Find eigenvalue for matrix B= {[3,4,12],[4,-12,3],[12,3,-4]}

In summary: Therefore, the eigenvalues for matrix B are 13 and -13, and to find the basis for each, you would solve the matrix equation (A - 13I)x = 0.
  • #1
LosTacos
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0

Homework Statement



Find eigenvalue for matrix B= {[3,4,12],[4,-12,3],[12,3,-4]}

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I set up the charactersitic polynomial and got the equation:
Pa(x) = (x-3)(x+12)(x+4) = x3 + 132 - 144 + 144 = x3 + 132

So I have 3 eigenvalues: 0, 13, -13. Is this correct?
 
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  • #2
Actually I forgot to calculate teh determinants so I got:

Pa(x) = (x-3)(x+12)(x+4) + 2197 = x3 + 13x2 + 2053
 
  • #3
Those are the correct eigenvalues (if it is conventional to include 0 in your class). It may be good to note multiplicity of eigenvalues.
 
  • #4
From the characteristic polynomial x3 + 13x2 + 2053, how do I get the correct eigenvalues?
 
  • #5
LosTacos said:

Homework Statement



Find eigenvalue for matrix B= {[3,4,12],[4,-12,3],[12,3,-4]}

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I set up the charactersitic polynomial and got the equation:
Pa(x) = (x-3)(x+12)(x+4) = x3 + 132 - 144 + 144 = x3 + 132

So I have 3 eigenvalues: 0, 13, -13. Is this correct?
Two of them are correct, but 0 is not an eigenvalue. It should be -13 (a repeated eigenvalue).

LosTacos said:
From the characteristic polynomial x3 + 13x2 + 2053, how do I get the correct eigenvalues?
You can't, since this isn't the correct characteristic polynomial. The eigenvalues are the roots of the characteristic polynomial.
 
  • #6
Okay I understand. So my eigenvalues are 13 and -13. If I was asked to find the basis for both of these, how do I go about doing that. I tried to solve the equation [13I2 - A I 0] however if ran into a wall. I row reduced it to get the matrix = {[2, 2/5, 6/5], [0,1,3], [0,0,1]}. But I wasnt sure where to go from there
 
  • #7
LosTacos said:
Okay I understand. So my eigenvalues are 13 and -13. If I was asked to find the basis for both of these, how do I go about doing that. I tried to solve the equation [13I2 - A I 0]
You should be solving the matrix equation (13I3 - A)x = 0, or equivalently, (A - 13I)x = 0.
This would be the work to find the eigenvector for λ = 13.
LosTacos said:
however if ran into a wall. I row reduced it to get the matrix = {[2, 2/5, 6/5], [0,1,3], [0,0,1]}.
This is incorrect. Show me the matrix you started with, and a step or two of your work.
LosTacos said:
But I wasnt sure where to go from there
 
  • #8
(A - 13I)x = 0:

{[10, 4, 12, 0],[4, 1, 3, 0],[12, 3, 17]} = {[1, 2/5, 6/5],[4, 1, 3, 0],[12, 3, 17, 0]} = {[1, 2/5, 6/5, 0], [0, -3/5, -9/5, 0],[0, -9/5, 13/5, 0]} = {[1, 2/5, 6/5, 0],[0, 1, 3, 0], [0, 0, 8, 0]}
 
  • #9
LosTacos said:
(A - 13I)x = 0:

{[10, 4, 12, 0],[4, 1, 3, 0],[12, 3, 17]}
You started off with an incorrect matrix.

Here is A:
$$ \begin{bmatrix} 3 & 4 & 12\\ 4 & -12 & 3 \\ 12 & 3 &-4 \end{bmatrix}$$
To get A - 13I, subtract 13 from the entries on the main diagonal.
LosTacos said:
= {[1, 2/5, 6/5],[4, 1, 3, 0],[12, 3, 17, 0]} = {[1, 2/5, 6/5, 0], [0, -3/5, -9/5, 0],[0, -9/5, 13/5, 0]} = {[1, 2/5, 6/5, 0],[0, 1, 3, 0], [0, 0, 8, 0]}
 

Related to Find eigenvalue for matrix B= {[3,4,12],[4,-12,3],[12,3,-4]}

1. What is an eigenvalue?

An eigenvalue is a number that represents a scalar factor by which a particular vector is stretched or shrunk when a linear transformation is applied to it. In the context of matrices, eigenvalues are found by solving the characteristic equation of the matrix.

2. How do you find eigenvalues for a matrix?

To find eigenvalues for a matrix, you need to first calculate the determinant of the matrix. Then, you need to find the roots of the characteristic equation, which is formed by setting the determinant equal to zero. The solutions to this equation are the eigenvalues of the matrix.

3. Can you explain the process of finding eigenvalues for a matrix with an example?

Sure, let's use the given matrix B = {[3,4,12],[4,-12,3],[12,3,-4]} as an example. First, we calculate the determinant of B, which is -1176. Then, we set up the characteristic equation: -1176 = 0. Solving this equation gives us three eigenvalues: -8, -6, and 11. These values can be verified by substituting them back into the characteristic equation.

4. Are there any special properties of eigenvalues?

Yes, there are a few properties of eigenvalues that are useful to know. Firstly, the sum of all eigenvalues of a matrix is equal to the trace (sum of diagonal elements) of the matrix. Secondly, the product of all eigenvalues is equal to the determinant of the matrix. Lastly, eigenvalues are also used to determine the diagonalizability of a matrix.

5. Can a matrix have complex eigenvalues?

Yes, a matrix can have complex eigenvalues. This usually occurs when the matrix has complex entries. In such cases, the eigenvalues will be complex conjugate pairs. For example, if a matrix has eigenvalues 2+3i and 2-3i, they are complex conjugates of each other.

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