[Math] Linear Transformation with 2×2 Matrix Basis

linear algebratransformation

The question asks: Find the "coordinates" of

$v=\begin{bmatrix}
-2 & -2 \\
-2 & 4
\end{bmatrix}$

relative to the ordered basis, $F=(f_1, f_2, f_3, f_4)$ where

$f_1 = \begin{bmatrix}
1 & 0 \\
0 & 1
\end{bmatrix}, f_2 =
\begin{bmatrix}
1 & 0 \\
0 & -1
\end{bmatrix}, f_3 =
\begin{bmatrix}
0 & 1 \\
1 & 0
\end{bmatrix}, f_4 =
\begin{bmatrix}
0 & 1 \\
-1 & 0
\end{bmatrix}$

I am aware I am supposed to solve this problem using elimination, but at the moment, I am stuck.

I tried to transform these vectors into something I am familiar with. So, I transformed each vector to 4×1 making

$v = \begin{bmatrix}
-2 \\
-2 \\
-2 \\
4
\end{bmatrix}$

and I tried to extend it to each of the $f$ vectors, but elimination forces me to use row exchanges with
$\begin{bmatrix}
1 & 1 & 0 & 0 \\
0 & 0 & 1 & 1 \\
0 & 0 & 1 & -1 \\
1 & -1 & 0 & 0
\end{bmatrix}$, the columns corresponding to $f_1, f_2, f_3, f_4$ respectively.

At this point, I'm fairly certain that this problem cannot be this difficult to solve so I'm wondering where I did something wrong. I'm assuming the transformation of the 2×2 matrices into 4×1 is the primary culprit, but I cannot think of an alternative method to solving this problem. Is there a simpler way?

Best Answer

Notice that your ordered basis is in fact an orthogonal basis under the standard inner product. In particular, that means we have $$v = \frac{\langle v,\ f_1\rangle}{2} f_1 + \frac{\langle v,\ f_2\rangle}{2} f_2 + \frac{\langle v,\ f_3\rangle}{2} f_3 + \frac{\langle v,\ f_4\rangle}{2} f_4$$ This gives you $$v = f_1 - 3f_2 -2f_3$$ so your coordinates are $$[v]_F = \begin{pmatrix}1\\-3\\-2\\0\end{pmatrix}$$

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