[Math] Linear Algebra Working with Linear Transformations

linear algebra

Let $v_1=[-3;-1]$ and $v_2= [-2;-1]$

Let $T:\mathbb{R}^2 \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^2$ be the linear transformation satisfying:

$T(v_1)=[15;-6]$ and $T(v_2)=[11;-3]$

Find the image of an arbitrary vector $[x;y]$

Best Answer

Note sure if (homework) yet. So hint:

Let $$ T = \begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix} $$

We can re-interpret the given $T(v_1)$ and $T(v_2)$ as:

$$ \begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix} \begin{pmatrix} -3 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 15 \\ -6 \end{pmatrix} , \\ \begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix} \begin{pmatrix} -2 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 11 \\ -3 \end{pmatrix} $$ Or more succinctly as, $$ \begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix} \begin{pmatrix} -3 & -2 \\ -1 & -1 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 15 & 11 \\ -6 & -3 \end{pmatrix} \tag{1} $$ Can you take it from here?

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