EE 20300 – Linear Algebra

Prof. Kai-Ming Feng

Due: 09/30/2022

Homework #1

1. (10 %) Let R+ denote the set of positive real numbers. Define the operation of scalar multiplication
as a ⊗ x = xa for each x ∈ R+ and for any real number a. Define the operation of addition as x ⊕ y = x
× y for all x, y ∈ R+. Thus for this system the scalar multiplication of -3 times 1/2 is given by (-3)
⊗ (1/2) = (1/2)-3 = 8 and the addition of 2 and 5 is given by 2 ⊕ 5 = 2 × 5 = 10. Please verify if R+
forms a vector space.
2. (20%) Exercise Problem 23 in Sec. 1.3
3. (20%) Exercise Problem 28 in Sec. 1.3
4. (30%) Exercise Problem 31(a) and (b) in Sec. 1.3, and
(c) prove (v1 + W) + (v2 + W) = (v1 + v2 + W) and a(v + W) = av + W
5. (20%) For a 2x2 matrix,
a) Show that it can be expressed as a linear combination of 4 matrices.
b) If this matrix is a symmetric matrix, what are the simplest matrices to compose an arbitrary
symmetric matrix?

Please turn in your homework to the homework box outside EECS R604 before the
due time!