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# Eigen Values of a Matrix : IIT JAM 2016 Problem Number 13

## What are Eigen Values of a Matrix?

The Eigen values of a matrix are the roots of its characteristic equation.

## Try the problem from IIT JAM 2016

The largest eigen value of the matrix

$A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 4 & 16 \\[0.3em] 4 & 16 & 1 \\[0.3em] 16 & 1 & 4 \\ \end{bmatrix}$ is

$\textbf{(A)}\qquad 16\qquad \textbf{(B)}\qquad 21\qquad \textbf{(C)}\qquad 48\qquad \textbf{(D)}\qquad 64\qquad$

IIT JAM 2016 Problem Number 13

Finding the largest eigen value of a matrix

6 out of 10

Higher Algebra : S K Mapa

## Use some hints

In order to find the largest eigen value of the given matrix we have to find all the eigen values of the given matrix, then we can find the largest among them. Now it is very easy to find the eigen values. Give it a try!!!

Now the process of rank starts with finding the characteristics polynomial of the given matrix, i.e., $\textbf{ det }(A-\lambda I)=0$. We have to find the value of this $\lambda$ which is the eigen value. Now it is very easy to find the determinant of $(A-\lambda I)$. Try to cook this up.

So, now let's do some calculation.

$\textbf{det}(A-\lambda I) = \left| \begin{matrix} 1-\lambda & 4 & 16 \\[0.3em] 4 & 16-\lambda & 1 \\[0.3em] 16 & 1 & 4 -\lambda \\ \end{matrix} \right| =0$

Now we are half way done just our calculation part remains.

$|A-\lambda I|=(1-\lambda)[64-20 \lambda + \lambda ^2-1]-4[16-4 \lambda -16]+16[4-256+16 \lambda]=0$

$\Rightarrow \quad (1- \lambda )( \lambda ^2-20 \lambda +63)+16 \lambda +256 \lambda -4032=0$

$\Rightarrow \quad \lambda ^2-20 \lambda +63 - \lambda ^3+20 \lambda ^2-63 \lambda +272 \lambda -4032=0$

$\Rightarrow \quad - \lambda ^3+21 \lambda ^2+189 \lambda -3969=0$

$\Rightarrow \quad \lambda ^3-21 \lambda ^2-189 \lambda +3969=0$

$\Rightarrow \quad(\lambda-21)(\lambda^2-189)=0$

Therefore $\lambda=21, \quad -13.747727, \quad 13.747727$

So from here we can clearly see

$\lambda=21$ is the largest among all the eigen values.