Given that A and B are skew-symmetric matrices, we have the properties: $$A' = -A$$ $$B' = -B$$
Let $X = AB' + BA'$. We need to check if $X$ is symmetric or skew-symmetric by finding its transpose $X'$.
Using the property $(P+Q)' = P' + Q'$ and $(PQ)' = Q'P'$: $$X' = (AB' + BA')' = (AB')' + (BA')'$$ $$X' = (B')'A' + (A')'B'$$ Since $(M')' = M$, we get: $$X' = BA' + AB'$$
Substitute $A' = -A$ and $B' = -B$ into the expression: $$X' = B(-A) + A(-B)$$ $$X' = -BA - AB = -(AB + BA)$$ Wait, let us re-evaluate the original expression $AB' + BA'$. Substitute $A' = -A$ and $B' = -B$: $$X = A(-B) + B(-A) = -AB - BA = -(AB + BA)$$ Now find $X'$: $$X' = (-(AB + BA))' = -(B'A' + A'B')$$ $$X' = -((-B)(-A) + (-A)(-B)) = -(BA + AB) = X$$ Since $X' = X$, the matrix is symmetric.
Final Answer: symmetric matrix
AI generated content. Review strictly for academic accuracy.