How Do You Calculate Eigenvalues for Specific Matrices?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating eigenvalues for specific matrices, focusing on a 3x3 matrix. Participants are exploring the characteristic polynomial and its roots, specifically questioning the eigenvalues of the matrix and the methods to derive them.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to derive the characteristic polynomial from the matrix and are discussing the resulting equations. There are questions about the correctness of the derived equations and the methods used to arrive at them. Some participants express uncertainty about the next steps in solving the polynomial.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights and corrections to each other's work. Some guidance has been offered regarding factoring and polynomial division, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct approach or final outcome.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the setup of the characteristic polynomial and the assumptions made about the eigenvalues. Participants are also noting discrepancies in their calculations and the expected results.

Davio
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1. 1 3 0
3 -2 -1
0 -1 1
What are the eingenvalues? (they are 1, 3 and -4)




2. 1-n 3 0
3 -2-n -1
0 -1 1-n




I basically get 4n-n^3 -3 = 0
I'm not sure what to do from there?

Working: (1-n). (n+2).(n-1) -1) - 3 (3 (1-n))


Thanks guys!
 
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Davio said:
1. 1 3 0
3 -2 -1
0 -1 1
What are the eingenvalues? (they are 1, 3 and -4)




2. 1-n 3 0
3 -2-n -1
0 -1 1-n




I basically get 4n-n^3 -3 = 0

That is not at all the equation I get. Please show in detail how you arrived at that.

I'm not sure what to do from there?

Working: (1-n). (n+2).(n-1) -1) - 3 (3 (1-n))
Thanks guys!
 
Hi Davio! :smile:
Davio said:
I basically get 4n-n^3 -3 = 0
I'm not sure what to do from there?

Working: (1-n). (n+2).(n-1) -1) - 3 (3 (1-n))

For a start, you can see that (1 - n) divides everything, so leave that on the outside …

(1 - n){(n+2)(n-1) - ? - ?} …

carry on from there! :smile:
 


tiny-tim said:
Hi Davio! :smile:


For a start, you can see that (1 - n) divides everything, so leave that on the outside …

(1 - n){(n+2)(n-1) - ? - ?} …

carry on from there! :smile:

Yes, n= 1 satisfies that equation but clearly n= 3 and n= -4 do not. His real problem is he has the wrong equation.
 


Hi guys.
1-n 3 0
3 -2-n -1
0 -1 1-n

My working for determinant :
+ 1-n x (-2-n)(1-n) - (-1).(-1)
+ 1-n x (-2-n)(1-n) -1
+ 1-n x (n^2 +2n -n -2) -1
+ 1-n x (n^2 +2n -n -3)
+ 1-n x (n^2 +n -3)
(n^2 +n -3) - (n^3 -n^2 +3n)
(n^2 +n -3) - n^3 -n^2 +3n
- (n^3 +4n) -3
4n - n^3 -3
The original question is to prove the eigen values are 1, 3 and ? (negative 4 from online calculator)
Thanks in advance :S
I'm not sure how polynonial division would help me :S






-3 x (3 x 1-n) - 0
-3 x (3 - 3n)
-9 + 9n
 


Davio said:
Hi guys.
1-n 3 0
3 -2-n -1
0 -1 1-n

My working for determinant :
+ 1-n x (-2-n)(1-n) - (-1).(-1)
Please use parentheses! You mean (1- n)[(-2-n)((1-n)- (-1)(-1)]
+ 1-n x (-2-n)(1-n) -1
+ 1-n x (n^2 +2n -n -2) -1
+ 1-n x (n^2 +2n -n -3)
+ 1-n x (n^2 +n -3)
(n^2 +n -3) - (n^3 -n^2 +3n)
No, if you are keeping "-" outside that last parenthesis, it is -(n^3+ n^2- 3n)

(n^2 +n -3) - n^3 -n^2 +3n
- (n^3 +4n) -3
4n - n^3 -3
Even if you had not messed up the sign, this is just the top left corner, 1-n, times its cofactor
[tex]\left|\begin{array}{cc} -2-n & -1 \\ -1 & 1- n\end{array}\right|[/tex]
If you are expanding on the first row, you should also have
[tex]-3\left|\begin{array}{cc}3 & -1 \\ 0 & 1-n\end{array}\right][/tex]
If instead you are expanding on the first column, you should have
[tex]-3\left|\begin{array}{cc}3 & 0 \\ -1 & 1-n\end{array}\right][/tex]
which is obviously the same thing.

The original question is to prove the eigen values are 1, 3 and ? (negative 4 from online calculator)
Thanks in advance :S
I'm not sure how polynonial division would help me :S
In general if you no "n= a" is a root of a cubic polynomial then you know the polynomial is equal to (x- a) times quadratic polynomial. Dividing the cubic polynomial by x-a gives the remaining quadratic polynomial which you can solve, for example, using the quadratic formula.


-3 x (3 x 1-n) - 0
-3 x (3 - 3n)
-9 + 9n
Oh, here's your missing term! You should have (n^2 +n -3)-(n^3+ n^2- 3n)- 9+ 9n=
-n^3+ 13n- 12= 0.

Yes, 1 satisfies that: -1^3+ 13(1)- 12= -1+ 13- 12= 0. Now divide -n^3+ 13n- 12 by n- 1 to get a quadratic.
 
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