Subsection 3.7.1 Geometric multiplicity
Take the diagonal matrix
\begin{equation*}
A =
\begin{bmatrix}
3 & 0 \\ 0 & 3
\end{bmatrix} .
\end{equation*}
\(A\) has an eigenvalue 3 of multiplicity 2. We call the multiplicity of the eigenvalue in the characteristic equation the algebraic multiplicity. In this case, there also exist 2 linearly independent eigenvectors, \(\left[ \begin{smallmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \end{smallmatrix} \right]\) and \(\left[ \begin{smallmatrix} 0 \\ 1 \end{smallmatrix} \right]\) corresponding to the eigenvalue 3. This means that the so-called geometric multiplicity of this eigenvalue is also 2.
In all the theorems where we required a matrix to have \(n\) distinct eigenvalues, we only really needed to have \(n\) linearly independent eigenvectors. For example, \({\vec{x}}' = A\vec{x}\) has the general solution
\begin{equation*}
\vec{x} =
c_1 \begin{bmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \end{bmatrix} e^{3t}
+ c_2 \begin{bmatrix} 0 \\ 1 \end{bmatrix} e^{3t} .
\end{equation*}
Let us restate the theorem about real eigenvalues. In the following theorem we will repeat eigenvalues according to (algebraic) multiplicity. So for the matrix \(A\) above, we would say that it has eigenvalues 3 and 3.
Theorem 3.7.1.
Suppose the \(n \times n\) matrix \(P\) has \(n\) real eigenvalues (not necessarily distinct), \(\lambda_1\text{,}\) \(\lambda_2\text{,}\) ..., \(\lambda_n\text{,}\) and there are \(n\) linearly independent corresponding eigenvectors \(\vec{v}_1\text{,}\) \(\vec{v}_2\text{,}\) ..., \(\vec{v}_n\text{.}\) Then the general solution to \({\vec{x}}' = P\vec{x}\) can be written as
\begin{equation*}
\vec{x} = c_1 \vec{v}_1 e^{\lambda_1 t} +
c_2 \vec{v}_2 e^{\lambda_2 t} + \cdots +
c_n \vec{v}_n e^{\lambda_n t} .
\end{equation*}
The geometric multiplicity of an eigenvalue of algebraic multiplicity \(n\) is equal to the number of corresponding linearly independent eigenvectors. The geometric multiplicity is always less than or equal to the algebraic multiplicity. The theorem handles the case when these two multiplicities are equal for all eigenvalues. If for an eigenvalue the geometric multiplicity is equal to the algebraic multiplicity, then we say the eigenvalue is complete.
In other words, the hypothesis of the theorem could be stated as saying that if all the eigenvalues of \(P\) are complete, then there are \(n\) linearly independent eigenvectors and thus we have the given general solution.
If the geometric multiplicity of an eigenvalue is 2 or greater, then the set of linearly independent eigenvectors is not unique up to multiples as it was before. For example, for the diagonal matrix \(A =
\left[ \begin{smallmatrix} 3 & 0 \\ 0 & 3 \end{smallmatrix} \right]\) we could also pick eigenvectors \(\left[ \begin{smallmatrix} 1 \\ 1 \end{smallmatrix} \right]\) and \(\left[ \begin{smallmatrix} 1 \\ -1 \end{smallmatrix} \right]\text{,}\) or in fact any pair of two linearly independent vectors. The number of linearly independent eigenvectors corresponding to \(\lambda\) is the number of free variables we obtain when solving \(A\vec{v} =
\lambda \vec{v}\text{.}\) We pick specific values for those free variables to obtain eigenvectors. If you pick different values, you may get different eigenvectors.
Subsection 3.7.2 Defective eigenvalues
If an \(n \times n\) matrix has less than \(n\) linearly independent eigenvectors, it is said to be deficient. Then there is at least one eigenvalue with an algebraic multiplicity that is higher than its geometric multiplicity. We call this eigenvalue defective and the difference between the two multiplicities we call the defect.
Example 3.7.1.
The matrix
\begin{equation*}
\begin{bmatrix}
3 & 1 \\ 0 & 3
\end{bmatrix}
\end{equation*}
has an eigenvalue 3 of algebraic multiplicity 2. Let us try to compute eigenvectors.
\begin{equation*}
\begin{bmatrix}
0 & 1 \\ 0 & 0
\end{bmatrix}
\begin{bmatrix}
v_1 \\ v_2
\end{bmatrix}
= \vec{0} .
\end{equation*}
We must have that \(v_2 = 0\text{.}\) Hence any eigenvector is of the form \(\left[ \begin{smallmatrix} v_1 \\ 0 \end{smallmatrix} \right]\text{.}\) Any two such vectors are linearly dependent, and hence the geometric multiplicity of the eigenvalue is 1. Therefore, the defect is 1, and we can no longer apply the eigenvalue method directly to a system of ODEs with such a coefficient matrix.
Roughly, the key observation is that if \(\lambda\) is an eigenvalue of \(A\) of algebraic multiplicity \(m\text{,}\) then we can find certain \(m\) linearly independent vectors solving \({(A-\lambda I)}^k \vec{v} = \vec{0}\) for various powers \(k\text{.}\) We will call these generalized eigenvectors.
Let us continue with the example \(A = \left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
3 & 1 \\ 0 & 3
\end{smallmatrix} \right]\) and the equation \({\vec{x}}' = A\vec{x}\text{.}\) We found an eigenvalue \(\lambda=3\) of (algebraic) multiplicity 2 and defect 1. We found one eigenvector \(\vec{v} = \left[ \begin{smallmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \end{smallmatrix} \right]\text{.}\) We have one solution
\begin{equation*}
\vec{x}_1 = \vec{v} e^{3t} = \begin{bmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \end{bmatrix} e^{3t} .
\end{equation*}
We are now stuck, we get no other solutions from standard eigenvectors. But we need two linearly independent solutions to find the general solution of the equation.
Let us try (in the spirit of repeated roots of the characteristic equation for a single equation) another solution of the form
\begin{equation*}
\vec{x}_2 = ( \vec{v}_2 + \vec{v}_1 t )\, e^{3t} .
\end{equation*}
We differentiate to get
\begin{equation*}
{\vec{x}_2}' =
\vec{v}_1 e^{3t} +
3 ( \vec{v}_2 + \vec{v}_1 t )\, e^{3t}
=
( 3 \vec{v}_2 + \vec{v}_1 )\, e^{3t} + 3 \vec{v}_1 t e^{3t} .
\end{equation*}
As we are assuming that \(\vec{x}_2\) is a solution, \({\vec{x}_2}'\) must equal \(A \vec{x}_2\text{.}\) So we compute \(A \vec{x}_2\text{:}\)
\begin{equation*}
A \vec{x}_2 =
A ( \vec{v}_2 + \vec{v}_1 t )\, e^{3t}
=
A \vec{v}_2 e^{3t} + A \vec{v}_1 t e^{3t} .
\end{equation*}
By looking at the coefficients of \(e^{3t}\) and \(t e^{3t}\text{,}\) we see \(3 \vec{v}_2 + \vec{v}_1 = A \vec{v}_2\) and \(3 \vec{v}_1 = A \vec{v}_1\text{.}\) This means that
\begin{equation*}
(A-3I)\vec{v}_2 = \vec{v}_1,
\qquad \text{and} \qquad
(A-3I)\vec{v}_1 = \vec{0}.
\end{equation*}
Therefore, \(\vec{x}_2\) is a solution if these two equations are satisfied. The second equation is satisfied if \(\vec{v}_1\) is an eigenvector, and we found the eigenvector above, so let \(\vec{v}_1 =
\left[ \begin{smallmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \end{smallmatrix} \right]\text{.}\) So, if we can find a \(\vec{v}_2\) that solves \((A-3I)\vec{v}_2 = \vec{v}_1\text{,}\) then we are done. This is just a bunch of linear equations to solve and we are by now very good at that. Let us solve \((A-3I)\vec{v}_2 = \vec{v}_1\text{.}\) Write
\begin{equation*}
\begin{bmatrix}
0 & 1 \\ 0 & 0
\end{bmatrix}
\begin{bmatrix}
a \\ b
\end{bmatrix}
=
\begin{bmatrix}
1 \\ 0
\end{bmatrix} .
\end{equation*}
By inspection we see that letting \(a=0\) (\(a\) could be anything in fact) and \(b=1\) does the job. Hence we can take \(\vec{v}_2 =
\left[ \begin{smallmatrix} 0 \\ 1 \end{smallmatrix} \right]\text{.}\) Our general solution to \({\vec{x}}' = A\vec{x}\) is
\begin{equation*}
\vec{x} =
c_1
\begin{bmatrix}
1 \\ 0
\end{bmatrix}
e^{3t}
+
c_2
\left(
\begin{bmatrix}
0 \\ 1
\end{bmatrix}
+
\begin{bmatrix}
1 \\ 0
\end{bmatrix}
t
\right)
\,
e^{3t}
=
\begin{bmatrix}
c_1 e^{3t}+c_2 te^{3t} \\
c_2 e^{3t}
\end{bmatrix} .
\end{equation*}
Let us check that we really do have the solution. First \(x_1' =
c_1 3 e^{3t}+c_2 e^{3t} + 3 c_2 te^{3t} = 3 x_1 + x_2\text{.}\) Good. Now \(x_2' = 3 c_2 e^{3t} = 3x_2\text{.}\) Good.
In the example, if we plug \((A-3I)\vec{v}_2 = \vec{v}_1\) into \((A-3I)\vec{v}_1 = \vec{0}\) we find
\begin{equation*}
(A-3I)(A-3I) \vec{v}_2 = \vec{0},
\qquad \text{or} \qquad
{(A-3I)}^2\vec{v}_2 = \vec{0}.
\end{equation*}
Furthermore, if \((A-3I) \vec{w} \not= \vec{0}\text{,}\) then \((A-3I) \vec{w}\) is an eigenvector, a multiple of \(\vec{v}_1\text{.}\) In this \(2 \times 2\) case \({(A-3I)}^2\) is just the zero matrix (exercise). So any vector \(\vec{w}\) solves \({(A-3I)}^2\vec{w} = \vec{0}\) and we just need a \(\vec{w}\) such that \((A-3I)\vec{w} \not= \vec{0}\text{.}\) Then we could use \(\vec{w}\) for \(\vec{v}_2\text{,}\) and \((A-3I)\vec{w}\) for \(\vec{v}_1\text{.}\)
Note that the system \({\vec{x}}' = A \vec{x}\) has a simpler solution since \(A\) is a so-called upper triangular matrix, that is every entry below the diagonal is zero. In particular, the equation for \(x_2\) does not depend on \(x_1\text{.}\) Mind you, not every defective matrix is triangular.
Exercise 3.7.1.
Solve \({\vec{x}}' = \left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
3 & 1 \\ 0 & 3
\end{smallmatrix} \right] \vec{x}\) by first solving for \(x_2\) and then for \(x_1\) independently. Check that you got the same solution as we did above.
Let us describe the general algorithm. Suppose that \(\lambda\) is an eigenvalue of multiplicity 2, defect 1. First find an eigenvector \(\vec{v}_1\) of \(\lambda\text{.}\) That is, \(\vec{v}_1\) solves \((A-\lambda I)\vec{v}_1 = \vec{0}\text{.}\) Then, find a vector \(\vec{v}_2\) such that
\begin{equation*}
(A-\lambda I)\vec{v}_2 = \vec{v}_1 .
\end{equation*}
This gives us two linearly independent solutions
\begin{equation*}
\begin{aligned}
\vec{x}_1 & = \vec{v}_1 e^{\lambda t} , \\
\vec{x}_2 & = \left( \vec{v}_2 + \vec{v}_1 t \right) e^{\lambda t} .
\end{aligned}
\end{equation*}
Example 3.7.2.
Consider the system
\begin{equation*}
\vec{x}' =
\begin{bmatrix}
2 & -5 & 0 \\
0 & 2 & 0 \\
-1 & 4 & 1
\end{bmatrix}
\vec{x} .
\end{equation*}
Compute the eigenvalues,
\begin{equation*}
0 =
\det(A-\lambda I) =
\det\left(
\begin{bmatrix}
2-\lambda & -5 & 0 \\
0 & 2-\lambda & 0 \\
-1 & 4 & 1-\lambda
\end{bmatrix}
\right)
= (2-\lambda)^2(1-\lambda) .
\end{equation*}
The eigenvalues are 1 and 2, where 2 has multiplicity 2. We leave it to the reader to find that \(\left[ \begin{smallmatrix} 0 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{smallmatrix} \right]\) is an eigenvector for the eigenvalue \(\lambda = 1\text{.}\)
Let us focus on \(\lambda = 2\text{.}\) We compute eigenvectors:
\begin{equation*}
\vec{0} =
(A - 2 I) \vec{v}
=
\begin{bmatrix}
0 & -5 & 0 \\
0 & 0 & 0 \\
-1 & 4 & -1
\end{bmatrix}
\begin{bmatrix}
v_1 \\ v_2 \\ v_3
\end{bmatrix}
.
\end{equation*}
The first equation says that \(v_2 = 0\text{,}\) so the last equation is \(-v_1 -v_3 = 0\text{.}\) Let \(v_3\) be the free variable to find that \(v_1 = -v_3\text{.}\) Perhaps let \(v_3 = -1\) to find an eigenvector \(\left[ \begin{smallmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \\ -1 \end{smallmatrix} \right]\text{.}\) Problem is that setting \(v_3\) to anything else just gets multiples of this vector and so we have a defect of 1. Let \(\vec{v}_1\) be the eigenvector and let us look for a generalized eigenvector \(\vec{v}_2\text{:}\)
\begin{equation*}
(A - 2 I) \vec{v}_2 = \vec{v}_1 ,
\end{equation*}
or
\begin{equation*}
\begin{bmatrix}
0 & -5 & 0 \\
0 & 0 & 0 \\
-1 & 4 & -1
\end{bmatrix}
\begin{bmatrix}
a \\ b \\ c
\end{bmatrix}
=
\begin{bmatrix}
1 \\ 0 \\ -1
\end{bmatrix} ,
\end{equation*}
where we used \(a\text{,}\) \(b\text{,}\) \(c\) as components of \(\vec{v}_2\) for simplicity. The first equation says \(-5b = 1\) so \(b = \nicefrac{-1}{5}\text{.}\) The second equation says nothing. The last equation is \(-a + 4b - c = -1\text{,}\) or \(a + \nicefrac{4}{5} + c = 1\text{,}\) or \(a + c = \nicefrac{1}{5}\text{.}\) We let \(c\) be the free variable and we choose \(c=0\text{.}\) We find \(\vec{v}_2 = \left[ \begin{smallmatrix} \nicefrac{1}{5} \\ \nicefrac{-1}{5}
\\ 0 \end{smallmatrix} \right]\text{.}\)
The general solution is therefore,
\begin{equation*}
\vec{x} =
c_1
\begin{bmatrix} 0 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{bmatrix}
e^t
+
c_2
\begin{bmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \\ -1 \end{bmatrix}
e^{2t}
+
c_3
\left(
\begin{bmatrix} \nicefrac{1}{5} \\ \nicefrac{-1}{5} \\ 0 \end{bmatrix}
+
\begin{bmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \\ -1 \end{bmatrix}
t
\right)
e^{2t}
.
\end{equation*}
This machinery can also be generalized to higher multiplicities and higher defects. We will not go over this method in detail, but let us just sketch the ideas. Suppose that \(A\) has an eigenvalue \(\lambda\) of multiplicity \(m\text{.}\) We find vectors such that
\begin{equation*}
{(A - \lambda I)}^k \vec{v} = \vec{0},
\qquad \text{but} \qquad
{(A - \lambda I)}^{k-1} \vec{v} \not= \vec{0}.
\end{equation*}
Such vectors are called generalized eigenvectors (then \(\vec{v}_1 = {(A - \lambda I)}^{k-1} \vec{v}\) is an eigenvector). For the eigenvector \(\vec{v}_1\) there is a chain of generalized eigenvectors \(\vec{v}_2\) through \(\vec{v}_k\) such that:
\begin{equation*}
\begin{aligned}
(A - \lambda I) \vec{v}_1 & = \vec{0} , \\
(A - \lambda I) \vec{v}_2 & = \vec{v}_1 , \\
& ~~\vdots \\
(A - \lambda I) \vec{v}_k & = \vec{v}_{k-1} .
\end{aligned}
\end{equation*}
Really once you find the \(\vec{v}_k\) such that \({(A - \lambda I)}^k \vec{v}_k = \vec{0}\) but \({(A - \lambda I)}^{k-1} \vec{v}_k \not= \vec{0}\text{,}\) you find the entire chain since you can compute the rest, \(\vec{v}_{k-1} = (A - \lambda I) \vec{v}_k\text{,}\) \(\vec{v}_{k-2} = (A - \lambda I) \vec{v}_{k-1}\text{,}\) etc. We form the linearly independent solutions
\begin{equation*}
\begin{aligned}
\vec{x}_1 & = \vec{v}_1 e^{\lambda t} , \\
\vec{x}_2 & = ( \vec{v}_2 + \vec{v}_1 t ) \, e^{\lambda t} , \\
& ~~\vdots \\
\vec{x}_k & = \left( \vec{v}_k + \vec{v}_{k-1} t +
\vec{v}_{k-2} \frac{t^2}{2} +
\cdots + \vec{v}_2 \frac{t^{k-2}}{(k-2)!} + \vec{v}_1 \frac{t^{k-1}}{(k-1)!}
\right) \, e^{\lambda t} .
\end{aligned}
\end{equation*}
Recall that \(k! = 1 \cdot 2 \cdot 3 \cdots (k-1) \cdot k\) is the factorial. If you have an eigenvalue of geometric multiplicity \(\ell\text{,}\) you will have to find \(\ell\) such chains (some of them might be short: just the single eigenvector equation). We go until we form \(m\) linearly independent solutions where \(m\) is the algebraic multiplicity. We don’t quite know which specific eigenvectors go with which chain, so start by finding \(\vec{v}_k\) first for the longest possible chain and go from there.
For example, if \(\lambda\) is an eigenvalue of \(A\) of algebraic multiplicity 3 and defect 2, then solve
\begin{equation*}
(A - \lambda I) \vec{v}_1 = \vec{0} , \qquad
(A - \lambda I) \vec{v}_2 = \vec{v}_1 , \qquad
(A - \lambda I) \vec{v}_3 = \vec{v}_2 .
\end{equation*}
That is, find \(\vec{v}_3\) such that \({(A - \lambda I)}^3 \vec{v}_3 = \vec{0}\text{,}\) but \({(A - \lambda I)}^2 \vec{v}_3 \not= \vec{0}\text{.}\) Then you are done as \(\vec{v}_2 = (A - \lambda I) \vec{v}_3\) and \(\vec{v}_1 = (A - \lambda I) \vec{v}_2\text{.}\) The 3 linearly independent solutions are
\begin{equation*}
\vec{x}_1 = \vec{v}_1 e^{\lambda t} , \qquad
\vec{x}_2 = ( \vec{v}_2 + \vec{v}_1 t ) \, e^{\lambda t} , \qquad
\vec{x}_3 = \left( \vec{v}_3 + \vec{v}_2 t +
\vec{v}_{1} \frac{t^2}{2} \right) \, e^{\lambda t} .
\end{equation*}
If, on the other hand, \(A\) has an eigenvalue \(\lambda\) of algebraic multiplicity 3 and defect 1, then solve
\begin{equation*}
(A - \lambda I) \vec{v}_1 = \vec{0} , \qquad
(A - \lambda I) \vec{v}_2 = \vec{0} , \qquad
(A - \lambda I) \vec{v}_3 = \vec{v}_2 .
\end{equation*}
Here \(\vec{v}_1\) and \(\vec{v}_2\) are actual honest eigenvectors, and \(\vec{v}_3\) is a generalized eigenvector. So there are two chains. To solve, first find a \(\vec{v}_3\) such that \({(A - \lambda I)}^2 \vec{v}_3 = \vec{0}\text{,}\) but \((A - \lambda I) \vec{v}_3 \not= \vec{0}\text{.}\) Then \(\vec{v}_2 = (A - \lambda I) \vec{v}_3\) is going to be an eigenvector. Then solve for an eigenvector \(\vec{v}_1\) that is linearly independent from \(\vec{v}_2\text{.}\) You get 3 linearly independent solutions
\begin{equation*}
\vec{x}_1 = \vec{v}_1 e^{\lambda t} , \qquad
\vec{x}_2 = \vec{v}_2 e^{\lambda t} , \qquad
\vec{x}_3 = ( \vec{v}_3 + \vec{v}_2 t ) \, e^{\lambda t} .
\end{equation*}
Exercises 3.7.3 Exercises
3.7.2.
Let \(A = \left[ \begin{smallmatrix} 5 & -3 \\ 3 & -1 \end{smallmatrix} \right]\text{.}\) Find the general solution of \({\vec{x}}' = A \vec{x}\text{.}\)
3.7.3.
Let \(A = \left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
5 & -4 & 4 \\
0 & 3 & 0 \\
-2 & 4 & -1
\end{smallmatrix} \right]\text{.}\)
What are the eigenvalues?
What is/are the defect(s) of the eigenvalue(s)?
Find the general solution of \({\vec{x}}' = A \vec{x}\text{.}\)
3.7.4.
Let \(A = \left[ \begin{smallmatrix} 2 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 2 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 2 \end{smallmatrix} \right]\text{.}\)
What are the eigenvalues?
What is/are the defect(s) of the eigenvalue(s)?
Find the general solution of \({\vec{x}}' = A \vec{x}\) in two different ways and verify you get the same answer.
3.7.5.
Let \(A = \left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
0 & 1 & 2 \\
-1 & -2 & -2 \\
-4 & 4 & 7
\end{smallmatrix} \right]\text{.}\)
What are the eigenvalues?
What is/are the defect(s) of the eigenvalue(s)?
Find the general solution of \({\vec{x}}' = A \vec{x}\text{.}\)
3.7.6.
Let \(A = \left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
0 & 4 & -2 \\
-1 & -4 & 1 \\
0 & 0 & -2
\end{smallmatrix} \right]\text{.}\)
What are the eigenvalues?
What is/are the defect(s) of the eigenvalue(s)?
Find the general solution of \({\vec{x}}' = A \vec{x}\text{.}\)
3.7.7.
Let \(A = \left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
2 & 1 & -1 \\
-1 & 0 & 2 \\
-1 & -2 & 4
\end{smallmatrix} \right]\text{.}\)
What are the eigenvalues?
What is/are the defect(s) of the eigenvalue(s)?
Find the general solution of \({\vec{x}}' = A \vec{x}\text{.}\)
3.7.8.
Suppose that \(A\) is a \(2 \times 2\) matrix with a repeated eigenvalue \(\lambda\text{.}\) Suppose that there are two linearly independent eigenvectors. Show that \(A = \lambda I\text{.}\)
3.7.101.
Let \(A =
\left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
1 & 1 & 1 \\
1 & 1 & 1 \\
1 & 1 & 1
\end{smallmatrix}\right]\text{.}\)
What are the eigenvalues?
What is/are the defect(s) of the eigenvalue(s)?
Find the general solution of \(\vec{x}\,' = A\vec{x}\text{.}\)
Answer.
a) \(3,0,0\) b) No defects. c) \(\vec{x} =
C_1
\left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
1 \\ 1 \\ 1
\end{smallmatrix}\right]
e^{3t}
+
C_2
\left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
1 \\ 0 \\ -1
\end{smallmatrix}\right]
+
C_3
\left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
0 \\ 1 \\ -1
\end{smallmatrix}\right]\)
3.7.102.
Let \(A =
\left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
1 & 3 & 3 \\
1 & 1 & 0 \\
-1 & 1 & 2 \\
\end{smallmatrix}\right]\text{.}\)
What are the eigenvalues?
What is/are the defect(s) of the eigenvalue(s)?
Find the general solution of \(\vec{x}\,' = A\vec{x}\text{.}\)
Answer.
a) \(1,1,2\)
b) Eigenvalue 1 has a defect of 1
c) \(\vec{x} =
C_1
\left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
0 \\ 1 \\ -1
\end{smallmatrix}\right]
e^{t}
+
C_2
\left(
\left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
1 \\ 0 \\ 0
\end{smallmatrix}\right]
+
t
\left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
0 \\ 1 \\ -1
\end{smallmatrix}\right]
\right)
e^{t}
+
C_3
\left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
3 \\ 3 \\ -2
\end{smallmatrix}\right]
e^{2t}\)
3.7.103.
Let \(A =
\left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
2 & 0 & 0 \\
-1 & -1 & 9 \\
0 & -1 & 5
\end{smallmatrix}\right]\text{.}\)
What are the eigenvalues?
What is/are the defect(s) of the eigenvalue(s)?
Find the general solution of \(\vec{x}\,' = A\vec{x}\text{.}\)
Answer.
a) \(2,2,2\)
b) Eigenvalue 2 has a defect of 2
c) \(\vec{x} =
C_1
\left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
0 \\ 3 \\ 1
\end{smallmatrix}\right]
e^{2t}
+
C_2
\left(
\left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
0 \\ -1 \\ 0
\end{smallmatrix}\right]
+
t
\left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
0 \\ 3 \\ 1
\end{smallmatrix}\right]
\right)
e^{2t}
+
C_3
\left(
\left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
1 \\ 0 \\ 0
\end{smallmatrix}\right]
+
t
\left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
0 \\ -1 \\ 0
\end{smallmatrix}\right]
+
\frac{t^2}{2}
\left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
0 \\ 3 \\ 1
\end{smallmatrix}\right]
\right)
e^{2t}\)
3.7.104.
Let \(A =
\left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
a & a \\
b & c
\end{smallmatrix}\right]\text{,}\) where \(a\text{,}\) \(b\text{,}\) and \(c\) are unknowns. Suppose that \(5\) is a doubled eigenvalue of defect 1, and suppose that \(\left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
1 \\ 0
\end{smallmatrix}\right]\) is a corresponding eigenvector. Find \(A\) and show that there is only one such matrix \(A\text{.}\)
Answer.
\(A = \left[ \begin{smallmatrix}
5 & 5 \\ 0 & 5
\end{smallmatrix}\right]\)
