# Homework Help: Eiganvectors / values

1. Jun 4, 2007

### daniel_i_l

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
You have a singular 3x3 matrix where det(A-I) = 0 , rank(A+3I) = 2
a) find the characteristic polynomial of A.
b) Is A-3I invertible?
c) Find det(A) and tr(A)

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution
a) First I'll find the eigenvalues:
- 0 is obviously one since A is singular
-det(A-I)=0 => det(I-A) = 0 and so 1 is also an eigenvalue.
-rank(A+3I)=2 => rank(-3I - A) = 2 and so det(-3I - A) = 0 and so -3 is also one.
So the polynomial is t(t-1)(t+3)

b) No because if det(A-3I)=0 => det(3I-A)=0 => 3 is an eigenvalue but we already found 3 and that's the maximum.

c) det(A) =0 , and the polynomial is t(t^2+2t -3) = t^3 +2t^2 -3t and so tr(A) = 2.

Is that right? Am I missing anything?
Thanks.

2. Jun 4, 2007

### Dick

Basically fine, except that you argument in b) shows A-3I IS invertible, correct? And an alternative way to get the trace is just to sum the eigenvalues 0+1-3=-2. So since the characteristic polynomial is (t-e1)(t-e2)(t-e3) you can see that the coefficient of the t^2 is NEGATIVE the sum of the eigenvalues.

3. Jun 4, 2007

### Mindscrape

For part b:

Do you know the theorem that says that if you have any zero eigenvalue then the matrix is singular? If not, does it make sense to you why this is true?

4. Jun 6, 2007

### daniel_i_l

Thanks everyone.