3)+(y-x)(-2) ]

[ =3x-2y+2x ]

[ \boxed{T(x,y)=5x-2y}. ]


3. Is (T) one-to-one?

No. For (T) to be one-to-one, its kernel must contain only ((0,0)).

Find the kernel:

[ T(x,y)=0 ]

[ 5x-2y=0 ]

[ 2y=5x ]

[ y=\frac{5x}{2}. ]

Thus, for example,

[ T(2,5)=5(2)-2(5)=10-10=0. ]

So ((2,5)\neq (0,0)) but (T(2,5)=T(0,0)=0). Hence (T) is not one-to-one.

[ \boxed{\text{No, } T \text{ is not one-to-one.}} ]

Also, since (\dim(\mathbb{R}^2)=2) and (\dim(\mathbb{R})=1), a linear map from (\mathbb{R}^2) to (\mathbb{R}) cannot be injective.

Answer checked by Claude Haiku · Oct 21, 2026

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  • 2082 · MAT 201 (New Course) · 4 marks

How are determinant related to area and volume? Find the area of triangle whose vertices are (−2,−3)(-2, -3), (3,2)(3, 2) and (−1,8)(-1, 8). Also, find the volume of the parallelepiped whose vertices are (1,−2,1)(1, -2, 1), (1,0,−1)(1, 0, -1) and (1,1,1)(1, 1, 1). [1+4+2] OR Distinguish between determinant and matrix. Prove that ∣abbbabaaaababbba∣=−(b−a)4\begin{vmatrix} a & b & b & b \\ a & b & a & a \\ a & a & b & a \\ b & b & b & a \end{vmatrix} = -(b - a)^4. [2+5]

Answer

Determinants, area and volume. The determinant of a 2×22\times2 matrix gives the (signed) area of the parallelogram spanned by its row vectors, so half of it is the area of a triangle. The determinant of a 3×33\times3 matrix gives the (signed) volume of the parallelepiped spanned by its three row vectors. The absolute value is taken because area and volume are positive.

Area of the triangle with vertices (−2,−3)(-2,-3), (3,2)(3,2), (−1,8)(-1,8):

Δ=12∣∣−2−31321−181∣∣=12×∣50∣\Delta=\frac12\left|\begin{vmatrix}-2&-3&1\\3&2&1\\-1&8&1\end{vmatrix}\right|=\frac12\times|50|

Expanding along the first row, −2(2−8)−(−3)(3+1)+1(24+2)=12+12+26=50-2(2-8)-(-3)(3+1)+1(24+2)=12+12+26=50, so

Δ=12×50=25 square units.\Delta=\frac12\times 50=25\ \text{square units}.

Volume of the parallelepiped with edge vectors (1,−2,1)(1,-2,1), (1,0,−1)(1,0,-1), (1,1,1)(1,1,1) from the origin:

V=∣∣1−2110−1111∣∣=∣1(0+1)+2(1+1)+1(1−0)∣=∣1+4+1∣=6 cubic units.V=\left|\begin{vmatrix}1&-2&1\\1&0&-1\\1&1&1\end{vmatrix}\right|=\left|1(0+1)+2(1+1)+1(1-0)\right|=|1+4+1|=6\ \text{cubic units}.

OR

Determinant vs matrix.

DeterminantMatrix
A single number (scalar value) obtained from a square arrayAn array of numbers; has no single value
Defined only for square arraysCan be of any order m×nm\times n
Written with vertical bars ∣ ∣\lvert\ \rvertWritten with brackets [ ][\ ]
Interchanging rows and columns keeps the valueTransposing gives a different matrix
Multiplying by kk multiplies one row only by kkMultiplying by kk multiplies every element

Proof. Let d=b−ad=b-a and let the determinant be Δ\Delta with rows R1=(a,b,b,b)R_1=(a,b,b,b), R2=(a,b,a,a)R_2=(a,b,a,a), R3=(a,a,b,a)R_3=(a,a,b,a), R4=(b,b,b,a)R_4=(b,b,b,a).

Apply R1→R1−R2R_1\to R_1-R_2, R2→R2−R3R_2\to R_2-R_3, R3→R3−R4R_3\to R_3-R_4 (using the original rows):

Δ=∣00dd0d−d0−d−d00bbba∣=d3∣001101−10−1−100bbba∣\Delta=\begin{vmatrix}0&0&d&d\\0&d&-d&0\\-d&-d&0&0\\b&b&b&a\end{vmatrix}=d^3\begin{vmatrix}0&0&1&1\\0&1&-1&0\\-1&-1&0&0\\b&b&b&a\end{vmatrix}

Apply C2→C2−C1C_2\to C_2-C_1:

Δ=d3∣001101−10−1000b0ba∣\Delta=d^3\begin{vmatrix}0&0&1&1\\0&1&-1&0\\-1&0&0&0\\b&0&b&a\end{vmatrix}

Expand along the third row, whose only non-zero entry is −1-1 in position (3,1)(3,1), with sign (−1)3+1=+1(-1)^{3+1}=+1:

Δ=d3⋅(−1)∣0111−100ba∣=d3⋅(−1)[−1(a−0)+1(b−0)]=−d3(b−a)\Delta=d^3\cdot(-1)\begin{vmatrix}0&1&1\\1&-1&0\\0&b&a\end{vmatrix}=d^3\cdot(-1)\left[-1(a-0)+1(b-0)\right]=-d^3(b-a)

∴ Δ=−(b−a)4.\therefore\ \Delta=-(b-a)^4.

Answer checked by Claude Sonnet · Oct 21, 2026

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  • 2082 · MAT 201 (New Course) · 7 marks

Find the eigenvalues of A=(1−22−21−22−21)A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & -2 & 2 \\ -2 & 1 & -2 \\ 2 & -2 & 1 \end{pmatrix}. Also find one eigenvector of A. [5+2]

Answer

Characteristic equation:

∣A−λI∣=∣1−λ−22−21−λ−22−21−λ∣=0|A-\lambda I|= \begin{vmatrix} 1-\lambda & -2 & 2\\ -2 & 1-\lambda & -2\\ 2 & -2 & 1-\lambda \end{vmatrix}=0

Expanding,

(1−λ)3−12(1−λ)+16=0(1-\lambda)^3-12(1-\lambda)+16=0

⇒−λ3+3λ2+9λ+5=0\Rightarrow -\lambda^3+3\lambda^2+9\lambda+5=0

⇒(λ+1)2(λ−5)=0\Rightarrow (\lambda+1)^2(\lambda-5)=0

Hence the eigenvalues are

λ=−1, −1, 5\boxed{\lambda=-1,\,-1,\,5}

So the eigenvalues are λ=−1\lambda=-1 with multiplicity 22, and λ=5\lambda=5.

Now find an eigenvector for λ=5\lambda=5:

(A−5I)(xyz)=0(A-5I)\begin{pmatrix}x\\y\\z\end{pmatrix}=0

(−4−22−2−4−22−2−4)(xyz)=(000)\begin{pmatrix} -4&-2&2\\ -2&-4&-2\\ 2&-2&-4 \end{pmatrix} \begin{pmatrix}x\\y\\z\end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix}0\\0\\0\end{pmatrix}

The equations reduce to

x+2y+z=0,x−y−2z=0x+2y+z=0,\qquad x-y-2z=0

Solving gives

x=−y,z=−yx=-y,\qquad z=-y

Taking y=1y=1, we get

x=−1,z=−1x=-1,\qquad z=-1

Therefore one eigenvector corresponding to λ=5\lambda=5 is

(−11−1)\boxed{\begin{pmatrix}-1\\1\\-1\end{pmatrix}}

Equivalently, (1−11)\begin{pmatrix}1\\-1\\1\end{pmatrix} is also an eigenvector for λ=5\lambda=5.

Answer checked by Claude Haiku · Oct 21, 2026

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