Computer Science I / Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors
Practice question · Select all that apply

The diagonal matrix with rows (5, 0) and (0, -1) acts on the plane. Select every TRUE statement.

Hints
  1. Apply the matrix to each axis vector.
  2. Check whether A(1,1) stays parallel to (1,1).
Show the answer
  • A. It stretches the x-direction by 5
  • B. It flips the y-direction
  • D. (0, 1) is an eigenvector with eigenvalue -1
  • E. (1, 0) is an eigenvector with eigenvalue 5
Why

The axis vectors are eigenvectors: (1,0) scales by 5, (0,1) by -1 (a flip). But A(1,1) = (5,-1), which is not a multiple of (1,1), so (1,1) is not an eigenvector.

Read the lesson: Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors →

Practise Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors

The app has 4 more questions on this lesson, and keeps your place in the course. Computer Science I is free to start.

More questions on Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors