 Spectrum of a scalar matrix plus a rank-one projector

Let $v$ be a real unit vector in $d$-dimensional Euclidean space. Then $P=v{v}^{\mathsf{T}}$ is a rank-one orthogonal projection: $Pv=v$, while $Pw=0$ for $w$ orthogonal to $v$. Consequently the symmetric matrix $A=\alpha I+\beta P$ has eigenvalue $\alpha +\beta$ on the line spanned by $v$ and eigenvalue $\alpha$ on its orthogonal complement. Any orthonormal basis of that complement completes $v$ to an orthonormal eigenbasis. ThusThe trace and determinant formulas remain valid when one of these eigenvalues is zero. When $\beta =0$, all nonzero vectors have the same eigenvalue, and the chosen splitting is optional.