Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2009/ib/paper-1/1g/1/solution

Let . Since the kernel of a linear map and its image agree, the rank-nullity theorem gives . Thus is even. Every lies in , so . The minimal polynomial therefore divides . It cannot be , and it cannot be since ; hence the minimal polynomial is .

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