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Linear AlgebraMediumSymmetric Matrices & Quadratic Forms

Symmetric Matrices & Quadratic Forms · Medium problem

A quadratic form with matrix A=(2007)A = \begin{pmatrix}2&0\\0&7\end{pmatrix} is transformed by the change of variables x=My\mathbf x = M\mathbf y with M=(1102)M = \begin{pmatrix}1&1\\0&2\end{pmatrix}, giving a new form with matrix B=MTAMB = M^{T}AM. Rather than multiplying out BB in full, use the fact det⁡(MTAM)=(det⁡M)2det⁡A\det(M^TAM) = (\det M)^2\det A to find det⁡B\det B.