# Similarity of a matrix

• August 4th 2013, 01:35 AM
xixi
Similarity of a matrix
Let A be an n*n matrix with real entries and A^2+I=0. If n=2k then show that A is similar to the block matrix of the form $\left(\begin{array}{cc}0&-I\\I&0\end{array}\right)$ where I is k*k identity matrix.
• August 5th 2013, 11:16 AM
Drexel28
Re: Similarity of a matrix
Hint: If n=2k then there is a natural ring morphism of $\text{Mat}_n(\mathbb{R})\to \text{Mat}_k(\mathbb{C})$. Now, the image of your matrix $A$ is a complex matrix with $A^2+I=0$. This implies that the minimal polynomial of $A$ divides $x^2+1$, and thus is separable. Thus, $A$ is diagonalizable, and it has eigenvalues $\pm i$. Now, what?
• August 5th 2013, 04:42 PM
johng
Re: Similarity of a matrix
Hi xixi,
The fact that the matrix is over the reals and not the complex field is critical. The 2 by 2 scalar matrix A with i on the diagonal clearly satisfies A2+I=0 and is certainly not similar to a matrix of the stated form. (Since A commutes with anybody, a conjugate of A is A!)
Attached is a solution. If you have questions, post your question.

Attachment 28943