Eigenvalue sensitivity Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-24
For unit left eigenvector and right eigenvector of a real matrix at a simple eigenvalue , its normwise sensitivity isIt measures the first-order amplification of a matrix perturbation into an eigenvalue perturbation.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2023 ii Paper 4 40C b Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
Differentiate the eigenvalue equationat , where . Suppressing the argument givesLeft-multiplication by the transpose of the unit left eigenvector and use of cancel the terms involving :Because the eigenvalue is simple, , and hence the first-order perturbation of a simple eigenvalue isThe definition of the operator norm, followed by the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality, givesTherefore
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2023 ii Paper 4 40C c Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
If is a real symmetric matrix, the finite-dimensional spectral theorem lets us choose the normalized left eigenvector and right eigenvector to be the same vector. Thus
More generally, the unitary diagonalization of a normal matrix shows that a real normal matrix also has coincident normalized left and right eigenspaces for each real eigenvalue. Since the question assumes , one can again choose , and every such simple eigenvalue has
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2023 ii Paper 4 40C d Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
The displayed matrix is an upper bidiagonal matrix. For , the right eigenvector equation successively givesWe may therefore take the unit right eigenvector to be .
For a left eigenvector, givesSince ,Choosing the initial scale producesAfter normalization,The eigenvalue sensitivity is thereforewhere is the factorial. Hence