THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS

MATH2101 Linear Algebra I

Tutorial 9

1. Let T ∶ R2 → R2 be the linear tranformation for the reflection over a line that goes through
the origin and makes the angle θ with the positive x-axis.

(a) Let b1 = (cos θ, sin θ)T , b2 = (− sin θ, cos θ)T and B = {b1 , b2 }. Find [T (b1 )]B , [T (b2 )]B
and [T ]B .
(b) Find the standard matrix of T in terms of θ.

2. Suppose that two n × n matrices A and B are similar, say B = S −1 AS for some invertible n × n
matrix S.

(a) If {v1 , . . . , vk } is a basis for Null B, prove that {Sv1 , . . . , Svk } is a basis for Null A.
(b) Hence show that A and B have the same nullity and have the same rank.

3. Which of the following is possible?

(a) There exists an n × n invertible matrix A which is similar to 2A.
(b) There exists an n × n matrix B which which is similar to −B.
(c) There exists an n × n invertible matrix A such that 0 is an eigenvalue of A.
(d) There exists an n × n matrix B such that 0 is an eigenvector of B.
(e) None of the above.

4. Give an example for each of the following, or explain why no example exists.

(a) Two 3 × 3 matrices A and B which are not similar such that A2 and B 2 are similar.
(b) A 4 × 4 real matrix with no real eigenvalues.

5. Prove or disprove the following.

(a) Let T ∶ Rn → Rn be an invertible linear transformation on Rn . Then there must be two
bases A and B for Rn such that [T ]A and [T ]B are distinct.
(b) If A and B have the same characteristic polynomial, then they must be similar to each
other.