# A Matrix such that its Square in Negative of the Identity

I am trying to solve the following problem:

Let $A$ be an $2n$ by $2n$ matrix such that $A^2 = -I_{2n}$. Prove that $A$ is similar to the matrix $$\left( \array{0 && -I_n \\ I_n && 0} \right).$$

I have no idea how to start this problem.

• Are you familiar with eigenvalues? – Alex Meiburg Jul 25 '17 at 23:36
• @Alex Yes, I am. – user109871 Jul 25 '17 at 23:39
• @user109871 to what extent are you familiar with them? – mdave16 Jul 26 '17 at 0:29
• Can you ay anything useful about the eigenvalues of $A$? – John Hughes Jul 26 '17 at 0:31
• Shouldn't we be referring to eigenvalues and eigenvectors? Seems like eigenvalues alone may not cut it. – gary Jul 26 '17 at 0:40

This is only true over fields such as $\Bbb R$ and $\Bbb Q$ in which the equation $x^2=-1$ is not soluble. Over the complex numbers, $A=iI$ satisfies $A^2=-I$ but is not similar to the given matrix.
Over $\Bbb R$ or $\Bbb Q$ though, the condition $A^2=-I$ means that the rational canonical form of $A$ is uniquely defined, so all matrices $A$ with $A^2=-I$ are similar.