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PRACTICE EXAM 4, Diagonalization

The document is a practice exam for linear algebra covering topics such as diagonalization, complex eigenvalues, and Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization. It includes specific matrices and calculations for finding eigenvalues, diagonal matrices, and orthogonal bases. The answers provided demonstrate the step-by-step processes for solving these problems.

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mekoalethabo38
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114 views2 pages

PRACTICE EXAM 4, Diagonalization

The document is a practice exam for linear algebra covering topics such as diagonalization, complex eigenvalues, and Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization. It includes specific matrices and calculations for finding eigenvalues, diagonal matrices, and orthogonal bases. The answers provided demonstrate the step-by-step processes for solving these problems.

Uploaded by

mekoalethabo38
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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LINEAR ALGEBRA — PRACTICE EXAM 4

(1) Diagonalization. Let


 
2 2 −1
A= 1 3 −1 .
−1 −2 2
If A is diagonalizable, find a diagonal matrix D that is similar to A.
answer: We begin by computing the eigenvalues of A. A few row operations help simply the
computation.
   
2−λ 2 −1 2−λ 2 −1
det  1 3 − λ −1  = det  0 1 − λ 1 − λ
−1 −2 2 − λ −1 −2 2 − λ
 
2−λ 2 −1
= (1 − λ) det  0 1 1 
−1 −2 2 − λ
 
1 1 2 −1
= (1 − λ) (2 − λ) + (−1)
−2 2 − λ 1 1
= (1 − λ) ((2 − λ)(2 − λ + 2) − 3)
= (1 − λ)(λ2 − 6λ + 5)
= (1 − λ)(λ − 1)(λ − 5).
To determine if this matrix is diagonalizable, we need to compute the dimension of the eigenspace
associated to the eigenvalue 1. (This matrix will be diagonalizable if dim E1 = 2.)
   
1 2 −1 1 2 −1
E1 = ker(A − I) = ker  1 2 −1 = ker 0 0 0  .
−1 −2 1 0 0 0
From here, we see that the dimension of this space is 2, hence A is diagonalizable.
 
5 0 0
D = 0 1 0 .
0 0 1

 
5 −2
(2) Complex eigenvalues. Let A = .
1 3
(a) Compute the eigenvalues of A.
(b) Find a diagonal matrix D and an invertible matrix P that satisfy A = P DP −1 .
(c) Find a skew-symmetric matrix S and an invertible matrix Q that satisfy A = QSQ−1 .
answer:
(a) The characteristic polynomial of A is λ2 − 8λ + 17, and the eigenvalues are
p √
8 ± 64 − 4(17) 8 ± −4
λ= = = 4 ± i.
2 2
(b) We have the eigenvalues already, so
 
4−i 0
D= .
0 4+i
1
2 LINEAR ALGEBRA — PRACTICE EXAM 4

To compute P , we need to find an eigenvector. Let us take λ = 4 − i. Then


   
1+i −2 2 −2 + 2i
ker(A − (4 − i)I) = ker = ker
1 −1 + i 1 −1 + i
 
1 −1 + i
= ker .
0 0
 
1−i
So an eigenvector corresponding to 4 − i is , hence
1
 
1−i 1+i
P = .
1 1
(c) Using the eigenvalue and vector computed above,
   
1 −1 4 −1
Q= and S = .
1 0 1 4

(3) Gram–Schmidt orthogonalization. Find an orthogonal basis for V , where


     

 1 2 5  
−1  1  −4


     

V = span −1 ,  4  , −3 .
     


  1  −4  7  

 
1 2 1
 

answer: Let v1 , v2 , and v3 denote the vectors in V . An orthogonal set of vectors is:
w1 = v1


3
0
v2 · w1 −5  
w2 = v2 − w1 = v2 − 3
w1 =  
w1 · w1 5 −3
3
 
0
0
v3 · w2 v3 · w1 1  
w3 = v3 − w2 − w1 = v3 − v2 − 4v1 = 
 0 .

w2 · w2 w1 · w1 3 4
−4
On the test, I will ask for an orthonormal (not just orthogonal) set of vectors.

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