Thread: Proof inner product

Let V be the vector space of m x n matrices over R. Prove that

inner product of (A, B) = trace((B transpose)A)

defines an inner prduct in V.

Originally Posted by Shaun Gill

Let V be the vector space of m x n matrices over R. Prove that

inner product of (A, B) = trace((B transpose)A)

defines an inner prduct in V.

This is not true, under this definition the inner product can be negative

First, an inner product can be negative. (No inner product of a vector with itself can be negative.) In fact the standard dot product is an inner product.

This problem is an exercise in using subscripts. Compare the standard inner product on the nxn matrices with the definition of trace([B^t]A).