# Math Help - theory for solving eigenvector and eigenvalue that are unequal

1. ## theory for solving eigenvector and eigenvalue that are unequal

The question asks can a vector X be an eigenvector for two unequal eigenvalues E1 and E2 for the same matrix A? If yes prove it with an example. If No explain why?

I'm really confused on this and would greatly take any and all input. Thank you.

2. ## Re: theory for solving eigenvector and eigenvalue that are unequal

if x is an eigenvector for the matrix A, then Ax = λ1x, for some scalar λ1.

if x also satisfies Ax = λ2x, then we have: 0 = Ax - Ax = λ1x - λ2x = (λ12)x.

now eigenvectors cannot be 0 (by definition), so (λ12)x = 0 implies λ12 = 0: that is, λ1 = λ2.

so an eigenvector can only have ONE eigenvalue it belongs to.

it is possible, however, for an eigenvalue to have TWO (or more, linearly independent) eigenvectors.

consider the matrix I =

[1 0]
[0 1].

it should be clear that both (1,0) and (0,1) are eigenvectors with the same eigenvalue, 1, and that these two vectors are linearly independent.

3. ## Re: theory for solving eigenvector and eigenvalue that are unequal

Thank you Deveno! that makes sense now. It gets pretty confusing when you're looking at it for a few hours.

My next question is actually along the same lines. The question states: Can a non-zero vector X be an eigenvector for two unequal eigenvalues E1 and E2 corresponding to two different matrices A and B, respectively? If yes prove it with an example. If No explain why?

4. ## Re: theory for solving eigenvector and eigenvalue that are unequal

This is pretty close to trivial. Let A and B be 2 by 2 diagonal matrices with different numbers along the diagonal.

5. ## Re: theory for solving eigenvector and eigenvalue that are unequal

The question I stated above question where it states: Can a non-zero vector X be an eigenvector for two unequal eigenvalues E1 and E2 corresponding to two different matrices A and B, respectively? If yes prove it with an example. If No explain why?

I've setup a few matrices and I keep getting a result of zero. Can anyone give me a better example of this?

6. ## Re: theory for solving eigenvector and eigenvalue that are unequal

Still not getting the proper answer to the question: Can a non-zero vector X be an eigenvector for two unequal eigenvalues E1 and E2 corresponding to two different matrices A and B, respectively? If yes prove it with an example. If No explain why? Can someone please help! Thank you again in advance for your time.