Thread: need example of a 3x3 non-zero matrix B and a polynomial p(x)

Hello,
I need help with:
Give an example of a 3x3 non-zero matrix B and a polynomial p(x) of degree 2 such that P(B) = 0.
Thank you

Every polynomial satisfies it own "minimal equation" so I would suggest that you start with the equation and work backwards.

For example, start with . Any matrix satisfying must have 1 and 2 as eigenvalues. Since you want a 3 by 3 matrix, take either one of those as a "double" eigenvalue and construct a matrix having eigenvalues 1, 1, 2, or 1, 2, 2. And, since you are only asked for a single example, a diagonal matrix is easiest to construct.