Primary decomposition theorem for linear maps ($V={⨁}_i\ker p_i(T{)}^{a_i}$)

For a linear map $T:V\to V$ on a finite-dimensional vector space over a field $F$, factor its minimal polynomial as $m_T={\prod }_i{p}_i^{a_i}$ with distinct monic polynomials $p_i$ that are irreducible polynomials. ThenEach $V_i$ is an invariant subspace, since $T$ commutes with every polynomial in $T$. These are canonical vector subspaces, determined by $T$, without requiring any eigenvalues in $F$.

For a proof, put $m_i=p_i^{a_i}$ and $M_i=m_T/m_i$. The coprime polynomials $m_i,M_i$ admit a Bézout's identity for polynomials $b_i{M}_i+c_i{m}_i=1$. Set $E_i=b_i(T)M_i(T)$. Its image is contained in $V_i$ because $m_i(T)E_i=0$. The polynomial ${\sum }_i{b}_i{M}_i-1$ is divisible by every $m_i$, hence by their product, so ${\sum }_i{E}_i=I$. On $V_i$, $E_i=I$; on $V_j$ with $j\ne i$, $E_i=0$ because $m_j$ divides $M_i$. These facts prove the direct sum and identify $E_i$ as its projection operators. Finally, if the minimal polynomial of any restriction had a smaller exponent, $m_T/p_i$ would annihilate every summand and hence all of $V$, a contradiction.