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Exercise 1767Linear algebra › Matrices and linear systemsL1Added 3 Nov 2026

Eigenvalues of a 3×3 matrix

#eigenvalues#characteristic polynomial#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 sum of each row is 44, so 44 is an eigenvalue. Then use the trace and determinant to find the others.

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Solution

First eigenvalue. The vector (1,1,1)T(1,1,1)^T satisfies A(1,1,1)T=(4,4,4)TA(1,1,1)^T = (4,4,4)^T, so λ1=4\lambda_1 = 4 is an eigenvalue.

Trace and determinant. tr⁡(A)=6\operatorname{tr}(A) = 6, det⁡(A)=4\det(A) = 4 (computed by Sarrus or by recognizing the pattern).

Characteristic polynomial. Since 44 is an eigenvalue, the polynomial factors as (4−λ)(λ2−2λ+1)(4-\lambda)(\lambda^2 - 2\lambda + 1) or similar. Using tr⁡(A)=λ1+λ2+λ3=6\operatorname{tr}(A) = \lambda_1 + \lambda_2 + \lambda_3 = 6, we get λ2+λ3=2\lambda_2 + \lambda_3 = 2. Using det⁡(A)=λ1λ2λ3=4\det(A) = \lambda_1 \lambda_2 \lambda_3 = 4, we get λ2λ3=1\lambda_2 \lambda_3 = 1. Hence λ2=λ3=1\lambda_2 = \lambda_3 = 1.

Conclusion. The eigenvalues are 4,1,14, 1, 1.