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: 28

Answer

$A=\left[\begin{array}{cc} 2 & 6\\ 0 & 2\end{array}\right],B=\left[\begin{array}{cc} 4 & 8\\ 4 & 6\end{array}\right]$ and $C=\left[\begin{array}{rr} 5 & -10\\ -5 & 10\end{array}\right]$ give us a counterexample for the statement.

Work Step by Step

Consider the following statement: If $A,B$, and $C$ are matrices and $AC=BC$, then $A=B$. We will now present a counterexample in order to show that the statement is false. Consider the matrices $A=\left[\begin{array}{cc} 2 & 6\\ 0 & 2\end{array}\right],B=\left[\begin{array}{cc} 4 & 8\\ 4 & 6\end{array}\right]$ and $C=\left[\begin{array}{rr} 5 & -10\\ -5 & 10\end{array}\right]$. Observe that $$AC=\left[\begin{array}{cc} 2 & 6\\ 0 & 2\end{array}\right]\left[\begin{array}{rr} 5 & -10\\ -5 & 10\end{array}\right]=\left[\begin{array}{cc} -20 & 40\\ -10 & 20\end{array}\right]$$ and $$BC=\left[\begin{array}{cc} 4 & 8\\ 4 & 6\end{array}\right]\left[\begin{array}{rr} 5 & -10\\ -5 & 10\end{array}\right]=\left[\begin{array}{cc} -20 & 40\\ -10 & 20\end{array}\right].$$ Hence, we have that $AC=BC$ and $A\neq B$ and therefore, the statement is false.
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.