Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors: Finding the Roots of a Matrix

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the matrix: [[6, -1, 0], [-1, -1, -1], [0, -1, 1]]. The user encountered difficulties in calculating the characteristic polynomial, specifically the determinant, resulting in an incorrect equation: -λ^3 + 8λ^2 + λ - 6. The correct approach involves applying the determinant formula accurately, considering the signs and the inclusion of in the diagonal elements. The user is advised to calculate the determinant as the sum of six products with appropriate signs.

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  • Familiarity with matrix operations, including determinants.
  • Knowledge of characteristic polynomials and their significance in linear transformations.
  • Experience with cofactor expansion in determinant calculations.
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  • Review the process of calculating determinants using cofactor expansion.
  • Study the properties of eigenvalues and eigenvectors in linear transformations.
  • Learn about the characteristic polynomial and its role in finding eigenvalues.
  • Explore advanced topics in linear algebra, such as diagonalization and spectral theory.
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kev.thomson96
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Homework Statement


we have this matrix
6 - 1 0
-1 -1 -1
0 -1 1
We need to find it's eigenvalues and eigenvectors

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

[/B]

I wrote the characteristic equation - det(A- λxunit matrix) to find the roots and got (-λ^3)+8(λ^2)+λ-6 instead of -λ(^3)+6(λ^2)+3λ-13, which restricts me from getting the eigenvalues and vectors in the end. I don't think I'm expanding the determinant correctly, even though I know the -1 on r1, c2 turns into a +.
Do I have to apply cofactors to every row, or just to the coefficients of the 2x2 matrix determinants (6 -(-1) and 0)

These are the supposed answers
 
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Hi kev:

You need to calculate the determinant as the sum of six products, each with an appropriate +/- sign. Each product includes one element from each row and each column.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Determinant .

Also, you may have forgotten that the cells along the main diagonal all have a "-λ" added to the numerical value in the cell.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Buzz
 

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