Image and Kernel of a Linear Transformation
Let V and W be vector spaces, and let T : V →W be a linear transformation. The image of T,
denoted by Im(T) or Range(T), is the set
Im(T ) or R(T) {T (v) W; v V } W
In other words, the image of T consists of individual images of all vectors of V.
Let V and W be vector spaces, and let T : V →W be a linear transformation. The kernel of T,
denoted by Ker(T), is the set
ker T v V ; T v 0 V
In other words, the kernel of T consists of all vectors of V that map to 0 in W.
Important Transform is given in the following Question:
Remark:
Let T : n m be a linear Transform defined by the (m x n) order matrix A.
The kernel of A consists of all the solutions of system AX=0. Therefore, Kernel
of A [i.e., Ker(T)] is nothing but a null space N(A) of matrix A.
The Im(A) [i.e., Im(T)] is just Column space C(A) of matrix A.
Therefore, finding Kernel of T (if you know Matrix A corresponding to T)
is same as finding Null space N(A) of matrices studied in Module 3.
And finding basis of Im(T) (if you know Matrix A corresponding to T) is
same as finding Basis of column space C(A) of matrices studied in
Module 3.
Question 1: Let T:R4→R5 be a linear transformation with standard matrix A,
such that T(X)=AX
Then find Basis of Im(T) & Dim[Im(T)]
Solution: First we find Reduced Row Echelon form of A.
Basis for C(A)=Basis of Im(T)= v1 , v 2 , v 4 1,0, 3, 3, 2 , 3, 1, 0, 4, 0 , 3, 0, 1, 1, 2
1 3 3
0 1 0
or 3 , 0 , 1 ,
3 4 1
2 0 2
Dim C(A)=Dim Im(T)=3.
1 2 2 1
A 3 6 5 4
1 2 0 3
Then find Ker(T), Basis of Ker(T) & Dim[Ker(T)].
1 2 2 1 0 1 2 2 1 0
x 2x 2x x 0
A | 0 3 6 5 4 0 Row Echelon Form 0 0 1 1 0 1 2 x3 x4 0
1 2 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 4
2, n 4, n 4 2 2, two free variables. Let x4 t x3 t & x2 s x1 2s 3t
Then the solution Space=Ker(T)= 2s 3t , s, t, t s, t .
2s 3t , s, t, t 2s , s, 0, 0 3t , 0, t, t
,
s 2 , 1, 0, 0 t 3 , 0, 1, 1
So, Basis of Ker(T)= BN(A) = 2 , 1, 0, 0 , 3 , 0, 1, 1
Nullity=Dim[N(A)]=Dim[Ker(T)]=2. n 2
Note: If slandered basis is given then finding rule is little easy. See next
example
We already studied this theorem in Module 3 in terms of matrices.
