Suppose we have the following symmetric matrix the right.

Optionally, you
can give name to the matrix using menu Insert-Name-Define matrix_A , then press OK button

2. Type the identity matrix I , which has the same size of matrix A . Name it as matrix
I
3. In an empty cell type any number as the first guess of Eigen value, and name it lambda

4. In a new empty cell, type this formula = matrix_A -

lambda *
 - X X X

1. A
as shown in the figure on

Inatrix_l. Hightlight 3 by 3 cells clown and to the right starting from this cell, press F2 and then
press CTRL-SHIFT-ENTER together. what you get is matrix A-Il . Name this tnatrix A lamdba
I
5. In another cell, type = MDETERM( and press Enter
6. From the menu of MS Excel, click Tools-Goal Seek and Goal Seek dialog show up.
7. Set cell contain determinant formula to value 0 ( target value ) by changing cell that contain
initial guess of lanabda and click OK button. After a few iterations, you get the Eigen value.
The correct Eigen value of the matrix A in this example is 0.9233, 1 and 27.0767
Type here to search

mbda