Intuition
Bring the chapter together: find eigenvalues and eigenvectors, compare the two multiplicities, decide whether a matrix diagonalises, and use the eigenvalues to predict powers. No worked example sits above the answers.
Linear Algebra · Lesson 06
Bring the chapter together: find eigenvalues and eigenvectors, compare the two multiplicities, decide whether a matrix diagonalises, and use the eigenvalues to predict powers. No worked example sits above the answers.
Read freely. Sign in when you want to save your place.
Sign in to save progressBring the chapter together: find eigenvalues and eigenvectors, compare the two multiplicities, decide whether a matrix diagonalises, and use the eigenvalues to predict powers. No worked example sits above the answers.
A doctor reads a few vital signs and knows a great deal about the patient. The eigenvalues are the vital signs of a matrix.
Decide first what is asked. Eigenvalues: the roots of , or the diagonal of a triangular matrix. Eigenvectors: the null space of . Diagonalisable: enough eigenvectors for a basis. Powers and the long run: and the sizes of the eigenvalues.
Try it
What is the larger eigenvalue of ?
Try it
Which is an eigenvector of for the eigenvalue ?
Try it
A matrix has eigenvalues , and , counted with multiplicity. What is its determinant?
Try it
The eigenvalues of an upper triangular matrix are its diagonal entries.
Try it
Which matrix is not diagonalisable?
Try it
with and . What is the entry in row 1, column 2 of ?
Try it
If is an eigenvalue of an invertible matrix , then is an eigenvalue of .
Try it
A linear map of the plane sends every vector on the line to itself and every vector on the line to its negative. What can be said about it?
Try it
is an eigenvector of with eigenvalue . What is the eigenvalue of for the same ?
Try it
Every 2 by 2 matrix with real entries has a real eigenvalue.