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Understanding Eigenvalues

Eigenvalues are crucial in understanding matrices and their applications across various fields such as physics, engineering, and computer science. Let's explore some examples:

Example 1

Consider the matrix A:

A = \[\begin{bmatrix} 4 & 1 \\ 2 & 3 \end{bmatrix}\]

The characteristic equation to find the eigenvalues is:

\(\lambda^2 - 7\lambda + 10 = 0\)

Solving this, we find the eigenvalues \( \lambda_1 = 5 \) and \( \lambda_2 = 2 \).

Example 2

For the matrix B:

B = \[\begin{bmatrix} 0 & 1 \\ -2 & -3 \end{bmatrix}\]

Characteristic equation:

\(\lambda^2 + 3\lambda + 2 = 0\)

The eigenvalues are \( \lambda_1 = -1 \) and \( \lambda_2 = -2 \).

Feel free to experiment with more matrices to find their eigenvalues and explore deeper into linear algebra.