Using inverses to solve systems of equations

In summary, the use of ##I## in the equation ##X = IX## comes from the definition of the identity matrix in matrix multiplication, where the identity matrix multiplied by any matrix will result in the same matrix. It is analogous to the equation ##b = 1 \cdot b## for ordinary numbers.
  • #1
ChiralSuperfields
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Homework Statement
Please see below
Relevant Equations
Please see below
For this,
1682305758972.png

Can someone please tell me where they got ##X = IX## from?

Many thanks!
 
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  • #2
From the definition of ##I##. It is the one in matrix multiplication.
$$
\begin{pmatrix}x_{11}&\ldots &x_{1n}\\ \vdots&&\vdots \\x_{n1}&\ldots &x_{nn}\end{pmatrix} \cdot \underbrace{\begin{pmatrix}1&0&\ldots&0&0\\ 0&1&\ldots&0&0 \\ \vdots&\vdots&\ddots&\vdots&\vdots \\
0&0&\ldots&0&1 \end{pmatrix}}_{=I}=\begin{pmatrix}x_{11}&\ldots &x_{1n}\\ \vdots&&\vdots \\x_{n1}&\ldots &x_{nn}\end{pmatrix}
$$

Then they used ##A^{-1} A= I## and the associativity law: ##(I\cdot X)=((A^{-1}A)X)=(A^{-1}(AX))=A^{-1}B.##
 
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  • #3
fresh_42 said:
From the definition of ##I##. It is the one in matrix multiplication.
$$
\begin{pmatrix}x_{11}&\ldots &x_{1n}\\ \vdots&&\vdots \\x_{n1}&\ldots &x_{nn}\end{pmatrix} \cdot \underbrace{\begin{pmatrix}1&0&\ldots&0&0\\ 0&1&\ldots&0&0 \\ \vdots&\vdots&\ddots&\vdots&\vdots \\
0&0&\ldots&0&1 \end{pmatrix}}_{=I}=\begin{pmatrix}x_{11}&\ldots &x_{1n}\\ \vdots&&\vdots \\x_{n1}&\ldots &x_{nn}\end{pmatrix}
$$

Then they used ##A^{-1} A= I## and the associativity law: ##(I\cdot X)=((A^{-1}A)X)=(A^{-1}(AX))=A^{-1}B.##
Thank you for your help @fresh_42! I see now.
 
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  • #4
ChiralSuperfields said:
Can someone please tell me where they got ##X = IX## from?
This should be obvious. Based on the initial post, X is a column vector. If X consists of n elements, multiplication of X by an n x n identity matrix ##I_n## produces exactly the same vector X. This is analogous to writing ##b = 1 \cdot b## for ordinary numbers.
 
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  • #5
ChiralSuperfields said:
Homework Statement: Please see below
Relevant Equations: Please see below

For this,
View attachment 325404
Can someone please tell me where they got ##X = IX## from?

Many thanks!
The ##I## should trigger the phrase "##I##dentity Matrix". It was the reason ##I## was chosen rather than some other letter in the first place.
 
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