Understanding the concept of isomorphism between Hom(V,W) and $M_mtimes n$

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I'd appreciate a clarification about the following issue.
It's known that Hom(V,W) is isomorphic to $M_mtimes n$
Correct me if I'm wrong, but as I get it, the meaning of the above statement is that every linear transformation from V to W is represented uniquely by an mxn matrix, and vice versa.
However, I'm having a hard time understanding something. Since we are free to choose any bases for V and W, consequently we get different representation matrices. How does it not contradict the statement mentioning the isomorphism, according to which, as I get it (and probably not correctly), there is a unique respective matrix?



Thanks in advance!










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    The isomorphism between $mboxHom (V,W)$ and $M_m times n$ actually depends upon the choices of bases on $V$ and $W$, and is unique after the choice of basis. If the basis is not chosen, then there can be many isomorphisms between the two rings. The meaning of the statement on the first line, is that there is an isomorphism : while this assigns a unique matrix to every linear transformation, the uniqueness is of the matrix, not of the isomorphism. You change the isomorphism by changing the bases on $V$ and $W$, and the unique matrix changes.
    – Ð°ÑÑ‚он вілла олоф мэллбэрг
    Aug 31 at 7:22











  • @астонвіллаолофмэллбэрг I suggest that you give an official answer to avoid the impression that the question is still unsanswered.
    – Paul Frost
    Aug 31 at 7:34










  • @PaulFrost I'm actually writing it! But anyway, thank you for the suggestion.
    – Ð°ÑÑ‚он вілла олоф мэллбэрг
    Aug 31 at 7:34










  • To further clarify @астонвіллаолофмэллбэрг's comment, when $V$ and $W$ are finite-dimensional vector spaces over a field $K$, there does not exist a canonical isomorphism $$textMat_dim_K(V)times dim_K(W)(K)cong textHom_K(V,W),.$$ On the other hand, $$ V^*undersetKotimes Wcong textHom_K(V,W)$$ has a canonical isomorphism given by the linear extension of $varphiotimes wmapsto big(vmapsto varphi(v),wbig)$ for all $varphiin V^*$, $vin V$, and $win W$. You can see that the canonical example does not depend on the choice of the bases.
    – Batominovski
    Aug 31 at 7:41















up vote
2
down vote

favorite












I'd appreciate a clarification about the following issue.
It's known that Hom(V,W) is isomorphic to $M_mtimes n$
Correct me if I'm wrong, but as I get it, the meaning of the above statement is that every linear transformation from V to W is represented uniquely by an mxn matrix, and vice versa.
However, I'm having a hard time understanding something. Since we are free to choose any bases for V and W, consequently we get different representation matrices. How does it not contradict the statement mentioning the isomorphism, according to which, as I get it (and probably not correctly), there is a unique respective matrix?



Thanks in advance!










share|cite|improve this question

















  • 3




    The isomorphism between $mboxHom (V,W)$ and $M_m times n$ actually depends upon the choices of bases on $V$ and $W$, and is unique after the choice of basis. If the basis is not chosen, then there can be many isomorphisms between the two rings. The meaning of the statement on the first line, is that there is an isomorphism : while this assigns a unique matrix to every linear transformation, the uniqueness is of the matrix, not of the isomorphism. You change the isomorphism by changing the bases on $V$ and $W$, and the unique matrix changes.
    – Ð°ÑÑ‚он вілла олоф мэллбэрг
    Aug 31 at 7:22











  • @астонвіллаолофмэллбэрг I suggest that you give an official answer to avoid the impression that the question is still unsanswered.
    – Paul Frost
    Aug 31 at 7:34










  • @PaulFrost I'm actually writing it! But anyway, thank you for the suggestion.
    – Ð°ÑÑ‚он вілла олоф мэллбэрг
    Aug 31 at 7:34










  • To further clarify @астонвіллаолофмэллбэрг's comment, when $V$ and $W$ are finite-dimensional vector spaces over a field $K$, there does not exist a canonical isomorphism $$textMat_dim_K(V)times dim_K(W)(K)cong textHom_K(V,W),.$$ On the other hand, $$ V^*undersetKotimes Wcong textHom_K(V,W)$$ has a canonical isomorphism given by the linear extension of $varphiotimes wmapsto big(vmapsto varphi(v),wbig)$ for all $varphiin V^*$, $vin V$, and $win W$. You can see that the canonical example does not depend on the choice of the bases.
    – Batominovski
    Aug 31 at 7:41













up vote
2
down vote

favorite









up vote
2
down vote

favorite











I'd appreciate a clarification about the following issue.
It's known that Hom(V,W) is isomorphic to $M_mtimes n$
Correct me if I'm wrong, but as I get it, the meaning of the above statement is that every linear transformation from V to W is represented uniquely by an mxn matrix, and vice versa.
However, I'm having a hard time understanding something. Since we are free to choose any bases for V and W, consequently we get different representation matrices. How does it not contradict the statement mentioning the isomorphism, according to which, as I get it (and probably not correctly), there is a unique respective matrix?



Thanks in advance!










share|cite|improve this question













I'd appreciate a clarification about the following issue.
It's known that Hom(V,W) is isomorphic to $M_mtimes n$
Correct me if I'm wrong, but as I get it, the meaning of the above statement is that every linear transformation from V to W is represented uniquely by an mxn matrix, and vice versa.
However, I'm having a hard time understanding something. Since we are free to choose any bases for V and W, consequently we get different representation matrices. How does it not contradict the statement mentioning the isomorphism, according to which, as I get it (and probably not correctly), there is a unique respective matrix?



Thanks in advance!







matrices linear-transformations vector-space-isomorphism






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asked Aug 31 at 7:16









Jonathan

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  • 3




    The isomorphism between $mboxHom (V,W)$ and $M_m times n$ actually depends upon the choices of bases on $V$ and $W$, and is unique after the choice of basis. If the basis is not chosen, then there can be many isomorphisms between the two rings. The meaning of the statement on the first line, is that there is an isomorphism : while this assigns a unique matrix to every linear transformation, the uniqueness is of the matrix, not of the isomorphism. You change the isomorphism by changing the bases on $V$ and $W$, and the unique matrix changes.
    – Ð°ÑÑ‚он вілла олоф мэллбэрг
    Aug 31 at 7:22











  • @астонвіллаолофмэллбэрг I suggest that you give an official answer to avoid the impression that the question is still unsanswered.
    – Paul Frost
    Aug 31 at 7:34










  • @PaulFrost I'm actually writing it! But anyway, thank you for the suggestion.
    – Ð°ÑÑ‚он вілла олоф мэллбэрг
    Aug 31 at 7:34










  • To further clarify @астонвіллаолофмэллбэрг's comment, when $V$ and $W$ are finite-dimensional vector spaces over a field $K$, there does not exist a canonical isomorphism $$textMat_dim_K(V)times dim_K(W)(K)cong textHom_K(V,W),.$$ On the other hand, $$ V^*undersetKotimes Wcong textHom_K(V,W)$$ has a canonical isomorphism given by the linear extension of $varphiotimes wmapsto big(vmapsto varphi(v),wbig)$ for all $varphiin V^*$, $vin V$, and $win W$. You can see that the canonical example does not depend on the choice of the bases.
    – Batominovski
    Aug 31 at 7:41













  • 3




    The isomorphism between $mboxHom (V,W)$ and $M_m times n$ actually depends upon the choices of bases on $V$ and $W$, and is unique after the choice of basis. If the basis is not chosen, then there can be many isomorphisms between the two rings. The meaning of the statement on the first line, is that there is an isomorphism : while this assigns a unique matrix to every linear transformation, the uniqueness is of the matrix, not of the isomorphism. You change the isomorphism by changing the bases on $V$ and $W$, and the unique matrix changes.
    – Ð°ÑÑ‚он вілла олоф мэллбэрг
    Aug 31 at 7:22











  • @астонвіллаолофмэллбэрг I suggest that you give an official answer to avoid the impression that the question is still unsanswered.
    – Paul Frost
    Aug 31 at 7:34










  • @PaulFrost I'm actually writing it! But anyway, thank you for the suggestion.
    – Ð°ÑÑ‚он вілла олоф мэллбэрг
    Aug 31 at 7:34










  • To further clarify @астонвіллаолофмэллбэрг's comment, when $V$ and $W$ are finite-dimensional vector spaces over a field $K$, there does not exist a canonical isomorphism $$textMat_dim_K(V)times dim_K(W)(K)cong textHom_K(V,W),.$$ On the other hand, $$ V^*undersetKotimes Wcong textHom_K(V,W)$$ has a canonical isomorphism given by the linear extension of $varphiotimes wmapsto big(vmapsto varphi(v),wbig)$ for all $varphiin V^*$, $vin V$, and $win W$. You can see that the canonical example does not depend on the choice of the bases.
    – Batominovski
    Aug 31 at 7:41








3




3




The isomorphism between $mboxHom (V,W)$ and $M_m times n$ actually depends upon the choices of bases on $V$ and $W$, and is unique after the choice of basis. If the basis is not chosen, then there can be many isomorphisms between the two rings. The meaning of the statement on the first line, is that there is an isomorphism : while this assigns a unique matrix to every linear transformation, the uniqueness is of the matrix, not of the isomorphism. You change the isomorphism by changing the bases on $V$ and $W$, and the unique matrix changes.
– Ð°ÑÑ‚он вілла олоф мэллбэрг
Aug 31 at 7:22





The isomorphism between $mboxHom (V,W)$ and $M_m times n$ actually depends upon the choices of bases on $V$ and $W$, and is unique after the choice of basis. If the basis is not chosen, then there can be many isomorphisms between the two rings. The meaning of the statement on the first line, is that there is an isomorphism : while this assigns a unique matrix to every linear transformation, the uniqueness is of the matrix, not of the isomorphism. You change the isomorphism by changing the bases on $V$ and $W$, and the unique matrix changes.
– Ð°ÑÑ‚он вілла олоф мэллбэрг
Aug 31 at 7:22













@астонвіллаолофмэллбэрг I suggest that you give an official answer to avoid the impression that the question is still unsanswered.
– Paul Frost
Aug 31 at 7:34




@астонвіллаолофмэллбэрг I suggest that you give an official answer to avoid the impression that the question is still unsanswered.
– Paul Frost
Aug 31 at 7:34












@PaulFrost I'm actually writing it! But anyway, thank you for the suggestion.
– Ð°ÑÑ‚он вілла олоф мэллбэрг
Aug 31 at 7:34




@PaulFrost I'm actually writing it! But anyway, thank you for the suggestion.
– Ð°ÑÑ‚он вілла олоф мэллбэрг
Aug 31 at 7:34












To further clarify @астонвіллаолофмэллбэрг's comment, when $V$ and $W$ are finite-dimensional vector spaces over a field $K$, there does not exist a canonical isomorphism $$textMat_dim_K(V)times dim_K(W)(K)cong textHom_K(V,W),.$$ On the other hand, $$ V^*undersetKotimes Wcong textHom_K(V,W)$$ has a canonical isomorphism given by the linear extension of $varphiotimes wmapsto big(vmapsto varphi(v),wbig)$ for all $varphiin V^*$, $vin V$, and $win W$. You can see that the canonical example does not depend on the choice of the bases.
– Batominovski
Aug 31 at 7:41





To further clarify @астонвіллаолофмэллбэрг's comment, when $V$ and $W$ are finite-dimensional vector spaces over a field $K$, there does not exist a canonical isomorphism $$textMat_dim_K(V)times dim_K(W)(K)cong textHom_K(V,W),.$$ On the other hand, $$ V^*undersetKotimes Wcong textHom_K(V,W)$$ has a canonical isomorphism given by the linear extension of $varphiotimes wmapsto big(vmapsto varphi(v),wbig)$ for all $varphiin V^*$, $vin V$, and $win W$. You can see that the canonical example does not depend on the choice of the bases.
– Batominovski
Aug 31 at 7:41











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The statement means there is an isomorphism $phicolonrm Hom,(V,W)to M_mtimes n$. (It does not preclude many isomorphisms.)



Let $B$ and $B'$ be bases for $V$ and $W$ respectively. Then there is *one" isomorphism corresponding to $B,B'$, let us denote it by $phi_B,B'$.



It is : $phi_B,B'(T) = A$ where $A$ is the matrix of $Tcolon Vto W$ for the choice of bases $B$ and $B'$ on $V$ and $W$ respectively.






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    up vote
    1
    down vote













    Important that we place all our key statements in yellow boxes.




    The first statement says that there is an(at least one) isomorphism an between $mboxHom (V,W)$ and $M_m times n$. Such an isomorphism would, by its injective nature, assign to every linear transformation, a unique matrix.



    unique up to choice of isomorphism!




    And the choice of isomorphism is not unique...




    The point, however, is that :




    Every choice of bases on $V$ and $W$ do
    The fact that for every choice of basis on $V$ and $W$ isomorphism between the above two spaces, does not therefore contradict the first statement at all.




    In fact, it strengthens it, since now we have a plethora of isomorphisms to choose from.



    Therefore, if we have a linear transformation, then depending on which isomorphism between the two spaces we are choosing , we will get a different matrix representation for that linear transformation.




    As Batominovski points out in the comments, we note that the isomorphism between the spaces depends on the choice of basis. Is it possible to write down an isomorphism which does not make use of a basis on $V$ and $W$ i.e. does not require more additional information about $V$ and $W$ other than the fact that they are vector spaces? Turns out this is not the case : a very interesting point. However, replacing matrices with another space $V^* otimes W$ does give such an isomorphism(which we refer to as "canonical", for the reason that it avoids using further information about $V$ and $W$, and is "natural" in some sense), which is why it is sometimes more desirable to speak of the above space rather than the space of matrices.






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      2 Answers
      2






      active

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      2 Answers
      2






      active

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      active

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      up vote
      1
      down vote













      The statement means there is an isomorphism $phicolonrm Hom,(V,W)to M_mtimes n$. (It does not preclude many isomorphisms.)



      Let $B$ and $B'$ be bases for $V$ and $W$ respectively. Then there is *one" isomorphism corresponding to $B,B'$, let us denote it by $phi_B,B'$.



      It is : $phi_B,B'(T) = A$ where $A$ is the matrix of $Tcolon Vto W$ for the choice of bases $B$ and $B'$ on $V$ and $W$ respectively.






      share|cite|improve this answer
























        up vote
        1
        down vote













        The statement means there is an isomorphism $phicolonrm Hom,(V,W)to M_mtimes n$. (It does not preclude many isomorphisms.)



        Let $B$ and $B'$ be bases for $V$ and $W$ respectively. Then there is *one" isomorphism corresponding to $B,B'$, let us denote it by $phi_B,B'$.



        It is : $phi_B,B'(T) = A$ where $A$ is the matrix of $Tcolon Vto W$ for the choice of bases $B$ and $B'$ on $V$ and $W$ respectively.






        share|cite|improve this answer






















          up vote
          1
          down vote










          up vote
          1
          down vote









          The statement means there is an isomorphism $phicolonrm Hom,(V,W)to M_mtimes n$. (It does not preclude many isomorphisms.)



          Let $B$ and $B'$ be bases for $V$ and $W$ respectively. Then there is *one" isomorphism corresponding to $B,B'$, let us denote it by $phi_B,B'$.



          It is : $phi_B,B'(T) = A$ where $A$ is the matrix of $Tcolon Vto W$ for the choice of bases $B$ and $B'$ on $V$ and $W$ respectively.






          share|cite|improve this answer












          The statement means there is an isomorphism $phicolonrm Hom,(V,W)to M_mtimes n$. (It does not preclude many isomorphisms.)



          Let $B$ and $B'$ be bases for $V$ and $W$ respectively. Then there is *one" isomorphism corresponding to $B,B'$, let us denote it by $phi_B,B'$.



          It is : $phi_B,B'(T) = A$ where $A$ is the matrix of $Tcolon Vto W$ for the choice of bases $B$ and $B'$ on $V$ and $W$ respectively.







          share|cite|improve this answer












          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer










          answered Aug 31 at 7:58









          P Vanchinathan

          14.1k12036




          14.1k12036




















              up vote
              1
              down vote













              Important that we place all our key statements in yellow boxes.




              The first statement says that there is an(at least one) isomorphism an between $mboxHom (V,W)$ and $M_m times n$. Such an isomorphism would, by its injective nature, assign to every linear transformation, a unique matrix.



              unique up to choice of isomorphism!




              And the choice of isomorphism is not unique...




              The point, however, is that :




              Every choice of bases on $V$ and $W$ do
              The fact that for every choice of basis on $V$ and $W$ isomorphism between the above two spaces, does not therefore contradict the first statement at all.




              In fact, it strengthens it, since now we have a plethora of isomorphisms to choose from.



              Therefore, if we have a linear transformation, then depending on which isomorphism between the two spaces we are choosing , we will get a different matrix representation for that linear transformation.




              As Batominovski points out in the comments, we note that the isomorphism between the spaces depends on the choice of basis. Is it possible to write down an isomorphism which does not make use of a basis on $V$ and $W$ i.e. does not require more additional information about $V$ and $W$ other than the fact that they are vector spaces? Turns out this is not the case : a very interesting point. However, replacing matrices with another space $V^* otimes W$ does give such an isomorphism(which we refer to as "canonical", for the reason that it avoids using further information about $V$ and $W$, and is "natural" in some sense), which is why it is sometimes more desirable to speak of the above space rather than the space of matrices.






              share|cite|improve this answer
























                up vote
                1
                down vote













                Important that we place all our key statements in yellow boxes.




                The first statement says that there is an(at least one) isomorphism an between $mboxHom (V,W)$ and $M_m times n$. Such an isomorphism would, by its injective nature, assign to every linear transformation, a unique matrix.



                unique up to choice of isomorphism!




                And the choice of isomorphism is not unique...




                The point, however, is that :




                Every choice of bases on $V$ and $W$ do
                The fact that for every choice of basis on $V$ and $W$ isomorphism between the above two spaces, does not therefore contradict the first statement at all.




                In fact, it strengthens it, since now we have a plethora of isomorphisms to choose from.



                Therefore, if we have a linear transformation, then depending on which isomorphism between the two spaces we are choosing , we will get a different matrix representation for that linear transformation.




                As Batominovski points out in the comments, we note that the isomorphism between the spaces depends on the choice of basis. Is it possible to write down an isomorphism which does not make use of a basis on $V$ and $W$ i.e. does not require more additional information about $V$ and $W$ other than the fact that they are vector spaces? Turns out this is not the case : a very interesting point. However, replacing matrices with another space $V^* otimes W$ does give such an isomorphism(which we refer to as "canonical", for the reason that it avoids using further information about $V$ and $W$, and is "natural" in some sense), which is why it is sometimes more desirable to speak of the above space rather than the space of matrices.






                share|cite|improve this answer






















                  up vote
                  1
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  1
                  down vote









                  Important that we place all our key statements in yellow boxes.




                  The first statement says that there is an(at least one) isomorphism an between $mboxHom (V,W)$ and $M_m times n$. Such an isomorphism would, by its injective nature, assign to every linear transformation, a unique matrix.



                  unique up to choice of isomorphism!




                  And the choice of isomorphism is not unique...




                  The point, however, is that :




                  Every choice of bases on $V$ and $W$ do
                  The fact that for every choice of basis on $V$ and $W$ isomorphism between the above two spaces, does not therefore contradict the first statement at all.




                  In fact, it strengthens it, since now we have a plethora of isomorphisms to choose from.



                  Therefore, if we have a linear transformation, then depending on which isomorphism between the two spaces we are choosing , we will get a different matrix representation for that linear transformation.




                  As Batominovski points out in the comments, we note that the isomorphism between the spaces depends on the choice of basis. Is it possible to write down an isomorphism which does not make use of a basis on $V$ and $W$ i.e. does not require more additional information about $V$ and $W$ other than the fact that they are vector spaces? Turns out this is not the case : a very interesting point. However, replacing matrices with another space $V^* otimes W$ does give such an isomorphism(which we refer to as "canonical", for the reason that it avoids using further information about $V$ and $W$, and is "natural" in some sense), which is why it is sometimes more desirable to speak of the above space rather than the space of matrices.






                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  Important that we place all our key statements in yellow boxes.




                  The first statement says that there is an(at least one) isomorphism an between $mboxHom (V,W)$ and $M_m times n$. Such an isomorphism would, by its injective nature, assign to every linear transformation, a unique matrix.



                  unique up to choice of isomorphism!




                  And the choice of isomorphism is not unique...




                  The point, however, is that :




                  Every choice of bases on $V$ and $W$ do
                  The fact that for every choice of basis on $V$ and $W$ isomorphism between the above two spaces, does not therefore contradict the first statement at all.




                  In fact, it strengthens it, since now we have a plethora of isomorphisms to choose from.



                  Therefore, if we have a linear transformation, then depending on which isomorphism between the two spaces we are choosing , we will get a different matrix representation for that linear transformation.




                  As Batominovski points out in the comments, we note that the isomorphism between the spaces depends on the choice of basis. Is it possible to write down an isomorphism which does not make use of a basis on $V$ and $W$ i.e. does not require more additional information about $V$ and $W$ other than the fact that they are vector spaces? Turns out this is not the case : a very interesting point. However, replacing matrices with another space $V^* otimes W$ does give such an isomorphism(which we refer to as "canonical", for the reason that it avoids using further information about $V$ and $W$, and is "natural" in some sense), which is why it is sometimes more desirable to speak of the above space rather than the space of matrices.







                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  share|cite|improve this answer



                  share|cite|improve this answer










                  answered Aug 31 at 9:33









                  астон вілла олоф мэллбэрг

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