A real matrix and its inverse share the same eigenvectors?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between a matrix \( A \) and its inverse \( A^{-1} \) regarding their eigenvectors. It establishes that if \( v_i \) is an eigenvector of \( A \) with eigenvalue \( \lambda_i \) and multiplicity 1, then \( A^{-1} v_i \) is also an eigenvector of \( A \) with the same eigenvalue. However, a counterexample using the matrix \( A = \begin{pmatrix}\frac{\sqrt3}{2}&\frac{1}{2}&0\\-\frac{1}{2}&\frac{\sqrt3}{2}&0\\0&0&1\end{pmatrix} \) demonstrates that the eigenvectors of \( A \) and \( A^{-1} \) can differ, disproving the initial claim.

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Happiness
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Suppose ##v_i## is an eigenvector of ##A## with eigenvalue ##\lambda_i## and multiplicity ##1##.

##AA^{-1}v_i=A^{-1}Av_i=A^{-1}\lambda_iv_i=\lambda_iA^{-1}v_i##

Thus ##A^{-1}v_i## is also an eigenvector of ##A## with the same eigenvalue ##\lambda_i##.

Since the multiplicity of ##\lambda_i## is ##1##,

##A^{-1}v_i=k_iv_i##, where ##k_i## is a constant.

Thus ##v_i## is also an eigenvector of ##A^{-1}## with the same eigenvalue ##\lambda_i##.

What's wrong with this proof?

Counterexample:

##A=\begin{pmatrix}\frac{\sqrt3}{2}&\frac{1}{2}&0\\-\frac{1}{2}&\frac{\sqrt3}{2}&0\\0&0&1\end{pmatrix}##

The eigenvector corresponding to eigenvalue ##\frac{\sqrt3}{2}+\frac{1}{2}i## is ##\begin{pmatrix}-\frac{\sqrt2}{2}i\\ \frac{\sqrt2}{2}\\0\end{pmatrix}##, but that for ##A^{-1}## is ##\begin{pmatrix}\frac{\sqrt2}{2}\\-\frac{\sqrt2}{2}i\\0\end{pmatrix}##.
 
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Happiness said:
Thus ##v_i## is also an eigenvector of ##A^{-1}## with the same eigenvalue ##\lambda_1##.
If ##A v= \lambda v##, then ##A^{-1} v= \frac{1}{\lambda} v##.

(Of course assuming here that ##A^{-1}## exists.)
 
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Samy_A said:
If ##A v= \lambda v##, then ##A^{-1} v= \frac{1}{\lambda} v##.

(Of course assuming here that ##A^{-1}## exists.)

Thanks! I've found the mistake.
 

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