# Problem about characteristic polynomial, eigenvalues

I'm having trouble solving the following question: Let A be a matrix with the following characteristic polynomial: $\,p(t)=t^3+2t^2-3t\,$.

Show that the matrix $\,A^2+A-2I\,$ is similar to the matrix$$\begin{pmatrix}0&0&0\\0&4&0\\0&0&\!\!\!-2\end{pmatrix}$$

I've already figured out that the eigenvalues of $A$ are $0,1,-3$, and that $\,A^2+A-2I\,$ equals to $\,(A+2I)(A-I)\,$. Also, the eigenvalues of $\,A+tI\,$ are the eigenvalues of $\,A+t\,$ ($\,+t\,$ to each eigenvalue). The only thing left now is the multiplication of the two matrices, what can I know about it? Is there another way to solve the question? Thanks!

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I think I've answered the question: If $\,x_1,..,x_n\,$ are the eigenvalues of $A$, not only that the eigenvalues of $\,A+tI\,$ are $\,x_1+t,...,x_n+t\,$, but they are also eigenvalues with the same eigenvectors. Similarly $\,A+t_1I\,,\,A+t_2I\,$ have eigenvalues which differ in $\,t_2-t_1\,$ and with the same eigenvectors.

Now, if $\,v_1\,$ is a common eigenvalue of $A$ and $B$, $$\,ABv_1=A(Bv_1)=A(yv_1)=y(Av_1)=y(xv_1)=xyv_1\,$$ Meaning, the eigenvalues of $AB$ are $xy$ where x is $A'$s eigenvalue and $y$ is $B'$s eigenvalue.

So, if the eigen values of $A$ are $0,1,-3$, the eigenvalues of $A+2I$ and $A-I$ are $3,-1,2$ and $0,4,-1$, so the eigenvalues of $(A+2I)(A-I)=3\cdot 0\,,\,4\cdot (-1)$ and $(-1)\cdot 2\,$ , which are $D'$s eigenvalues. The matrices have the same eigenvalues, hence they are similar. Am I correct?

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I already edited your question, but please: re-write your answer using LaTeX . Besides, having the same eigenvalues does not make two matrices similar, in general. –  DonAntonio Jun 16 '12 at 11:24
Right, but in this case it does, because both matrices have the maximal (3) number of different eigenvalues, hence can be diagonalized to the same matrix... –  idan Jun 16 '12 at 11:44
Exactly, @Idan, but I'd add this argument to my answer. +1 –  DonAntonio Jun 16 '12 at 11:54

Since A has 3 distinct eigenvalues, it is similar to a diagonal matrix:

$$A=PDP^{-1}$$ $$D=\left[\begin{array}{rrr} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & -3 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{array}\right]$$

Now your polynomial in A becomes: $$A^2+A-2I=(PDP^{-1})^2+(PDP^{-1})-2(PP^{-1})\\=PD^2P^{-1}+PDP^{-1}-2PP^{-1}\\=P(D^2+D-2I)P^{-1}$$ Hence the matrix $A^2+A-2I$ is similiar to $D^2+D-2I=\left[\begin{array}{rrr} 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 4 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & -2 \end{array}\right]$

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