All Questions
15,320 questions
8
votes
3
answers
698
views
L_p norm balls for 1<p<2 - is it always similar to an L_q norm ball for some q>2?
The L_1 ball in 2D is shaped like a diamond (L_1 is also known as the Manhattan norm). The L_∞ ball is shaped like a square (L_∞ is also known as the supremum norm). They are similar, i.e. have same ...
- 101
0
votes
1
answer
336
views
Change of basis with Multilinear fucntion [closed]
Take a multi-linear function(or functional) M that takes m arguments V1…Vm, each with a dimension n. Consider only the case where m=n. Let there be a change of basis performed on the arguments(V1...Vm)...
- 11
11
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What is the size of the category of finite dimensional F_q vector spaces?
The size of a finite skeletal category C in the sense of Leinster is defined as follows: Label the objects of C by integers 1,2,...,n and let aij be the number of morphisms from i to j (for i and j ...
- 2,600
1
vote
2
answers
2k
views
Friedberg, Insel, and Spence Linear Algebra example
In the chapter 6.4 on normal and self-adjoint operators, there is an example of an infinite dimensional inner product space H that has a normal operator but that has no eigenvectors.
The space is the ...
- 131
4
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Conjugation in SU(2)
For any two matrices $P,Q \in SU(2)$, with $tr(P)=tr(Q)=0$, does there always exist some $G\in SU(2)$ such that $G P G^{-1} = -P$, and $G Q G^{-1} = -Q\ ?$
- 1,129
11
votes
1
answer
410
views
An "existence contra partition of unity" statement for integer matrices?
While reading a blog post on partitions of unity at the Secret Blogging Seminar the following question came into my mind.
Let $n$ be a positive integer and let $B_1$ and $B_2$ be $n \times n$ ...
- 2,600
2
votes
1
answer
493
views
Convergence of Affine Transformations
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone could point me to any sources regarding the convergence of iterated affine transformation, i.e. sequences where {a_n} is a set of affine transforms and the sequence:
...
- 690
5
votes
2
answers
703
views
Linear Algebra Over $F_{2}$
Suppose we call a subset S of $F^{n}$ ($F$ is the field with two elements) good if for any $x$ and $y$ (possibly $x=y$) we have $[x,y]=1$ where $[ , ]$ denotes the obvious bilinear form on F. What's ...
10
votes
5
answers
990
views
Non-conjugate words with the same trace
Let n>=2, p a large prime, G = SL_n(Z/pZ).
If n=2, there are words that, while not conjugate in the free group, do have identical trace in G. For example, tr(g h^2 g^2 h)= tr(g^2 h^2 g h) for all g, ...
- 20.2k
40
votes
6
answers
6k
views
Linear transformation that preserves the determinant
It seems "common knowledge" that the following holds:
Let $T$ be a linear transformation on $n\times n$ matrices with complex coefficients that preserves the determinant. Then there exists ...
- 511
21
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Rings over which every module is free
We know that modules over skewfields are free. Is the converse true? In other words, is it true that a nontrivial ring over which every module is free is a skewfield?
If the ring A is commutative, ...
- 1,069
2
votes
1
answer
925
views
Theta Functions and Cousins
So I am (barely) familiar with the construction of the theta function of an integral lattice $L$. The theta function, as I understand it, is defined as the function which takes a variable $z$ and ...
- 27.5k
1
vote
1
answer
322
views
Request for info on the space of commuting matrices preserving a flag.
Fix a flag of subspaces V1 in V2 in V3, etc. all in Cn.
Consider the space of pairs of commuting linear transformations A and B such that:
A preserves the flag (i.e. A(Vi) is in Vi), and
B strictly ...
- 44.7k
43
votes
6
answers
9k
views
"A gentleman never chooses a basis."
Around these parts, the aphorism "A gentleman never chooses a basis," has become popular.
Question. Is there a gentlemanly way to prove that the natural map from $V$ to $V^{**}$ is surjective if $V$...
- 5,275
7
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What's the correct notion of determinant of a bilinear pairing?
By a pairing on a vector space $V$, I mean a linear map $A : V \otimes V \to R$. If $V$ is $n$-dimensional ($n < \infty$), then I can define the determinant of $A$ by considering the canonical ...
- 54.6k
18
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Zeta-function regularization of determinants and traces
The short answer to my question may be a pointer to the right text. I will give all the background I know, and then ask my questions in list form.
Let A be an operator (on an infinite-dimensional ...
- 54.6k
12
votes
4
answers
877
views
Can you describe the image of the exponential map $B(H)\to B(H)$?
James Tener asks at the 20-questions seminar:
The exponential map $\exp:B(H)\to B(H)$ is just defined by its Taylor series. Can you describe its image?
- 1,059
35
votes
5
answers
13k
views
Linearity of the inner product using the parallelogram law
A norm on a vector space comes from an inner product if and only if it satisfies the parallelogram law. Given such a norm, one can reconstruct the inner product via the formula:
$2\langle u,v\rangle ...
- 26.8k
9
votes
6
answers
8k
views
How to approximate a solution to a matrix equation? [closed]
Suppose a matrix equation $Ax = b$ has no solution ($b$ is not in the column space of $A$)
How can I find a vector $x^\prime$ so that $Ax^\prime$ is the closest possible vector to $b$?
- 461
62
votes
9
answers
23k
views
Can a vector space over an infinite field be a finite union of proper subspaces?
Can a (possibly infinite-dimensional) vector space ever be a finite union of proper subspaces?
If the ground field is finite, then any finite-dimensional vector space is finite as a set, so there are ...
