Finding the eigenvectors in a 3x3 matrix, given 3 eigenvalues!

**flawless** · May 6th 2008, 06:35 AM

A= the 3x3 matrix
[0 1 0]
[1 0 0]
[0 0 3]
I worked out the eigenvalues to be 1, -1, 3. How do i find the 3 eigenvectors, as i need them to find an orthogonal matrix. (because i am asked to orthogonally diagonalize this matrix).. Thanks in advance, help will be much appreciated, i have always been stuck on this, on finding eigen vectors in a 3x3 matrix!

**Isomorphism** · May 6th 2008, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by flawless

A= the 3x3 matrix
[0 1 0]
[1 0 0]
[0 0 3]
I worked out the eigenvalues to be 1, -1, 3. How do i find the 3 eigenvectors, as i need them to find an orthogonal matrix. (because i am asked to orthogonally diagonalize this matrix).. Thanks in advance, help will be much appreciated, i have always been stuck on this, on finding eigen vectors in a 3x3 matrix!

Let $x = [x_1,x_2,x_3]^T$ and $\lambda$ denote eigenvalue.Use the definition:
$Ax = \lambda x$

So solve the following system of equations, three times, every time with a different $\lambda$ , to get the three eigenvectors.
$x_2 = \lambda x_1$
$x_1 = \lambda x_2$
$3x_3 = \lambda x_3$

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