[Math] Complex matrix decomposition into the sum of a diagonalizable and a nilpotent matrix.

linear algebramatrices

Let $A$ be any $n \times n$ complex matrix. Prove that $A$ can be written as $A = B + N$
where $B$ is diagonalizable, $N$ is nilpotent (some power is the zero matrix) and the
matrices $B$ and $N$ commute.

Best Answer

Every matrix can be decomposed into Jordan form .

So we have $A=VJV^{-1}$.

Jordan matrix is a sum of some diagonal matrix $D$ and some upper triangular matrix $N$ with $0$'s on diagonal. Because on diagonal there are only zeros all eigenvalues are also $0$.
Hence $N$ is nilpotent (easy proof from CH theorem) - we see that any triangular matrix with 0's along the main diagonal is nilpotent.

We have

$A=V(D+N)V^{-1}$

and because similarity preserves eigenvalues so $N_v=V N V^{-1}$ is also nilpotent.
You can also check that $(V N V^{-1})^k= V N^k V^{-1} $ hence for some $k$ it holds ${N_v}^k=0$.

Commutation.

To $VDV^{-1}$ commute with $VNV^{-1}$ it's enough to show that $D$ commute with $N$ i.e. $ND=DN$. This commutation is assured by the construction of Jordan block.

Take for example $D_i= \begin{bmatrix} \lambda_i & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & \lambda_i& 0 \\ 0 & 0 & \lambda{_i} \end{bmatrix}$ and $N_i= \begin{bmatrix} 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1\\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{bmatrix}$.

and you will see that $D_iN_i=N_iD_i$.

Multiplication is commutative between these parts of Jordan block because $D_i=\lambda_i I$, consequently multiplication of $N_i$ is just a multiplication of $N_i$ by a scalar $\lambda_i$.