Let {v_1,v_2,v_3,v_4} be a vector basis of RR^4 and A a constant matrix of RR^(4 xx 4) so that: Av_1=-2v_1,Av_2=-v_1,Av_3=3v_4,Av_4=-3v_3 Can I find the eigenvalues of the matrix A? I know that lambda_1=−2 is a trivial eigenvalue but I don't know how to calculate the others.

Libby Owens

Libby Owens

Answered question

2022-07-23

Let { v 1 , v 2 , v 3 , v 4 } be a vector basis of R 4 and A a constant matrix of R 4 × 4 so that:
A v 1 = 2 v 1 , A v 2 = v 1 , A v 3 = 3 v 4 , A v 4 = 3 v 3
Can I find the eigenvalues of the matrix A? I know that λ 1 = 2 is a trivial eigenvalue but I don't know how to calculate the others.

Answer & Explanation

Hassan Watkins

Hassan Watkins

Beginner2022-07-24Added 18 answers

You actually know the representation of your matrix related to your basis. How do you represent linear application as matrix? Then you can calculate your characteristic polynomial and work from there if you want a standard way to solve this.
capellitad9

capellitad9

Beginner2022-07-25Added 3 answers

Notice that this linear map/matrix is basically two R 2 R 2 maps joined together: One map consists of a linear map from span { v 1 , v 2 } to itself, the other a linear map from span { v 3 , v 4 } . Respectively, these have matrix representations
[ 2 1 0 0 ]
and
[ 0 + 3 3 0 ]
It is pretty easy to find eigenvalues of these one.

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