CEEN 431: FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

3 Eigen value and eigen vectors

Consider A as a square matrix (n x n)
a) Eigenvector of A is a non-zero vector V in Rn such that AV = λV, for some scalar λ.
b) Eigenvalue of A is scalar λ, such that equation AV = λV has non-trivial solution;
If AV = λV, V≠0, λ is the eigenvalue for V, and V is the eigenvector for λ.
Eigenvector of A is a vector that is taken to a multiple of itself by the matrix transformation
T(x)=Ax.
Eigen: Think of it as “characteristic”, consider eigen vector as describing an intrinsic or
characteristic property.
Eigen vector: non-zero; eigenvalue can be zero.
If A0=λ0, the eigenvalue is not defined;
Check for eigen values and vectors:
Example 1:

A= [ 48 4
−10 ] Vector V =[ 21] Vector V =[ 32]
1 2 AV 1= [126]=6 V 1 hence for V1, λ =6 and V1 is a

eigen vector

[ ]
AV 2= 20 V2 is a NOT a eigen vector
4
Example 2:

[ ] [] []
0 0 1 2 1
A= 4 1 0.5 Vector V 1= 1 Vector V 2 = 2 for V2, λ =4 and V2 is a eigen vector
0 2 3 3 4
V1 is a NOT a eigen vector

Example 3:

A=
[ 42 8
−16 ]
Vector V 1=
−4
1 [ ]
AV1 = 0V1, eigen value =0, eigen value can be 0 but so for eigenvector.

Note: AV and λV, are collilear with origin (0,0).

AV = λV,
AV – λInV=0 (for A is nxn, In is identity matrix for nxn matrix)
References
Margalit D & Rabinoff J, Interactive linear algebra: 5.1. Eigen values and eigen vectors.
https://textbooks.math.gatech.edu/ila/eigenvectors.html
CEEN 431: FINITE ELEMENT METHOD