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$A$ is a $n\times n$ matrix with entries from $\mathbb{R}$. If the characteristic polynomial for $A$ has $n$ distinct roots, then every $n\times n$ matrix (with real entries) that commutes with $A$ commutes with each other.

I know that $n$ distinct roots implies diagonalizable. But I am not sure where to go from there. I have played around with the identities $AB=BA, AC=CA, A=P^{-1}DP$ to try and get to $BC=CB$ but I am not seeing it. I would love any help. This is self study and not assigned.

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3 Answers 3

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Hint. Let $B=P^{-1}B_1P$. Then $AB=BA$ if and only if $DB_1=B_1D$. Using the fact that $D$ is a diagonal matrix with distinct diagonal entries, you may try to prove that $B_1$ is a diagonal matrix.

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  • $\begingroup$ how to we know B is diagonalizable? Is that the same P? Can you be more clear please. $\endgroup$
    – tmpys
    Sep 15, 2017 at 10:40
  • $\begingroup$ @tmpys It's the same $P$, of course. In other words, define $B_1=PBP^{-1}$. Now, you need to prove that if $DB_1=B_1D$ and $D$ is a diagonal matrix with distinct diagonal entries, then $B_1$ must be a diagonal matrix. You may try a $2\times2$ case first. It is easy to see the pattern. $\endgroup$
    – user1551
    Sep 15, 2017 at 10:44
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If $AB=BA$, then the eigenspaces of $A$ are stable under $B$. Indeed, if $x$ is such that $Ax=\lambda x$, then $A(Bx)=(AB)x=(BA)x=B(Ax)=\lambda(Bx)$.

$A$ is diagonalizable with $n$ distinct eigenvalues, hence each eigenspace has dimension $1$. Consider $\lambda$ an eigenvalue and $\mathbb Rv$ the associated eigenspace. $B$ stabilizes $\mathbb Rv$, hence $Bv=\alpha v$. Consider $(v_1,\ldots, v_n)$ a basis of eigenvectors of $A$. By the previous computation, $B$ is diagonal with respect to this basis: there is some $Q$ and diagonal matrix $D_B$ such that $B= Q^{-1}D_BQ$.

Consider another $C$ that commutes with $A$. By a similar argument, $C$ is diagonal with respect to the same basis $(v_1,\ldots, v_n)$. Therefore, there exists a diagonal $D_C$ such that $C= Q^{-1}D_CQ$.

Note that $BC=Q^{-1}D_BQQ^{-1}D_CQ=Q^{-1}D_BD_CQ=Q^{-1}D_CD_BQ=CB$.

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  • $\begingroup$ Once you prove that any commuting matrix preserves eigenspace, can't we finish off the proof as follows? Let $\alpha_1$, $\alpha_2$, $\ldots$, $\alpha_n$ be the eigenvectors of $B$ with respect to the basis $v_1$, $v_2$, $\ldots$, $v_n$, and $\beta_1$, $\beta_2$, $\ldots$, $\beta_n$ be the eigenvectors of $C$ with respect to the basis $v_1$, $v_2$, $\ldots$, $v_n$. Then, $BCv_i=CBv_i=\alpha_i\beta_iv_i$. Since $B$ and $C$ commute on a basis, they commute with each other. $\endgroup$ Sep 16, 2017 at 7:30
  • $\begingroup$ I meant $\alpha_i$, $\beta_i$ are eigenvalues, not eigenvectors. $\endgroup$ Sep 16, 2017 at 7:38
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I want to convert my comment into a detailed answer clarifying a few things. Gabriel Romon has showed that $A(Bx)=\lambda(Bx)$. This shows that $Bx$ is an eigenvector for $A$, if $Bx\neq 0$. Since the roots of the characteristic polynomial are distinct, the eigenspaces are one dimensional. So, $Bx=\alpha x$ for some $\alpha\in\mathbb{R}$. If $Bx=0$, $x$ is still an eigenvector for $B$ corresponding to the eigenvalue $0$. If $\mathcal{B}=\left\{v_1,v_2,\ldots,v_n\right\}$ is a basis of eigenvectors for $A$, it is also a basis of eigenvectors of $B$. Suppose $B$ and $C$ commute with $A$. Let $\alpha_1$, $\alpha_2$, $\ldots$, $\alpha_n$ be the (not necessarilty distinct) eigenvalues of $B$ with respect to $\mathcal{B}$ and $\beta_1$, $\beta_2$, $\ldots$, $\beta_n$ be the eigenvalues of $C$ with respect to $\mathcal{B}$. Then, $BCv_i=CBv_i=\alpha_i\beta_iv_i$, so $B$ and $C$ commute on the basis $\mathcal{B}$. Therefore $BC=CB$.

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