11.

6: Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors

 Note

In this section, as well as in chapter 10, we will write systems of equations as Ax⃗ = b
⃗
where the matrix A is made up of the
coefficients of the variables, x⃗ represents the variables x1 , x2 , x3 , etc., and b
⃗
is made up of the constants on the right side of
the equation. For example, the system
3x1 + 4x2 + 5x3 = 7

−x1 + x2 − 3x3 = 1

2x1 − 2x2 + 3x3 = 5

will be written as Ax⃗ = b ⃗ where

3 4 5 x1 7
⎡ ⎤ ⎡ ⎤ ⎡ ⎤
⃗
A = ⎢ −1 1 −3 ⎥ , x⃗ = ⎢ x2 ⎥ , and b = ⎢1⎥. (11.6.1)

⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦
2 −2 3 x3 5

x⃗ and b ⃗ are called n × 1 column vectors.

 Definition: Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors

Let A be an n × n matrix, x⃗ a nonzero n × 1 column vector and λ a scalar. If

Ax⃗ = λ x⃗,

then x⃗ is an eigenvector of A and λ is an eigenvalue of A .

The word “eigen” is German for “proper” or “characteristic.” Therefore, an eigenvector of A is a “characteristic vector of A .” This
vector tells us something about A .
Note that our definition requires that A be a square matrix. Also note that x⃗ must be nonzero. Why? What if x⃗ = 0⃗ ? Then no
matter what λ is, Ax⃗ = λx⃗ . This would then imply that every number is an eigenvalue; if every number is an eigenvalue, then we
wouldn’t need a definition for it. Therefore we specify that x⃗ ≠ 0⃗ .
Our last comment before trying to find eigenvalues and eigenvectors for given matrices deals with “why we care.” Did we stumble
upon a mathematical curiosity, or does this somehow help us build better bridges, heal the sick, send astronauts into orbit, design
optical equipment, and understand quantum mechanics? The answer, of course, is “Yes." This is a wonderful topic in and of itself:
we need no external application to appreciate its worth. At the same time, it has many, many applications to “the real world.” A
simple Internet search on “applications of eigenvalues” will confirm this.
Before we can talk about how to find eigenvalues and eigenvectors we need the following definition:

 Definition: Identity Matrix

The n × n matrix with 1’s on the diagonal and zeros elsewhere is the n × n identity matrix, denoted In . When the context
makes the dimension of the identity clear, the subscript is generally omitted.

We show a few identity matrices below.

1 0 0 0
⎡ ⎤
1 0 0
⎡ ⎤
1 0 ⎢0 1 0 0⎥
I2 = [ ], I3 = ⎢ 0 1 0⎥, I4 =⎢ ⎥
0 1 ⎢0 0 1 0⎥
⎣ ⎦
0 0 1
⎣ ⎦
0 0 0 1

Given a square matrix A , we want to find a nonzero vector x⃗ and a scalar λ such that Ax⃗ = λx⃗ . We will solve this using the skills
we developed in Section 11.5.

11.6.1 https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/120067
 Ax⃗ = λx⃗ original equation

Ax⃗ − λ x⃗ = 0⃗ subtract λ x⃗ from both sides (11.6.2)

(A − λI )x⃗ = 0⃗ factor out x⃗

Think about this last factorization. We are likely tempted to say

Ax⃗ − λ x⃗ = (A − λ)x⃗,

but this really doesn’t make sense. After all, what does “a matrix minus a number” mean? We need the identity matrix in order for
this to be logical.
Let us now think about the equation (A − λI )x⃗ = 0
⃗
. While it looks complicated, it really is just matrix equation of the type we
solved in the previous section.

This type of equation always has a solution, namely, x⃗ = 0

⃗
. However, we want x⃗ to be an eigenvector and, by the definition,
eigenvectors cannot be 0⃗.
This means that we want solutions to (A − λI )x⃗ = 0⃗ other than x⃗ = 0⃗ .
A theorem in linear algebra tells us that for this to happen, we need det(A − λI ) = 0 .
Let’s start our practice of this theory by finding λ such that det(A − λI ) = 0 ; that is, let’s find the eigenvalues of a matrix.

 Example 11.6.1

Find the eigenvalues of A , that is, find λ such that det(A − λI ) = 0 , where
1 4
A =[ ].
2 3

Solution
First, we write out what A − λI is:
1 4 1 0
A − λI =[ ]−λ [ ]
2 3 0 1

1 4 λ 0
=[ ]−[ ] (11.6.3)
2 3 0 λ

1 −λ 4
=[ ]
2 3 −λ

Therefore,
∣ 1 −λ 4 ∣
det(A − λI ) = ∣ ∣
∣ 2 3 −λ ∣
(11.6.4)
= (1 − λ)(3 − λ) − 8

2
=λ − 4λ − 5

Since we want det(A − λI ) = 0 , we want λ 2

− 4λ − 5 = 0 . This is a simple quadratic equation that is easy to factor:
2
λ − 4λ − 5 = 0

(λ − 5)(λ + 1) = 0 (11.6.5)

λ = −1, 5

According to our above work, det(A − λI ) when λ = −1, 5 . Thus, the eigenvalues of A are −1 and 5.

11.6.2 https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/120067
  Example 11.6.2

Find x⃗ such that Ax⃗ = 5x⃗ , where

1 4
A =[ ].
2 3

Solution
Recall that our algebra from before showed that if
⃗
Ax⃗ = λ x⃗ then (A − λI )x⃗ = 0.

Therefore, we need to solve the equation (A − λI )x⃗ = 0⃗ for x⃗ when λ = 5 .

1 4 1 0
A − 5I =[ ]−5 [ ]
2 3 0 1
(11.6.6)
−4 4
=[ ]
2 −2

To solve (A − 5I )x⃗ = 0⃗ , we form the augmented matrix and put it into reduced row echelon form:
−4 4 0 → 1 −1 0
[ ] rref [ ].
2 −2 0 0 0 0

Thus
x1 = x2
(11.6.7)
x2 is free

and
x1 1
x⃗ = [ ] = x2 [ ].
x2 1

1
We have infinite solutions to the equation Ax⃗ = 5x⃗ ; any nonzero scalar multiple of the vector [ ] is a solution. We can do a
1

few examples to confirm this:

1 4 2 10 2
[ ][ ] =[ ] =5[ ];
2 3 2 10 2

1 4 7 35 7
[ ][ ] =[ ] =5[ ]; (11.6.8)
2 3 7 35 7

1 4 −3 −15 −3
[ ][ ] =[ ] =5[ ].
2 3 −3 −15 −3

Our method of finding the eigenvalues of a matrix A boils down to determining which values of λ give the matrix (A − λI ) a
determinant of 0. In computing det(A − λI ) , we get a polynomial in λ whose roots are the eigenvalues of A . This polynomial is
important and so it gets its own name.

 Definition: Characteristic Polynomial

Let A be an n × n matrix. The characteristic polynomial of A is the n th

degree polynomial p(λ) = det(A − λI ) .

Our definition just states what the characteristic polynomial is. We know from our work so far why we care: the roots of the
characteristic polynomial of an n × n matrix A are the eigenvalues of A .

11.6.3 https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/120067
In Examples 11.6.1 and 11.6.2, we found eigenvalues and eigenvectors, respectively, of a given matrix. That is, given a matrix A ,
we found values λ and vectors x⃗ such that Ax⃗ = λx⃗ . The steps that follow outline the general procedure for finding eigenvalues
and eigenvectors; we’ll follow this up with some examples.

 Key Idea 11.6.1: Finding Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors

Let A be an n × n matrix.
1. To find the eigenvalues of A , compute p(λ), the characteristic polynomial of A , set it equal to 0, then solve for λ .
2. To find the eigenvectors of A , for each eigenvalue solve the system (A − λI )x⃗ = 0⃗ .

 Example 11.6.3
Find the eigenvalues of A , and for each eigenvalue, find an eigenvector where
−3 15
A =[ ].
3 9

Solution
To find the eigenvalues, we must compute det(A − λI ) and set it equal to 0.
∣ −3 − λ 15 ∣
det(A − λI ) = ∣ ∣
∣ 3 9 −λ ∣

= (−3 − λ)(9 − λ) − 45
(11.6.9)
2
=λ − 6λ − 27 − 45
2
=λ − 6λ − 72

= (λ − 12)(λ + 6)

Therefore, det(A − λI ) = 0 when λ = −6 and 12; these are our eigenvalues. (We should note that p(λ) = λ − 6λ − 72 is 2

our characteristic polynomial.) It sometimes helps to give them “names,” so we’ll say λ = −6 and λ = 12 . Now we find 1 2

eigenvectors.
For λ1 = −6 :
We need to solve the equation (A − (−6)I )x⃗ = 0
⃗
. To do this, we form the appropriate augmented matrix and put it into
reduced row echelon form.

3 15 0 → 1 5 0
[ ] rref [ ].
3 15 0 0 0 0

Our solution is

x1 = −5x2
(11.6.10)
x2 is free;

in vector form, we have

−5
x⃗ = x2 [ ].
1

We may pick any nonzero value for x to get an eigenvector; a simple option is x
2 2 =1 . Thus we have the eigenvector

→ −5
x1 = [ ].
1

→
(We used the notation x to associate this eigenvector with the eigenvalue λ .)
1 1

We now repeat this process to find an eigenvector for λ 2 = 12 :

11.6.4 https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/120067
 In solving (A − 12I )x⃗ = 0⃗ , we find
−15 15 0 → 1 −1 0
[ ] rref [ ].
3 −3 0 0 0 0

In vector form, we have

1
x⃗ = x2 [ ].
1

Again, we may pick any nonzero value for x , and so we choose x

2 2 =1 . Thus an eigenvector for λ is 2

→ 1
x2 = [ ].
1

To summarize, we have:

→ −5
eigenvalue λ1 = −6 with eigenvector x1 = [ ]
1

and

→ 1
eigenvalue λ2 = 12 with eigenvector x2 = [ ]
1

→ →
We should take a moment and check our work: is it true that Ax 1 = λ1 x1 ?

→ −3 15 −5
Ax1 = [ ][ ]
3 9 1

30
=[ ]
−6 (11.6.11)

−5
= (−6) [ ]
1
→
= λ1 x1 .

Yes; it appears we have truly found an eigenvalue/eigenvector pair for the matrix A .

Let’s do another example.

 Example 11.6.4

−3 0
Let A = [ ] . Find the eigenvalues of A and an eigenvector for each eigenvalue.
5 1

Solution
We first compute the characteristic polynomial, set it equal to 0, then solve for λ .
∣ −3 − λ 0 ∣
det(A − λI ) = ∣ ∣
∣ 5 1 −λ ∣ (11.6.12)

= (−3 − λ)(1 − λ)

From this, we see that det(A − λI ) = 0 when λ = −3, 1 . We’ll set λ 1 = −3 and λ 2 =1 .
Finding an eigenvector for λ : 1

We solve (A − (−3)I )x⃗ = 0⃗ for x⃗ by row reducing the appropriate matrix:

0 0 0 → 1 5/4 0
[ ] rref [ ].
5 4 0 0 0 0

11.6.5 https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/120067
 Our solution, in vector form, is
−5/4
x⃗ = x2 [ ].
1

Again, we can pick any nonzero value for x ; a nice choice would eliminate the fraction. Therefore we pick x
2 2 =4 , and find

→ −5
x1 = [ ].
4

Finding an eigenvector for λ : 2

We solve (A − (1)I )x⃗ = 0⃗ for x⃗ by row reducing the appropriate matrix:

−4 0 0 → 1 0 0
[ ] rref [ ].
5 0 0 0 0 0

Our first row tells us that x 1 =0 , and we see that no rows/equations involve x2 . We conclude that x2 is free. Therefore, our
solution, in vector form, is
0
x⃗ = x2 [ ].
1

We pick x 2 =1 , and find

→ 0
x2 = [ ].
1

To summarize, we have:

→ −5
eigenvalue λ1 = −3 with eigenvector x1 = [ ]
4

and

→ 0
eigenvalue λ2 = 1 with eigenvector x2 = [ ].
1

So far, our examples have involved 2 × 2 matrices. Let’s do an example with a 3 × 3 matrix.

 Example 11.6.5
Find the eigenvalues of A , and for each eigenvalue, give one eigenvector, where
−7 −2 10
⎡ ⎤
A = ⎢ −3 2 3 ⎥.
⎣ ⎦
−6 −2 9

Solution
We first compute the characteristic polynomial, set it equal to 0, then solve for λ . A warning: this process is rather long. We’ll
use cofactor expansion along the first row; don’t get bogged down with the arithmetic that comes from each step; just try to get
the basic idea of what was done from step to step.

11.6.6 https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/120067
 ∣ −7 − λ −2 10 ∣
∣ ∣
det(A − λI ) = −3 2 −λ 3
∣ ∣
∣ −6 −2 9 −λ ∣

∣ 2 −λ 3 ∣ ∣ −3 3 ∣ ∣ −3 2 −λ ∣
= (−7 − λ) ∣ ∣ − (−2) ∣ ∣ + 10 ∣ ∣ (11.6.13)
∣ −2 9 −λ ∣ ∣ −6 9 −λ ∣ ∣ −6 −2 ∣
2
= (−7 − λ)(λ − 11λ + 24) + 2(3λ − 9) + 10(−6λ + 18)

3 2
= −λ + 4λ −λ −6

= −(λ + 1)(λ − 2)(λ − 3)

In the last step we factored the characteristic polynomial −λ 3

+ 4λ
2
−λ −6 .
Our eigenvalues are λ 1 = −1 ,λ2 =2 and λ 3 =3 . We now find corresponding eigenvectors.
For λ1 = −1 :
We need to solve the equation (A − (−1)I )x⃗ = 0
⃗
. To do this, we form the appropriate augmented matrix and put it into
reduced row echelon form.

−6 −2 10 0 1 0 −1.5 0
⎡ ⎤ → ⎡ ⎤

⎢ −3 3 3 0⎥ rref ⎢0 1 −.5 0⎥
⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦
−6 −2 10 0 0 0 0 0

Our solution, in vector form, is

3/2
⎡ ⎤

x⃗ = x3 ⎢ 1/2 ⎥ .

⎣ ⎦
1

3
⎡ ⎤
→
We can pick any nonzero value for x ; a nice choice would get rid of the fractions. So we’ll set x
3 3 =2 and choose x1 = ⎢ 1 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
2

as our eigenvector.
For λ2 =2 :
We need to solve the equation (A − 2I )x⃗ = 0⃗ . To do this, we form the appropriate augmented matrix and put it into reduced
row echelon form.

−9 −2 10 0 1 0 −1 0
⎡ ⎤ → ⎡ ⎤

⎢ −3 0 3 0⎥ rref ⎢0 1 −.5 0⎥
⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦
−6 −2 7 0 0 0 0 0

Our solution, in vector form, is

1
⎡ ⎤

x⃗ = x3 ⎢ 1/2 ⎥ .

⎣ ⎦
1

We can pick any nonzero value for x3 ; again, a nice choice would get rid of the fractions. So we’ll set x3 = 2 and choose
2
⎡ ⎤
→
x2 = ⎢ 1 ⎥ as our eigenvector.
⎣ ⎦
2

For λ3 =3 :

We need to solve the equation (A − 3I )x⃗ = 0⃗ . To do this, we form the appropriate augmented matrix and put it into reduced
row echelon form.

11.6.7 https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/120067
 −10 −2 10 0 1 0 −1 0
⎡ ⎤ → ⎡ ⎤

⎢ −3 −1 3 0⎥ rref ⎢0 1 0 0⎥
⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦
−6 −2 6 0 0 0 0 0

Our solution, in vector form, is (note that x 2 =0 ):

1
⎡ ⎤
x⃗ = x3 ⎢ 0 ⎥ .

⎣ ⎦
1

1
⎡ ⎤
→
We can pick any nonzero value for x ; an easy choice is x
3 3 =1 , so x 3 =⎢0⎥ as our eigenvector.
⎣ ⎦
1

To summarize, we have the following eigenvalue/eigenvector pairs:

3
⎡ ⎤
→
eigenvalue λ1 = −1 with eigenvector x1 = ⎢ 1 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
2

2
⎡ ⎤
→
eigenvale λ2 = 2 with eigenvector x2 = ⎢ 1 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
2

1
⎡ ⎤
→
eigenvalue λ3 = 3 with eigenvector x3 = ⎢ 0 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
1

Let’s practice once more.

 Example 11.6.6

Find the eigenvalues of A , and for each eigenvalue, give one eigenvector, where
2 −1 1
⎡ ⎤
A =⎢0 1 6⎥.
⎣ ⎦
0 3 4

Solution
We first compute the characteristic polynomial, set it equal to 0, then solve for λ . We’ll leave the details to you and just give
the result.
∣ 2 −λ −1 1 ∣
∣ ∣
det(A − λI ) = 0 1 −λ 6
∣ ∣ (11.6.14)
∣ 0 3 4 −λ ∣

= (2 − λ)(λ − 7)(λ + 2)

Our eigenvalues are λ 1 = −2 ,λ

2 =2 and λ 3 =7 . We now find corresponding eigenvectors.
For λ1 = −2 :

We need to solve the equation (A − (−2)I )x⃗ = 0

⃗
. To do this, we form the appropriate augmented matrix and put it into
reduced row echelon form.

4 −1 1 0 1 0 3/4 0
⎡ ⎤ → ⎡ ⎤

⎢0 3 6 0⎥ rref ⎢0 1 2 0⎥
⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦
0 3 6 0 0 0 0 0

11.6.8 https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/120067
Our solution, in vector form, is
−3/4
⎡ ⎤

x⃗ = x3 ⎢ −2 ⎥.
⎣ ⎦
1

We can pick any nonzero value for x3 ; a nice choice would get rid of the fractions. So we’ll set x3 = 4 and choose
−3
⎡ ⎤
→
x1 = ⎢ −8 ⎥ as our eigenvector.
⎣ ⎦
4

For λ2 =2 :
We need to solve the equation (A − 2I )x⃗ = 0⃗ . To do this, we form the appropriate augmented matrix and put it into reduced
row echelon form.

0 −1 1 0 0 1 0 0
⎡ ⎤ → ⎡ ⎤
⎢0 −1 6 0⎥ rref ⎢0 0 1 0⎥
⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦
0 3 2 0 0 0 0 0

The first two rows tell us that x = 0 and x2 3 =0 , respectively. Notice that no row/equation uses x1 ; we conclude that it is
free. Therefore, our solution in vector form is

1
⎡ ⎤

x⃗ = x1 ⎢ 0 ⎥ .
⎣ ⎦
0

1
⎡ ⎤
→
We can pick any nonzero value for x ; an easy choice is x
1 1 =1 and choose x2 = ⎢ 0 ⎥ as our eigenvector.
⎣ ⎦
0

For λ3 =7 :
We need to solve the equation (A − 7I )x⃗ = 0⃗ . To do this, we form the appropriate augmented matrix and put it into reduced
row echelon form.

−5 −1 1 0 1 0 0 0
⎡ ⎤ → ⎡ ⎤

⎢ 0 −6 6 0⎥ rref ⎢0 1 −1 0⎥
⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦
0 3 −3 0 0 0 0 0

Our solution, in vector form, is (note that x 1 =0 ):

0
⎡ ⎤
x⃗ = x3 ⎢ 1 ⎥ .

⎣ ⎦
1

0
⎡ ⎤
→
We can pick any nonzero value for x ; an easy choice is x
3 3 =1 , so x 3 =⎢1⎥ as our eigenvector.
⎣ ⎦
1

To summarize, we have the following eigenvalue/eigenvector pairs:

−3
⎡ ⎤
→
eigenvalue λ1 = −2 with eigenvector x1 = ⎢ −8 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
4

1
⎡ ⎤
→
eigenvalue λ2 = 2 with eigenvector x2 = ⎢ 0 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
0

11.6.9 https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/120067
 0
⎡ ⎤
→
eigenvalue λ3 = 7 with eigenvector x3 = ⎢ 1 ⎥

⎣ ⎦
1

We have only talked about eigenvalues that are distinct. However, they can repeat, or even be complex, but the ideas are similar to
the above and we will discuss them as they come up in Chapter 10.

This page titled 11.6: Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors is shared under a CC BY-NC 3.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by
Gregory Hartman et al. via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available
upon request.
4.1: Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors by Gregory Hartman et al. is licensed CC BY-NC 3.0. Original source: http://www.apexcalculus.com/.
2.2: Matrix Multiplication by Gregory Hartman et al. is licensed CC BY-NC 3.0. Original source: http://www.apexcalculus.com/.

11.6.10 https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/120067
11.6.1: Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors (Exercises)
In Exercises 11.6.1.1 - 11.6.1.6 , a matrix A and one of its eigenvectors are given. Find the eigenvalue of A for the given
eigenvector.

 Exercise 11.6.1.1
9 8 −4
A =[ ] x⃗ = [ ]
−6 −5 3

Answer
λ =3

 Exercise 11.6.1.2
19 −6 1
A =[ ] x⃗ = [ ]
48 −15 3

Answer
λ =1

 Exercise 11.6.1.3
1 −2 2
A =[ ] x⃗ = [ ]
−2 4 1

Answer
λ =0

 Exercise 11.6.1.4
−11 −19 14 3
⎡ ⎤ ⎡ ⎤

A = ⎢ −6 −8 6 ⎥ x⃗ = ⎢ 2 ⎥
⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦
−12 −22 15 4

Answer
λ = −5

 Exercise 11.6.1.5
−7 1 3 1
⎡ ⎤ ⎡ ⎤
A =⎢ 10 2 −3 ⎥ x⃗ = ⎢ −2 ⎥

⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦
−20 −14 1 4

Answer
λ =3

11.6.1.1 https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/120068
  Exercise 11.6.1.6

−12 −10 0 −1
⎡ ⎤ ⎡ ⎤

A =⎢ 15 13 0 ⎥ x⃗ = ⎢ 1 ⎥
⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦
15 18 −5 1

Answer
λ = −2

In Exercises 11.6.1.7 – 11.6.1.11 , a matrix A and one of its eigenvalues are given. Find an eigenvector of A for the given
eigenvalue.

 Exercise 11.6.1.7

16 6
A =[ ] λ =4
−18 −5

Answer
−1
x⃗ = [ ]
2

 Exercise 11.6.1.8
−2 6
A =[ ] λ =7
−9 13

Answer
2
x⃗ = [ ]
3

 Exercise 11.6.1.9

−16 −28 −19

⎡ ⎤
A =⎢ 42 69 46 ⎥ λ =5
⎣ ⎦
−42 −72 −49

Answer
3
⎡ ⎤
x⃗ = ⎢ −7 ⎥

⎣ ⎦
7

 Exercise 11.6.1.10
7 −5 −10
⎡ ⎤
A =⎢6 2 −6 ⎥ λ = −3
⎣ ⎦
2 −5 −5

Answer
1
⎡ ⎤
x⃗ = ⎢ 0 ⎥

⎣ ⎦
1

11.6.1.2 https://math.libretexts.org/@go/page/120068
  Exercise 11.6.1.11

4 5 −3
⎡ ⎤

A = ⎢ −7 −8 3 ⎥ λ =2
⎣ ⎦
1 −5 8

Answer
−1
⎡ ⎤
x⃗ = ⎢ 1 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
1

In Exercises 11.6.1.12– 11.6.1.28, find the eigenvalues of the given matrix. For each eigenvalue, give an eigenvector.

 Exercise 11.6.1.12

−1 −4
[ ]
−3 −2

Answer
→ 1
λ1 = −5 with x 1 =[ ];
1

→ −4
λ2 = 2 with x 2 =[ ]
3

 Exercise 11.6.1.13

−4 72
[ ]
−1 13

Answer
→ 9
λ1 = 4 with x 1 =[ ];
1

→ 8
λ2 = 5 with x 2 =[ ]
1

 Exercise 11.6.1.14
2 −12
[ ]
2 −8

Answer
→ 2
λ1 = −4 with x 1 =[ ];
1

→ 3
λ2 = −2 with x 2 =[ ]
1

 Exercise 11.6.1.15

3 12
[ ]
1 −1

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Answer
→ −2
λ1 = −3 with x 1 =[ ];
1

→ 6
λ2 = 5 with x 2 =[ ]
1

 Exercise 11.6.1.16

5 9
[ ]
−1 −5

Answer
→ −1
λ1 = −4 with x 1 =[ ];
1

→ −9
λ2 = 4 with x 2 =[ ]
1

 Exercise 11.6.1.17

3 −1
[ ]
−1 3

Answer
→ 1
λ1 = 2 with x 1 =[ ];
1

→ −1
λ2 = 4 with x 2 =[ ]
1

 Exercise 11.6.1.18

0 1
[ ]
25 0

Answer
→ −1
λ1 = −5 with x 1 =[ ];
5

→ 1
λ2 = 5 with x 2 =[ ]
5

 Exercise 11.6.1.19
−3 1
[ ]
0 −1

Answer
→ 1
λ1 = −1 with x 1 =[ ];
2

→ 1
λ2 = −3 with x 2 =[ ]
0

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 Exercise 11.6.1.20

1 −2 −3
⎡ ⎤

⎢0 3 0 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
0 −1 −1

Answer
3
⎡ ⎤
→
λ1 = −1 with x1 = ⎢ 0 ⎥ ;

⎣ ⎦
2

1
⎡ ⎤
→
λ2 = 1 with x2 = ⎢ 0 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
0

5
⎡ ⎤
→
λ3 = 3 with x3 = ⎢ −8 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
2

 Exercise 11.6.1.21
5 −2 3
⎡ ⎤

⎢0 4 0⎥
⎣ ⎦
0 −1 3

Answer
−3
⎡ ⎤
→
λ1 = 3 with x 1 =⎢ 0 ⎥;
⎣ ⎦
2

−5
⎡ ⎤
→
λ2 = 4 with x 2 = ⎢ −1 ⎥

⎣ ⎦
1

1
⎡ ⎤
→
λ3 = 5 with x 3 =⎢0⎥

⎣ ⎦
0

 Exercise 11.6.1.22

1 0 12
⎡ ⎤

⎢2 −5 0 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
1 0 2

Answer
0
⎡ ⎤
→
λ1 = −5 with x 1 = ⎢1⎥;

⎣ ⎦
0

−12
⎡ ⎤
→
λ2 = −2 with x 2 = ⎢ −8 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
3

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 15
⎡ ⎤
→
λ3 = 5 with x3 = ⎢ 3 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
5

 Exercise 11.6.1.23

1 0 −18
⎡ ⎤

⎢ −4 3 −1 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
1 0 −8

Answer
24
⎡ ⎤
→
λ1 = −5 with x 1 = ⎢ 13 ⎥ ;
⎣ ⎦
8

6
⎡ ⎤
→
λ2 = −2 with x 2 =⎢5⎥

⎣ ⎦
1

0
⎡ ⎤
→
λ3 = 3 with x 3 =⎢1⎥
⎣ ⎦
0

 Exercise 11.6.1.24

−1 18 0
⎡ ⎤

⎢ 1 2 0 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
5 −3 −1

Answer
−6
⎡ ⎤
→
λ1 = −4 with x 1 =⎢ 1 ⎥;
⎣ ⎦
11

0
⎡ ⎤
→
λ2 = −1 with x 2 =⎢0⎥
⎣ ⎦
1

3
⎡ ⎤
→
λ3 = 5 with x 3 =⎢1⎥
⎣ ⎦
2

 Exercise 11.6.1.25
5 0 0
⎡ ⎤

⎢ 1 1 0 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
−1 5 −2

Answer
0
⎡ ⎤
→
λ1 = −2 with x1 = ⎢ 0 ⎥ ;
⎣ ⎦
1

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 0
⎡ ⎤
→
λ2 = 1 with x2 = ⎢ 3 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
5

28
⎡ ⎤
→
λ3 = 5 with x 3 =⎢ 7 ⎥

⎣ ⎦
1

 Exercise 11.6.1.26
2 −1 1
⎡ ⎤

⎢0 3 6⎥
⎣ ⎦
0 0 7

Answer
1
⎡ ⎤
→
λ1 = 2 with x1 = ⎢ 0 ⎥ ;

⎣ ⎦
0

−1
⎡ ⎤
→
λ2 = 3 with x 2 =⎢ 1 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
0

−1
⎡ ⎤
→
λ3 = 7 with x 3 = ⎢ 15 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
10

 Exercise 11.6.1.27
3 5 −5
⎡ ⎤

⎢ −2 3 2 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
−2 5 0

Answer
1
⎡ ⎤
→
λ1 = −2 with x 1 = ⎢0⎥;
⎣ ⎦
1

1
⎡ ⎤
→
λ2 = 3 with x 2 = ⎢1⎥;
⎣ ⎦
1

0
⎡ ⎤
→
λ3 = 5 with x 3 =⎢1⎥

⎣ ⎦
1

 Exercise 11.6.1.28

1 2 1
⎡ ⎤

⎢1 2 3⎥
⎣ ⎦
1 1 1

Answer

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 1
⎡ ⎤
→
λ1 = 0 with x1 = ⎢ 3 ⎥ ;
⎣ ⎦
1

2
⎡ ⎤
→
λ2 = −1 with x 2 = ⎢2⎥;

⎣ ⎦
1

1
⎡ ⎤
→
λ3 = 2 with x3 = ⎢ 1 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
1

11.6.1: Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors (Exercises) is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.
4.1.1: Exercises 4.1 has no license indicated.

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