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Let A be an n x n matrix. (a) Suppose that A2 = O. Prove that A is not invertible. (b)

Chapter 2, Problem 7

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QUESTION:

Let A be an n x n matrix. (a) Suppose that A2 = O. Prove that A is not invertible. (b) Suppose that AB O for some nonzero n x n matrix B. Could A be invertible? Explain.

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QUESTION:

Let A be an n x n matrix. (a) Suppose that A2 = O. Prove that A is not invertible. (b) Suppose that AB O for some nonzero n x n matrix B. Could A be invertible? Explain.

ANSWER:

Step 1 of 2

i) Assume that A is an invertible matrix. This means that there exists B such that .

Hence  . Since  , then  , hence .

Since, the zero matrix is not invertible, hence our hypothesis was false.

This shows that A is not invertible.

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