How many of the following matrices have an eigenvalue 1? A = [1 0; 0 0], B =…
2008
How many of the following matrices have an eigenvalue 1?
A = [1 0; 0 0],
B = [0 1; 0 0],
C = [1 -1; 1 1],
D = [-1 0; 1 -1]
- A.
Four
- B.
Three
- C.
Two
- D.
One
Attempted by 5 students.
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Correct answer: D
A matrix has eigenvalue 1 if det(A - I) = 0.
For A = [1 0; 0 0]:
A - I = [0 0; 0 -1], whose determinant is 0. So 1 is an eigenvalue.
For B = [0 1; 0 0]:
B - I = [-1 1; 0 -1], determinant = 1, so 1 is not an eigenvalue.
For C = [1 -1; 1 1]:
C - I = [0 -1; 1 0], determinant = 1, so 1 is not an eigenvalue.
For D = [-1 0; 1 -1]:
D - I = [-2 0; 1 -2], determinant = 4, so 1 is not an eigenvalue.
Therefore, exactly one matrix has eigenvalue 1.