[Math] Prove that a matrix with a given characteristic polynomial is diagonalizable

diagonalizationeigenvalues-eigenvectorslinear algebramatrices

Matrix $A$ is defined over real number.

Characteristic polynomial : $p(x)=(x+3)^2(x-1)(x-5)$

It also known that :

$$\text{rank}(A+2I)+\text{rank}(A+3I)+\text{rank}(A-5I)=9$$

  • prove $A$ diagonalize.

My solution

  • $-3,1,5$ are eigenvalues, using the characteristic polynomial we can conclude that matrix $A$ is $4 \times 4$

  • Since eigenvalue $1,5$ has algebraic multiplicity of $1$, we can conclude that geometric multiplicity is also $1$ hence:

$$\text{rank}(I+A)=3$$

$$\text{rank}(5I-A)=3$$

I don't find a way to continue from here.

Best Answer

Picking up from where you left off.

From $\text{rank}(A-5I)=3$ and from $\text{rank}(A+2I)+\text{rank}(A+3I)+\text{rank}(A-5I)=9$ you get $$\text{rank}(A+2I)+\text{rank}(A+3I)=6.$$

Now prove that $A+2I$ is invertible. What does that tell you about the rank of $A+2I$?

Infer that $\text{rank}(A+3I)=2$. What does that tell you about the geometric multiplicity of $-3$?

Conclude.

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