Find constant from eigenvalue condition

Questions asking to find unknown constants in a matrix given that a specific eigenvalue exists or that a given vector is an eigenvector

4 questions · Standard +0.4

4.03h Determinant 2x2: calculation4.03j Determinant 3x3: calculation4.03l Singular/non-singular matrices
Sort by: Default | Easiest first | Hardest first
CAIE FP1 2009 November Q11 OR
Standard +0.8
One of the eigenvalues of the matrix $$\mathbf { A } = \left( \begin{array} { r r r } 1 & - 4 & 6 \\ 2 & - 4 & 2 \\ - 3 & 4 & a \end{array} \right)$$ is - 2 . Find the value of \(a\). Another eigenvalue of \(\mathbf { A }\) is - 5 . Find eigenvectors \(\mathbf { e } _ { 1 }\) and \(\mathbf { e } _ { 2 }\) corresponding to the eigenvalues - 2 and - 5 respectively. The linear space spanned by \(\mathbf { e } _ { 1 }\) and \(\mathbf { e } _ { 2 }\) is denoted by \(V\).
  1. Prove that, for any vector \(\mathbf { x }\) belonging to \(V\), the vector \(\mathbf { A x }\) also belongs to \(V\).
  2. Find a non-zero vector which is perpendicular to every vector in \(V\), and determine whether it is an eigenvector of \(\mathbf { A }\).
CAIE FP1 2015 June Q11 OR
Standard +0.3
One of the eigenvalues of the matrix \(\mathbf { M }\), where $$\mathbf { M } = \left( \begin{array} { r r r } 3 & - 4 & 2 \\ - 4 & \alpha & 6 \\ 2 & 6 & - 2 \end{array} \right)$$ is - 9 . Find the value of \(\alpha\). Find
  1. the other two eigenvalues, \(\lambda _ { 1 }\) and \(\lambda _ { 2 }\), of \(\mathbf { M }\), where \(\lambda _ { 1 } > \lambda _ { 2 }\),
  2. corresponding eigenvectors for all three eigenvalues of \(\mathbf { M }\). It is given that \(\mathbf { x } = a \mathbf { e } _ { 1 } + b \mathbf { e } _ { 2 }\), where \(\mathbf { e } _ { 1 }\) and \(\mathbf { e } _ { 2 }\) are eigenvectors of \(\mathbf { M }\) corresponding to the eigenvalues \(\lambda _ { 1 }\) and \(\lambda _ { 2 }\) respectively, and \(a\) and \(b\) are scalar constants. Show that \(\mathbf { M x } = p \mathbf { e } _ { 1 } + q \mathbf { e } _ { 2 }\), expressing \(p\) and \(q\) in terms of \(a\) and \(b\). {www.cie.org.uk} after the live examination series. }
Edexcel FP2 AS 2023 June Q2
8 marks Standard +0.3
  1. A linear transformation \(T : \mathbb { R } ^ { 2 } \rightarrow \mathbb { R } ^ { 2 }\) is represented by the matrix
$$\mathbf { M } = \left( \begin{array} { c c } 5 & 1 \\ k & - 3 \end{array} \right)$$ where \(k\) is a constant.
Given that matrix \(\mathbf { M }\) has a repeated eigenvalue,
  1. determine
    1. the value of \(k\)
    2. the eigenvalue.
  2. Hence determine a Cartesian equation of the invariant line under \(T\).
Edexcel FP2 AS 2024 June Q3
7 marks Standard +0.3
  1. In this question you must show all stages of your working. Solutions relying on calculator technology are not acceptable.
$$\mathbf { A } = \left( \begin{array} { r r } 3 & k \\ - 5 & 2 \end{array} \right)$$ where \(k\) is a constant.
Given that there exists a matrix \(\mathbf { P }\) such that \(\mathbf { P } ^ { - 1 } \mathbf { A P }\) is a diagonal matrix where $$\mathbf { P } ^ { - 1 } \mathbf { A } \mathbf { P } = \left( \begin{array} { r r } 8 & 0 \\ 0 & - 3 \end{array} \right)$$
  1. show that \(k = - 6\)
  2. determine a suitable matrix \(\mathbf { P }\)