Now, determine eigenvalues and eigenvectors of coefficient matrix
The characteristic matrix of matrix is
Hence, the characteristic equation of matrix A is
width="281">A-位I=0鈬7-位-2-24-位=位2-11位+24=位2-3位-8=0鈬位=3,位=8A-位I=0鈬7-位-2-24-位=位2-11位+24=位2-3位-8=0鈬位=3,位=8
Thus, the eigenvalues of matrix A are and .
The eigenvector corresponding to eigenvalueis given by
localid="1659179997644"
The eigenvector corresponding to eigenvalueis given by role="math" localid="1659180315585" (null matrix)
Interpret the above results as follows:
When
and eigenvector that means both the masses will oscillate with characteristic frequency , back and forth together in same direction (as 2x=y ) like and .
When
and eigenvector x=-2y that means both the masses will oscillate with characteristic frequency , back and forth together in opposite directions ( as x=-2y like and .