Linear Algebra

Sec.2.3: Characterization of Invertible Matrices

Bishr Mamoun Iquelan

Associate Professor
Department of Mathematics,
Islamic University of Gaza

2019-2020, Semester 2

Dr. Bishr M. Iquelan (IUGaza) Sec.2.3: Charac. of Invertible Matrices 2nd Semester, 2019-2020 1/7
Invertible Transformations

Denition
A transformation T : R n → R n is invertible if there exists another
transformation U : R n → R n such that
T ◦ U (x) = x and U ◦ T (x) = x
for all x in Rn. In this case we say U is the inverse of T , and we write
U = T −1 .
In other words, T (U (x)) = x, so T "undoes" U, and likewise U "undoes" T

Fact
A transformation T is invertible if and only if it is both one-to-one
and onto.
If T is one-to-one and onto, this means for every y in R n , there is a unique x in R n such
that T (x) = y. Then T −1 (y) = x .

Dr. Bishr M. Iquelan (IUGaza) Sec.2.3: Charac. of Invertible Matrices 2nd Semester, 2019-2020 2/7
Invertible Linear Transformations

If T : Rn → Rn is an invertible linear transformation with matrix A, then what is the

Hence AB = In , so B = A−1

Fact
If T is an invertible linear transformation with matrix A , then T −1 is an invertible
linear transformation with matrix A−1

Dr. Bishr M. Iquelan (IUGaza) Sec.2.3: Charac. of Invertible Matrices 2nd Semester, 2019-2020 3/7
The Invertible Matrix Theorem
The Really Big Theorem of Math 2341

Theorem (The Invertible Matrix Theorem)

1 A is invertible.

2 A ∼ In .
3 A has n pivots.

4 Ax = 0 has only the trivial solution.

5 The columns of A are linearly independent.

6 The linear transformation T : x 7−→ Ax is 1-1.

7 For every b ∈ Rn , the equation Ax = b has at least one solution.

8 The columns of A span Rn

10 ∃C so that CA = In .
11 ∃D so that AD = In .
12 AT is invertible.

Dr. Bishr M. Iquelan (IUGaza) Sec.2.3: Charac. of Invertible Matrices 2nd Semester, 2019-2020 4/7
The Invertible Matrix Theorem
Summary

There are two kinds of square matrices:

2 non-invertible (singular).

For invertible matrices, all statements of the Invertible Matrix Theorem are true.
For non-invertible matrices, all statements of the Invertible Matrix Theorem are false.
Strong recommendation: If you want to understand invertible matrices, go through all of
the conditions of the IMT and try to gure out on your own (or at least with help from
the book) why they're all equivalent.
You know enough at this point to be able to reduce all of the statements to assertions
about the pivots of a square matrix.

Dr. Bishr M. Iquelan (IUGaza) Sec.2.3: Charac. of Invertible Matrices 2nd Semester, 2019-2020 5/7
 Example

Show that if AB is invertible, so is B .

Proof

Let W be the inverse of AB. Then WAB = I and (WA)B = I .

Dr. Bishr M. Iquelan (IUGaza) Sec.2.3: Charac. of Invertible Matrices 2nd Semester, 2019-2020 6/7
 Example

Determine if T is invertible.   
T : R → R given by T

x x +y
2x − y .
2 2
1 =
y

given by
   
x x −y
2 T :R →R2 2
T = .
y −x + y
  
x1 x1 + x2 + x3

2 4
3 T :R →R3 3
given by T x2  =  x1 + x2 + x3  . 3 6
x3 2
x1 + x2 + x3 5 10

Dr. Bishr M. Iquelan (IUGaza) Sec.2.3: Charac. of Invertible Matrices 2nd Semester, 2019-2020 7/7
 Example

Determine if T is invertible.   
T : R → R given by T

x x +y
2x − y .
2 2
1 =
y

given by
   
x x −y
2 T :R →R2 2
T = .
y −x + y
  
x1 x1 + x2 + x3

2 4
3 T :R →R3 3
given by T x2  =  x1 + x2 + x3  . 3 6
x3 2
x1 + x2 + x3 5 10

Homework

HW12: Sec.2.3 p117: # 1,2,4,5,7,11,13,14,15,16,17

Dr. Bishr M. Iquelan (IUGaza) Sec.2.3: Charac. of Invertible Matrices 2nd Semester, 2019-2020 7/7