Chapter 6: Problem 5
If \(Q\) is a real symmetric matrix satisfying \(Q^{k}=1\) for \(k \geq 1\), prove that \(Q^{2}=1\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
Since the eigenvalues of \(Q\) are \(1\) or \(-1\), \(Q^2 = I\).
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Given Information
We are given that \(Q\) is a real symmetric matrix and \(Q^k = I\) for some integer \(k \geq 1\), where \(I\) is the identity matrix. This condition tells us that \(Q\) is an involutory matrix when \(k = 2\). We need to prove that \(Q^2 = I\).
02
Using Properties of Real Symmetric Matrices
Recall that if \(Q\) is a real symmetric matrix, it is diagonalizable with real eigenvalues. Let \(\lambda\) be any eigenvalue of \(Q\) with corresponding eigenvector \(v\), so \(Qv = \lambda v\).
03
Analyzing the Eigenvalue Condition
By the given condition \(Q^k = I\), eigenvalues of \(Q\) must satisfy \(\lambda^k = 1\). These values are the \(k^{th}\) roots of unity, which are typically complex numbers.
04
Considering Real Solutions for Eigenvalues
Since \(Q\) is real and symmetric, its eigenvalues are real. The real \(k^{th}\) roots of unity that are also real can only be \(1\) and \(-1\).
05
Proving \(Q^2 = I\) Using Eigenvalue Properties
If the eigenvalues of \(Q\) are only \(1\) and \(-1\), then \(\lambda^2 = 1^2 = 1\) or \((-1)^2 = 1\) for any eigenvalue \(\lambda\). Thus, the matrix \(Q^2\) will have all eigenvalues equal to \(1\), meaning \(Q^2 = I\).
06
Conclusion
Since the eigenvalues are real and \(Q^k = I\) implies that all eigenvalues raised to any power \(k\) remain \(1\), we conclude that the matrix \(Q^2 = I\) must hold. Thus proving the statement.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Eigenvalues
Eigenvalues are special numbers associated with a matrix. When you multiply a matrix by some vector, the result is usually very different from a simple scaling of that vector. But in the case of eigenvectors, multiplying by the matrix is equivalent to multiplying by a scalar, which is the eigenvalue. Mathematically, if a matrix \(A\) has an eigenvalue \(\lambda\) with an eigenvector \(v\), it's expressed as:
\[ Av = \lambda v. \]
To find eigenvalues, you must solve the characteristic equation:
\[ Av = \lambda v. \]
To find eigenvalues, you must solve the characteristic equation:
- Compute the determinant of \(A - \lambda I = 0\), where \(I\) is the identity matrix.
- Find solutions for \(\lambda\) by solving this polynomial equation.
Involutory Matrix
An involutory matrix is a matrix that, when multiplied by itself, returns the identity matrix. Mathematically, this is expressed as \(A^2 = I\), where \(I\) is the identity matrix. This property makes involutory matrices unique in linear algebra due to:
- Stability: applying the same transformation twice returns the system to its original state.
- Eigenvalues: such matrices have eigenvalues of exactly \(1\) or \(-1\).
Diagonalizable Matrix
A matrix is diagonalizable if it can be transformed into a diagonal matrix. This means the matrix can be rewritten with its eigenvalues on the diagonal and zeros elsewhere. If a matrix is real and symmetric, like in our problem, it's always diagonalizable due to the spectral theorem. Key points about diagonalizable matrices include:
- A matrix \(A\) is similar to a diagonal matrix \(D\), such that \(A = PDP^{-1}\).
- Here, \(P\) is a matrix whose columns are the eigenvectors of \(A\), and \(D\) consists of eigenvalues.
- Diagonalization simplifies exponentiation, making problems involving powers easier to compute.
k-th Roots of Unity
The k-th roots of unity are complex numbers that satisfy the equation \(z^k = 1\). In simpler terms, these are the numbers that become 1 when raised to a power of \(k\). For a real symmetric matrix, which can only have real eigenvalues, the solutions that meet both criteria are \(1\) and \(-1\). Key properties include:
- The k-th roots of unity form a regular polygon on the complex plane.
- The only real numbers among them are \(1\) and \(-1\).
- These roots relate to the characteristic polynomial of the matrix.