Example 2: Powers of a matrix
Compute A5, where
A = -1 2 -1
0 1 1
0 0 2

Solution:

p() = (-1)3 (+1) (-1) (-2)    (upper triangular matrix => eigenvalues lie on the main diagonal)
= - (3 - 2 2 - + 2 )
= - 3 + 2 2 + - 2

-A matrix satisfies its characteristic equation:
=> -A3 + 2A2 + A - 2I = 0 <=> A3 = 2A2 + A - 2I   | ·A
=> A4 = 2A3 + A2 - 2A | Substitute A3 = 2A2 + A - 2I
= 2(2A2 + A - 2I) + A2 - 2A = 5A2 - 4I
=> A5 = 5A3 - 4A | Substitute A3 = 2A2 + A - 2I
= 5(2A2 + A - 2I) - 4A = 10A2 +A - 10I

= 10 -1 2 -1
0 1 1
0 0 2
-1 2 -1
0 1 1
0 0 2
+ -1 2 -1
0 1 1
0 0 2
- 10 1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 1

= 10 0 10
0 10 30
0 0 40
+ -1 2 -1
0 1 1
0 0 2
- 10 0 0
0 10 0
0 0 10
= -1 2 9
0 1 31
0 0 32


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