Wize University Linear Algebra Textbook > Linear Transformations
Linear Transformations
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Linear Transformations
Transformations are functions that map one vector to another vector.
is a linear transformation if for all scalars and for all vectors , then
If is a linear transformation, then there exists a matrix that is said to induce :
Wize Concept
This is an important fact: every linear transformation is equivalent to multiplying by some matrix!
Wize Tip
You can quickly check whether or not a transformation is linear:
- Make sure all components consist of only multiples of variables being added or subtracted.
- Not allowed in linear transformations:
- multiplying variables together
- applying non-linear functions (trig functions, exponentials, raising to a power other than 1, etc.)
- If , then is not linear.
- adding a number on its own (no variable) not linear
Finding the Matrix Associated with a Linear Transformation
The matrix that induces is given by applying to every column of the identity matrix.
Denoting the column of as , we get:
Example
Suppose is given by . Find the matrix that induces .
The input of is a vector in , so we apply to the columns of :

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Example: Linear Transformations
Find the matrix that induces the linear transformation defined by:
.
Step 1
Define the following vectors by applying to the columns of :
Step 2
Wize Tip
Notice that each row could have been found directly by inspection!
E.g. compare row 1: we see that there is 1 in the column for , and -1 in the column for .

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Example: Proving a Transformation is Linear
Suppose a transformation is defined as:
Prove that is a linear transformation.
Let and let .
Our goal is to show that . Starting with the LHS:
Therefore, is in fact a linear transformation.
Practice: Identifying Non-Linear Transformations
Select all of the following transformations that are non-linear.
Practice: Linear Transformations
Suppose is a linear transformation where
.
Find the matrix that induces .