Simple Matrix Help: Eigenvectors and Transformations

  • Thread starter Thread starter phospho
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Matrix
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around eigenvectors and transformations related to a matrix problem. The original poster seeks assistance with part b of the problem, having already provided answers for part a, which includes eigenvalues and corresponding eigenvectors.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of different eigenvector representations and their effects on subsequent transformations. There is a focus on understanding the nature of the transformation matrix and its components, including rotation and reflection.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided clarifications regarding the nature of eigenvectors, noting that scalar multiples are valid. The conversation has shifted towards understanding the differences in transformation sequences and the implications of the matrix used by the original poster.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted discrepancy between the original poster's transformations and those presented in the reference answer, leading to questions about the correctness of their approach. The discussion includes considerations of how different representations of eigenvectors can lead to variations in transformation outcomes.

phospho
Messages
250
Reaction score
0
Question: http://gyazo.com/9c75baf06947bfa9f33a1772e6e6fc03I need help from b onwards

my answers to part a were)

lambda = 2, eigenvector of [tex]\begin{pmatrix} 1\\-1\\\end{pmatrix}[/tex]

lambda = 4, eigen vector of [tex]\begin{pmatrix} 1\\1\\\end{pmatrix}[/tex]

then for part b) I rearranged getting P^(-1)AP = D

I got orthogonal matrix P to be = [tex]k\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 1\\1 & -1\\\end{pmatrix}[/tex]
where k = [itex]\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}[/itex]

then for D I got [tex]\begin{pmatrix} 4 & 0\\0 & 2\\\end{pmatrix}[/tex]

so for part c) I done, a rotation of 45 degrees anticlockwise (about (0,0)), followed by a stretch of 4 parallel to x-axis, and x2 parallel to y-axis, followed by another anticlockwise rotation of 45 degrees.

However, in the answer they put 1. Rotation of pi/4 clockwise, 2. stretch, x4 || to x-axis, x2 || to y-axis, 3. rotation of pi/4 anticlockwise (about(0,0)).

as you can see this is different from me, and the only that I've done differently is got an eigenvector of [tex]\begin{pmatrix} 1\\-1\\\end{pmatrix}[/tex] instead of [tex]\begin{pmatrix} -1\\1\\\end{pmatrix}[/tex]

as they did

any ideas where I went wrong
 
Physics news on Phys.org
phospho said:
Question: http://gyazo.com/9c75baf06947bfa9f33a1772e6e6fc03


I need help from b onwards

my answers to part a were)

lambda = 2, eigenvector of [tex]\begin{pmatrix} 1\\-1\\\end{pmatrix}[/tex]

lambda = 4, eigen vector of [tex]\begin{pmatrix} 1\\1\\\end{pmatrix}[/tex]

then for part b) I rearranged getting P^(-1)AP = D

I got orthogonal matrix P to be = [tex]k\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 1\\1 & -1\\\end{pmatrix}[/tex]
where k = [itex]\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}[/itex]

then for D I got [tex]\begin{pmatrix} 4 & 0\\0 & 2\\\end{pmatrix}[/tex]

so for part c) I done, a rotation of 45 degrees anticlockwise (about (0,0)), followed by a stretch of 4 parallel to x-axis, and x2 parallel to y-axis, followed by another anticlockwise rotation of 45 degrees.

However, in the answer they put 1. Rotation of pi/4 clockwise, 2. stretch, x4 || to x-axis, x2 || to y-axis, 3. rotation of pi/4 anticlockwise (about(0,0)).

as you can see this is different from me, and the only that I've done differently is got an eigenvector of [tex]\begin{pmatrix} 1\\-1\\\end{pmatrix}[/tex] instead of [tex]\begin{pmatrix} -1\\1\\\end{pmatrix}[/tex]

as they did

any ideas where I went wrong

Why would you think you are wrong? Your are NOT wrong! Any scalar multiple of an eigenvector is an eigenvector (for the same eigenvalue), so any column vector of the form [c,-c]^T (c ≠ 0) is an eigenvector for λ = 2. You take c = +1, the book takes c = -1. You could take c = -17/sqrt(423) if you wanted to; you would still have an eigenvector.
 
Ray Vickson said:
Why would you think you are wrong? Your are NOT wrong! Any scalar multiple of an eigenvector is an eigenvector (for the same eigenvalue), so any column vector of the form [c,-c]^T (c ≠ 0) is an eigenvector for λ = 2. You take c = +1, the book takes c = -1. You could take c = -17/sqrt(423) if you wanted to; you would still have an eigenvector.

but my rotations are different! This is why I assume I'm wrong somewhere, but I can't see where :(. In their rotations, they end back up to the original point (as well as the scale enlargement), I don't end up at the original point. I go 90 degrees away from it.
 
Your matrix
$$ P = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} & 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 1/\sqrt{2} & -1/\sqrt{2} \end{pmatrix}$$ isn't just a rotation. It's a rotation and a reflection. If it were simply a rotation by 45 degrees, it should send (1,0) to (1/√2, 1/√2) and (0,1) to (-1/√2, 1/√2), but your P actually sends (0,1) to (1/√2,-1/√2).
 
vela said:
Your matrix
$$ P = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} & 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 1/\sqrt{2} & -1/\sqrt{2} \end{pmatrix}$$ isn't just a rotation. It's a rotation and a reflection. If it were simply a rotation by 45 degrees, it should send (1,0) to (1/√2, 1/√2) and (0,1) to (-1/√2, 1/√2), but your P actually sends (0,1) to (1/√2,-1/√2).

oh okay, so would the order be

rotation pi/4 anticlockwise
reflect in y=x
enlargement of scale factor 4 and 2
rotation pi/4 anticlockwise
reflect in y=x?
 
Yup.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K