[Math] If $A$ is an upper triangular matrix with diagonal entries are equal to $0$, why $A^n$ is equal to $0$

linear algebramatricesproof-writing

$${\bf A}_{n\times n} = \underbrace{
\left.\left(
\begin{array}{ccccc}
0&A_{1,2}&A_{1,3}&\cdots &A_{1,n}\\
0&0&A_{2,3}&\cdots &A_{2,n}\\
0&0&0&\cdots &A_{3,n}\\
\vdots&\vdots&\vdots&\ddots&\vdots\\
0&0&0&\cdots &0
\end{array}
\right)\right\}
}_{n\text{ columns}}
\,n\text{ rows}
$$

Let $A$ be an $n\times n$ upper triangular matrix and whose diagonal entries are $0$,
then how could we prove that $A^n = 0$?

Best Answer

The eigenvalues of an upper triangular matrix are the diagonal entries. Thus, the characteristic equation of $A$ is $\lambda^n$. According to the Cayley-Hamilton theorem, this implies that $A^n = 0$.