Matrices commute & Eigenvectors question

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of commuting matrices and their eigenvectors, specifically exploring whether it is possible for two commuting matrices to have eigenvectors that do not coincide. The scope includes theoretical aspects of linear algebra and matrix properties.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire whether it is possible to find matrices that commute but have different eigenvectors.
  • One example provided is matrices A and B, where A is a nilpotent matrix and B is the identity matrix, which commute but have differing eigenvectors.
  • Another participant points out that matrix A is not diagonalizable, which affects its eigenvector structure.
  • There is a suggestion to explore the case of two Hermitian matrices and whether a similar example can be constructed.
  • Participants discuss the identity matrix as a Hermitian example and suggest that almost any Hermitian matrix for B will suffice to find a solution.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the existence of commuting matrices with non-coinciding eigenvectors, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding specific examples involving Hermitian matrices.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the definitions of eigenvectors and diagonalizability, as well as the conditions under which matrices commute. The discussion does not resolve these complexities.

LagrangeEuler
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Is it possible to find matrices that commute but eigenvectors of one matrix are not the eigenvectors of the other one. Could you give me example for it?
 
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LagrangeEuler said:
Is it possible to find matrices that commute but eigenvectors of one matrix are not the eigenvectors of the other one. Could you give me example for it?

##A = \pmatrix{0&1\\0&0}, B = \pmatrix{1&0\\0&1}## commute. ##B## has an eigenvector ##(0,1)##, which ##A## doesn't have. They do have a common eigenvector.

EDIT: Take ##A = I_n## and ##B \in M_{n,n}(\mathbb{F})## where ##\mathbb{F}## is a field. Then you can see that this claim is obviously false.
 
Matrix A practically do not have eigenvectors. Right? Because it is not diagonalizable.

What about two hermitian matrix. Is there any posiibility like this. Is it some easy way to construct this?
 
LagrangeEuler said:
Matrix A practically do not have eigenvectors. Right? Because it is not diagonalizable.

What about two hermitian matrix. Is there any posiibility like this. Is it some easy way to construct this?

Matrix A does have eigenvectors.. (but yes, A is not diagonalizable because we do not have enough linearly independent eigenvectors)

##det(A - \lambda I_n) = 0 \iff \lambda = 0##

Thus ##0## is an eigenvalue. We deduce that the eigenvectors are ##V_0 = span(\{(1,0)\})##

As for your question with the hermitian matrices, look at the edit in my reply to your first post.
 
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Thanks a lot. Is it possible to construct similar example for to Hermitian matrices?
 
Yes, look at the edit in my first post. (The identity matrix is hermitian)
 
Math_QED said:
Yes, look at the edit in my first post. (The identity matrix is hermitian)
Yes. But the other one is not. Is there any example like this where both matrices ##A## and ##B## are hermitian.
 
LagrangeEuler said:
Yes. But the other one is not. Is there any example like this where both matrices ##A## and ##B## are hermitian.

Take ##A = I_n## and ##B## such that ##B## is hermitian. You should do some effort yourself (almost any hermitian matrix for ##B## will give you what you search for).
 
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