Let $A$ be a $3×3$ matrix with $\operatorname{trace} (A) = 3$ and $\det (A) = 2$. If $1$ is an eigenvalue of $A$, then what are the eigenvalues of the matrix $A^2 - 2I$?
An eigen value problem
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eigenvalues-eigenvectors
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0How to handle the trace and det: the [properties of Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eigenvalues_and_eigenvectors#Further_properties). – 2012-08-12
2 Answers
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Hint: Can you find the other eigenvalues of $A$ ? what do you know about the sum of all eigenvalues of $A$ ? what about their product ?
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1@ram, that isn't the answer. Here's a hint: $(x-a)(x-b)=x^2-(a+b)x+ab$ – 2012-08-12
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Once you have determined the eigenvalues of $A$, observe that they are distinct, hemce $A$ is diagonalizable (at least over $\mathbb C$), hence the eigenvalues of $A^2-2I$ are just the values $\lambda^2-2$ where $\lambda$ is an eigenvalue of $A$, that is $-1$, $a^2-2$, $b^2-2$ with the values found e.g. with Belgi's hint.