Is a zero matrix symmetric?
Answer
561.6k+ views
Hint:First of all, let us know, what is a zero matrix? So, a zero matrix is a matrix with all its elements as $0$. Next we have to know, what is a symmetric matrix? Therefore, a symmetric matrix is a square matrix such as $A = \left( {{a_{ij}}} \right)$ in which, the terms opposite to its main diagonal are equal, that is, ${a_{ij}} = {a_{ji}}$ for all $i$ and $j$, also we can say that, the transpose of the matrix is equal to the original matrix, that is, $A = {A^T}$. So, in this case, we have to consider a zero square matrix, that is, a matrix with equal number of rows and columns, and with all its elements as zero.
Complete step by step answer:
So, if we consider the conditions of a symmetric matrix, than the elements opposite to the main diagonal have to be equal.So, in a zero matrix, the elements opposite to the main diagonal are always equal, every element being $0$, that is, ${a_{ij}} = {a_{ji}} = 0$, for all $i$ and $j$.Also, the same condition can be said in another way, like, $A = {A^T}$, for the matrix to be symmetric.An example of symmetric matrix is as follows:
$\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}}
x&a&b \\
a&y&c \\
b&c&z
\end{array}} \right)$
Notice that the transpose of this matrix will be equal to: $\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}}
x&a&b \\
a&y&c \\
b&c&z
\end{array}} \right)$
Hence, the matrix is equal to its transpose itself. Hence, the matrix is a symmetric matrix.
Now, zero matrix is equal to
$\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}}
0&0&0 \\
0&0&0 \\
0&0&0
\end{array}} \right)$
The transpose of this zero matrix is as follows:
$\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}}
0&0&0 \\
0&0&0 \\
0&0&0
\end{array}} \right)$
Now, the transpose of the matrix is equal to the matrix itself. So, we can conclude that the zero matrix is a symmetric matrix.So, we can say, for a zero matrix also, $A = {A^T}$, for the elements to be all $0$.
Therefore, we can conclude that the zero matrix is a symmetric matrix.
Note:Interestingly, the zero matrix is also a skew-symmetric matrix, as, in the skew symmetric matrix the opposite terms of the main diagonal are negations of each other, that is, ${a_{ij}} = - {a_{ji}}$, for all $i$ and $j$. So, in a zero matrix, the elements are also negations of each other about the main diagonal as all elements are equal to $0$. So, we can also say that a zero matrix is also a skew-symmetric matrix.
Complete step by step answer:
So, if we consider the conditions of a symmetric matrix, than the elements opposite to the main diagonal have to be equal.So, in a zero matrix, the elements opposite to the main diagonal are always equal, every element being $0$, that is, ${a_{ij}} = {a_{ji}} = 0$, for all $i$ and $j$.Also, the same condition can be said in another way, like, $A = {A^T}$, for the matrix to be symmetric.An example of symmetric matrix is as follows:
$\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}}
x&a&b \\
a&y&c \\
b&c&z
\end{array}} \right)$
Notice that the transpose of this matrix will be equal to: $\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}}
x&a&b \\
a&y&c \\
b&c&z
\end{array}} \right)$
Hence, the matrix is equal to its transpose itself. Hence, the matrix is a symmetric matrix.
Now, zero matrix is equal to
$\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}}
0&0&0 \\
0&0&0 \\
0&0&0
\end{array}} \right)$
The transpose of this zero matrix is as follows:
$\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}}
0&0&0 \\
0&0&0 \\
0&0&0
\end{array}} \right)$
Now, the transpose of the matrix is equal to the matrix itself. So, we can conclude that the zero matrix is a symmetric matrix.So, we can say, for a zero matrix also, $A = {A^T}$, for the elements to be all $0$.
Therefore, we can conclude that the zero matrix is a symmetric matrix.
Note:Interestingly, the zero matrix is also a skew-symmetric matrix, as, in the skew symmetric matrix the opposite terms of the main diagonal are negations of each other, that is, ${a_{ij}} = - {a_{ji}}$, for all $i$ and $j$. So, in a zero matrix, the elements are also negations of each other about the main diagonal as all elements are equal to $0$. So, we can also say that a zero matrix is also a skew-symmetric matrix.
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