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Is the following Proof Correct?

Given that $T\in\mathcal{L}(\mathbf{R}^2)$ defined by $T(x,y) = (-3y,x)$. $T$ has no eigenvalues.

Proof. Let $\sigma_T$ denote the set of all eigenvalues of $T$ and assume that $\sigma_T\neq\varnothing$ then for some $\lambda\in\sigma_T$ we have $T(x,y) = \lambda(x,y) = (-3y,x)$ where $(x,y)\neq (0,0)$, equivalently $\lambda x = -3y\text{ and }\lambda y = x$. but then $\lambda(\lambda y) = -3y$ equivalently $y(\lambda^2+3) = 0$. The equation $\lambda^2+3 = 0$ has no solutions in $\mathbf{R}$ consequently $y=0$ and then by equation $\lambda y = x$ it follows that $x=0$ thus $(x,y) = (0,0)$ contradicting the fact that $(x,y)\neq (0,0)$.

$\blacksquare$

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  • $\begingroup$ It looks just fine...you haven't yet studied the characteristic polynomial of a square matrix? $\endgroup$
    – DonAntonio
    Mar 2, 2018 at 19:49
  • $\begingroup$ @DonAntonio No not yet $\endgroup$ Mar 2, 2018 at 19:49
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    $\begingroup$ @Atit Then you did a very good job. With the charac. polynomial this kind of questions become easier. +1 $\endgroup$
    – DonAntonio
    Mar 2, 2018 at 19:50

2 Answers 2

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Another approach:

The matrix representation of $T$ w.r.t. standard basis $\{(1,0),(0,1)\}$ of $\mathbb{R}^2$ is $A=\begin{pmatrix}0&-3\\1&0\end{pmatrix}$. So the characteristic equation $|A-\lambda I|=0 $ gives $\lambda^2+3=0$. Thus $T$ has no eigenvalues.

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Proof looks correct to me. Though you could have also just added the case for $\lambda$ is zero since otherwise to multiply both sides by $0$ would reduce the solution set for $x$ and $y$.

$Edit:$ The case is not necessary as you are actually using substitution instead of multiplying both sides by $\lambda$.

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    $\begingroup$ I don't see where the OP multiplied both sides of anything by $\lambda$. I do see the equation $\lambda y=x$ being used to substitute $\lambda y$ for $x$ in the equation $\lambda x=-3y$, but that doesn''t need $\lambda$ to be nonzero. $\endgroup$ Mar 2, 2018 at 23:03
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    $\begingroup$ "... $\lambda$ is non zero since it's an eigenvalue ...". Maybe you are confusing this with eigen_vectors_? Eigenvalues can certainly be zero. $\endgroup$ Mar 3, 2018 at 4:05
  • $\begingroup$ you guys are certainly correct. $\endgroup$
    – Jesse Meng
    Mar 5, 2018 at 6:06

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