Let M be a matrix and u and v vectors: #M =[(a, b),(c, d)], v = [(x), (y)], u =[(w), (z)].# (a) Propose a definition for #u + v#. (b) Show that your definition obeys #Mv + Mu = M(u + v)#?

1 Answer
Jul 20, 2016

Definition of addition of vectors, multiplication of a matrix by a vector and proof of distributive law are below.

Explanation:

For two vectors #v=[(x),(y)]# and #u=[(w),(z)]#
we define an operation of addition as #u+v=[(x+w),(y+z)]#

Multiplication of a matrix #M=[(a,b),(c,d)]# by vector #v=[(x),(y)]# is defined as #M*v =[(a,b),(c,d)]*[(x),(y)] = [(ax+by),(cx+dy)]#

Analogously, multiplication of a matrix #M=[(a,b),(c,d)]# by vector #u=[(w),(z)]# is defined as #M*u =[(a,b),(c,d)]*[(w),(z)] = [(aw+bz),(cw+dz)]#

Let's check the distributive law of such definition:
#M*v+M*u= [(ax+by),(cx+dy)]+[(aw+bz),(cw+dz)]=#

#=[(ax+by+aw+bz),(cx+dy+cw+dz)]=#

#=[(a(x+w)+b(y+z)),(c(x+w)+d(y+z)))]=#

# = [(a,b),(c,d)] * [(x+w),(y+z)] = M*(v+u)#

End of proof.