# Trouble finding eigenvectors

Let $T$ be the matrix $$\begin{pmatrix} 4 & -1 & 1 \\ 4 & 0 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & 3 \\ \end{pmatrix}$$ I need to find the eigenvectors.

What I have done so far:

The Characteristic polynomial is $(\lambda - 3)(\lambda -2)^2$. So the eigenvalues are $2$ and $3$. I have found the eigenvector for $\lambda = 3$ but I'm having trouble finding the eigenvector for $\lambda = 2$.

$\begin{pmatrix} -2 & 1 & -1 \\-4 & \ \ 2 & -1 \\ \ \ \ 0 & \ \ 0 & -1 \end{pmatrix} \left( \begin{array}{c} x \\ y \\ z \end{array} \right)$ $= \left( \begin{array}{c} 2x \\ 2y \\ 2z \end{array} \right)$ which gives us the equations, $3z =0,-4x-z=0, -4x+y-z=0$ so $x=y=z=0$. I'm trying to figure out where I went wrong.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Edited once.

• $(1,2)$-entry of $2I - T$. – Catalin Zara Apr 4 '17 at 2:38
• That was stupid of me. Thank you!! – R Squared Apr 4 '17 at 2:49

To find eigenvectors, you should solve either the homogeneous equation $(\lambda I-T)\mathbf v=0$ or the equation $T\mathbf v=\lambda\mathbf v$. You appear to have combined the two and are trying to solve $(\lambda I-T)\mathbf v=\lambda\mathbf v$.
were does $\begin{pmatrix} -2 & -1 & -1 \\-4 & \ \ 2 & -1 \\ \ \ \ 0 & \ \ 0 & -1 \end{pmatrix} \left( \begin{array}{c} x \\ y \\ z \end{array} \right) = \left( \begin{array}{c} 2x \\ 2y \\ 2z \end{array} \right)$ come from?
You can either say: $\begin{pmatrix} -4 & -1 & 1 \\-4 & 0 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & -3 \end{pmatrix} \left( \begin{array}{c} x \\ y \\ z \end{array} \right) = \left( \begin{array}{c} 2x \\ 2y \\ 2z \end{array} \right)$
$\begin{pmatrix} -2 & -1 & 1 \\-4 & -2 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & -1 \end{pmatrix} \left( \begin{array}{c} x \\ y \\ z \end{array} \right) = \mathbf 0$