Linear Algebra practice final - Eigenvectors

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
2 replies · 2K views
Char. Limit
Gold Member
Messages
1,222
Reaction score
23

Homework Statement



Let [tex]\[<br /> A =<br /> \begin{array}{ccc}<br /> 3 & 5 & 6 \\<br /> 0 & 2 & h \\<br /> 0 & 0 & 2 \\<br /> \end{array}<br /> \][/tex]. What should be the value of h so that there are two linearly independent eigenvectors of A corresponding to eigenvalue 2?

Homework Equations



[tex](A-\lambda I) \textbf{x} = \textbf{0}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



So I tried A-2I, and got this as a matrix:

[tex]\[<br /> A-2I =<br /> \begin{array}{ccc}<br /> 1 & 5 & 6 \\<br /> 0 & 0 & h \\<br /> 0 & 0 & 0 \\<br /> \end{array}[/tex]

Common sense would seem to suggest that h=0, but that just seems too easy for this...
\]
 
Physics news on Phys.org
looks right to me.. back yourself

if you want a further check, check the characteristic equation has algebraic multpliciy of 2 with & without h = 0 (necessary but not sufficient though)...

however h=0 gives you the equation of a plane which has a basis of 2 independent vectors. Any other value would give you a single vector upto multiplicative constant
 
All right then. Thanks!