Analyzing the Setup
The problem presents us with the matrix equation:
PT=2P+I
To solve for P, we must utilize the fundamental property of the transpose operator, which is an involution. Specifically, for any matrix P, the identity (PT)T=P holds true.
The Master Equation
We begin by taking the transpose of both sides of the original equation:
(PT)T=(2P+I)T
Applying the linearity property of the transpose, where
(A+B)T=AT+BT and
(kA)T=kAT, the equation simplifies to:
P=2PT+I
Now, we possess a system of two linear equations involving P and PT:
1) PT=2P+I
2) P=2PT+I
Solving the System
We substitute the expression for
PT from the first equation into the second equation:
P=2(2P+I)+I
Expanding the terms on the right side, we obtain:
P=4P+2I+I
P=4P+3I
Rearranging the terms to isolate
P on one side:
P−4P=3I
−3P=3I
Final Result
Dividing both sides by −3, we arrive at the final solution:
P=−I
This result indicates that P is the negative identity matrix. Consequently, for any column vector X, the transformation yields PX=−IX=−X, which geometrically represents a reflection of the vector through the origin.