Linear Algebra 

,
Teacher s name : Maani Al saraf Second Level 2015 – 2016

The characteristic polynomial of a matrix .

Definition

Let be an nn matrix, then th determinant of

the matrix .


In – A =

Is called the characteristic polynomial of A . the equation

P ( ) = det (In – A ) = 0

Is called the characteristic of equation A .

Theorem:
Let A be an n× n matrix . the eigenvalues of A are the roots of
characteristic polynomial of A .

Proof:
Let X in R2 be an eigenvectors of A associated with eigenvalue λ .then

AX=λX

A X = ( λ In ) X

( λ In – A ) X= 0
det ( λ In – A ) = 0

 λ is a root of the characteristic polynomial of A .

Conversely :

Let λ is a root of characteristic polynomial of A .

 det ( λ In – A ) = 0
( λ In – A ) X = 0

 λ is eigenvalue of A .

Example:

Let find the characteristic polynomial of A .

Solution:

P ( λ ) = det ( λ I3 – A ) =

( λ – 1 ) (λ2 – 5 λ + 6 ) = 0

( λ–1)( λ–2)( λ–3)=0

 λ1 = 1 , λ2 = 2 , λ3 = 3
To find an eigenvector X1 associated with λ 1 = 1

-2 x2 + x3 = 0  x2 = x3

- x1 + x2 – x3 = 0  - x1 – x3 = 0
x 1 = x3  x3 = r , x 1 = , x2 =

–
X1 =

X1 =

To find an eigenvector X2 associated with λ 2 = 2

x1 -2 x2 + x3 = 0

[ - x1 + 2 x 2 – x3 = 0 ] * - 2

- 4 x1 + 4 x2 – 3 x3 = 0

x 3 = - x1 + 2 x 2

- 2 x1 – x3 = 0

x3 = - 2 x1

- . ( - 4 ) – 3 r + 4 x2 = 0

2 r – 3 r + 4 x2 = 0

- r = - 4 x2

 x2 =
X2 = = 

To find an eigenvector X3 associated with λ3 = 3

2 x1 – 2 x2 + x3 = 0 ………….... ( 1)

- x1 + 3 x2 – x3 = 0 …………….( 2 )

- 4 x1 + 4 x2 – 2 x3 = 0

In Equation ( 1 )

x3 = 2 x2 – 2 x1

In Equation ( 2 )

- x1 + 3 x 2 + 2 x 1 – 2 x2 – 0

x1 + x2 = 0  x1 = - x2

If x2 = r  x1= - r

x3 = 2 r – 2 ( - r ) = 4 r

 X3 =
Example:
Compute the eigenvalue and associated eigenvectors of

Solution:
the characteristic polynomial of A is :

P ( λ ) = det ( λ I3 – A ) = =0

The eigenvalue of A are then λ1 = 3 , λ2 = I , λ3 = - i

To find an eigenvector X1 associated with λ1 = 3

3 x1 – 3 x3 = 0  x1 = x3  x3 = r  x1 = r
- x1 + 3 x2 + x3 = 0

- x2 = 0  x2 = 0

X1 =

 X1 =
To find an eigenvector X2 associated with λ2 = i

i x1 – 3 x3 = 0  3x3 = i x1 if x3 = r  x1 = r

- x1 + i x2 + x 3 = 0

– x2 +( i – 3 ) x3 = 0  x2 = ( i – 3 ) r

To find the vector

Is solution for any number r letting we conclude that X2 =

Similarly to find an eigenvector X3 associated with λ3 =- I , we find that

:

X3 =
Example:
Compute the eigenvalue and associated eigenvectors of :

A = .

Solution:

P( λ ) = det ( λI3 – A ) = = λ (λ + 1 ) (λ + 2 )

λ (λ + 1 ) (λ + 2 ) = 0

λ1 = 0 , λ2 = -1 , λ3 = -2

To find an eigenvector X1 associated with λ1 = 0

x1 = 0 , 2 x2 = 0  x2 = 0 , x3 = r

X1 =

 X1 =

To find an eigenvector X2 associated with λ2 = -1

x1 = r

- x1 + x2 = 0  x1 = x2  x2 = r
- x3 = 0  x3 = 0

X2 =

 X2 =

To find an eigenvector X3 associated with λ3 = -2

- x1 = 0  x1 = 0
x2 = r

- 2x3 = 0  x3 = 0

X3 =