Can an $n \times n$ matrix satisfy an $n$ degree polynomial equation other than its characteristic polynomial equation

characteristic polynomiallinear algebramatricesmatrix equationsminimal-polynomials

Can an $n \times n$ matrix satisfy an $n$ degree polynomial equation other than its characteristic polynomial equation?

I was curious if the characteristic polynomial equation is the only $n$ degree equation that can be satisfied by a matrix.
I have tried by trial and error to make up an equation for $2\times 2$ matrix but always end up with the characteristic polynomial.

Best Answer

If the eigenvalues are distinct, then the characteristic polynomial is the only monic $n$th degree polynomial the matrix satisfies, since the eigenvalues are the roots, and so determine an $n$th degree polynomial up to a constant factor. If the minimal polynomial is the characteristic polynomial, we can make a similar statement. If not, then it's not true as ancientmathematician's answer shows.