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Exercise 1776Linear algebra › Matrices and linear systemsL1Added 3 Nov 2026

Signature of a quadratic form

#quadratic form#signature#diagonalization

Statement

Determine the signature of the quadratic form
Q(x,y,z)=xy+yz+zx.Q(x,y,z) = xy + yz + zx.

Hint

Use the change of variables u=x+y+zu = x+y+z, v=x−yv = x-y, w=y−zw = y-z, or diagonalize the symmetric matrix.

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Solution

Symmetric matrix.
A=12(011101110).A = \frac12\begin{pmatrix} 0 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 0 & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & 0 \end{pmatrix}.

Eigenvalues. The eigenvalues of the matrix (011101110)\begin{pmatrix} 0 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 0 & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & 0 \end{pmatrix} are 22 (eigenvector (1,1,1)(1,1,1)) and −1-1 (multiplicity 22, eigenspace x+y+z=0x+y+z=0). So the eigenvalues of AA are 11 (multiplicity 11) and −1/2-1/2 (multiplicity 22).

Signature. One positive, two negative. Signature: (1,2,0)(1,2,0).

Remark. In the basis (1,1,1)(1,1,1), (1,−1,0)(1,-1,0), (1,0,−1)(1,0,-1), the form becomes u2−12v2−12w2u^2 - \frac12 v^2 - \frac12 w^2.