Does the Cayley–Hamilton theorem work in the opposite direction?
$begingroup$
The Cayley–Hamilton theorem states that every square matrix satisfies its own characteristic equation.
But does it work in the opposite direction?
If for example for a certain matrix $A$ we know that
$ A^2-6A+9I=0, $
does that mean that the characteristic equation of $A$ is
$
lambda^2-6lambda+9=0
$
?
linear-algebra cayley-hamilton
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The Cayley–Hamilton theorem states that every square matrix satisfies its own characteristic equation.
But does it work in the opposite direction?
If for example for a certain matrix $A$ we know that
$ A^2-6A+9I=0, $
does that mean that the characteristic equation of $A$ is
$
lambda^2-6lambda+9=0
$
?
linear-algebra cayley-hamilton
$endgroup$
3
$begingroup$
Yes there's an “opposite direction” that works, namely that the minimal polynomial (which divides the characteristic polynomial and often equals it) of $A$ divides (rather than necessarily equals) $lambda^2 - 6lambda + 9 = 0$. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimal_polynomial_(linear_algebra)
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– ShreevatsaR
Feb 5 at 21:41
3
$begingroup$
The answers would be a lot more instructive if the question had a condition that the degree of the polynomial is the same as the size of the matrix. Too late now, I'm afraid.
$endgroup$
– JiK
Feb 6 at 0:23
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The Cayley–Hamilton theorem states that every square matrix satisfies its own characteristic equation.
But does it work in the opposite direction?
If for example for a certain matrix $A$ we know that
$ A^2-6A+9I=0, $
does that mean that the characteristic equation of $A$ is
$
lambda^2-6lambda+9=0
$
?
linear-algebra cayley-hamilton
$endgroup$
The Cayley–Hamilton theorem states that every square matrix satisfies its own characteristic equation.
But does it work in the opposite direction?
If for example for a certain matrix $A$ we know that
$ A^2-6A+9I=0, $
does that mean that the characteristic equation of $A$ is
$
lambda^2-6lambda+9=0
$
?
linear-algebra cayley-hamilton
linear-algebra cayley-hamilton
edited Feb 5 at 22:50
J. W. Tanner
3,9221320
3,9221320
asked Feb 5 at 20:30
IdoIdo
1025
1025
3
$begingroup$
Yes there's an “opposite direction” that works, namely that the minimal polynomial (which divides the characteristic polynomial and often equals it) of $A$ divides (rather than necessarily equals) $lambda^2 - 6lambda + 9 = 0$. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimal_polynomial_(linear_algebra)
$endgroup$
– ShreevatsaR
Feb 5 at 21:41
3
$begingroup$
The answers would be a lot more instructive if the question had a condition that the degree of the polynomial is the same as the size of the matrix. Too late now, I'm afraid.
$endgroup$
– JiK
Feb 6 at 0:23
add a comment |
3
$begingroup$
Yes there's an “opposite direction” that works, namely that the minimal polynomial (which divides the characteristic polynomial and often equals it) of $A$ divides (rather than necessarily equals) $lambda^2 - 6lambda + 9 = 0$. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimal_polynomial_(linear_algebra)
$endgroup$
– ShreevatsaR
Feb 5 at 21:41
3
$begingroup$
The answers would be a lot more instructive if the question had a condition that the degree of the polynomial is the same as the size of the matrix. Too late now, I'm afraid.
$endgroup$
– JiK
Feb 6 at 0:23
3
3
$begingroup$
Yes there's an “opposite direction” that works, namely that the minimal polynomial (which divides the characteristic polynomial and often equals it) of $A$ divides (rather than necessarily equals) $lambda^2 - 6lambda + 9 = 0$. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimal_polynomial_(linear_algebra)
$endgroup$
– ShreevatsaR
Feb 5 at 21:41
$begingroup$
Yes there's an “opposite direction” that works, namely that the minimal polynomial (which divides the characteristic polynomial and often equals it) of $A$ divides (rather than necessarily equals) $lambda^2 - 6lambda + 9 = 0$. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimal_polynomial_(linear_algebra)
$endgroup$
– ShreevatsaR
Feb 5 at 21:41
3
3
$begingroup$
The answers would be a lot more instructive if the question had a condition that the degree of the polynomial is the same as the size of the matrix. Too late now, I'm afraid.
$endgroup$
– JiK
Feb 6 at 0:23
$begingroup$
The answers would be a lot more instructive if the question had a condition that the degree of the polynomial is the same as the size of the matrix. Too late now, I'm afraid.
$endgroup$
– JiK
Feb 6 at 0:23
add a comment |
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Even without counterexamples it is obvious that your statement can't be true because if $A$ is a root of the polynomial $p(x)$ then it must be the root of $p(x)q(x)$ for any polynomial $q$. So that way we would get the matrix $A$ has infinitely many characteristic polynomials.
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True, thank you
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– Ido
Feb 5 at 20:40
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Are all counterexamples of this form?
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– PyRulez
Feb 6 at 0:26
2
$begingroup$
@PyRulez, the set of polynomials $p$ such that $p(A)=0$ is ${mq$: q is a polynomial$}$ when $m$ is the minimal polynomial of $A$. So all such polynomials are multiples of the minimal polynomial.
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– Mark
Feb 6 at 0:39
add a comment |
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No. For example, $I-1=0$, but the characteristic polynomial of $I$ is $(x-1)^n$.
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add a comment |
$begingroup$
No, the $ntimes n$ matrix $A=3I$ satisfies the given equation but it has a different characteristic polynomial for $nnot=2$.
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
If $P(A)=0$ then the minimal polynomial of $A$ divides $Q$. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimal_polynomial_(linear_algebra) If the characteristic poynomial has distict roots then it divides $P$.
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– Robert Z
Feb 5 at 20:43
add a comment |
$begingroup$
For any $n times n$ matrix $A$, the $(2n) times (2n)$ matrix $pmatrix{A & 0cr 0 & Acr}$ satisfies the characteristic polynomial of $A$, but its own characteristic polynomial is the square of that of $A$.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
No. In general if a matrix is a root of a polynomial, that polynomial is a multiple of the minimal polynomial of that matrix.
Even if you only consider n-degree polynomials for an n×n matrix, this still can fail.
For example, if A=0, then the characteristic polynomial is $x^n$, but A is the root of any polynomial $xg(x)$.
However, all is not lost. If your minimal polynomial equals your characteristic polynomial (as with companion matrices or in the case you have no repeated roots), then the characteristic polynomial (= minimal polynomial) will be the unique monic n-degree polynomial with root A.
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add a comment |
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5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Even without counterexamples it is obvious that your statement can't be true because if $A$ is a root of the polynomial $p(x)$ then it must be the root of $p(x)q(x)$ for any polynomial $q$. So that way we would get the matrix $A$ has infinitely many characteristic polynomials.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
True, thank you
$endgroup$
– Ido
Feb 5 at 20:40
$begingroup$
Are all counterexamples of this form?
$endgroup$
– PyRulez
Feb 6 at 0:26
2
$begingroup$
@PyRulez, the set of polynomials $p$ such that $p(A)=0$ is ${mq$: q is a polynomial$}$ when $m$ is the minimal polynomial of $A$. So all such polynomials are multiples of the minimal polynomial.
$endgroup$
– Mark
Feb 6 at 0:39
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Even without counterexamples it is obvious that your statement can't be true because if $A$ is a root of the polynomial $p(x)$ then it must be the root of $p(x)q(x)$ for any polynomial $q$. So that way we would get the matrix $A$ has infinitely many characteristic polynomials.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
True, thank you
$endgroup$
– Ido
Feb 5 at 20:40
$begingroup$
Are all counterexamples of this form?
$endgroup$
– PyRulez
Feb 6 at 0:26
2
$begingroup$
@PyRulez, the set of polynomials $p$ such that $p(A)=0$ is ${mq$: q is a polynomial$}$ when $m$ is the minimal polynomial of $A$. So all such polynomials are multiples of the minimal polynomial.
$endgroup$
– Mark
Feb 6 at 0:39
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Even without counterexamples it is obvious that your statement can't be true because if $A$ is a root of the polynomial $p(x)$ then it must be the root of $p(x)q(x)$ for any polynomial $q$. So that way we would get the matrix $A$ has infinitely many characteristic polynomials.
$endgroup$
Even without counterexamples it is obvious that your statement can't be true because if $A$ is a root of the polynomial $p(x)$ then it must be the root of $p(x)q(x)$ for any polynomial $q$. So that way we would get the matrix $A$ has infinitely many characteristic polynomials.
answered Feb 5 at 20:35
MarkMark
10.4k1622
10.4k1622
$begingroup$
True, thank you
$endgroup$
– Ido
Feb 5 at 20:40
$begingroup$
Are all counterexamples of this form?
$endgroup$
– PyRulez
Feb 6 at 0:26
2
$begingroup$
@PyRulez, the set of polynomials $p$ such that $p(A)=0$ is ${mq$: q is a polynomial$}$ when $m$ is the minimal polynomial of $A$. So all such polynomials are multiples of the minimal polynomial.
$endgroup$
– Mark
Feb 6 at 0:39
add a comment |
$begingroup$
True, thank you
$endgroup$
– Ido
Feb 5 at 20:40
$begingroup$
Are all counterexamples of this form?
$endgroup$
– PyRulez
Feb 6 at 0:26
2
$begingroup$
@PyRulez, the set of polynomials $p$ such that $p(A)=0$ is ${mq$: q is a polynomial$}$ when $m$ is the minimal polynomial of $A$. So all such polynomials are multiples of the minimal polynomial.
$endgroup$
– Mark
Feb 6 at 0:39
$begingroup$
True, thank you
$endgroup$
– Ido
Feb 5 at 20:40
$begingroup$
True, thank you
$endgroup$
– Ido
Feb 5 at 20:40
$begingroup$
Are all counterexamples of this form?
$endgroup$
– PyRulez
Feb 6 at 0:26
$begingroup$
Are all counterexamples of this form?
$endgroup$
– PyRulez
Feb 6 at 0:26
2
2
$begingroup$
@PyRulez, the set of polynomials $p$ such that $p(A)=0$ is ${mq$: q is a polynomial$}$ when $m$ is the minimal polynomial of $A$. So all such polynomials are multiples of the minimal polynomial.
$endgroup$
– Mark
Feb 6 at 0:39
$begingroup$
@PyRulez, the set of polynomials $p$ such that $p(A)=0$ is ${mq$: q is a polynomial$}$ when $m$ is the minimal polynomial of $A$. So all such polynomials are multiples of the minimal polynomial.
$endgroup$
– Mark
Feb 6 at 0:39
add a comment |
$begingroup$
No. For example, $I-1=0$, but the characteristic polynomial of $I$ is $(x-1)^n$.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
No. For example, $I-1=0$, but the characteristic polynomial of $I$ is $(x-1)^n$.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
No. For example, $I-1=0$, but the characteristic polynomial of $I$ is $(x-1)^n$.
$endgroup$
No. For example, $I-1=0$, but the characteristic polynomial of $I$ is $(x-1)^n$.
answered Feb 5 at 20:34
MicappsMicapps
1,15939
1,15939
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
No, the $ntimes n$ matrix $A=3I$ satisfies the given equation but it has a different characteristic polynomial for $nnot=2$.
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
If $P(A)=0$ then the minimal polynomial of $A$ divides $Q$. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimal_polynomial_(linear_algebra) If the characteristic poynomial has distict roots then it divides $P$.
$endgroup$
– Robert Z
Feb 5 at 20:43
add a comment |
$begingroup$
No, the $ntimes n$ matrix $A=3I$ satisfies the given equation but it has a different characteristic polynomial for $nnot=2$.
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
If $P(A)=0$ then the minimal polynomial of $A$ divides $Q$. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimal_polynomial_(linear_algebra) If the characteristic poynomial has distict roots then it divides $P$.
$endgroup$
– Robert Z
Feb 5 at 20:43
add a comment |
$begingroup$
No, the $ntimes n$ matrix $A=3I$ satisfies the given equation but it has a different characteristic polynomial for $nnot=2$.
$endgroup$
No, the $ntimes n$ matrix $A=3I$ satisfies the given equation but it has a different characteristic polynomial for $nnot=2$.
answered Feb 5 at 20:33
Robert ZRobert Z
101k1070143
101k1070143
1
$begingroup$
If $P(A)=0$ then the minimal polynomial of $A$ divides $Q$. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimal_polynomial_(linear_algebra) If the characteristic poynomial has distict roots then it divides $P$.
$endgroup$
– Robert Z
Feb 5 at 20:43
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
If $P(A)=0$ then the minimal polynomial of $A$ divides $Q$. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimal_polynomial_(linear_algebra) If the characteristic poynomial has distict roots then it divides $P$.
$endgroup$
– Robert Z
Feb 5 at 20:43
1
1
$begingroup$
If $P(A)=0$ then the minimal polynomial of $A$ divides $Q$. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimal_polynomial_(linear_algebra) If the characteristic poynomial has distict roots then it divides $P$.
$endgroup$
– Robert Z
Feb 5 at 20:43
$begingroup$
If $P(A)=0$ then the minimal polynomial of $A$ divides $Q$. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimal_polynomial_(linear_algebra) If the characteristic poynomial has distict roots then it divides $P$.
$endgroup$
– Robert Z
Feb 5 at 20:43
add a comment |
$begingroup$
For any $n times n$ matrix $A$, the $(2n) times (2n)$ matrix $pmatrix{A & 0cr 0 & Acr}$ satisfies the characteristic polynomial of $A$, but its own characteristic polynomial is the square of that of $A$.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
For any $n times n$ matrix $A$, the $(2n) times (2n)$ matrix $pmatrix{A & 0cr 0 & Acr}$ satisfies the characteristic polynomial of $A$, but its own characteristic polynomial is the square of that of $A$.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
For any $n times n$ matrix $A$, the $(2n) times (2n)$ matrix $pmatrix{A & 0cr 0 & Acr}$ satisfies the characteristic polynomial of $A$, but its own characteristic polynomial is the square of that of $A$.
$endgroup$
For any $n times n$ matrix $A$, the $(2n) times (2n)$ matrix $pmatrix{A & 0cr 0 & Acr}$ satisfies the characteristic polynomial of $A$, but its own characteristic polynomial is the square of that of $A$.
answered Feb 5 at 20:50
Robert IsraelRobert Israel
329k23218472
329k23218472
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
No. In general if a matrix is a root of a polynomial, that polynomial is a multiple of the minimal polynomial of that matrix.
Even if you only consider n-degree polynomials for an n×n matrix, this still can fail.
For example, if A=0, then the characteristic polynomial is $x^n$, but A is the root of any polynomial $xg(x)$.
However, all is not lost. If your minimal polynomial equals your characteristic polynomial (as with companion matrices or in the case you have no repeated roots), then the characteristic polynomial (= minimal polynomial) will be the unique monic n-degree polynomial with root A.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
No. In general if a matrix is a root of a polynomial, that polynomial is a multiple of the minimal polynomial of that matrix.
Even if you only consider n-degree polynomials for an n×n matrix, this still can fail.
For example, if A=0, then the characteristic polynomial is $x^n$, but A is the root of any polynomial $xg(x)$.
However, all is not lost. If your minimal polynomial equals your characteristic polynomial (as with companion matrices or in the case you have no repeated roots), then the characteristic polynomial (= minimal polynomial) will be the unique monic n-degree polynomial with root A.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
No. In general if a matrix is a root of a polynomial, that polynomial is a multiple of the minimal polynomial of that matrix.
Even if you only consider n-degree polynomials for an n×n matrix, this still can fail.
For example, if A=0, then the characteristic polynomial is $x^n$, but A is the root of any polynomial $xg(x)$.
However, all is not lost. If your minimal polynomial equals your characteristic polynomial (as with companion matrices or in the case you have no repeated roots), then the characteristic polynomial (= minimal polynomial) will be the unique monic n-degree polynomial with root A.
$endgroup$
No. In general if a matrix is a root of a polynomial, that polynomial is a multiple of the minimal polynomial of that matrix.
Even if you only consider n-degree polynomials for an n×n matrix, this still can fail.
For example, if A=0, then the characteristic polynomial is $x^n$, but A is the root of any polynomial $xg(x)$.
However, all is not lost. If your minimal polynomial equals your characteristic polynomial (as with companion matrices or in the case you have no repeated roots), then the characteristic polynomial (= minimal polynomial) will be the unique monic n-degree polynomial with root A.
answered Feb 6 at 4:47
Bill CookBill Cook
23.2k4869
23.2k4869
add a comment |
add a comment |
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$begingroup$
Yes there's an “opposite direction” that works, namely that the minimal polynomial (which divides the characteristic polynomial and often equals it) of $A$ divides (rather than necessarily equals) $lambda^2 - 6lambda + 9 = 0$. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimal_polynomial_(linear_algebra)
$endgroup$
– ShreevatsaR
Feb 5 at 21:41
3
$begingroup$
The answers would be a lot more instructive if the question had a condition that the degree of the polynomial is the same as the size of the matrix. Too late now, I'm afraid.
$endgroup$
– JiK
Feb 6 at 0:23