1. Dec 15, 2007

### T-7

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

$$x^{2} + 2y^{2} + z^{2} + 2xy + 4xz + 6yz$$

Write down the symmetric matrix A for which the form is expressible as $$x^{t}Ax$$ where t denotes transpose. Diagonalise each of the forms and in each case find a real non-singular matrix P for which the matrix $$P^{t}AP$$ is diagonal with entries in {1,-1,0}.

3. The attempt at a solution

I first tried this by completing the square.

$$x^{2} + 2y^{2} + z^{2} + 2xy + 4xz + 6yz = (x + y + 2z)^{2} + y^{2} - 3z^{2} + 2yz = (x + y + 2z)^{2} + (y + z)^2 - 4z^2 = x_{1}^{2} + x_{2}^{2} - x_{3}^{2}$$

where

$$x_{1} = x + y + 2z, x_{2} = y + z, x_{3} = 2z,$$

However, I just can't seem to find the eigenvalues for this form.

The symmetric matrix A for this quadratic form is

$$$\left( \begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 1 & 2 \\ 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 2 & 3 & 1 \end{array} \right)$$$

and the characteristic polynomial is given by

$$$\chi(\lambda) = \left| \begin{array}{ccc} 1-\lambda & 1 & 2 \\ 1 & 2-\lambda & 3\\ 2 & 3 & 1-\lambda \end{array} \right|.$$$

I find this comes to

$$f(\lambda) = \lambda^{3} - 4(\lambda^2) + 9(\lambda) - 4$$

which does not factorise -- so I can't get the eigenvalues, and can't form a matrix P. However, I have shown that a diagonal form is possible by completing the square. So surely I ought to be able to find three eigenvalues? Can someone point out where I've gone wrong?

Cheers!

Last edited: Dec 15, 2007
2. Dec 15, 2007

### HallsofIvy

You've misplaced a couple of signs! The coefficient of $\lambda$ is +4+ 1- 4= 1. The correct equation is $\lambda^3- 4\lambda^2- \lambda+ 4= 0$ which obviously has $\lambda- 1$ as a factor.

3. Dec 15, 2007

### T-7

I am obviously brain-dead today. I'm still getting what I got before:

$$$\chi(\lambda) = \left| \begin{array}{ccc} 1-\lambda & 1 & 2 \\ 1 & 2-\lambda & 3\\ 2 & 3 & 1-\lambda \end{array} \right|$$$

$$= (1-\lambda)((2-\lambda)(1-\lambda)-9)-(1-\lambda-6)+2(3-2(2-\lambda))$$
$$= (1-\lambda)(2-3\lambda+\lambda^{2}-9)-(-\lambda-5)+2(2\lambda-1)$$
$$=(1-\lambda)(\lambda^{2}-3\lambda-7)+\lambda+5+4\lambda-2$$
$$=(1-\lambda)(\lambda^{2}-3\lambda-7)+5\lambda+3$$
$$=\lambda^{2}-3\lambda-7-\lambda^{3}+3\lambda^{2}+7\lambda+5\lambda+3$$
$$=-\lambda^{3}+4\lambda^{2}+9\lambda-4$$

4. Dec 15, 2007

### HallsofIvy

Well, that's not exactly what you had before but I messed up also.

The part about "diagonal with entries in {1,-1,0}" implies that the eigenvalues are 0, 1, and -1. But that can't possibly be correct.