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Exercise 935Linear algebra › Eigenvalues and diagonalisationL1Added 3 Nov 2026

Eigenvalues of a symmetric matrix

#symmetric matrix#eigenvalues#trace and determinant

Statement

Find the eigenvalues of
A=(211121112).A = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 2 & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & 2 \end{pmatrix}.

Hint

Observe that the vector (1,1,1)(1,1,1) is an eigenvector, then use the trace and the determinant.

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Solution

First eigenvalue. A(1,1,1)T=(4,4,4)TA(1,1,1)^T=(4,4,4)^T, so λ1=4\lambda_1=4 with eigenvector (1,1,1)(1,1,1).

Trace and determinant. tr(A)=6\textrm{tr}(A)=6 and det⁡A=4\det A=4 (direct computation).

Remaining eigenvalues. Let λ2,λ3\lambda_2,\lambda_3 be the other eigenvalues. Then:
λ2+λ3=6−4=2,λ2λ3=det⁡Aλ1=44=1.\lambda_2+\lambda_3=6-4=2, \qquad \lambda_2\lambda_3=\frac{\det A}{\lambda_1}=\frac44=1.
The solutions are λ2=λ3=1\lambda_2=\lambda_3=1.

Conclusion. Eigenvalues 4,1,14,1,1. The eigenspace E1E_1 is the plane x+y+z=0x+y+z=0, of dimension 22.