112-2 Linear Algebra (II) : Homework 10
Chapter 7.2
Definitions. A linear operator T on a vector space V is called nilpotent if Tp = T0 for some positive
integer p. An n × n matrix A is called nilpotent if Ap = O for some positive integer p.
12. Prove that any square upper triangular matrix with each diagonal entry equal to zero is
nilpotent.
13. Let T be a nilpotent operator on an n-dimensional vector space V, and suppose that p is the
smallest positive integer for which Tp = T0 . Prove the following results.
(a) N(Ti ) ⊆ N(Ti+1 ) for every positive integer i.
(b) There is a sequence of ordered bases β1 , β2 , . . . , βp such that βi is a basis for N(Ti ) and
βi+1 contains βi for 1 ≤ i ≤ p − 1.
(c) Let β = βp be the ordered basis for N(Tp ) = V in (b). Then [T]β is an upper triangular
matrix with each diagonal entry equal to zero.
(d) The characteristic polynomial of T is (−1)n tn . Hence the characteristic polynomial of T
splits, and 0 is the only eigenvalue of T.
14. Prove the converse of Exercise 13(d): If T is a linear operator on an n-dimensional vector space
V and (−1)n tn is the characteristic polynomial of T, then T is nilpotent.
17. Let T be a linear operator on a finite-dimensional vector space V such that the characteristic
polynomial of T splits, and let λ1 , λ2 , . . . , λk be the distinct eigenvalues of T. Let S : V → V
be the mapping defined by
S(x) = λ1 v1 + λ2 v2 + · · · + λk vk ,
where, for each i, vi is the unique vector in Kλi such that x = v1 + v2 + · · · + vk . (This unique
representation is guaranteed by Theorem 7.3 (p. 486) and Exercise 8 of Section 7.1.)
(a) Prove that S is a diagonalizable linear operator on V.
(b) Let U = T − S. Prove that U is nilpotent and commutes with S, that is SU = US.
1
Chapter 7.3
2. Find the minimal polynomial of each of the following matrices.
4 −14 5
(c) 1 −4 2
1 −6 4
3. For each linear operator T on V, find the minimal polynomial of T.
(c) V = P2 (R) and T(f (x)) = −xf ′′ (x) + f ′ (x) + 2f (x)
(d) V = Mn×n (R) and T(A) = At . Hint: Note that T2 = I.
5. Describe all linear operators T on R2 such that T is diagonalizable and T3 − 2T2 + T = T0 .
10. Let T be a linear operator on a finite-dimensional vector space on V, and suppose that W is
a T-invariant subspace of V. Prove that the minimal polynomial of TW divides the minimal
polynomial of T.
14. Let T be a linear operator on a finite-dimensional vector space, and suppose that the
characteristic polynomial of T splits. Let λ1 , λ2 , . . . , λk be the distinct eigenvalues of T, and for
each i let pi be the order of the largest Jordan block corresponding to λi in a Jordan canonical
form of T. Prove that the minimal polynomial of T is
(t − λ1 )p1 (t − λ2 )p2 . . . (t − λk )pk .
Chapter 7.4
2. For each of the following matrices A ∈ Mn×n (F ), find the rational canonical form C of A and
a matrix Q ∈ Mn×n (F ) such that Q−1 AQ = C.
3 1 0
(a) A = 0 3 1 F =R
0 0 3
0 −7 14 −6
1 −4 6 −3
(d) A = 0 −4 9 −4
F =R
0 −4 11 −5
3. For each of the following linear operators T, find the elementary divisors, the rational canonical
form C, and a rational canonical basis β.
(b) Let S = {sin x, cos x, x sin x, x cos x}, a subset of F(R, R), and let V = span(S). Define T
to be the linear operator on V such that
T(f ) = f ′ .
(d) Let S = {sin x sin y, sin x cos y, cos x sin y, cos x cos y}, a subset of F(R × R, R), and let
V = span(S). Define T to be the linear operator on V such that
∂f (x, y) ∂f (x, y)
T(f )(x, y) = + .
∂x ∂y
