Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2021 / ib / Paper 4 / 1E / i / Solution

Let $E_{rs}$ be the matrix unit with its only nonzero entry in row $r$, column $s$. Forone hasThereforeThe $n^2$ matrix units form an eigenbasis, with $E_{rs}$ having eigenvalue $r-s$. The zero eigenspace consists exactly of the diagonal matrices and has dimension $n$. The rank-nullity theorem now gives