Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-year-1-of-the-computer-science-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2016/digital-systems-linear-algebra-introduction-to-formal-proof/6/e/solution
Past exam of the year 1 of the computer science course of the University of Oxford 2016 Digital systems, linear algebra, introduction to formal proof 6 e Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-31
For , the triangular matrix formula gives the characteristic polynomialThe three eigenvalues are distinct, so part (d) already proves the existence of an eigenvector basis. Explicit choices, ordered by eigenvalues , areTheir column matrix has determinant one, and direct multiplication gives respectively one, three and two times the indicated vector.
For , expansion along the last row givesAgain the three eigenvalues are distinct. An explicit eigenvector basis, ordered by eigenvalues , isIts column matrix has determinant . In particular, 's diagonal entries are not its eigenvalues: it is not a triangular matrix.
Finally , so every nonzero vector is an eigenvector with eigenvalue one. Choose the standard basis . These are linearly independent even though their eigenvalues coincide. Distinct eigenvalues are sufficient for an eigenvector basis, and are not necessary.
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