The product of all eigenvalues of the matrix \(\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 4…

2024

The product of all eigenvalues of the matrix \(\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 4 & 5 & 6 \\ 7 & 8 & 9 \\ \end{bmatrix} \) is

  1. A.

    −1

  2. B.

    0

  3. C.

    1

  4. D.

    2

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Correct answer: B

Key fact: the product of the eigenvalues of a square matrix equals its determinant.

  • Compute the determinant: observe the rows (1,2,3), (4,5,6), (7,8,9) are linearly dependent because (7,8,9) = −1×(1,2,3) + 2×(4,5,6).

  • Linear dependence of rows implies the determinant is 0.

Therefore the product of all eigenvalues (the determinant) is 0.

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