(Removing all content from page)
 
(55 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
Let define a n-by-n matrix A and a non-zero vector <math>\vec{x}\in\mathbb{R}^{n}</math>. If there exists a scalar value <math>\lambda</math> which satisfies the vector equation <math>A\vec{x}=\lambda\vec{x}</math>, we define <math>\lambda</math>
 
  as an eigenvalue of the matrix A, and the corresponding non-zero vector <math>\vec{x}</math> is called an eigenvector of the matrix A. To determine eigenvalues and eigenvectors a characteristic equation <math>D(\lambda)=det\left(A-\lambda I\right)</math> is used. Here is an example of determining eigenvectors and eigenvalues where the matrix A is given by
 
  
<center><math>A=\left[\begin{matrix}-5 & 2\\
 
2 & -2
 
\end{matrix}\right]</math></center>.
 
 
Then the characteristic equation D(\lambda)=\left(-5-\lambda\right)\left(-2-\lambda\right)-4=\lambda^{2}+7\lambda+6=0.
 
  By solving the quadratic equation for \lambda
 
, we will have two eigenvalues \lambda_{1}=-1
 
  and \lambda_{2}=-6
 
. By substituting \lambda's
 
  into Eq [eq:1]
 

Latest revision as of 12:46, 13 May 2014

Alumni Liaison

Basic linear algebra uncovers and clarifies very important geometry and algebra.

Dr. Paul Garrett