Diagnolize Matrices

Given a matrix $\mathbf A$, it is diagonalized using its eigenvectors.

Why are the eigenvectors needed?

Eigenvectors of a matrix $\mathbf A$ are the preferred directions. From the definition of eigenvectors,

$$ \mathbf A \mathbf x = \lambda \mathbf x, $$

we know that the matrix $\mathbf A$ only scales the eigenvectors and no rotations. These directions are special to the matrix $\mathbf A$.

  1. Find the eigenvectors $\mathbf x_i$ of the matrix $\mathbf A$; If we find degerations, the matrix is not diagonalizable.
  2. Construct a matrix $\mathbf S = \begin{pmatrix} \mathbf x_1 & \mathbf x_2 & \cdots & \mathbf x_n \end{pmatrix}$;
  3. The matrix $\mathbf A$ is diagonalize using $\mathbf S^{-1} \mathbf A \mathbf S = \mathbf {A_D}$

Planted: by ;

L Ma (2020). 'Diagnolize Matrices', Datumorphism, 03 April. Available at: https://datumorphism.leima.is/cards/math/diagonalize-matrix/.