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]

  1. A.

    Four

  2. B.

    Three

  3. C.

    Two

  4. D.

    One

Attempted by 5 students.

Show answer & explanation

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.

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