Prove that for any positive integer $n$, $A^n ≠ I$. 
Let $A$ be a $2\times 2$ matrix with $tr(A) > 2$. Prove that for any positive integer $n$, $A^n ≠ I$.

I feel like I should approach this with respect to eigenvalues, i.e. the sum of the eigenvalues of $A$ is greater than $2$. However, I don't know where to head from here. Any help or guidance to a direction would be greatly appreciated!
 A: First note that if $\lambda$ is an eigenvalue of $A$, then $\lambda^n$ is an eigenvalue of $A^n$. As you pointed out, the trace being greater than $2$ implies that the sum of the eigenvalues is greater than $2$, so at least one eigenvalue $\lambda$ of $A$ satisfies $|\lambda|>1$. Thus $A^n$ has an eigenvalue $\lambda^n$, and $|\lambda^n|=|\lambda|^n>1$. This implies that $A^n\neq I$.
A: Recall the characteristic equation
$$ A^2-tr(A)A+I_2\det A=O_2.$$
Assume by contradiction that, for some $n\ge1$, $A^n=I$. Then $\det A=\pm1$, $A$ is invertible with inverse $A^{n-1}$, and $n\neq1,2$ because $tr(A)>2$. So $n\ge3$.
Multiply the characteristic equation by $A^{n-2}$ to get $ I-tr(A)A^{n-1}+\det A\,A^{n-2}=O_2$, $A^{n-1}(tr(A)I-\det A\,A)=I$, that is, $tr(A)I-\det A\,A=A$ from which you can get several contradictions.
A: First note that if λλ is an eigenvalue of AA, then λnλn is an eigenvalue of AnAn. As you pointed out, the trace being greater than 22 implies that the sum of the eigenvalues is greater than 22, so at least one eigenvalue λλ of AA satisfies |λ|>1|λ|>1. Thus AnAn has an eigenvalue λnλn, and |λn|=|λ|n>1|λn|=|λ|n>1. This implies that An≠IAn≠I.
