Evaluating a wrong value of Eigenvector

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the evaluation of eigenvectors for a given 2x2 matrix. The matrix under consideration is [0 1; -2 -3], with eigenvalues λ=-1 and λ=-2. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the calculations for the eigenvector corresponding to λ=-2, noting discrepancies in the results obtained from different rows of the matrix equation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the eigenvector equation Ax = λx and question the correctness of the original poster's calculations. There is a focus on the interpretation of the matrix multiplication and the resulting equations derived from it.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided clarifications regarding the matrix multiplication process and suggested using the equation (A - λI)x = 0 for finding eigenvectors. There is an ongoing exploration of the calculations and the implications of the eigenvalue equation, with no explicit consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential misunderstandings regarding the right-hand side of the equations and the role of the identity matrix in the calculations. The original poster has indicated that they are experiencing similar issues in other problems, suggesting a broader context of confusion regarding eigenvector evaluation.

zak100
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Homework Statement


I think I am evaluating a wrong value for eigen vector. Wrong in the sense that first row is giving different value and next row is giving a different value.
The matrix is:
[0 1]
[-2 -3]
My eigen values are λ=-1 & λ=-2. I get the fine vectors for λ=-1 but λ=-2 x vanishes.

Homework Equations


A-λI = 0
& Ax = λx

The Attempt at a Solution


[0 1] * [x] = -2 * [x]
[-2 -3] [y] [y]

First row gives: y = -2x -2y
2x = 3y
Now x = 2/3 y

μ =[2, 3] (instead of column, i am showing row vector)

But the second row gives me: -2x -3y = -2x -2y (therfore x vanishes)

they have evaluated
μ=[1, -2] (instead of column, i am showing row vector)

Some body please guide me.

Zulfi.
 

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zak100 said:

Homework Statement


I think I am evaluating a wrong value for eigen vector. Wrong in the sense that first row is giving different value and next row is giving a different value.
The matrix is:
[0 1]
[-2 -3]
My eigen values are λ=-1 & λ=-2. I get the fine vectors for λ=-1 but λ=-2 x vanishes.

Homework Equations


A-λI = 0
& Ax = λx

The Attempt at a Solution


[0 1] * [x] = -2 * [x]
[-2 -3] [y] [y]

First row gives: y = -2x -2y
2x = 3y
Now x = 2/3 y

μ =[2, 3] (instead of column, i am showing row vector)

But the second row gives me: -2x -3y = -2x -2y (therfore x vanishes)

they have evaluated
μ=[1, -2] (instead of column, i am showing row vector)

Some body please guide me.

Zulfi.
Both eigenvalues are correct, but I don't follow your solution. It seems you first deal with ##\lambda = -2##. For this we have
## \left( \begin{bmatrix}0&1\\-2&-3\end{bmatrix} - (-2) \cdot \begin{bmatrix}1&0\\0&1\end{bmatrix} \right) \cdot \begin{bmatrix}x\\y\end{bmatrix}=\begin{bmatrix}0\\0\end{bmatrix}##
which results in ##2x+y=0## and ##-2x-y=0## which is different from what you wrote.
 
Hi,
Thanks for your response.
For evaluating, eigen vectors, I used the equation
Ax = λx

Is it right or not?

Zulfi.
 
zak100 said:
Hi,
Thanks for your response.
For evaluating, eigen vectors, I used the equation
Ax = λx

Is it right or not?

Zulfi.
Yes and yes. Yes, the equation itself ##A\vec{x}=\lambda \vec{x}## is right, and yes, that's not what you used.

This equation is actually two equations.
1. row: ##0\cdot x + 1 \cdot y = (-2) \cdot x##
2. row: ##-2 \cdot x +(-3)\cdot y = (-2) \cdot y##
 
Hi,
I have shown my calculations. But if you are not following and i can do it on a paper and post it as a file. Is it fine?

May be you are right because I am getting the same prob in another question also.

Zulfi.
 
zak100 said:
[0 1] * [x] = -2 * [x]
[-2 -3] [y] [y]
This does not make sense.
First row gives: y = -2x -2y
2x = 3y
Now x = 2/3 y
This is wrong.
 
Hi,

RHS of row1 is not correct. I am getting : -2x -2y
because λ * x is:
-2 * [ x]
[y]
So its : -2x -2y.
In your case its just -2 *x. I can't understand this because if you agree with this:
A* x = λ *x

RHS = λ * x
& λ = -2
& X = [x]
[y]

Please guide me. Thanks for your time.

Zulfi.
 
zak100 said:
Hi,

RHS of row1 is not correct. I am getting : -2x -2y
because λ * x is:
-2 * [ x]
[y]
So its : -2x -2y.
In your case its just -2 *x. I can't understand this because if you agree with this:
A* x = λ *x

RHS = λ * x
& λ = -2
& X = [x]
[y]

Please guide me. Thanks for your time.

Zulfi.
You have to understand how matrix multiplication goes. The equation you have is actually matrix (A) times vector (x,y in column) = eigenvalue (-2) [times identity matrix (I), which is not written] times vector (x,y in column). Now matrix multiplication is always row times column for short. This means it is
$$
\begin{bmatrix}a&b\\c&d\end{bmatrix} \cdot \begin{bmatrix}x\\y\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}a\cdot x + b \cdot y \\ c\cdot x + d \cdot y \end{bmatrix}
$$
This means for our case that we have
$$
\begin{bmatrix}0&1\\-2&-3\end{bmatrix} \cdot \begin{bmatrix}x\\y\end{bmatrix}= \begin{bmatrix}0\cdot x + 1\cdot y\\ (-2)\cdot x+ (-3)\cdot y\end{bmatrix} = (-2)\cdot \begin{bmatrix}1&0\\0&1\end{bmatrix} \cdot \begin{bmatrix}x\\y\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}-2 & 0 \\0 &-2 \end{bmatrix} \cdot \begin{bmatrix}x\\y\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}(-2)\cdot x + 0\cdot y \\ 0\cdot x + (-2)\cdot y\end{bmatrix}
$$
and now you can compare
$$
\begin{bmatrix}0\cdot x + 1\cdot y\\ (-2)\cdot x+ (-3)\cdot y\end{bmatrix} =\begin{bmatrix}y\\-2x-3y\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}(-2)\cdot x + 0\cdot y \\ 0\cdot x + (-2)\cdot y\end{bmatrix}= \begin{bmatrix}-2x\\-2y\end{bmatrix}
$$
row by row.
 
zak100 said:
Hi,

RHS of row1 is not correct. I am getting : -2x -2y
because λ * x is:
-2 * [ x]
[y]
So its : -2x -2y.
In your case its just -2 *x. I can't understand this because if you agree with this:
A* x = λ *x

RHS = λ * x
& λ = -2
& X = [x]
[y]

Please guide me. Thanks for your time.

Zulfi.
You're making this much harder than it really is.
Instead of working directly with ##Ax = \lambda x##, use ##(A - \lambda I)x = 0##
Here, ##A = \begin{bmatrix}0 & 1 \\ -2 & -3 \end{bmatrix}##, and ##\lambda = -2##, so ##A - \lambda I = \begin{bmatrix}2 & 1 \\ -2 & -1 \end{bmatrix}##.
The last matrix is equivalent to ## \begin{bmatrix}2 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 \end{bmatrix}## (which can be obtained by very simple row reductionn), so the matrix equation reduces to 2x + y = 0. We can arbitrarily set y = 1, so x = -1/2. That is, ##\begin{bmatrix} -1/2 \\ 1 \end{bmatrix}##.

All eigenvectors for ##\lambda = -2## for matrix A are some multiple of this vector.
 
  • #10
Hi,
Thanks I would try by using Identity matrix & redo all my examples.

This means I would use:
Ax =λ*I * x.

This would correct my multiplication.

Zulfi.
 
  • #11
zak100 said:
Hi,
Thanks I would try by using Identity matrix & redo all my examples.

This means I would use:
Ax =λ*I * x.

This would correct my multiplication.

Zulfi.
You can as well simply write ##(-2)\cdot \begin{bmatrix}x\\y\end{bmatrix}=\begin{bmatrix}-2x\\-2y\end{bmatrix}## which is the same.
 

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