Past exam of the algebra, analysis and differential equations II course of the University of Oxford / 2010 / Algebra / 1 / c

The polynomials $t^c$ and $(t-1{)}^d$ are coprime. Bézout's identity gives polynomials $u,v$ with $u(t)t^c+v(t)(t-1{)}^d=1$. SetFor every $x$, the decompositionhas first summand in $V_0$ and second in $V_1$, since $T^c(T-I{)}^d=0$ and polynomial expressions in $T$ commute. If $x$ belongs to both kernels, the same Bézout identity gives $x=0$. Thus $V=V_0\oplus V_1$. Both vector subspaces are invariant under $T$.

On $V_0$, the restriction of $T$ is nilpotent; on $V_1$, the restriction of $T-I$ is nilpotent. Apply (b) separately, then concatenate the two bases. This yieldswhere $A,N$ are strictly upper triangular. Empty blocks are allowed if one subspace is zero. In particular $C=I+N$ has precisely the required diagonal.