# Do matrices $\mathbf{A A}^H$ and $\mathbf{A}^H \mathbf{A}$ have the same eigenvalues?

Let $$\mathbf{A}$$ be any complex matrix. Do matrices $$\mathbf{A A}^H$$ and $$\mathbf{A}^H \mathbf{A}$$ have the same eigenvalues?

Note: The matrix $$\mathbf{A}^H$$ is the conjugate transpose of the matrix $$\mathbf{A}$$.

Here is my trial:

Let $$\lambda_1$$ be an eigenvalue of the matrix $$\mathbf{AA}^H$$. Let the vector $$\mathbf{x}_1$$ be the corresponding eigenvector. Then $$\mathbf{A A}^H \mathbf{x}_1 = \lambda_1 \mathbf{x}_1. \tag{1}$$ Multiplying (1) by matrix $$\mathbf{A}^H$$ from the left, we have $$\mathbf{A}^H (\mathbf{A A}^H \mathbf{x}_1) = \mathbf{A}^H (\lambda_1 \mathbf{x}_1). \tag{2}$$ Equation (2) can be rewritten as $$(\mathbf{A}^H \mathbf{A}) (\mathbf{A}^H \mathbf{x}_1) = \lambda_1 (\mathbf{A}^H \mathbf{x}_1). \tag{3}$$ Therefore, $$\lambda_1$$ is also an eigenvalue of the matrix $$\mathbf{A}^H \mathbf{A}$$. The corresponding eigenvector is $$\mathbf{A}^H \mathbf{x}_1$$.

Similarly, let $$\lambda_2$$ be an eigenvalue of the matrix $$\mathbf{A}^H \mathbf{A}$$. Let the vector $$\mathbf{x}_2$$ be the corresponding eigenvector. Then $$\mathbf{A}^H \mathbf{A} \mathbf{x}_2 = \lambda_2 \mathbf{x}_2. \tag{4}$$ Multiplying (4) by the matrix $$\mathbf{A}$$ from the left, we have $$\mathbf{A} (\mathbf{A}^H \mathbf{A} \mathbf{x}_2) = \mathbf{A} (\lambda_2 \mathbf{x}_2). \tag{5}$$ Equation (5) can be written as $$(\mathbf{A} \mathbf{A}^H) (\mathbf{A} \mathbf{x}_2) = \lambda_2 (\mathbf{A} \mathbf{x}_2). \tag{6}$$ Therefore, $$\lambda_2$$ is also an eigenvalue of the matrix $$\mathbf{A} \mathbf{A}^H$$. The corresponding eigenvector is $$\mathbf{A} \mathbf{x}_2$$.

Thus, we can conclude that matrices $$\mathbf{A A}^H$$ and $$\mathbf{A}^H \mathbf{A}$$ have the same eigenvalues.

Am I right?

• In general, the two matrices will have different sizes. One must be a bit careful about what "same eigenvalues" actually means. – Rodrigo de Azevedo Apr 11 at 6:15

Actually the eigenvalues of such form is explained by singular value decomposition. The square of a singular value of $$A$$ is just the eigenvalue of $$A^HA$$ or $$AA^H$$, which are all positive semi-definite forms.

• So do matrices $\mathbf{A A}^H$ and $\mathbf{A}^H \mathbf{A}$ have the same eigenvalues? – Wei-Cheng Liu Apr 10 at 5:45
• Yes, but different eigenvectors. – Wenkuei P'ei Apr 10 at 9:55
• OK, I understand. Thank you. – Wei-Cheng Liu Apr 11 at 3:09
• Wait a minute. The document hkumath.hku.hk/course/temp/Matrix.pdf says "$A^H A$ and $A A^H$ have the same NON-ZERO eigenvalues." So do you sure that $A^H A$ and $A A^H$ have the same eigenvalues? – Wei-Cheng Liu Apr 11 at 5:32
• Yeah, the zero eigenvalues are all the same as being zero. The larger matrix might have extra zeros. There are cases that the small matrix has no zero eigenvalue but the larger one has. That's the best theory concerning your question. – Wenkuei P'ei Apr 11 at 5:59