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.







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  • 2




    $-2$ is an eigenvalue of $A$.
    – Lord Shark the Unknown
    Jul 22 at 12:25










  • ya,,,, -2 is the eigenvalue of A but what we can conclude From here ??
    – Messi fifa
    Jul 22 at 12:27






  • 1




    $A$ and $B$ are meant to be similar....
    – Lord Shark the Unknown
    Jul 22 at 12:28














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.







share|cite|improve this question

















  • 2




    $-2$ is an eigenvalue of $A$.
    – Lord Shark the Unknown
    Jul 22 at 12:25










  • ya,,,, -2 is the eigenvalue of A but what we can conclude From here ??
    – Messi fifa
    Jul 22 at 12:27






  • 1




    $A$ and $B$ are meant to be similar....
    – Lord Shark the Unknown
    Jul 22 at 12:28












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.







share|cite|improve this question














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.









share|cite|improve this question












share|cite|improve this question




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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 $A$.
    – Lord Shark the Unknown
    Jul 22 at 12:25










  • ya,,,, -2 is the eigenvalue of A but what we can conclude From here ??
    – Messi fifa
    Jul 22 at 12:27






  • 1




    $A$ and $B$ are meant to be similar....
    – Lord Shark the Unknown
    Jul 22 at 12:28












  • 2




    $-2$ is an eigenvalue of $A$.
    – Lord Shark the Unknown
    Jul 22 at 12:25










  • ya,,,, -2 is the eigenvalue of A but what we can conclude From here ??
    – Messi fifa
    Jul 22 at 12:27






  • 1




    $A$ and $B$ are meant to be similar....
    – Lord Shark the Unknown
    Jul 22 at 12:28







2




2




$-2$ is an eigenvalue of $A$.
– Lord Shark the Unknown
Jul 22 at 12:25




$-2$ is an eigenvalue of $A$.
– Lord Shark the Unknown
Jul 22 at 12:25












ya,,,, -2 is the eigenvalue of A but what we can conclude From here ??
– Messi fifa
Jul 22 at 12:27




ya,,,, -2 is the eigenvalue of A but what we can conclude From here ??
– Messi fifa
Jul 22 at 12:27




1




1




$A$ and $B$ are meant to be similar....
– Lord Shark the Unknown
Jul 22 at 12:28




$A$ and $B$ are meant to be similar....
– Lord Shark the Unknown
Jul 22 at 12:28










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.






share|cite|improve this answer























  • $b = a-2$ is not sufficient. They are similar if and only if $a = 0$ and $b = -2$.
    – 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?
    – 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.
    – José Carlos Santos
    Jul 22 at 13:12

















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.






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    up vote
    2
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    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 $b=-2$.






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      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.






      share|cite|improve this answer























      • $b = a-2$ is not sufficient. They are similar if and only if $a = 0$ and $b = -2$.
        – 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?
        – 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.
        – José Carlos Santos
        Jul 22 at 13:12














      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.






      share|cite|improve this answer























      • $b = a-2$ is not sufficient. They are similar if and only if $a = 0$ and $b = -2$.
        – 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?
        – 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.
        – José Carlos Santos
        Jul 22 at 13:12












      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.






      share|cite|improve this answer















      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.







      share|cite|improve this answer















      share|cite|improve this answer



      share|cite|improve this answer








      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 $b = -2$.
        – 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?
        – 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.
        – José Carlos Santos
        Jul 22 at 13:12
















      • $b = a-2$ is not sufficient. They are similar if and only if $a = 0$ and $b = -2$.
        – 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?
        – 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.
        – José Carlos Santos
        Jul 22 at 13:12















      $b = a-2$ is not sufficient. They are similar if and only if $a = 0$ and $b = -2$.
      – mechanodroid
      Jul 22 at 12:45





      $b = a-2$ is not sufficient. They are similar if and only if $a = 0$ and $b = -2$.
      – 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?
      – 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?
      – 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.
      – 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.
      – José Carlos Santos
      Jul 22 at 13:12










      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.






      share|cite|improve this answer

























        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.






        share|cite|improve this answer























          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.






          share|cite|improve this answer













          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.







          share|cite|improve this answer













          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer











          answered Jul 22 at 12:42









          mechanodroid

          22.2k52041




          22.2k52041




















              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 $b=-2$.






              share|cite|improve this answer

























                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 $b=-2$.






                share|cite|improve this answer























                  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 $b=-2$.






                  share|cite|improve this answer













                  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 $b=-2$.







                  share|cite|improve this answer













                  share|cite|improve this answer



                  share|cite|improve this answer











                  answered Jul 22 at 12:54









                  Marc van Leeuwen

                  84.8k499212




                  84.8k499212






















                       

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