Past exam of the algebra 1 and differential equations 1 course of the University of Oxford / 2015 / 2 / a / Solution

A linear endomorphism is diagonalizable over its field precisely when its minimal polynomial is a product of distinct linear polynomials over that same field. Splitting alone is insufficient: repeated factors permit nontrivial Jordan blocks.

For the displayed matrix, a determinant expansion givesThese formulas can be reduced in each requested characteristic. The four cases below distinguish failure to split from failure to have distinct factors.