# Find nilpotent

• Nov 8th 2008, 11:57 AM
Find nilpotent
Find two nilpotent 2 by 2 matrices such that their sum is not nilpotent.

I have been trying a few matrices but none are working, is there a more logical, easier way to find these matrices? thanks.
• Nov 8th 2008, 12:03 PM
clic-clac
01 00
00 10
are nilpotent, but their sum,
01
10
is inversible so it is not nilpotent :)
• Nov 8th 2008, 04:50 PM
So inversible means no nilpotent? How so? Thanks.
• Nov 8th 2008, 05:10 PM
ThePerfectHacker
Quote:

Originally Posted by tttcomrader
So inversible means no nilpotent? How so? Thanks.

Because if $A$ is invertible then $A^n$ is invertible. Thus, if $A^n$ is not invertible then $A$ is not invertible. If $A^n$ is zero matrix then it means $A^n$ is not invertible and so $A$ is not invertible.
• Jan 27th 2009, 07:22 AM
arbolis
Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePerfectHacker
Because if $A$ is invertible then $A^n$ is invertible. Thus, if $A^n$ is not invertible then $A$ is not invertible. If $A^n$ is zero matrix then it means $A^n$ is not invertible and so $A$ is not invertible.

Thank you TPH, you just answered a question of mine. I'm glad I've searched into the forum.