Eigenvalue question, hermitian matrix

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of hermitian matrices, specifically their diagonalization by unitary matrices and the relationship between the determinant of a hermitian matrix and its eigenvalues. Participants explore the implications of an equation related to the determinant and seek clarification on the distinction between absolute values and determinants in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents an equation relating the determinant of a hermitian matrix to its eigenvalues, expressing confusion over a MATLAB implementation that does not yield expected results.
  • Another participant suggests that the order of multiplication involving the unitary matrix and its conjugate transpose may be incorrect.
  • A later reply confirms the initial misunderstanding regarding the notation, clarifying that '|A|' refers to the determinant rather than the absolute value of the matrix.
  • Further discussion includes a question about how to differentiate between the absolute value and the determinant of a matrix.
  • Another participant asserts that when a matrix is enclosed in '| |', it typically denotes the determinant.
  • A suggestion is made to use MATLAB's det(A) command to compute the determinant directly.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the clarification that '|A|' refers to the determinant of the matrix. However, there remains some uncertainty regarding the correct application of the equation and the MATLAB results, with no consensus on the resolution of the initial confusion.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of clarity regarding the assumptions made in the application of the determinant equation and the specific operations performed in MATLAB, which may affect the interpretation of results.

thedean515
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I read from a book and claim that for any hermitian matrix can be diagonalized by a unitary matrix whose columns represent a complete set of its normalized eigenvectors. It then given an equation:
\mathbf{\left|A\right|=\left|U\right|\left|\Lambda\right|\left|U^{\dagger}\right|}=\lambda_{1}\lambda_{2}\ldots\lambda_{M} \qquad \qquad (1)

Let \mathbf{A} be a M\times M hermitian matrix , and \lambda_{i}, \lambda_{2}, \ldots, \lambda_{M} and \mathbf{u_{1},\, u_{2},\,\ldots\, u_{M}}represent its eigenvalues and an orthonormal set of eigenvectors.

\mathbf{\Lambda=}diag\left[\lambda_{1},\lambda_{2},\ldots,\lambda_{M}\right]
and
\mathbf{U=[u_{1},u_{2},\ldots,u_{M}]}
\mathbf{U^{\dagger}} represent the complex conjugate transpose of U.

I failed to proof it in MATLAB.

I have

A =

1.5000 2.5000 3.5000 4.5000 5.5000
2.5000 1.5000 2.5000 3.5000 4.5000
3.5000 2.5000 1.5000 2.5000 3.5000
4.5000 3.5000 2.5000 1.5000 2.5000
5.5000 4.5000 3.5000 2.5000 1.5000

>> [U lamda] = eig(A)
U =

0.6015 -0.4703 -0.3717 0.1777 0.4973
0.3717 0.2490 0.6015 -0.5125 0.4187
-0.0000 0.6586 0.0000 0.6414 0.3936
-0.3717 0.2490 -0.6015 -0.5125 0.4187
-0.6015 -0.4703 0.3717 0.1777 0.4973


lamda =

-5.2361 0 0 0 0
0 -1.6080 0 0 0
0 0 -0.7639 0 0
0 0 0 -0.5558 0
0 0 0 0 15.6638

The middle of Equation (1) equal to

abs(U)*abs(lamda)*abs(U')

ans =

6.2463 4.8416 3.6267 4.8416 6.2463
4.8416 3.9914 3.0274 3.9914 4.8416
3.6267 3.0274 3.3521 3.0274 3.6267
4.8416 3.9914 3.0274 3.9914 4.8416
6.2463 4.8416 3.6267 4.8416 6.2463

it does not equal to the right handside of Equation 1:
prod(diag(lamda))

ans =

56.0000

I think I must made a stupid error somewhere but can't see it myself at the moment, someone can help me
 
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I think you have "\mathbf{U}" and "\mathbf{U^{\dagger}}" reversed.

Try multiplying in the opposite order
 
HallsofIvy said:
I think you have "\mathbf{U}" and "\mathbf{U^{\dagger}}" reversed.

Try multiplying in the opposite order

Thank you for your help.
I tried, but I still can't get |A| from abs(U')*abs(lamda)*abs(U), which I will called it A2.

A2- abs(A) =
ans =

6.3607 3.6121 1.6572 -1.8534 1.0880
3.6121 3.5874 1.4778 -1.1544 0.8109
1.6572 1.4778 2.1712 -0.4520 0.9084
-1.8534 -1.1544 -0.4520 0.0429 0.0043
1.0880 0.8109 0.9084 0.0043 4.1655

I didn't understand from the equation given is that:

|A| = \lamda_1 \lamda_2 \ldots \lamda_M[\tex]<br /> <br /> If A is a M x M matrix how would it equal to a value as indicated by the RHS.
 
Here '|A|' doesn't mean the absolute value. It is the determinant.
 
that's right, thank you very much. I didn't thought about that. My question them become how to differentiate a absolute value or a determinant of a matrix?
 
Well, if the quantity in the '| |' is a matrix, it means the determinant, as far as I've seen until now.
 
Matlab has the command det(A) and it will return the determinant of the matrix A.

If you multiply, the right hand side determinants together you will get the determinant on the left hand side :)
 

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