$A$ is a symmetric matrix such that $A^4=A$. Prove that $A$ is idempotent
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Let $A$ be a real symmetric matrix such that $A^4=A$. Prove that $A$ is idempotent.
I have tried using eigenvalues and only inferred that the eigen values may be $0,1$. But I cannot proceed with this.
linear-algebra matrices matrix-equations symmetric-matrices idempotents
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up vote
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favorite
Let $A$ be a real symmetric matrix such that $A^4=A$. Prove that $A$ is idempotent.
I have tried using eigenvalues and only inferred that the eigen values may be $0,1$. But I cannot proceed with this.
linear-algebra matrices matrix-equations symmetric-matrices idempotents
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
Let $A$ be a real symmetric matrix such that $A^4=A$. Prove that $A$ is idempotent.
I have tried using eigenvalues and only inferred that the eigen values may be $0,1$. But I cannot proceed with this.
linear-algebra matrices matrix-equations symmetric-matrices idempotents
Let $A$ be a real symmetric matrix such that $A^4=A$. Prove that $A$ is idempotent.
I have tried using eigenvalues and only inferred that the eigen values may be $0,1$. But I cannot proceed with this.
linear-algebra matrices matrix-equations symmetric-matrices idempotents
edited Jul 25 at 11:38
Rodrigo de Azevedo
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asked Jul 25 at 3:57
Legend Killer
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5 Answers
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Let $A=PDP^-1$ be the eigendecomposition of the given matrix. Then, since the diagonal matrix of eigenvalues $D$ contains only 0s and 1s, $D^2=D$ and
$$A^2=PDP^-1PDP^-1=PD^2P^-1=PDP^-1=A$$
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Here's a proof which doesn't invoke Cayley Hamilton or eigenstructures:
We have $A^4 - A = 0$. Factoring this yields
$$
(A^2 + A + I)(A^2 - A) = 0
$$
However, we may write
$$
A^2 + A + I = left(A + frac 12 Iright)^Tleft(A + frac 12 Iright) + frac 34 I
$$
Since $A^2 + A + I$ can be written as the sum of a positive semidefinite and positive definite matrix, it must be positive definite (and hence invertible). Thus, we have
$$
(A^2 + A + I)(A^2 - A) = 0 implies A^2 - A = 0 implies A^2 = A
$$
Thus, $A$ is idempotent.
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up vote
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If A=0 or A=$I_n$ ok, you can use the Spectral theorem or eingvalues, $A^4=A$ implies that $p(x)=x^4-x$ is a multiple of Characteristic polynomial of A note that $p(x)=x(x-1)(x^2+x+1)$ every ortogonal operator have real eingvalue, thus the characteristic polynomial is x or x-1 or x(x-1), but by Cayley Theorem the characteristic polynomial(A)=0 thus x(x-1) again Cayley Theorem $A^2-A=0$.
If $A$ is of order 5 or larger, $x^4-x$ cannot be a multiple of its characteristic polynomial. It is, however, a multiple of the minimal polynomial.
– amd
Jul 25 at 7:40
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up vote
0
down vote
I tried to cook up a basic proof which doesn't directly invoke the eigenstructure of $A$ or Cayley-Hamilton, etc.; here's what I've got:
if
$A^4 = A, tag 1$
then
$A(A - I)(A^2 + A + I) = A(A^3 - I) = A^4 - A = 0; tag 2$
since
$A^T = A, tag 3$
we have for any vector $x$
$langle x, Ax rangle = langle x, A^4 x rangle = langle (A^T)^2 x, A^2 x rangle = langle A^2 x, A^2 x rangle ge 0; tag 4$
$langle x, A^2 x rangle = langle A^T x, Ax rangle = langle Ax, Ax rangle ge 0; tag 5$
thus
$langle x, (A^2 + A + I)x rangle = langle x, A^2 x rangle + langle x, Ax rangle + langle x, x rangle > 0, tag 6$
by (4), (5) and the fact that $langle x, x rangle > 0$; now if any matrix $B$ satisfies
$langle x, Bx rangle ne 0, forall x, tag 7$
then $B$ is invertible; if not,
$exists y ne 0, ; By = 0 Longrightarrow langle y, By rangle = 0, tag 8$
which contradicts (7); applying this conclusion to $A^2 + A + I$ we see that it must be invertible; then by (2) we see that
$A^2 - A = A(A - I) = 0, tag 9$
or
$A^2 = A. tag10$
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up vote
0
down vote
You are given that
$$
0 = A^4-A=(A^2-A)(A^2+A+I)
$$
Because $A$ is assumed to be real and symmetric, then the matrix $A^2+A+I$ is real and symmetric, and its eigenvalues have the form
$$
lambda^2+lambda +1 = (lambda+1/2)^2+3/4 ge 3/4.
$$
So $A^2+A+I$ is invertible, which forces $A^2-A=0$, or $A^2=A$.
add a comment |Â
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
Let $A=PDP^-1$ be the eigendecomposition of the given matrix. Then, since the diagonal matrix of eigenvalues $D$ contains only 0s and 1s, $D^2=D$ and
$$A^2=PDP^-1PDP^-1=PD^2P^-1=PDP^-1=A$$
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Let $A=PDP^-1$ be the eigendecomposition of the given matrix. Then, since the diagonal matrix of eigenvalues $D$ contains only 0s and 1s, $D^2=D$ and
$$A^2=PDP^-1PDP^-1=PD^2P^-1=PDP^-1=A$$
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
Let $A=PDP^-1$ be the eigendecomposition of the given matrix. Then, since the diagonal matrix of eigenvalues $D$ contains only 0s and 1s, $D^2=D$ and
$$A^2=PDP^-1PDP^-1=PD^2P^-1=PDP^-1=A$$
Let $A=PDP^-1$ be the eigendecomposition of the given matrix. Then, since the diagonal matrix of eigenvalues $D$ contains only 0s and 1s, $D^2=D$ and
$$A^2=PDP^-1PDP^-1=PD^2P^-1=PDP^-1=A$$
edited Jul 25 at 4:03
P Vanchinathan
13.9k12035
13.9k12035
answered Jul 25 at 4:00


Parcly Taxel
33.5k136588
33.5k136588
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up vote
2
down vote
Here's a proof which doesn't invoke Cayley Hamilton or eigenstructures:
We have $A^4 - A = 0$. Factoring this yields
$$
(A^2 + A + I)(A^2 - A) = 0
$$
However, we may write
$$
A^2 + A + I = left(A + frac 12 Iright)^Tleft(A + frac 12 Iright) + frac 34 I
$$
Since $A^2 + A + I$ can be written as the sum of a positive semidefinite and positive definite matrix, it must be positive definite (and hence invertible). Thus, we have
$$
(A^2 + A + I)(A^2 - A) = 0 implies A^2 - A = 0 implies A^2 = A
$$
Thus, $A$ is idempotent.
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Here's a proof which doesn't invoke Cayley Hamilton or eigenstructures:
We have $A^4 - A = 0$. Factoring this yields
$$
(A^2 + A + I)(A^2 - A) = 0
$$
However, we may write
$$
A^2 + A + I = left(A + frac 12 Iright)^Tleft(A + frac 12 Iright) + frac 34 I
$$
Since $A^2 + A + I$ can be written as the sum of a positive semidefinite and positive definite matrix, it must be positive definite (and hence invertible). Thus, we have
$$
(A^2 + A + I)(A^2 - A) = 0 implies A^2 - A = 0 implies A^2 = A
$$
Thus, $A$ is idempotent.
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Here's a proof which doesn't invoke Cayley Hamilton or eigenstructures:
We have $A^4 - A = 0$. Factoring this yields
$$
(A^2 + A + I)(A^2 - A) = 0
$$
However, we may write
$$
A^2 + A + I = left(A + frac 12 Iright)^Tleft(A + frac 12 Iright) + frac 34 I
$$
Since $A^2 + A + I$ can be written as the sum of a positive semidefinite and positive definite matrix, it must be positive definite (and hence invertible). Thus, we have
$$
(A^2 + A + I)(A^2 - A) = 0 implies A^2 - A = 0 implies A^2 = A
$$
Thus, $A$ is idempotent.
Here's a proof which doesn't invoke Cayley Hamilton or eigenstructures:
We have $A^4 - A = 0$. Factoring this yields
$$
(A^2 + A + I)(A^2 - A) = 0
$$
However, we may write
$$
A^2 + A + I = left(A + frac 12 Iright)^Tleft(A + frac 12 Iright) + frac 34 I
$$
Since $A^2 + A + I$ can be written as the sum of a positive semidefinite and positive definite matrix, it must be positive definite (and hence invertible). Thus, we have
$$
(A^2 + A + I)(A^2 - A) = 0 implies A^2 - A = 0 implies A^2 = A
$$
Thus, $A$ is idempotent.
answered Jul 25 at 11:45
Omnomnomnom
121k784170
121k784170
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
If A=0 or A=$I_n$ ok, you can use the Spectral theorem or eingvalues, $A^4=A$ implies that $p(x)=x^4-x$ is a multiple of Characteristic polynomial of A note that $p(x)=x(x-1)(x^2+x+1)$ every ortogonal operator have real eingvalue, thus the characteristic polynomial is x or x-1 or x(x-1), but by Cayley Theorem the characteristic polynomial(A)=0 thus x(x-1) again Cayley Theorem $A^2-A=0$.
If $A$ is of order 5 or larger, $x^4-x$ cannot be a multiple of its characteristic polynomial. It is, however, a multiple of the minimal polynomial.
– amd
Jul 25 at 7:40
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
If A=0 or A=$I_n$ ok, you can use the Spectral theorem or eingvalues, $A^4=A$ implies that $p(x)=x^4-x$ is a multiple of Characteristic polynomial of A note that $p(x)=x(x-1)(x^2+x+1)$ every ortogonal operator have real eingvalue, thus the characteristic polynomial is x or x-1 or x(x-1), but by Cayley Theorem the characteristic polynomial(A)=0 thus x(x-1) again Cayley Theorem $A^2-A=0$.
If $A$ is of order 5 or larger, $x^4-x$ cannot be a multiple of its characteristic polynomial. It is, however, a multiple of the minimal polynomial.
– amd
Jul 25 at 7:40
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
If A=0 or A=$I_n$ ok, you can use the Spectral theorem or eingvalues, $A^4=A$ implies that $p(x)=x^4-x$ is a multiple of Characteristic polynomial of A note that $p(x)=x(x-1)(x^2+x+1)$ every ortogonal operator have real eingvalue, thus the characteristic polynomial is x or x-1 or x(x-1), but by Cayley Theorem the characteristic polynomial(A)=0 thus x(x-1) again Cayley Theorem $A^2-A=0$.
If A=0 or A=$I_n$ ok, you can use the Spectral theorem or eingvalues, $A^4=A$ implies that $p(x)=x^4-x$ is a multiple of Characteristic polynomial of A note that $p(x)=x(x-1)(x^2+x+1)$ every ortogonal operator have real eingvalue, thus the characteristic polynomial is x or x-1 or x(x-1), but by Cayley Theorem the characteristic polynomial(A)=0 thus x(x-1) again Cayley Theorem $A^2-A=0$.
answered Jul 25 at 4:28
Olecram
1364
1364
If $A$ is of order 5 or larger, $x^4-x$ cannot be a multiple of its characteristic polynomial. It is, however, a multiple of the minimal polynomial.
– amd
Jul 25 at 7:40
add a comment |Â
If $A$ is of order 5 or larger, $x^4-x$ cannot be a multiple of its characteristic polynomial. It is, however, a multiple of the minimal polynomial.
– amd
Jul 25 at 7:40
If $A$ is of order 5 or larger, $x^4-x$ cannot be a multiple of its characteristic polynomial. It is, however, a multiple of the minimal polynomial.
– amd
Jul 25 at 7:40
If $A$ is of order 5 or larger, $x^4-x$ cannot be a multiple of its characteristic polynomial. It is, however, a multiple of the minimal polynomial.
– amd
Jul 25 at 7:40
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
I tried to cook up a basic proof which doesn't directly invoke the eigenstructure of $A$ or Cayley-Hamilton, etc.; here's what I've got:
if
$A^4 = A, tag 1$
then
$A(A - I)(A^2 + A + I) = A(A^3 - I) = A^4 - A = 0; tag 2$
since
$A^T = A, tag 3$
we have for any vector $x$
$langle x, Ax rangle = langle x, A^4 x rangle = langle (A^T)^2 x, A^2 x rangle = langle A^2 x, A^2 x rangle ge 0; tag 4$
$langle x, A^2 x rangle = langle A^T x, Ax rangle = langle Ax, Ax rangle ge 0; tag 5$
thus
$langle x, (A^2 + A + I)x rangle = langle x, A^2 x rangle + langle x, Ax rangle + langle x, x rangle > 0, tag 6$
by (4), (5) and the fact that $langle x, x rangle > 0$; now if any matrix $B$ satisfies
$langle x, Bx rangle ne 0, forall x, tag 7$
then $B$ is invertible; if not,
$exists y ne 0, ; By = 0 Longrightarrow langle y, By rangle = 0, tag 8$
which contradicts (7); applying this conclusion to $A^2 + A + I$ we see that it must be invertible; then by (2) we see that
$A^2 - A = A(A - I) = 0, tag 9$
or
$A^2 = A. tag10$
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
I tried to cook up a basic proof which doesn't directly invoke the eigenstructure of $A$ or Cayley-Hamilton, etc.; here's what I've got:
if
$A^4 = A, tag 1$
then
$A(A - I)(A^2 + A + I) = A(A^3 - I) = A^4 - A = 0; tag 2$
since
$A^T = A, tag 3$
we have for any vector $x$
$langle x, Ax rangle = langle x, A^4 x rangle = langle (A^T)^2 x, A^2 x rangle = langle A^2 x, A^2 x rangle ge 0; tag 4$
$langle x, A^2 x rangle = langle A^T x, Ax rangle = langle Ax, Ax rangle ge 0; tag 5$
thus
$langle x, (A^2 + A + I)x rangle = langle x, A^2 x rangle + langle x, Ax rangle + langle x, x rangle > 0, tag 6$
by (4), (5) and the fact that $langle x, x rangle > 0$; now if any matrix $B$ satisfies
$langle x, Bx rangle ne 0, forall x, tag 7$
then $B$ is invertible; if not,
$exists y ne 0, ; By = 0 Longrightarrow langle y, By rangle = 0, tag 8$
which contradicts (7); applying this conclusion to $A^2 + A + I$ we see that it must be invertible; then by (2) we see that
$A^2 - A = A(A - I) = 0, tag 9$
or
$A^2 = A. tag10$
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
I tried to cook up a basic proof which doesn't directly invoke the eigenstructure of $A$ or Cayley-Hamilton, etc.; here's what I've got:
if
$A^4 = A, tag 1$
then
$A(A - I)(A^2 + A + I) = A(A^3 - I) = A^4 - A = 0; tag 2$
since
$A^T = A, tag 3$
we have for any vector $x$
$langle x, Ax rangle = langle x, A^4 x rangle = langle (A^T)^2 x, A^2 x rangle = langle A^2 x, A^2 x rangle ge 0; tag 4$
$langle x, A^2 x rangle = langle A^T x, Ax rangle = langle Ax, Ax rangle ge 0; tag 5$
thus
$langle x, (A^2 + A + I)x rangle = langle x, A^2 x rangle + langle x, Ax rangle + langle x, x rangle > 0, tag 6$
by (4), (5) and the fact that $langle x, x rangle > 0$; now if any matrix $B$ satisfies
$langle x, Bx rangle ne 0, forall x, tag 7$
then $B$ is invertible; if not,
$exists y ne 0, ; By = 0 Longrightarrow langle y, By rangle = 0, tag 8$
which contradicts (7); applying this conclusion to $A^2 + A + I$ we see that it must be invertible; then by (2) we see that
$A^2 - A = A(A - I) = 0, tag 9$
or
$A^2 = A. tag10$
I tried to cook up a basic proof which doesn't directly invoke the eigenstructure of $A$ or Cayley-Hamilton, etc.; here's what I've got:
if
$A^4 = A, tag 1$
then
$A(A - I)(A^2 + A + I) = A(A^3 - I) = A^4 - A = 0; tag 2$
since
$A^T = A, tag 3$
we have for any vector $x$
$langle x, Ax rangle = langle x, A^4 x rangle = langle (A^T)^2 x, A^2 x rangle = langle A^2 x, A^2 x rangle ge 0; tag 4$
$langle x, A^2 x rangle = langle A^T x, Ax rangle = langle Ax, Ax rangle ge 0; tag 5$
thus
$langle x, (A^2 + A + I)x rangle = langle x, A^2 x rangle + langle x, Ax rangle + langle x, x rangle > 0, tag 6$
by (4), (5) and the fact that $langle x, x rangle > 0$; now if any matrix $B$ satisfies
$langle x, Bx rangle ne 0, forall x, tag 7$
then $B$ is invertible; if not,
$exists y ne 0, ; By = 0 Longrightarrow langle y, By rangle = 0, tag 8$
which contradicts (7); applying this conclusion to $A^2 + A + I$ we see that it must be invertible; then by (2) we see that
$A^2 - A = A(A - I) = 0, tag 9$
or
$A^2 = A. tag10$
answered Jul 25 at 4:45


Robert Lewis
36.9k22155
36.9k22155
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up vote
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down vote
You are given that
$$
0 = A^4-A=(A^2-A)(A^2+A+I)
$$
Because $A$ is assumed to be real and symmetric, then the matrix $A^2+A+I$ is real and symmetric, and its eigenvalues have the form
$$
lambda^2+lambda +1 = (lambda+1/2)^2+3/4 ge 3/4.
$$
So $A^2+A+I$ is invertible, which forces $A^2-A=0$, or $A^2=A$.
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
You are given that
$$
0 = A^4-A=(A^2-A)(A^2+A+I)
$$
Because $A$ is assumed to be real and symmetric, then the matrix $A^2+A+I$ is real and symmetric, and its eigenvalues have the form
$$
lambda^2+lambda +1 = (lambda+1/2)^2+3/4 ge 3/4.
$$
So $A^2+A+I$ is invertible, which forces $A^2-A=0$, or $A^2=A$.
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
You are given that
$$
0 = A^4-A=(A^2-A)(A^2+A+I)
$$
Because $A$ is assumed to be real and symmetric, then the matrix $A^2+A+I$ is real and symmetric, and its eigenvalues have the form
$$
lambda^2+lambda +1 = (lambda+1/2)^2+3/4 ge 3/4.
$$
So $A^2+A+I$ is invertible, which forces $A^2-A=0$, or $A^2=A$.
You are given that
$$
0 = A^4-A=(A^2-A)(A^2+A+I)
$$
Because $A$ is assumed to be real and symmetric, then the matrix $A^2+A+I$ is real and symmetric, and its eigenvalues have the form
$$
lambda^2+lambda +1 = (lambda+1/2)^2+3/4 ge 3/4.
$$
So $A^2+A+I$ is invertible, which forces $A^2-A=0$, or $A^2=A$.
answered Jul 25 at 23:47


DisintegratingByParts
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