Elementary Linear Algebra 7th Edition

Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 10: 1-13311-087-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-13311-087-3

Appendix - Mathematical Induction and Other Forms of Proofs - Exercises - Page A6: 11

Answer

See the proof below.

Work Step by Step

Consider the following statement: For every positive integer $n$, given square matrices $A_1,A_2,A_3,\ldots,A_n$ of the same size we have that $$\left|A_1A_2A_3\cdots A_n\right|=\left|A_1\right|\left|A_2\right|\left|A_3\right|\cdots\left|A_n\right|.$$ We will use mathematical induction to prove that the statement is true. $\textbf{1.}$ We have that the statement is true for $n=1$ since $\left|A_1\right|=\left|A_1\right|$. $\textbf{2.}$ Suppose the statement holds for $n=k$, that is, suppose that $$\left|A_1A_2A_3\cdots A_k\right|=\left|A_1\right|\left|A_2\right|\left|A_3\right|\cdots\left|A_k\right|.$$ where the matrices $A_1,A_2,\ldots,A_k$ are square matrices of the same size. Now, let $A_1,A_2,A_3,\ldots,A_k,A_{k+1}$ be square matrices of the same size. We have that $$\left|A_1A_2A_3\cdots A_kA_{k+1}\right|=\left|\left(A_1A_2A_3\cdots A_k\right)A_{k+1}\right|.$$ Now, we know from a previous theorem that if $A$ and $B$ are square matrices of the same size then, it is true that $\left|AB\right|=\left|A\right|\left|B\right|$ and therefore, if we let $A=A_1A_2A_3\cdots A_k$ and $B=A_{k+1}$ we have that $$\left|\left(A_1A_2A_3\cdots A_k\right)A_{k+1}\right|=\left|A_1A_2A_3\cdots A_k\right|\left|A_{k+1}\right|.$$ By our hypothesis we have that $$\left|A_1A_2A_3\cdots A_k\right|=\left|A_1\right|\left|A_2\right|\left|A_3\right|\cdots\left|A_k\right|$$ which implies that $$\left|A_1A_2A_3\cdots A_k\right|\left|A_{k+1}\right|=\left|A_1\right|\left|A_2\right|\left|A_3\right|\cdots\left|A_k\right|\left|A_{k+1}\right|$$ and therefore, $$\left|A_1A_2A_3\cdots A_kA_{k+1}\right|=\left|A_1\right|\left|A_2\right|\left|A_3\right|\cdots\left|A_k\right|\left|A_{k+1}\right|.$$ Thus, statement is true for $n=k+1$ whenever it is true for $n=k$. Hence, the mathematical induction principle guarantees that the statement is true for every positive integer $n$.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.