A linear algebra exercise
2002
Anyone who has ever composed a written test on linear algebra knows that it
often taken considerable effort to make the 'numbers come out right'. In fact,
this problem may even be harder than the linear algebra problem itself. A
particular subject where this problem arises, is eigenvalues of symmetric matrices. Usually we consider only matrices with integral coefficients. We know that
4 x 4-matrices tend to become too laborious. Since 2 x 2-matrices are not very
exciting we have to confine ourselves to 3 x 3-matrices. We know that there are 3 real eigenvalues in this case. We cannot let the poor students solve irreducible
cubic equations, so we might see to it that the eigenvalues are integers, which
the students can recognize by inspection. Moreover, computing the eigenvalue
equation of an arbitrary symmetric 3 x 3-matrix may be a little too stressful....
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