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A linear operator $\alpha$ on a real inner-product space is self-adjoint whenfor all $v,w$.

To prove the finite-dimensional spectral theorem, first note that the continuous quadratic function $⟨\alpha v,v⟩$ has a maximum on the unit sphere. The Lagrange multiplier equation at a maximizing vector $v$ gives $\alpha v=\lambda v$, so $\alpha$ has a real unit eigenvector. Its orthogonal complement is invariant becauseInduction on the dimension supplies an orthonormal eigenbasis of that complement and hence of $V$.

For $f\ne 0$,while symmetry and bilinearity are immediate, so the displayed formula defines an inner product on $P_n$. Sinceintegration by parts givesThe boundary term vanishes for polynomials, proving that $\alpha$ is self-adjoint.

On the monomial $x^k$,Thus the matrix of $\alpha$ in the monomial basis is triangular with diagonalThese are therefore its eigenvalues. For $n=2$, corresponding eigenvectors arefor eigenvalues $0,-1,-2$, respectively. They are the first Laguerre polynomials up to normalization, as described by the Laguerre differential operator on polynomials.