Category: Linear Algebra

Orthogonality of Eigenvectors of a Symmetric Matrix Corresponding to Distinct Eigenvalues

Problem 235

Suppose that a real symmetric matrix $A$ has two distinct eigenvalues $\alpha$ and $\beta$.
Show that any eigenvector corresponding to $\alpha$ is orthogonal to any eigenvector corresponding to $\beta$.

(Nagoya University, Linear Algebra Final Exam Problem)
 
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Rotation Matrix in Space and its Determinant and Eigenvalues

Problem 218

For a real number $0\leq \theta \leq \pi$, we define the real $3\times 3$ matrix $A$ by
\[A=\begin{bmatrix}
\cos\theta & -\sin\theta & 0 \\
\sin\theta &\cos\theta &0 \\
0 & 0 & 1
\end{bmatrix}.\]

(a) Find the determinant of the matrix $A$.

(b) Show that $A$ is an orthogonal matrix.

(c) Find the eigenvalues of $A$.

 
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Given Graphs of Characteristic Polynomial of Diagonalizable Matrices, Determine the Rank of Matrices

Problem 217

Let $A, B, C$ are $2\times 2$ diagonalizable matrices.

The graphs of characteristic polynomials of $A, B, C$ are shown below. The red graph is for $A$, the blue one for $B$, and the green one for $C$.

From this information, determine the rank of the matrices $A, B,$ and $C$.

Graphs of characteristic polynomials

Graphs of characteristic polynomials

 
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Two Matrices with the Same Characteristic Polynomial. Diagonalize if Possible.

Problem 216

Let
\[A=\begin{bmatrix}
1 & 3 & 3 \\
-3 &-5 &-3 \\
3 & 3 & 1
\end{bmatrix} \text{ and } B=\begin{bmatrix}
2 & 4 & 3 \\
-4 &-6 &-3 \\
3 & 3 & 1
\end{bmatrix}.\] For this problem, you may use the fact that both matrices have the same characteristic polynomial:
\[p_A(\lambda)=p_B(\lambda)=-(\lambda-1)(\lambda+2)^2.\]

(a) Find all eigenvectors of $A$.

(b) Find all eigenvectors of $B$.

(c) Which matrix $A$ or $B$ is diagonalizable?

(d) Diagonalize the matrix stated in (c), i.e., find an invertible matrix $P$ and a diagonal matrix $D$ such that $A=PDP^{-1}$ or $B=PDP^{-1}$.

(Stanford University Linear Algebra Final Exam Problem)
 
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How to Diagonalize a Matrix. Step by Step Explanation.

Problem 211

In this post, we explain how to diagonalize a matrix if it is diagonalizable.

As an example, we solve the following problem.

Diagonalize the matrix
\[A=\begin{bmatrix}
4 & -3 & -3 \\
3 &-2 &-3 \\
-1 & 1 & 2
\end{bmatrix}\] by finding a nonsingular matrix $S$ and a diagonal matrix $D$ such that $S^{-1}AS=D$.

(Update 10/15/2017. A new example problem was added.)
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Maximize the Dimension of the Null Space of $A-aI$

Problem 200

Let
\[ A=\begin{bmatrix}
5 & 2 & -1 \\
2 &2 &2 \\
-1 & 2 & 5
\end{bmatrix}.\]

Pick your favorite number $a$. Find the dimension of the null space of the matrix $A-aI$, where $I$ is the $3\times 3$ identity matrix.

Your score of this problem is equal to that dimension times five.

(The Ohio State University Linear Algebra Practice Problem)
 
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Find Values of $h$ so that the Given Vectors are Linearly Independent

Problem 194

Find the value(s) of $h$ for which the following set of vectors
\[\left \{ \mathbf{v}_1=\begin{bmatrix}
1 \\
0 \\
0
\end{bmatrix}, \mathbf{v}_2=\begin{bmatrix}
h \\
1 \\
-h
\end{bmatrix}, \mathbf{v}_3=\begin{bmatrix}
1 \\
2h \\
3h+1
\end{bmatrix}\right\}\] is linearly independent.

(Boston College, Linear Algebra Midterm Exam Sample Problem)
 
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Compute Determinant of a Matrix Using Linearly Independent Vectors

Problem 193

Let $A$ be a $3 \times 3$ matrix.
Let $\mathbf{x}, \mathbf{y}, \mathbf{z}$ are linearly independent $3$-dimensional vectors. Suppose that we have
\[A\mathbf{x}=\begin{bmatrix}
1 \\
0 \\
1
\end{bmatrix}, A\mathbf{y}=\begin{bmatrix}
0 \\
1 \\
0
\end{bmatrix}, A\mathbf{z}=\begin{bmatrix}
1 \\
1 \\
1
\end{bmatrix}.\]

Then find the value of the determinant of the matrix $A$.

 
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