Proving eigenvalues of a 2 x 2 square matrix

In summary: They start out referencing eigenvalues, but then it seems to switch gears and talk about inverses. I'm not sure if they're trying to say that an inverse does not exist, or if they're just confused about the terminology.
  • #1
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Homework Statement
Please see below
Relevant Equations
Please see below
For this,
1684972106439.png

Does someone please know why the equation highlighted not be true if ##(A - 2I_2)## dose not have an inverse?

Many thanks!
 
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  • #2
ChiralSuperfields said:
Homework Statement: Please see below
Relevant Equations: Please see below

For this,
View attachment 327021
Does someone please know why the equation highlighted not be true if ##(A - 2I_2)## dose not have an inverse?

Many thanks!
You “take” the matrix to the other side of the equation by multiplying from the left each side of the equation by the inverse. If the inverse does not exist, one cannot multiply by it.
 
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  • #3
Eigenvalues ##\lambda## for a matrix ##A##are defined to satisfy ##Det(A-\lambda I)=0##. This comes from ##Ax=\lambda x ##, so that ##(A-\lambda I )x=0 ##.
 
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  • #4
@ChiralSuperfields, what textbook are you getting this stuff from? Your thread here seems related to two of you recent threads. As I mentioned before, finding eigenvalues of a matrix has nothing to do with finding the inverse of a matrix.

The definition of an eigenvalue (usually represented by ##\lambda##) is that for some specific vector ##\vec x##, ##A\vec x = \lambda \vec x##, or equivalently, ##(A - \lambda I)\vec x = \vec 0##. If we restrict ##\vec x## to nonzero vectors, it must be true that ##|A - \lambda I| = 0##. That means that ##A - \lambda I## does not have an inverse.

One other thing. Near the bottom of the attachment you posted it says
But by definition,
##\begin{bmatrix}x \\ y \end{bmatrix} \ne \begin{bmatrix}0 \\ 0 \end{bmatrix}##

Unless it was specifically stated that this vector was nonzero somewhere above what you posted in the attachment, the line I quoted makes no sense.
 
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  • #5
Mark44 said:
@ChiralSuperfields, what textbook are you getting this stuff from? Your thread here seems related to two of you recent threads. As I mentioned before, finding eigenvalues of a matrix has nothing to do with finding the inverse of a matrix.

The definition of an eigenvalue (usually represented by ##\lambda##) is that for some specific vector ##\vec x##, ##A\vec x = \lambda \vec x##, or equivalently, ##(A - \lambda I)\vec x = \vec 0##. If we restrict ##\vec x## to nonzero vectors, it must be true that ##|A - \lambda I| = 0##. That means that ##A - \lambda I## does not have an inverse.

One other thing. Near the bottom of the attachment you posted it says

Unless it was specifically stated that this vector was nonzero somewhere above what you posted in the attachment, the line I quoted makes no sense.
Thank you for your replies @Frabjous , @WWGD , and @Mark44!

I understand now :) @Mark44, this is not from a textbook but course notes.

Many thanks!
 
  • #6
ChiralSuperfields said:
this is not from a textbook but course notes.
It's hard to tell where they're going with these notes.
 
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FAQ: Proving eigenvalues of a 2 x 2 square matrix

What is an eigenvalue?

An eigenvalue is a scalar that, when multiplied by an eigenvector of a matrix, yields the same result as multiplying the matrix by that eigenvector. In other words, for a given square matrix A and a non-zero vector v, if Av = λv, then λ is an eigenvalue of the matrix A.

How do you find the eigenvalues of a 2x2 matrix?

To find the eigenvalues of a 2x2 matrix, you need to solve the characteristic equation det(A - λI) = 0, where A is the matrix, λ is the eigenvalue, and I is the identity matrix. This will result in a quadratic equation in terms of λ, which can be solved to find the eigenvalues.

What is the characteristic equation of a 2x2 matrix?

The characteristic equation of a 2x2 matrix A = [ [a, b], [c, d] ] is given by det(A - λI) = 0. For a 2x2 matrix, this expands to (a - λ)(d - λ) - bc = 0, which simplifies to λ^2 - (a + d)λ + (ad - bc) = 0. Solving this quadratic equation gives the eigenvalues of the matrix.

Can a 2x2 matrix have complex eigenvalues?

Yes, a 2x2 matrix can have complex eigenvalues. This occurs when the discriminant of the characteristic equation, (a + d)^2 - 4(ad - bc), is negative. In such cases, the eigenvalues will be complex conjugates of each other.

What is the geometric interpretation of eigenvalues for a 2x2 matrix?

The eigenvalues of a 2x2 matrix can provide insight into the geometric transformation represented by the matrix. If the eigenvalues are real and distinct, the matrix scales vectors along the directions of the eigenvectors. If the eigenvalues are complex, the matrix may represent a combination of rotation and scaling in the plane.

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