# Math Help - Find a basis for the space of symmetric nxn matrices

1. ## Find a basis for the space of symmetric nxn matrices

Question is in the title really, but I don't really understand what I am required to do, any help understanding the question would be appreciated.

Thanks for any help.

2. ## Re: Find a basis for the space of symmetric nxn matrices

Originally Posted by hmmmm
Question is in the title really, but I don't really understand what I am required to do, any help understanding the question would be appreciated.

Thanks for any help.
For n = 3, a basis would be:

$\left[ \begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{array} \right], \left[ \begin{array}{ccc} 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{array} \right], \left[ \begin{array}{ccc} 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \end{array} \right], \left[ \begin{array}{ccc} 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{array} \right], \left[ \begin{array}{ccc} 0 & 0 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 1 & 0 & 0 \end{array} \right], \left[ \begin{array}{ccc} 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \end{array} \right]$

Do you get the idea?