Past exam of the mathematics course of the year 2 of the natural sciences course of the University of Cambridge / 2016 / Paper 1 / 6 / b / Solution

Taking determinants of $A^p=0$ gives $(\det A{)}^p=0$, so $A$ is singular and has the eigenvalue zero. More strongly, if $Av=\lambda v$ with $v\ne 0$, then $0=A^{p}v={\lambda }^{p}v$, so every eigenvalue is zero.

If the nilpotent matrix were diagonalizable, write $A=PD{P}^{-1}$. Then $0=A^p=P{D}^p{P}^{-1}$, hence each diagonal entry of $D$ has zero $p$th power and is zero. Thus $D=0$ and $A=0$. Conversely the zero matrix is diagonal. ThereforeThe conclusion is valid over $\mathbb{C}$ and also over $\mathbb{R}$.