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Exercise 1897Linear algebra › Vector spaces and subspacesL1Added 3 Nov 2026

Change of basis in a polynomial space

#change of basis#transition matrix#polynomials

Statement

Let B=(1,X,X2)\mathcal{B}=(1,X,X^2) and B′=(1,X−1,(X−1)2)\mathcal{B}'=(1,X-1,(X-1)^2) be two bases of R2[X]\mathbb{R}_2[X]. Compute the transition matrix from B\mathcal{B} to B′\mathcal{B}', and the coordinates of P(X)=2X2−3X+1P(X)=2X^2-3X+1 in B′\mathcal{B}'.

Hint

Express each vector of B′\mathcal{B}' in terms of B\mathcal{B} to build PB→B′P_{\mathcal{B}\to\mathcal{B}'}. Then use [P]B′=PB→B′−1[P]B[P]_{\mathcal{B}'} = P_{\mathcal{B}\to\mathcal{B}'}^{-1}[P]_{\mathcal{B}}.

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Solution

Transition matrix. In basis B\mathcal{B}:
1=(1,0,0),X−1=(−1,1,0),(X−1)2=(1,−2,1).1=(1,0,0), \quad X-1=(-1,1,0), \quad (X-1)^2=(1,-2,1).
So
PB→B′=(1−1101−2001).P_{\mathcal{B}\to\mathcal{B}'} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & -1 & 1 \\ 0 & 1 & -2 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix}.

Inverse. Since PP is triangular with diagonal 11, its inverse is
P−1=(111012001).P^{-1} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 0 & 1 & 2 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix}.

Coordinates in B′\mathcal{B}'. [P]B=(1,−3,2)[P]_{\mathcal{B}}=(1,-3,2). Then
[P]B′=P−1(1−32)=(1−3+2−3+42)=(012).[P]_{\mathcal{B}'} = P^{-1}\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ -3 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 1-3+2 \\ -3+4 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 1 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix}.

Verification. P=0⋅1+1⋅(X−1)+2⋅(X−1)2=X−1+2(X2−2X+1)=2X2−3X+1P=0\cdot 1+1\cdot(X-1)+2\cdot(X-1)^2 = X-1+2(X^2-2X+1) = 2X^2-3X+1. Correct.