Exercise 1059Linear algebra › Matrices and linear systemsL1Added 3 Nov 2026 Powers of a nilpotent matrix #nilpotent#powers#induction StatementLetN=(010001000).N = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{pmatrix}.N=000100010.Compute N2N^2N2, N3N^3N3, and NkN^kNk for all k≥3k \ge 3k≥3. HintMultiply NNN by itself and observe the shift of the 111's. Show solutionHide solutionSolutionN2N^2N2.N2=(010001000)(010001000)=(001000000).N^2 = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix} 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & 0 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{pmatrix}.N2=000100010000100010=000000100.N3N^3N3.N3=N2N=(001000000)(010001000)=(000000000).N^3 = N^2 N = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & 0 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix} 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{pmatrix}.N3=N2N=000000100000100010=000000000.Conclusion. N3=0N^3 = 0N3=0, hence Nk=0N^k = 0Nk=0 for all k≥3k \ge 3k≥3. The matrix NNN is nilpotent of index 333.