Generalized vectors. Eigenvalues/Eigenvectors.

[STEMucator]

Homework Statement

Let A \in M_{22} (\mathbb{R}) with one single eigenvalue λ and one single eigenvector v. We denote w the generalized vector such that (A - λI)w = v. Prove that v and w are linearly independent.

Homework Equations

I know that if A has only one eigenvalue λ and one eigenvector v that the equation Av = λv is satisfied. That is, (A - λI)v = 0.

The Attempt at a Solution

I thought about this a bit, but I'm having trouble getting this one going. I thought about letting B = (A - λI) so that we get two equations :

Bv = 0 and Bw = v

Then I thought that it could be broken down into two cases, one where λ = 0 and one where λ ≠ 0, but I'm not sure this is the right path to take.

Any pointers?

 

[Dick]

Homework Statement

Let A \in M_{22} (\mathbb{R}) with one single eigenvalue λ and one single eigenvector v. We denote w the generalized vector such that (A - λI)w = v. Prove that v and w are linearly independent.

Homework Equations

I know that if A has only one eigenvalue λ and one eigenvector v that the equation Av = λv is satisfied. That is, (A - λI)v = 0.

The Attempt at a Solution

I thought about this a bit, but I'm having trouble getting this one going. I thought about letting B = (A - λI) so that we get two equations :

Bv = 0 and Bw = v

Then I thought that it could be broken down into two cases, one where λ = 0 and one where λ ≠ 0, but I'm not sure this is the right path to take.

Any pointers?

What's the definition of linearly independent?

 

[STEMucator]

There are several equivalent things, but if v_1, ..., v_n is a set of vectors, then v_1, ..., v_n are L.I if the equation :

c_1v_1, ..., c_nv_n = 0

has only a trivial solution. That is all the scalars are zero.

 

[Dick]

There are several equivalent things, but if v_1, ..., v_n is a set of vectors, then v_1, ..., v_n are L.I if the equation :

c_1v_1, ..., c_nv_n = 0

has only a trivial solution. That is all the scalars are zero.

That's the one. So if c1*v+c2*w=0 you want to show c1 and c2 are 0. Start by applying B to that equation. What do you conclude from that?

 

[STEMucator]

Okay so we want to show : c_1v + c_2w = 0 has only the trivial solution.

We know that if we multiply both sides by B = (A-λI) we get :

B(c_1v + c_2w) = 0
c_1Bv + c_2Bw = 0

We know that Bv = 0 because v is an eigenvector for the matrix A.

c_2Bw = 0

We also know that Bw = v since w is our generalized vector.

c_2v = 0

Now, since eigenvectors are non-zero, it must be the case that c₂ = 0.

 

[Dick]

Okay so we want to show : c_1v + c_2w = 0 has only the trivial solution.

We know that if we multiply both sides by B = (A-λI) we get :

B(c_1v + c_2w) = 0
c_1Bv + c_2Bw = 0

We know that Bv = 0 because v is an eigenvector for the matrix A.

c_2Bw = 0

We also know that Bw = v since w is our generalized vector.

c_2v = 0

Now, since eigenvectors are non-zero, it must be the case that c₂ = 0.

Sure. Now put c2=0 into your original equation. What do you conclude about c1?

 

[STEMucator]

Now subbing c₂ back into our original equation yields :

c_1v = 0

Once again, since v is an eigenvector, it is non-zero. Which tells us that c₁ must be zero.

Thus, c₁ = c₂ = 0 which implies that v and w are linearly independent.

EDIT : Q.E.D

Thanks.

 

[HallsofIvy]

Homework Statement

Let A \in M_{22} (\mathbb{R}) with one single eigenvalue λ and one single eigenvector v. We denote w the generalized vector such that (A - λI)w = v. Prove that v and w are linearly independent.

Homework Equations

I know that if A has only one eigenvalue λ and one eigenvector v that the equation Av = λv is satisfied. That is, (A - λI)v = 0.

That's true for any A such that \lambda is an eigenvalue with eigenvector v. The fact that A has only that eigenvalue and one independent eigenvector, tells you that there exist a vector u such that A- \lambda I)u\ne 0 but that (A- \lambda I)^2u= 0.

(It is never true that a linear operator has "one single eigenvector" because any multiple of an eigenvector is an eigenvector.)

The Attempt at a Solution

I thought about this a bit, but I'm having trouble getting this one going. I thought about letting B = (A - λI) so that we get two equations :

Bv = 0 and Bw = v

Then I thought that it could be broken down into two cases, one where λ = 0 and one where λ ≠ 0, but I'm not sure this is the right path to take.

Any pointers?