# Is the linear transformation y = A(Bx) invertible?

• Mar 1st 2011, 02:59 PM
centenial
Is the linear transformation y = A(Bx) invertible?
I'm having trouble with this question.

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/1729/243m.png

Here is what I have:

From the hint, we solve the equation $\vec{y}=A(B\vec{x})$ first for $B(\vec{x})$ and then for $\vec{x}$. So we have

$B\vec{x}=A^{-1}\vec{y}$

so...

$\vec{x}=B^{-1}A^{-1}\vec{y}$

I'm really not sure where to go from here though.
• Mar 1st 2011, 06:30 PM
Ackbeet
Well, what does the fact that both $A$ and $B$ are invertible (so you can write their inverses) say about the last equation you wrote down? Is the transformation invertible?
• Mar 1st 2011, 07:01 PM
centenial
Ok, I think I understand.

So it is invertible and its inverse is simply:

$\vec{x} = B^{-1}A^{-1}\vec{y}$

Is that correct?
• Mar 1st 2011, 07:10 PM
Ackbeet
I suppose your answer is in keeping with the question's nomenclature in the OP. I would say that $AB$ is the linear transformation, and that

$(AB)^{-1}=B^{-1}A^{-1}$

is the inverse transformation.

I think you get the main mathematical idea, though.