Find the values of $a$ and $b$ such that the following matrices are similar
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Find the values of $a$ and $b$ such that the following matrices are similar.
$$A=beginbmatrix -2& 0 & 0 \ 2 & a & 2 \ 3& 1 & 1 endbmatrix, qquad B=beginbmatrix -1& 0 & 0 \ 0 & 2 & 0 \ 0& 0 & b endbmatrix$$
I know that similar matrices must have the same ranks. Hence, I can take that value of $a$ as any real number and $b neq 0$. Is my answer is true or false? Any hints or solutions will be appreciated. Thank you.
linear-algebra matrices
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up vote
1
down vote
favorite
Find the values of $a$ and $b$ such that the following matrices are similar.
$$A=beginbmatrix -2& 0 & 0 \ 2 & a & 2 \ 3& 1 & 1 endbmatrix, qquad B=beginbmatrix -1& 0 & 0 \ 0 & 2 & 0 \ 0& 0 & b endbmatrix$$
I know that similar matrices must have the same ranks. Hence, I can take that value of $a$ as any real number and $b neq 0$. Is my answer is true or false? Any hints or solutions will be appreciated. Thank you.
linear-algebra matrices
2
$-2$ is an eigenvalue of $A$.
â Lord Shark the Unknown
Jul 22 at 12:25
ya,,,, -2 is the eigenvalue of A but what we can conclude From here ??
â Messi fifa
Jul 22 at 12:27
1
$A$ and $B$ are meant to be similar....
â Lord Shark the Unknown
Jul 22 at 12:28
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
Find the values of $a$ and $b$ such that the following matrices are similar.
$$A=beginbmatrix -2& 0 & 0 \ 2 & a & 2 \ 3& 1 & 1 endbmatrix, qquad B=beginbmatrix -1& 0 & 0 \ 0 & 2 & 0 \ 0& 0 & b endbmatrix$$
I know that similar matrices must have the same ranks. Hence, I can take that value of $a$ as any real number and $b neq 0$. Is my answer is true or false? Any hints or solutions will be appreciated. Thank you.
linear-algebra matrices
Find the values of $a$ and $b$ such that the following matrices are similar.
$$A=beginbmatrix -2& 0 & 0 \ 2 & a & 2 \ 3& 1 & 1 endbmatrix, qquad B=beginbmatrix -1& 0 & 0 \ 0 & 2 & 0 \ 0& 0 & b endbmatrix$$
I know that similar matrices must have the same ranks. Hence, I can take that value of $a$ as any real number and $b neq 0$. Is my answer is true or false? Any hints or solutions will be appreciated. Thank you.
linear-algebra matrices
edited Jul 22 at 12:47
Rodrigo de Azevedo
12.6k41751
12.6k41751
asked Jul 22 at 12:22
Messi fifa
1718
1718
2
$-2$ is an eigenvalue of $A$.
â Lord Shark the Unknown
Jul 22 at 12:25
ya,,,, -2 is the eigenvalue of A but what we can conclude From here ??
â Messi fifa
Jul 22 at 12:27
1
$A$ and $B$ are meant to be similar....
â Lord Shark the Unknown
Jul 22 at 12:28
add a comment |Â
2
$-2$ is an eigenvalue of $A$.
â Lord Shark the Unknown
Jul 22 at 12:25
ya,,,, -2 is the eigenvalue of A but what we can conclude From here ??
â Messi fifa
Jul 22 at 12:27
1
$A$ and $B$ are meant to be similar....
â Lord Shark the Unknown
Jul 22 at 12:28
2
2
$-2$ is an eigenvalue of $A$.
â Lord Shark the Unknown
Jul 22 at 12:25
$-2$ is an eigenvalue of $A$.
â Lord Shark the Unknown
Jul 22 at 12:25
ya,,,, -2 is the eigenvalue of A but what we can conclude From here ??
â Messi fifa
Jul 22 at 12:27
ya,,,, -2 is the eigenvalue of A but what we can conclude From here ??
â Messi fifa
Jul 22 at 12:27
1
1
$A$ and $B$ are meant to be similar....
â Lord Shark the Unknown
Jul 22 at 12:28
$A$ and $B$ are meant to be similar....
â Lord Shark the Unknown
Jul 22 at 12:28
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
accepted
If two matrices are similar, then they have the same characteristic polynomials. The characteristic polynomials of your matrices are$$-x^2+(a-1)x^2+(a+4)x+4-2atext and -x^3+(b+1)x^2+(-b+2)x-2b$$respectively. They are equal if and only if $a=0$ and $b=-2$. On the other hand, in this case the matrices have three distinct eigenvalues (the same for both). Therefore, they're similar.
$b = a-2$ is not sufficient. They are similar if and only if $a = 0$ and $b = -2$.
â mechanodroid
Jul 22 at 12:45
1
How can you say (or imply) that for $b=-1$ or for $b=2$ the matrix $B$ has $3$ distinct eigenvalues?
â Marc van Leeuwen
Jul 22 at 12:45
@MarcvanLeeuwen I made a mistake while determining when the characteristic polynomials are equal. It is corrected now.
â José Carlos Santos
Jul 22 at 13:12
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Calculate the characteristic polynomials:
$$det (A - lambda I) = (-2-lambda) beginvmatrixa-2 & 2 \ 1 & 1-lambdaendvmatrix = (-2-lambda)(lambda^2 - lambda(a+1) + (a-2)) = (-2 - lambda)left(frac1+a-sqrta^2-2a+92 - lambdaright)left(frac1+a+sqrta^2-2a+92 - lambdaright)$$
$$det (B - lambda I) = (-1-lambda)(2 - lambda)(b - lambda)$$
If $A$ and $B$ are similar, then the characteristic polynomials are equal so uniqueness of factorization in $mathbbC[lambda]$ gives $b = -2$ and
$$leftfrac1+a-sqrta^2-2a+92, frac1+a+sqrta^2-2a+92right = -1, 2$$
for which the only solution is $a = 0$.
On the other hand, if $a = 0, b= 2$ then both $A$ and $B$ diagonalize with distinct eigenvalues $-1, 2, -2$ so they are similar.
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Clearly (by block upper triangular form) $A$ has an eigenvalue $-2$ regardless of $a$, and $B$ only has such an eigenvalue if $b=-2$; that is therefore a necessary condition for similarity. But then the matrix $B$ has $3$ distinct eigenvalues, and will be similar to another matrix if and only if that matrix has the same characteristic polynomial as$~B$. For that to happen for$~A$, the bottom-right $2times2$ block of$~A$ must have characteristic polynomial equal to $(X+1)(X-2)=X^2-X-2$ which means it should have trace$~1$ and determinant$~-2$, and this happens if and only if $a=0$. So the matrices are similar if and only if $a=0$ and $b=-2$.
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
accepted
If two matrices are similar, then they have the same characteristic polynomials. The characteristic polynomials of your matrices are$$-x^2+(a-1)x^2+(a+4)x+4-2atext and -x^3+(b+1)x^2+(-b+2)x-2b$$respectively. They are equal if and only if $a=0$ and $b=-2$. On the other hand, in this case the matrices have three distinct eigenvalues (the same for both). Therefore, they're similar.
$b = a-2$ is not sufficient. They are similar if and only if $a = 0$ and $b = -2$.
â mechanodroid
Jul 22 at 12:45
1
How can you say (or imply) that for $b=-1$ or for $b=2$ the matrix $B$ has $3$ distinct eigenvalues?
â Marc van Leeuwen
Jul 22 at 12:45
@MarcvanLeeuwen I made a mistake while determining when the characteristic polynomials are equal. It is corrected now.
â José Carlos Santos
Jul 22 at 13:12
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
accepted
If two matrices are similar, then they have the same characteristic polynomials. The characteristic polynomials of your matrices are$$-x^2+(a-1)x^2+(a+4)x+4-2atext and -x^3+(b+1)x^2+(-b+2)x-2b$$respectively. They are equal if and only if $a=0$ and $b=-2$. On the other hand, in this case the matrices have three distinct eigenvalues (the same for both). Therefore, they're similar.
$b = a-2$ is not sufficient. They are similar if and only if $a = 0$ and $b = -2$.
â mechanodroid
Jul 22 at 12:45
1
How can you say (or imply) that for $b=-1$ or for $b=2$ the matrix $B$ has $3$ distinct eigenvalues?
â Marc van Leeuwen
Jul 22 at 12:45
@MarcvanLeeuwen I made a mistake while determining when the characteristic polynomials are equal. It is corrected now.
â José Carlos Santos
Jul 22 at 13:12
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
accepted
up vote
4
down vote
accepted
If two matrices are similar, then they have the same characteristic polynomials. The characteristic polynomials of your matrices are$$-x^2+(a-1)x^2+(a+4)x+4-2atext and -x^3+(b+1)x^2+(-b+2)x-2b$$respectively. They are equal if and only if $a=0$ and $b=-2$. On the other hand, in this case the matrices have three distinct eigenvalues (the same for both). Therefore, they're similar.
If two matrices are similar, then they have the same characteristic polynomials. The characteristic polynomials of your matrices are$$-x^2+(a-1)x^2+(a+4)x+4-2atext and -x^3+(b+1)x^2+(-b+2)x-2b$$respectively. They are equal if and only if $a=0$ and $b=-2$. On the other hand, in this case the matrices have three distinct eigenvalues (the same for both). Therefore, they're similar.
edited Jul 22 at 13:11
answered Jul 22 at 12:34
José Carlos Santos
113k1698177
113k1698177
$b = a-2$ is not sufficient. They are similar if and only if $a = 0$ and $b = -2$.
â mechanodroid
Jul 22 at 12:45
1
How can you say (or imply) that for $b=-1$ or for $b=2$ the matrix $B$ has $3$ distinct eigenvalues?
â Marc van Leeuwen
Jul 22 at 12:45
@MarcvanLeeuwen I made a mistake while determining when the characteristic polynomials are equal. It is corrected now.
â José Carlos Santos
Jul 22 at 13:12
add a comment |Â
$b = a-2$ is not sufficient. They are similar if and only if $a = 0$ and $b = -2$.
â mechanodroid
Jul 22 at 12:45
1
How can you say (or imply) that for $b=-1$ or for $b=2$ the matrix $B$ has $3$ distinct eigenvalues?
â Marc van Leeuwen
Jul 22 at 12:45
@MarcvanLeeuwen I made a mistake while determining when the characteristic polynomials are equal. It is corrected now.
â José Carlos Santos
Jul 22 at 13:12
$b = a-2$ is not sufficient. They are similar if and only if $a = 0$ and $b = -2$.
â mechanodroid
Jul 22 at 12:45
$b = a-2$ is not sufficient. They are similar if and only if $a = 0$ and $b = -2$.
â mechanodroid
Jul 22 at 12:45
1
1
How can you say (or imply) that for $b=-1$ or for $b=2$ the matrix $B$ has $3$ distinct eigenvalues?
â Marc van Leeuwen
Jul 22 at 12:45
How can you say (or imply) that for $b=-1$ or for $b=2$ the matrix $B$ has $3$ distinct eigenvalues?
â Marc van Leeuwen
Jul 22 at 12:45
@MarcvanLeeuwen I made a mistake while determining when the characteristic polynomials are equal. It is corrected now.
â José Carlos Santos
Jul 22 at 13:12
@MarcvanLeeuwen I made a mistake while determining when the characteristic polynomials are equal. It is corrected now.
â José Carlos Santos
Jul 22 at 13:12
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Calculate the characteristic polynomials:
$$det (A - lambda I) = (-2-lambda) beginvmatrixa-2 & 2 \ 1 & 1-lambdaendvmatrix = (-2-lambda)(lambda^2 - lambda(a+1) + (a-2)) = (-2 - lambda)left(frac1+a-sqrta^2-2a+92 - lambdaright)left(frac1+a+sqrta^2-2a+92 - lambdaright)$$
$$det (B - lambda I) = (-1-lambda)(2 - lambda)(b - lambda)$$
If $A$ and $B$ are similar, then the characteristic polynomials are equal so uniqueness of factorization in $mathbbC[lambda]$ gives $b = -2$ and
$$leftfrac1+a-sqrta^2-2a+92, frac1+a+sqrta^2-2a+92right = -1, 2$$
for which the only solution is $a = 0$.
On the other hand, if $a = 0, b= 2$ then both $A$ and $B$ diagonalize with distinct eigenvalues $-1, 2, -2$ so they are similar.
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Calculate the characteristic polynomials:
$$det (A - lambda I) = (-2-lambda) beginvmatrixa-2 & 2 \ 1 & 1-lambdaendvmatrix = (-2-lambda)(lambda^2 - lambda(a+1) + (a-2)) = (-2 - lambda)left(frac1+a-sqrta^2-2a+92 - lambdaright)left(frac1+a+sqrta^2-2a+92 - lambdaright)$$
$$det (B - lambda I) = (-1-lambda)(2 - lambda)(b - lambda)$$
If $A$ and $B$ are similar, then the characteristic polynomials are equal so uniqueness of factorization in $mathbbC[lambda]$ gives $b = -2$ and
$$leftfrac1+a-sqrta^2-2a+92, frac1+a+sqrta^2-2a+92right = -1, 2$$
for which the only solution is $a = 0$.
On the other hand, if $a = 0, b= 2$ then both $A$ and $B$ diagonalize with distinct eigenvalues $-1, 2, -2$ so they are similar.
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Calculate the characteristic polynomials:
$$det (A - lambda I) = (-2-lambda) beginvmatrixa-2 & 2 \ 1 & 1-lambdaendvmatrix = (-2-lambda)(lambda^2 - lambda(a+1) + (a-2)) = (-2 - lambda)left(frac1+a-sqrta^2-2a+92 - lambdaright)left(frac1+a+sqrta^2-2a+92 - lambdaright)$$
$$det (B - lambda I) = (-1-lambda)(2 - lambda)(b - lambda)$$
If $A$ and $B$ are similar, then the characteristic polynomials are equal so uniqueness of factorization in $mathbbC[lambda]$ gives $b = -2$ and
$$leftfrac1+a-sqrta^2-2a+92, frac1+a+sqrta^2-2a+92right = -1, 2$$
for which the only solution is $a = 0$.
On the other hand, if $a = 0, b= 2$ then both $A$ and $B$ diagonalize with distinct eigenvalues $-1, 2, -2$ so they are similar.
Calculate the characteristic polynomials:
$$det (A - lambda I) = (-2-lambda) beginvmatrixa-2 & 2 \ 1 & 1-lambdaendvmatrix = (-2-lambda)(lambda^2 - lambda(a+1) + (a-2)) = (-2 - lambda)left(frac1+a-sqrta^2-2a+92 - lambdaright)left(frac1+a+sqrta^2-2a+92 - lambdaright)$$
$$det (B - lambda I) = (-1-lambda)(2 - lambda)(b - lambda)$$
If $A$ and $B$ are similar, then the characteristic polynomials are equal so uniqueness of factorization in $mathbbC[lambda]$ gives $b = -2$ and
$$leftfrac1+a-sqrta^2-2a+92, frac1+a+sqrta^2-2a+92right = -1, 2$$
for which the only solution is $a = 0$.
On the other hand, if $a = 0, b= 2$ then both $A$ and $B$ diagonalize with distinct eigenvalues $-1, 2, -2$ so they are similar.
answered Jul 22 at 12:42
mechanodroid
22.2k52041
22.2k52041
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Clearly (by block upper triangular form) $A$ has an eigenvalue $-2$ regardless of $a$, and $B$ only has such an eigenvalue if $b=-2$; that is therefore a necessary condition for similarity. But then the matrix $B$ has $3$ distinct eigenvalues, and will be similar to another matrix if and only if that matrix has the same characteristic polynomial as$~B$. For that to happen for$~A$, the bottom-right $2times2$ block of$~A$ must have characteristic polynomial equal to $(X+1)(X-2)=X^2-X-2$ which means it should have trace$~1$ and determinant$~-2$, and this happens if and only if $a=0$. So the matrices are similar if and only if $a=0$ and $b=-2$.
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Clearly (by block upper triangular form) $A$ has an eigenvalue $-2$ regardless of $a$, and $B$ only has such an eigenvalue if $b=-2$; that is therefore a necessary condition for similarity. But then the matrix $B$ has $3$ distinct eigenvalues, and will be similar to another matrix if and only if that matrix has the same characteristic polynomial as$~B$. For that to happen for$~A$, the bottom-right $2times2$ block of$~A$ must have characteristic polynomial equal to $(X+1)(X-2)=X^2-X-2$ which means it should have trace$~1$ and determinant$~-2$, and this happens if and only if $a=0$. So the matrices are similar if and only if $a=0$ and $b=-2$.
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Clearly (by block upper triangular form) $A$ has an eigenvalue $-2$ regardless of $a$, and $B$ only has such an eigenvalue if $b=-2$; that is therefore a necessary condition for similarity. But then the matrix $B$ has $3$ distinct eigenvalues, and will be similar to another matrix if and only if that matrix has the same characteristic polynomial as$~B$. For that to happen for$~A$, the bottom-right $2times2$ block of$~A$ must have characteristic polynomial equal to $(X+1)(X-2)=X^2-X-2$ which means it should have trace$~1$ and determinant$~-2$, and this happens if and only if $a=0$. So the matrices are similar if and only if $a=0$ and $b=-2$.
Clearly (by block upper triangular form) $A$ has an eigenvalue $-2$ regardless of $a$, and $B$ only has such an eigenvalue if $b=-2$; that is therefore a necessary condition for similarity. But then the matrix $B$ has $3$ distinct eigenvalues, and will be similar to another matrix if and only if that matrix has the same characteristic polynomial as$~B$. For that to happen for$~A$, the bottom-right $2times2$ block of$~A$ must have characteristic polynomial equal to $(X+1)(X-2)=X^2-X-2$ which means it should have trace$~1$ and determinant$~-2$, and this happens if and only if $a=0$. So the matrices are similar if and only if $a=0$ and $b=-2$.
answered Jul 22 at 12:54
Marc van Leeuwen
84.8k499212
84.8k499212
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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2
$-2$ is an eigenvalue of $A$.
â Lord Shark the Unknown
Jul 22 at 12:25
ya,,,, -2 is the eigenvalue of A but what we can conclude From here ??
â Messi fifa
Jul 22 at 12:27
1
$A$ and $B$ are meant to be similar....
â Lord Shark the Unknown
Jul 22 at 12:28