# Find two linearly independent eigenvectors for eigenvalue 1

## Homework Statement

A linear transformation with Matrix A = ##
\begin{pmatrix}
5&4&2\\
4&5&2\\
2&2&2
\end{pmatrix} ## has eigenvalues 1 and 10. Find two linearly independent eigenvectors corresponding to the eigenvalue 1.

## Homework Equations

3. The Attempt at a Solution [/B]
I know from the trace of matrix A that eigenvalue 1 has a multiplicity of 2 and that eigenvalue 10 has a multiplicity of 1. Solving for eigenvectors corresponding for ## \lambda = 1 ##, pretend it's an augmented matrix...
##
\begin{pmatrix}
4&4&2\\
4&4&2\\
2&2&1
\end{pmatrix}
R_2 ->R_2 - R_1;
R_3 ->R_3 - \dfrac{1}{2} \cdot R_2 =
\begin{pmatrix}
4&4&2\\
0&0&0\\
0&0&0
\end{pmatrix}
R_1-> \dfrac{1}{2} \cdot R_1 =
\begin{pmatrix}
2&2&1\\
0&0&0\\
0&0&0
\end{pmatrix}
##
Therefore ##x_2## and ##x_3## are arbitrary. Solving for ##x_1## gives $$x_1=-x_2-\dfrac{1}{2} x_3$$ $$x_2=x_2$$ $$x_3=x_3$$
$$v= \begin{pmatrix} -x_2-\dfrac{1}{2} x_3\\ x_2\\ x_3 \end{pmatrix}$$
##v= x_2 \begin{pmatrix}
-1 \\
1 \\
0
\end{pmatrix} +
x_3 \begin{pmatrix}
-1 \\
0 \\
2
\end{pmatrix} ## Now those are the two eigenvectors I got however the answer in my book says the two eigenvectors are ##v_1=<1,0,-2>## and ##v_2=<0,1,-2>##

Mark44
Mentor

## Homework Statement

A linear transformation with Matrix A = ##
\begin{pmatrix}
5&4&2\\
4&5&2\\
2&2&2
\end{pmatrix} ## has eigenvalues 1 and 10. Find two linearly independent eigenvectors corresponding to the eigenvalue 1.

## Homework Equations

3. The Attempt at a Solution [/B]
I know from the trace of matrix A that eigenvalue 1 has a multiplicity of 2 and that eigenvalue 10 has a multiplicity of 1. Solving for eigenvectors corresponding for ## \lambda = 1 ##, pretend it's an augmented matrix...
##
\begin{pmatrix}
4&4&2\\
4&4&2\\
2&2&1
\end{pmatrix}
R_2 ->R_2 - R_1;
R_3 ->R_3 - \dfrac{1}{2} \cdot R_2 =
\begin{pmatrix}
4&4&2\\
0&0&0\\
0&0&0
\end{pmatrix}
R_1-> \dfrac{1}{2} \cdot R_1 =
\begin{pmatrix}
2&2&1\\
0&0&0\\
0&0&0
\end{pmatrix}
##
Therefore ##x_2## and ##x_3## are arbitrary. Solving for ##x_1## gives $$x_1=-x_2-\dfrac{1}{2} x_3$$ $$x_2=x_2$$ $$x_3=x_3$$
$$v= \begin{pmatrix} -x_2-\dfrac{1}{2} x_3\\ x_2\\ x_3 \end{pmatrix}$$
##v= x_2 \begin{pmatrix}
-1 \\
1 \\
0
\end{pmatrix} +
x_3 \begin{pmatrix}
-1 \\
0 \\
2
\end{pmatrix} ## Now those are the two eigenvectors I got however the answer in my book says the two eigenvectors are ##v_1=<1,0,-2>## and ##v_2=<0,1,-2>##
Your eigenvectors are correct, which I verified by multiplying them on the left by your matrix, with both multiplications resulting in 1 times the eigenvector.
The book's first eigenvector is the -1 multiple of your second eigenvector. Their second eigenvector is not a scalar multiple of your first eigenvector, but it still is an eigenvector associated with the eigenvalue 1. Your two vectors and the book's two vectors span the same two-dim. subspace of R3, so all is good.

Your eigenvectors are correct, which I verified by multiplying them on the left by your matrix, with both multiplications resulting in 1 times the eigenvector.
The book's first eigenvector is the -1 multiple of your second eigenvector. Their second eigenvector is not a scalar multiple of your first eigenvector, but it still is an eigenvector associated with the eigenvalue 1. Your two vectors and the book's two vectors span the same two-dim. subspace of R3, so all is good.
Okay thanks!

vela
Staff Emeritus