[Math] If $A^TA$ is invertible, then $A$’s columns are linearly independent (not necessarily square matrix)

linear algebramatrices

My textbook wants me to verify that when $A^TA$ is invertible, then $A$'s columns are linearly independent. However, I may not assume that $A$ is invertible, or even square. How should I go about?

Best Answer

Hint: Let $A \in \Bbb R ^{n \times m}$ and suppose $A$'s columns are linearly dependent, then show there is $0 \neq x \in \Bbb R^m$ such that $Ax = 0$. What does this tell you about $(A^TA)x$?