Chapter 7: Problem 4
Determine whether the given matrix \(A\) is diagonalizable. Where possible, find a matrix \(S\) such that $$S^{-1} A S=\operatorname{diag}\left(\lambda_{1}, \lambda_{2}, \ldots, \lambda_{n}\right).$$ $$A=\left[\begin{array}{ll}1 & -8 \\\2 & -7\end{array}\right]$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The given matrix \(A\) is diagonalizable with the matrix \(S = \begin{bmatrix} -8/3 & -8 \\ 1 & 1 \end{bmatrix}\) and its inverse \(S^{-1} = \begin{bmatrix} -1/8 & -3 \\ 1/8 & 1 \end{bmatrix}\). The diagonal matrix obtained from the diagonalization is \(\operatorname{diag}(4, 2)\).
Step by step solution
01
Find the eigenvalues of A
To find the eigenvalues of the matrix \(A\), let's solve the characteristic equation, \(\det(A-\lambda I) = 0\):
\[
\det \left( \begin{bmatrix} 1-\lambda & -8 \\ 2 & -7 - \lambda \end{bmatrix} \right) = (1-\lambda)(-7-\lambda) - (-8)(2) = 0
\]
02
Solve the characteristic equation for eigenvalues
Let's solve the equation obtained in step 1:
\[
\lambda^2 -6\lambda =(\lambda - 4)(\lambda -2)=0
\]
This equation yields the eigenvalues \(\lambda_1 = 4\) and \(\lambda_2 = 2\).
03
Find the eigenvectors associated with each eigenvalue
Now, let's find the eigenvectors associated with each eigenvalue by solving the equation \((A - \lambda I)v = 0\) for each eigenvalue.
For \(\lambda_1 = 4\):
\[
\begin{bmatrix} 1-4 & -8 \\ 2 & -7-4 \end{bmatrix}v_1 = \begin{bmatrix} -3 & -8 \\ 2 & -11 \end{bmatrix}v_1 = 0
\]
Row reducing to echelon form, we get:
\[
\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 8/3 \\ 0 & 0 \end{bmatrix}v_1 = 0
\]
Thus, \(v_1 = \begin{bmatrix} -8/3 \\ 1 \end{bmatrix}\) is the eigenvector associated with \(\lambda_1 = 4\).
For \(\lambda_2 = 2\):
\[
\begin{bmatrix} 1-2 & -8 \\ 2 & -7-2 \end{bmatrix}v_2 = \begin{bmatrix} -1 & -8 \\ 2 & -9 \end{bmatrix}v_2 = 0
\]
Row reducing to echelon form, we get:
\[
\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 8 \\ 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix}v_2 = 0
\]
Thus, \(v_2 = \begin{bmatrix} -8 \\ 1 \end{bmatrix}\) is the eigenvector associated with \(\lambda_2 = 2\).
04
Check if the eigenvectors form a basis
Since we have two linearly independent eigenvectors and the dimension of the eigenspace is 2 (which is equal to the dimension of matrix A), we can form a basis using these eigenvectors. This implies that the matrix \(A\) is diagonalizable.
05
Form the matrix S and calculate its inverse
Now, let's form the matrix of eigenvectors \(S\):
\[
S = \begin{bmatrix} -8/3 & -8 \\ 1 & 1 \end{bmatrix}
\]
The inverse of \(S\) can be found by using the formula \(S^{-1} = \frac{1}{\mathrm{det}(S)} \mathrm{adj}(S)\), where adj(S) is the adjoint of S.
\[
S^{-1} = \frac{1}{(-(8/3)(1)-(1)(-8))} \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 8 \\ -1 & -8/3 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} -1/8 & -3 \\ 1/8 & 1 \end{bmatrix}
\]
06
Diagonalize A using the matrix S
Finally, let's use the matrix \(S\) to diagonalize the matrix \(A\) using the formula \(S^{-1}AS = \operatorname{diag}(\lambda_1, \lambda_2)\):
\[
\begin{bmatrix} -1/8 & -3 \\ 1/8 & 1 \end{bmatrix} \begin{bmatrix} 1 & -8 \\ 2 & -7 \end{bmatrix} \begin{bmatrix} -8/3 & -8 \\ 1 & 1 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 4 & 0 \\ 0 & 2 \end{bmatrix}
\]
Thus, the matrix \(A\) is diagonalizable with the matrix \(S\), and \(S^{-1}AS = \operatorname{diag}(4, 2)\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Eigenvalues
Eigenvalues are fundamental to understanding how a matrix can be transformed into a simpler form. They are special numbers associated with a matrix that give insight into its behavior. Finding eigenvalues involves solving the characteristic equation, which is derived from the matrix given.
In short, when solving \( ext{det}(A - \lambda I) = 0\), where \(I\) is the identity matrix and \(\lambda\) is a scalar, the roots of this equation are the eigenvalues. For the matrix \(A\) from our exercise, we calculate its eigenvalues to determine whether it can be diagonalized. If a matrix has \(n\) distinct eigenvalues, it is diagonalizable.
In short, when solving \( ext{det}(A - \lambda I) = 0\), where \(I\) is the identity matrix and \(\lambda\) is a scalar, the roots of this equation are the eigenvalues. For the matrix \(A\) from our exercise, we calculate its eigenvalues to determine whether it can be diagonalized. If a matrix has \(n\) distinct eigenvalues, it is diagonalizable.
- They provide a scalar measure of transformation along a specific direction.
- Play a critical role in simplifying complex matrix computations.
Eigenvectors
An eigenvector is a vector that remains in the same linear span even after a linear transformation. It is special because multiplying the matrix by the eigenvector results in a scaled version of the vector.
The equation \(A - \lambda I)v = 0\) is used to find eigenvectors, where \(v\) is the non-zero vector satisfying this equation. Each eigenvalue is associated with one or more eigenvectors. The eigenvectors corresponding to different eigenvalues are linearly independent.
The equation \(A - \lambda I)v = 0\) is used to find eigenvectors, where \(v\) is the non-zero vector satisfying this equation. Each eigenvalue is associated with one or more eigenvectors. The eigenvectors corresponding to different eigenvalues are linearly independent.
- Provide directions invariant under the linear transformation.
- Useful in determining matrix scalability and orientation.
Matrix Algebra
Matrix Algebra encompasses operations with matrices essential for various computations in linear transformations. Understanding these operations is crucial for diagonalizing a matrix. Some of the key operations include finding the determinant and inverse of a matrix.
Using Matrix Algebra, you compute \(S^{-1}AS\) to determine if matrix \(A\) can be written as a diagonal matrix. Once determined, certain calculations become easier to perform.
Using Matrix Algebra, you compute \(S^{-1}AS\) to determine if matrix \(A\) can be written as a diagonal matrix. Once determined, certain calculations become easier to perform.
- Encompasses addition, multiplication, and inversion of matrices.
- Essential for transforming matrices into diagonal form.
Linear Independence
Linear Independence is a concept that deals with whether a set of vectors is dependent or independent in a vector space. If no vector in the set is a linear combination of the others, they are linearly independent.
This concept is central when determining if a matrix can be diagonalized. For a matrix to be diagonalizable, its eigenvectors must form a linearly independent set. In the provided example, the matrix \(A\) has two linearly independent eigenvectors, thus ensuring diagonalizability.
This concept is central when determining if a matrix can be diagonalized. For a matrix to be diagonalizable, its eigenvectors must form a linearly independent set. In the provided example, the matrix \(A\) has two linearly independent eigenvectors, thus ensuring diagonalizability.
- A critical condition for a matrix to be diagonalizable.
- Helps in forming a complete basis set for the vector space.