Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2001/ib/paper-4/6c/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2001 ib Paper 4 6C Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-14
Using , expansion or triangular reordering givesThe eigenspace for is spanned by , so its algebraic multiplicity two requires a size-two Jordan block. A convenient Jordan chain isFor eigenvalue , the eigenspace has basis , , hence both corresponding blocks have size one. Therefore a Jordan normal form and the minimal polynomial areThe ordered basis supplies the change-of-basis matrixIts determinant is one, and the chain equations give , proving . The square at in the minimal polynomial is essential: is not diagonalizable.
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