Matrix $A$ is skew-symmetric (or antisymmetric) iff $A^\top = -A$.
Questions tagged [skew-symmetric-matrices]
218 questions
39
votes
3 answers
Why are all nonzero eigenvalues of the skew-symmetric real matrices pure imaginary?
Assume that $A$ is an $n\times n$ skew-symmetric real matrix, i.e.
$$A^T=-A.$$
Since $\det(A-\lambda I)=\det(A^T-\lambda I)$, $A$ and $A^T$ have the same eigenvalues. On the other hand, $A^T$ and $-A$ also have the same eigenvalues. Thus if…
user9464
39
votes
6 answers
Dimensions of symmetric and skew-symmetric matrices
Let $\textbf A$ denote the space of symmetric $(n\times n)$ matrices over the field $\mathbb K$, and $\textbf B$ the space of skew-symmetric $(n\times n)$ matrices over the field $\mathbb K$. Then $\dim (\textbf A)=n(n+1)/2$ and $\dim (\textbf…
Christian Ivicevic
- 3,203
21
votes
4 answers
Matrix exponential of a $3 \times 3$ skew-symmetric matrix without series expansion
I have the following skew-symmetric matrix
$$C = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & -a_3 & a_2 \\
a_3 & 0 & -a_1 \\
-a_2 & a_1 & 0 \end{bmatrix}$$
How do I compute $e^{C}$ without resorting to the series expansion…
Nirvana
- 1,767
21
votes
3 answers
Proof that the rank of a skew-symmetric matrix is at least $2$
Is there a succinct proof for the fact that the rank of a non-zero skew-symmetric matrix ($A = -A^T$) is at least 2? I can think of a proof by contradiction: Assume rank is 1. Then you express all other rows as multiple of the first row. Using…
Naga
- 641
18
votes
3 answers
Is it possible to have a $3 \times 3$ matrix that is both orthogonal and skew-symmetric?
Is it possible to have a $3 \times 3$ matrix that is both orthogonal and skew-symmetric?
I know it has something to do with the odd order of the matrix and it is not possible to have such a matrix. But what is the reason?
sagar bangal
- 187
18
votes
4 answers
Existence of the Pfaffian?
Consider a square skew-symmetric $n\times n$ matrix $A$. We know that $\det(A)=\det(A^T)=(-1)^n\det(A)$, so if $n$ is odd, the determinant vanishes.
If $n$ is even, my book claims that the determinant is the square of a polynomial function of the…
Potato
- 41,411
17
votes
3 answers
Determinant of a real skew-symmetric matrix is square of an integer
Let $A$ be a real skew-symmetric matrix with integer entries. Show that $\operatorname{det}{A}$ is square of an integer.
Here is my idea: If $A$ is skew-symmetric matrix of odd order, then $\operatorname{det}{A}$ is zero. So, take $A$ to be of…
user51266
15
votes
4 answers
Why are skew-symmetric matrices of interest?
I am currently following a course on nonlinear algebra (topics include varieties, elimination, linear spaces, grassmannians etc.). Especially in the exercises we work a lot with skew-symmetric matrices, however, I do not yet understand why they are…
user342314
- 460
11
votes
4 answers
Problem in skew-symmetric matrix
Let $A$ be a real skew-symmetric matrix. Prove that $I+A$ is non-singular, where $I$ is the identity matrix.
user12290
- 1,325
10
votes
2 answers
Equivalence of skew-symmetric matrices
Let $N=\{1,\dots,n\}$ and $A,B$ be $n\times n$ skew symmetric matrices such that it is possible to permute some rows and some columns from $A$ to get $B$. In other words, for some permutations $g,h: N\rightarrow N$,
$$A_{i,j}=B_{g(i),h(j)}$$
for…
user336268
- 2,439
9
votes
1 answer
Let $A$ be a skew-symmetric real matrix, prove that there exists a vector $x\ge0$ such that $Ax\ge0$ and $Ax + x > 0$
This is an assignment that I am struggling with.
Let $A$ be a skew-symmetric real matrix, prove that there exists a vector $x\ge0$ such that $Ax\ge0$ and $Ax + x > 0$.
Not sure how to proceed here and would appreciate some pointers/solution.
My…
Aster
- 91
9
votes
2 answers
Let $A,B\in M_3(\mathbb{C})$ be invertible matrices such that $AB=BA=X$, $A^{T}+A=B^{T}+B=X^{T}+X$. Then, is $\det(X - I) = 0$?
Let $A,B\in M_3(\mathbb{C})$ be invertible matrices such that $AB=BA=X$, $A^{T}+A=B^{T}+B=X^{T}+X$, then:
(A) $A=B$
(B) $\det(A-I)=0$
(C) $\det(B-I)=0$
(D) $\det(X-I)=0$
My working:
$AB+(AB)^T=X+X^T\implies AB+B^TA^T=B+B^T\implies…
Makar
- 2,449
9
votes
3 answers
Prove that the eigenvalues of skew-symmetric matrices are purely imaginary numbers
Prove that all of the eigenvalues of skew-symmetric matrix are complex numbers with the real part equal to $0$. Has anyone got a clue how to do it?
Michał
- 225
7
votes
3 answers
The squares of skew-symmetric matrices span all symmetric matrices
This is a self-answered question. I post this here, since it wasn't obvious for me at first, and I think it might be helpful for someone at some future time (maybe even future me...).
Claim: Let $n \ge 3$, and let $X$ be the set of all squares of…
Asaf Shachar
- 25,967
6
votes
3 answers
How do I find $\operatorname{det} T_Q$?
Let $S$ be the space of all $n \times n$ real skew symmetric matrices and let $Q$ be a real orthogonal matrix. Consider the map $T_Q: S \to S$ defined by $$T_Q(X) = QXQ^T.$$ Find $\operatorname{det} T_Q$.
I thought about diagonalizing $Q$, but I…
INQUISITOR
- 611