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If A is a skew-symmetric matrix and AB' + BA' = 0, then BA is:

Mathematics

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Answer

B

Step-by-step solution

4 steps
  1. Understand the given conditions.

    A matrix MM is skew-symmetric if its transpose is equal to its negative, i.e., MT=−MM^T = -M.
    We are given that AA is skew-symmetric, so AT=−AA^T = -A.
    We are also given the equation AB′+BA′=0AB' + BA' = 0. In matrix notation, B′B' refers to the transpose of BB, so this equation is ABT+BAT=0AB^T + BA^T = 0.

  2. Substitute the property of AA into the given equation.

    Substitute AT=−AA^T = -A into the equation ABT+BAT=0AB^T + BA^T = 0:

    ABT+B(−A)=0AB^T + B(-A) = 0 ABT−BA=0AB^T - BA = 0

    Rearrange the equation to find a relationship between ABTAB^T and BABA:

    ABT=BAAB^T = BA
  3. Determine the nature of BABA.

    Let X=BAX = BA. To determine if XX is symmetric or skew-symmetric, we need to find its transpose, XTX^T.
    Using the property (MN)T=NTMT(MN)^T = N^T M^T:

    XT=(BA)T=ATBTX^T = (BA)^T = A^T B^T

    Now, substitute AT=−AA^T = -A (since AA is skew-symmetric) into the expression for XTX^T:

    XT=(−A)BT=−ABTX^T = (-A)B^T = -AB^T

    From Step 2, we established that ABT=BAAB^T = BA. Substitute this into the expression for XTX^T:

    XT=−(BA)X^T = -(BA)

    Since X=BAX = BA, we have XT=−XX^T = -X.

  4. Conclude the nature of BABA.

    The condition XT=−XX^T = -X means that XX is skew-symmetric. Therefore, BABA is skew-symmetric.

    The correct option is B.

    The final answer is B. Skew-symmetric\boxed{\text{B. Skew-symmetric}}.

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