Definition of invertible/nonsingular linear transformation

Created almost 9 years ago, updated about 8 hours ago

Definition: A linear transformation \(T: V \to W\) is invertible (or nonsingular) if there exists a linear transformation \(T^{-1}: W \to V\) such that:
\[T^{-1} \circ T = I_V \quad \text{and} \quad T \circ T^{-1} = I_W\]

The term nonsingular is sometimes used, particularly when the transformation is represented by a matrix: a matrix is nonsingular if and only if its determinant is nonzero.

Equivalent conditions (for finite-dimensional spaces):

  • \(T\) is invertible
  • \(T\) is one-to-one and onto
  • \(\ker(T) = \{\mathbf{0}\}\)
  • \(\text{range}(T) = W\)
  • \(\dim(V) = \dim(W)\) and \(T\) is one-to-one
  • The matrix of \(T\) is nonsingular (determinant is nonzero)

Like how this is organised?

Build your own knowledge tree on knowen.md: notes, decisions and tasks in one connected markdown graph, shared with your team and your AI agents.