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Homework 4 collaboration area

MA527 Fall 2013


Question from Ryan Russon

Ok, what in the world are we supposed to do with p. 345 #1? From what I gather, The problem asks us to find the eigenvectors of this matrix P, A (the given matrix), and then some new 'A' where A = P-1AP and show that x = Py, where y is an eigenvector of P and x is an eigenvector of both A and this new A. The eigenvalues of P are really crummy... are we allowed to use a calculator or MATLAB or something to help us with this one? Maybe I am just over-complicating this problem... HELP!


I could be mistaken, but I think question #1 should read "if y is an eigenvector of 'A' , show that x = Py are eigenvectors of A". Theorem 3 on p. 340 says that "if x is an eigenvector of A, then y = P-1x is an eigenvector of 'A' corresponding to the same eigenvalue". If that is the case, x = Py, and the only calculation you need to do on P is to find P-1 for  'A' = P-1AP. --Andrew Sauseda 23:22, 9 September 2013 (UTC)


from James Ayling: I agree with you Andrew

from Ryan Russon:

That makes A LOT more sense. Thanks guys!

from Ryan Leemhuis:

Glad I wasn't the only one to come here with this question. I agree...error in the book. This was realized after calculating the eigenvalues of P and finding they are not very "user friendly"

from James Ayling: Any suggestions on how to go about answering Page 345 Questions 24 and 25?


Answer from Eun Young :

Q. 24. By thm 4, A = X'D'X − 1 where X − 1 = XT.

If we set XTx = y, then we have Q = yTD'y. We just transformed Q to the canonical form. See P.343.

So, $ Q = x^T A x = y^T D y = \lambda_1 y_1^2 + \cdots + \lambda_n y_n^2 $ where XTx = y.

Hence, the values of Q are controlled by the sings of the eigenvalues.

We know that there is a one-to-one correspondence between all nonzero x and all nonzero y since X is invertible.

Hence, if Q > 0 for all nonzero x, Q > 0 for all nonzero y.

Consider y = ( 1 0 0 ... ). Then, the first eigenvalue should be positive.

Consider y = ( 0 1 0 ...). Then, the second eigenvalue should be positive.

In this manner, all eigenvalues are positive.

Conversely, if all eigenvalues are positive, Q >0 for all nonzero y. So, Q >0 for all nonzero x.

You can show the others similarly.

Q.25. Prob22 => $ 4x_1^2 + 12 x_1 x_2 + 13 x_2^2 = 16 $ <=> Q = xTA'xwhere $ A = \begin{bmatrix} 4 \ \ 6 \\ 6 \ \ 13 \end{bmatrix} $.

To show that this is positive definite, you need to check if a11 > 0 and d'e't(A) > 0.

From James Ayling: Thanks Eun for the clarification.


Question From bminchhoff: for problem 25 I understand that all principle minors must be positive for positive definiteness but how do we know if principle minors not positive are negative definite or indefinite?


From - Kunal Bansal: Sec: 8.4, Ques - 25: To show whether its negative definite or indefinite (for prob - 23)- I think Calculating eigen values will help. As one of the eigen value in this case is positive and other one is negative, that satisfies the condition for indefinite. 


Hi all. I am facing a problem with Question 18, Section 4.3 (mixing problem). The way I understand it, the pure water entry of 12 gal/min into T1 should not reflect into the fertilizer rate change equations? Ofcourse it keeps the volume constant in both tanks. If I continue in this way, I find that the eigen vectors to the two Eigen values are identical. When I go to solve for the initial value conditions I am not able to proceed in getting values for the constants (getting c1+c2=-100, 2*c1+2*c2=200). I am getting stuck, please advise. Thanks! &&&

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