Find the Eigenvalues and eigenvectors of 3x3 matrix

In summary, the table A has three elements, each of which is a sum of two other elements. The first two equations state that these sums are equal, and the third equation states that these sums are equal if and only if the three elements are linearly independent.
  • #1
Michael_0039
59
7
Assume a table A(3x3) with the following:

A [ 1 2 1 ]^T = 6 [ 1 2 1 ]^T
A [ 1 -1 1 ]^T = 3 [ 1 -1 1 ]^T
A [ 2 -1 0]^T = 3 [ 1 -1 1]^T

Find the Eigenvalues and eigenvectors:

I have in mind to start with the Av=λv or det(A-λI)v=0....

Also, the first 2 equations seems to have the form Av=λv:
So maybe, u1= [ 1 2 1 ] with λ=6 and u2= [1 -1 1] with λ=3 .......but what about 3rd ?
 
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  • #2
Why don't you get A explicitly at first ?
 
  • #3
anuttarasammyak said:
Why don't you get A explicitly at first ?
Matrix A is not given, only those equations.
 
  • #4
Those equations are equivalent to a product relation of 3X3 matrices say
[tex]AB=C[/tex]
So explicitly
[tex]A=CB^{-1}[/tex]
...But I see getting explicit A is not a straight forward way
 
Last edited:
  • #5
Michael_0039 said:
Assume a table A(3x3) with the following:

A [ 1 2 1 ]^T = 6 [ 1 2 1 ]^T
A [ 1 -1 1 ]^T = 3 [ 1 -1 1 ]^T
A [ 2 -1 0]^T = 3 [ 1 -1 1]^T

Find the Eigenvalues and eigenvectors:

I have in mind to start with the Av=λv or det(A-λI)v=0....

Also, the first 2 equations seems to have the form Av=λv:
So maybe, u1= [ 1 2 1 ] with λ=6 and u2= [1 -1 1] with λ=3 .......but what about 3rd ?
Correct.

The second and third means, that the eigenspace to the eigenvalue ##3## has dimension two. It is spanned by ##(1,-1,1)^\tau## and ##(2,-1,0)^\tau.##
 
  • #6
So the answer will be:
λ1=6 with u1=[ 1 2 1 ]T
λ2=3 with u2=[ 1 -1 1 ]T and u3=[ 2 -1 0 ]T

(?)
 
  • #7
Michael_0039 said:
So the answer will be:
λ1=6 with u1=[ 1 2 1 ]T
λ2=3 with u2=[ 1 -1 1 ]T and u3=[ 2 -1 0 ]T

(?)
Yes.

I mean, almost.
All linear combinations of ##(1,2,1)## (i.e. all multiples of) are eigenvectors to the eigenvalue ##6,## too.
All linear combinations of ##(1,-1,1)## and ##(2,-1,0)## are eigenvectors to the eigenvalue ##3,## too.
 
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  • #8
@Michael_0039 note my edit. You've been too fast.

If ##v_1,\ldots,v_n## are all eigenvectors to the same eigenvalue ##\lambda ## then
$$
A\left(\sum_{k=1}^n \alpha_k v_k\right)=\sum_{k=1}^n\alpha_k A(v_k)=\sum_{k=1}^n\alpha_k \lambda v_k=\lambda \cdot \left(\sum_{k=1}^n\alpha_k v_k\right)
$$
all linear combinations are eigenvectors to the eigenvalue ##\lambda, ## too.
 
  • #9
So for the 2nd question: Is A reversible or/and diagonal ?
The answer if A-1 exists is λ12≠0 and is non-diagonal because λ2 has reached one time but has 2 eigenvectors (?)
 
  • #10
Michael_0039 said:
So for the 22nd question: Is A reversible ...
What do you think? Hint: not reversible implies not injective. Now, what does not injective mean?

Michael_0039 said:
... or/and diagonal
Are those three vectors linearly independent? If so, they will be a basis. How does ##A## look like according to that basis?
 
  • #11
Michael_0039 said:
A [ 1 -1 1 ]^T = 3 [ 1 -1 1 ]^T
A [ 2 -1 0]^T = 3 [ 1 -1 1]^T
By subtraction I observe
[tex]A[-1,0,1]^T=[0,0,0]^T=0[-1,0,1]^T[/tex]
which suggests ##\lambda=0,3,6## in all.
 
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  • #12
fresh_42 said:
Correct.

The second and third means, that the eigenspace to the eigenvalue ##3## has dimension two. It is spanned by ##(1,-1,1)^\tau## and ##(2,-1,0)^\tau.##

The second and third equations tell us that [itex](2, -1, 0)^T - (1, -1, 1)^T = (1,0,-1)^T \in \ker A[/itex].
 
  • #13
pasmith said:
The second and third equations tell us that [itex](2, -1, 0)^T - (1, -1, 1)^T = (1,0,-1)^T \in \ker A[/itex].
Thank you. My mistake! I mistook it for ##A(2,-1,0)=(2,-1,0).##

@Michael_0039 Forget my posts. I was thinking about a different situation.
 

1. What is the purpose of finding the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a 3x3 matrix?

The eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a 3x3 matrix help us understand the behavior and properties of the matrix. They also have important applications in fields such as physics, engineering, and computer science.

2. How do you find the eigenvalues of a 3x3 matrix?

To find the eigenvalues of a 3x3 matrix, we need to solve the characteristic equation det(A-λI) = 0, where A is the matrix and λ is the eigenvalue. This will give us a polynomial equation, the roots of which are the eigenvalues.

3. Can a 3x3 matrix have complex eigenvalues?

Yes, a 3x3 matrix can have complex eigenvalues. This is because the eigenvalues are the roots of a polynomial equation, and complex numbers can be roots of polynomial equations.

4. How do you find the eigenvectors of a 3x3 matrix?

To find the eigenvectors of a 3x3 matrix, we substitute the eigenvalues into the equation (A-λI)x = 0 and solve for x. The resulting non-zero solutions are the eigenvectors corresponding to that eigenvalue.

5. Can a 3x3 matrix have more than three eigenvectors?

No, a 3x3 matrix can have at most three distinct eigenvectors. This is because the eigenvectors must be linearly independent, and a 3x3 matrix can have at most three linearly independent vectors.

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