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Rank and nullity of projection onto one vector

Question

For a non-zero v∈Rnv\in\mathbb{R}^n, let Pv=vvT∥v∥2P_v=\dfrac{vv^T}{\|v\|^2} be the projection onto the line through vv. Let rr be its rank and mm its nullity. The quantity r2+m2r^2+m^2 is a polynomial an2+bn+can^2+bn+c with integer coefficients; give a+b+ca+b+c.

Short answer

11. Every output PvxP_vx is a multiple of vv and Pvv=vP_vv=v, so the rank is 11 and, by rank-nullity, the nullity is n−1n-1. Then 1+(n−1)2=n2−2n+21+(n-1)^2=n^2-2n+2, so a+b+c=1−2+2=1a+b+c=1-2+2=1.

Adapted from QuantQuestions.io; question and answer rewritten by SelfMadeQuant.com.

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