Tutorial 11 - Matrices 3 Page 1 of 2

Tutorial 11 - Matrices 3
1. Find the characteristic polynomial det( A − λI ) for each of the following
matrices.
     
1 1 α β 0 1
(i) (ii) (iii)
0 1 γ 0 −1 0

2. Find the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the following matrices.

   
1 1 1 2
(i) (ii)
−1 3 −1 1

3. Find and compare the eigenvalues/vectors of the following matrices.

   
1 2 k 2k
(i) (ii)
3 0 3k 0

4. Find the eigenvalues/vectors of the matrix,

 
1 2 1
D = 2 1 1 .
1 1 2

5. Use row operations to show that,

 
−1 3 −1
1
D −1 =  3 −1 −1 .
4
−1 −1 3

6. Calculate the eigenvalues/vectors of D −1 (note, you can consider 4D −1 to

simplify the algebra) and compare to your answer for D.

7. Consider the matrix,  

3 4
A=
4 −3

101MP Algebra james.griffin@coventry.ac.uk

Tutorial 11 - Matrices 3 Page 2 of 2

Calculate

a) the characteristic polynomial of A,

b) the eigenvalues of A,

c) the eigenvectors of A,

d) the set of solutions of the equation,

 

x
x y A =1
y

sketching the curve.

101MP Algebra james.griffin@coventry.ac.uk