Differential Equations and Linear Algebra (4th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32196-467-5
ISBN 13: 978-0-32196-467-0

Chapter 3 - Determinants - 3.2 Properties of Determinants - Problems - Page 221: 53

Answer

See below

Work Step by Step

Without the use of determinants, the solution to this problem appears almost instantly. Since A is invertible, $A^{-1}$ exists. $B=C$ is obtained by multiplying $AB = AC$ by $A^{-1}$ from the left. However, the problem is possibly mentioned incorrectly; what is supposed to be proved using determinants is that if $A$ is invertible, $B$ and $C$ are matrices with $AB = AC$, then $\det(B) = det (C)$. Then, the solution can be showed by taking the determinants of both sides of $AB=AC$: $\det(AB)=\det(AC)$ According to property P9: $\det(A).\det(B)=\det(A)\det(C)$ Theorem 3.2.5 states that $\det(A) = 0$ since matrix $A$ is invertible. As a result, $\det (B) =\det (C)$
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