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The independence of eigenvectors for distinct eigenvalues ensures that such eigenvectors form a linearly independent set. For completeness, apply ${\prod }_{j\ne k}(M-{\lambda }_{j}I)$ to a proposed relation ${\sum }_i{c}_i{\mathbf{e}}_i=0$. It leaves $c_k{\prod }_{j\ne k}({\lambda }_k-{\lambda }_j){\mathbf{e}}_k=0$, so every $c_k=0$. Thus the three eigenvectors form a basis over the relevant field and $\mathbf{x}={\sum }_i{a}_i(t){\mathbf{e}}_i$. Substitution into the linear system of ordinary differential equations gives ${\sum }_i({\dot{a}}_i-{\lambda }_i{a}_i){\mathbf{e}}_i=0$; linear independence implies ${\dot{a}}_i={\lambda }_i{a}_i$. HenceA real matrix may have a complex conjugate pair of eigenvalues. In that case the calculation is over $\mathbb{C}$ and conjugate coefficients yield real solutions; equivalently use real and imaginary parts of the complex modes. No unstated assumption that all three eigenvalues are real is needed.