Chapter 4: Problem 2
Show that \(A\) and \(B\) are not similar matrices. \(A=\left[\begin{array}{rr}2 & 1 \\ -4 & 6\end{array}\right], B=\left[\begin{array}{rr}3 & -1 \\ -5 & 7\end{array}\right]\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
A and B are not similar because they have different eigenvalues.
Step by step solution
01
Verify Similarity Condition
Two matrices are similar if there exists an invertible matrix \(P\) such that \(P^{-1}AP = B\). However, it is more straightforward to check if they have the same eigenvalues since similar matrices have the same eigenvalues.
02
Find Eigenvalues of Matrix A
To find the eigenvalues of matrix \(A\), we calculate the characteristic polynomial. The characteristic equation is \(\det(A - \lambda I) = 0\). For \(A\), this becomes:\[\det\left(\begin{array}{cc} 2-\lambda & 1 \ -4 & 6-\lambda \end{array}\right) = 0\]This simplifies to \[(2-\lambda)(6-\lambda) - (1)(-4) = 0\,\lambda^2 - 8\lambda + 16 = 0.\]
03
Solve for Eigenvalues of Matrix A
Solve the quadratic equation \(\lambda^2 - 8\lambda + 16 = 0\). Using the quadratic formula, \(\lambda = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\), we find:\[\lambda = \frac{8 \pm \sqrt{8^2 - 4 \times 1 \times 16}}{2} = \frac{8 \pm \sqrt{0}}{2} = 4.\]The eigenvalues of \(A\) are both 4.
04
Find Eigenvalues of Matrix B
Similarly, find the eigenvalues for matrix \(B\) by solving:\[\det\left(\begin{array}{cc} 3-\lambda & -1 \ -5 & 7-\lambda \end{array}\right) = 0.\]Expand this to get:\((3-\lambda)(7-\lambda) - (-1)(-5) = 0\),giving:\((3-\lambda)(7-\lambda) - 5 = 0\).This simplifies to:\[\lambda^2 - 10\lambda + 16 = 0.\]
05
Solve for Eigenvalues of Matrix B
Solve the equation \(\lambda^2 - 10\lambda + 16 = 0\) using the quadratic formula:\[\lambda = \frac{10 \pm \sqrt{10^2 - 4 \times 1 \times 16}}{2} = \frac{10 \pm \sqrt{52}}{2} = \frac{10 \pm 2\sqrt{13}}{2}.\]The eigenvalues of \(B\) are \(5 + \sqrt{13}\) and \(5 - \sqrt{13}\).
06
Compare Eigenvalues of A and B
Since the eigenvalues of \(A\) are both 4 and the eigenvalues of \(B\) are \(5 + \sqrt{13}\) and \(5 - \sqrt{13}\), the eigenvalues are not the same. Therefore, \(A\) and \(B\) are not similar because they do not share the same eigenvalues.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Eigenvalues
Eigenvalues are essential in understanding how a matrix can be transformed through linear algebra. For a matrix, eigenvalues are special scalars that emerge from solutions to the characteristic equation. To determine these values for a given matrix, say matrix \(A\), we solve the characteristic equation \(\det(A - \lambda I) = 0\). Here, \(\lambda\) denotes the eigenvalue in question, while \(I\) is the identity matrix of the same order as \(A\).
- Eigenvalues can give insights into the stability and certain properties of a matrix.
- In the context of matrix similarity, two matrices are only similar if they have the same eigenvalues.
Invertible Matrix
An invertible matrix is a square matrix that has an inverse, meaning there exists another matrix that can reverse its effect when multiplied together. The concept of invertibility is crucial because it determines whether a particular matrix transformation can be undone. For a matrix \(P\), the inverse \(P^{-1}\) exists only if \(P\) is non-singular or invertible.
- A non-invertible matrix, also known as a singular matrix, has a determinant equal to zero.
- Invertibility is a key component of matrix similarity, particularly in expressing that if two matrices \(A\) and \(B\) are similar, then \(P^{-1}AP = B\) for some invertible matrix \(P\).
Characteristic Equation
The characteristic equation of a matrix plays a fundamental role in determining its eigenvalues. Specifically, for a given matrix \(A\), the characteristic equation is formed by the determinant of the matrix \(A - \lambda I\), set equal to zero: \(\det(A - \lambda I) = 0\). Solving this equation results in the eigenvalues of the matrix.
- This equation is often a polynomial in \(\lambda\), and its degree corresponds to the matrix's order.
- The roots of the characteristic equation are the eigenvalues, which provide insights into the matrix's behavior.
Quadratic Formula
The quadratic formula is a significant mathematical tool used to find the roots of quadratic equations, which are polynomial equations of degree two. This formula is expressed as \(\lambda = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\). It provides a straightforward way to solve equations of the form \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\), which often arises in the computation of eigenvalues.
- The quadratic formula can be used when the characteristic equation of a matrix takes on a quadratic form, often seen in 2x2 matrices.
- It allows us to find the eigenvalues of matrices effectively, even when they result in complex numbers.