Matrix Span 87A998
1. **Problem statement:** Determine for which values of $k \in \mathbb{R}$ the matrix
$$
A = \begin{pmatrix} 3 & -2 \\ 2 & 2 \end{pmatrix}
$$
belongs to the span
$$
W = \text{Span}\left(
M_1 = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 0 \\ 2 & 0 \end{pmatrix},
M_2 = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & k \\ 0 & -k \end{pmatrix},
M_3 = \begin{pmatrix} k & 6 \\ 1 & -6 \end{pmatrix}
\right).
$$
2. **Formula and approach:** To check if $A \in W$, we want scalars $a,b,c \in \mathbb{R}$ such that
$$
A = a M_1 + b M_2 + c M_3.
$$
This means
$$
\begin{pmatrix} 3 & -2 \\ 2 & 2 \end{pmatrix} = a \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 0 \\ 2 & 0 \end{pmatrix} + b \begin{pmatrix} 1 & k \\ 0 & -k \end{pmatrix} + c \begin{pmatrix} k & 6 \\ 1 & -6 \end{pmatrix}.
$$
3. **Set up the system of equations:** Equate each entry:
- Top-left: $3 = 2a + b + ck$
- Top-right: $-2 = 0a + bk + 6c = bk + 6c$
- Bottom-left: $2 = 2a + 0b + c = 2a + c$
- Bottom-right: $2 = 0a - bk - 6c = -bk - 6c$
4. **Simplify the system:** From top-right and bottom-right equations:
$$
-2 = bk + 6c \\ 2 = -bk - 6c
$$
Add these two equations:
$$
-2 + 2 = (bk - bk) + (6c - 6c) = 0
$$
which is true for all $b,c$. So these two equations are dependent.
Rewrite bottom-right:
$$
2 = -bk - 6c \implies bk + 6c = -2
$$
But top-right says $bk + 6c = -2$ as well, so consistent.
5. **From bottom-left:**
$$
2 = 2a + c \implies c = 2 - 2a
$$
6. **Substitute $c$ into top-left:**
$$
3 = 2a + b + k(2 - 2a) = 2a + b + 2k - 2ak = b + 2a(1 - k) + 2k
$$
Rearranged:
$$
b = 3 - 2a(1 - k) - 2k
$$
7. **Substitute $b$ and $c$ into $bk + 6c = -2$:**
$$
(3 - 2a(1 - k) - 2k)k + 6(2 - 2a) = -2
$$
Expand:
$$
3k - 2a k (1 - k) - 2k^2 + 12 - 12a = -2
$$
Group $a$ terms:
$$
-2a k (1 - k) - 12a + 3k - 2k^2 + 12 = -2
$$
Move constants:
$$
-2a k (1 - k) - 12a = -2 - 3k + 2k^2 - 12 = -14 - 3k + 2k^2
$$
Factor $a$:
$$
a(-2k(1-k) - 12) = -14 - 3k + 2k^2
$$
Simplify inside parentheses:
$$
-2k + 2k^2 - 12 = 2k^2 - 2k - 12
$$
So:
$$
a(2k^2 - 2k - 12) = -14 - 3k + 2k^2
$$
8. **Solve for $a$ when denominator nonzero:**
$$
a = \frac{-14 - 3k + 2k^2}{2k^2 - 2k - 12}
$$
9. **Check denominator zero cases:**
$$
2k^2 - 2k - 12 = 0 \implies k^2 - k - 6 = 0
$$
Solve quadratic:
$$
k = \frac{1 \pm \sqrt{1 + 24}}{2} = \frac{1 \pm 5}{2}
$$
So $k=3$ or $k=-2$.
10. **For $k=3$:**
Denominator zero, check if numerator zero:
$$
-14 - 3(3) + 2(9) = -14 - 9 + 18 = -5 \neq 0
$$
No solution for $a$, so no $a,b,c$ exist. $A \notin W$.
11. **For $k=-2$:**
Numerator:
$$
-14 - 3(-2) + 2(4) = -14 + 6 + 8 = 0
$$
So $a$ can be any real number. Infinite solutions.
12. **Summary:**
- For $k \neq 3, -2$, $a,b,c$ exist uniquely and $A \in W$.
- For $k=3$, no solution.
- For $k=-2$, infinite solutions.
---
**Final answer:**
$$
\boxed{
\begin{cases}
A \in W & \text{if } k \neq 3 \\
A \notin W & \text{if } k = 3
\end{cases}
}
$$
---
**Slug:** matrix span
**Subject:** linear algebra
**Desmos:** {"latex":"","features":{"intercepts":true,"extrema":true}}
**q_count:** 1